9mm

[mixicus]

To the OP...9mm works just fine. Use current generation hollow points from a reliable manufacturer. As mentioned above, take a look a Dr. Gary Roberts work on ballistics for a list of loadings that pass the FBI protocol (a good benchmark for defensive rounds). Enjoy practicing for about 2/3 the price as .40S&W and 60% of .45ACP.


In reference to post #4's comment "Also, a couple of duty ballistic vests ago.....the label on my vest said it would stop up to 9mm and .38. So, by inference, it was suggesting it was not guaranteed to stop .40 and above.". From a body armor perspective, this is an inaccurate assumption. The .40S&W at ~1150fps is a Level II threat as is a 9mm at ~1220fps. A 9mm at ~1300fps is a IIA threat (a higher level of threat). The 9mm at ~1440 fps is a Level IIIA threat (this is the top soft body armor rating). A 9mm projectile at 1440 fps is usually associated with the .357 Sig however there are several commercially available rounds that reach this mark (the Isreali 115 gr and the 124 gr Geco load come to mind). I don't know of any common commercial .40S&W rounds that hit a Level IIA threat (180gr faster than about 1100 fps). You would need to step to a 10mm Auto to generate a Level IIA threat with a .40 cal projectile in commercial loads.

[oddjob]

OP,

9mm is fine. I know a few officers who have shot suspects with the 9mm. It worked fine in most of the shootings. The round used most often was a 147 JHP. I know of one where a 124 fmj was used.

I also believe round placement is crucial, but given the "heat" of the moment, suspect (s) moving, you moving and the sun and stars not lining up correctly proper shot placement can be tough. I'm from the Martin Fackler school of thought. I spoke to him and he was from the big heavy bullet school. Google him for his thoughts. I carried a .45 acp 1911 and was very happy with it.

Having said that I still think your choice is a wise one. As others have mentioned the 9mm is cheaper to shoot so you can shoot it more at less cost. Low recoil and a good selection of modern bullets out there for you to purchase.

The odds of you having to use the Glock 19 for home defense is slim. Just shoot it and enjoy it!

[Notorious]

LAPD and LASD were issuing 9mm forever and a lot of other agencies are still using 9mm as a standard sidearm, including the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department, so between those 3 agencies, you have close to 18,000 sworn personnel, which were using the 9mm for a long time as the standard sidearm... with deviations for those who stuck with the 38spcl or those who qualified for 45s.

If the 9mm was that bad... you would have heard enough of an uproar that it would have changed the whole landscape of SoCal LE.

[kasusbelli]

I think you're fine with your 9mm as stated above.

Personally, I have a 1911 with .45 Hornady Critical Defense 185 gr FTX rounds and a heavy, reliable P89 with 9mm Winchester PDX1 147 gr JHP bonded rounds and I would feel just as confident stopping a home invader with the 9mm with those rounds as the .45.

And of course, go to the range and practice, practice, practice and practice some more and when you're done, practice again. Not only will that help keep you safe, it will also keep your neighbors safe.

[556fmj]

I started my LE career with a 40, then switched to 45 when I got on the bigger is better wagon, then went back to 9mm when I decided that having just a few more bullets and being able to place them all faster and more accurately was better than having fewer big bullets that recoiled more and made me shoot slower.

Modern 9mm defense ammo has very identical terminal ballistics compared to modern 40 or 45 ammo. Most are within the low to mid-90's percentile for one-shot stops when you look at the scientific studies conducted by various ballistics experts, from the jello freaks to the morgue monsters.

I have absolutely no problem carrying my 9mm with modern +P+ ammo from Winchester. That thing is a rocket!

I had to stop and re-read this as your caliber changes pretty much echoed mine. Looking at it now, I have no regrets going to the 9mm. Dr. Roberts various tests and other ballistics data I've read along with the Federal HST all sold it for me for going to 9mm.

[twinfin]

Before I purchased my first firearm, I spent considerable time weighing the pros and cons of different calibers before deciding which handgun to buy. As a firefighter paramedic, I have a bit of perspective on gunshot wounds and the relative incapacitation that results from such trauma.

So what did I buy? A 9mm. Why you may ask? I felt that in the end, in a self defence situation, most likely in my home, the perpetrator is not likely to expect armed resistance and would likely change his mind once confronted by an armed homeowner.

Even if it became necessary to pull the trigger in defence of innocent life, I felt that the most important thing for me is to place well aimed shots. I believe I am most likely to deliver well aimed shots with a gun that I can afford to practice with often. 9mm ammo is less expensive compared to other calibers and the high quality hollow point rounds I keep in the magazine will do what I need them to as long as I aim well.

I think you made a reasonable choice in selecting a 9mm and since it's the lesser expensive ammo, get out to the range and shoot often so you feel very comfortable and confident in handling, aiming and firing your gun.

[TASK, LLC]

Hits matter. You can't miss fast enough to win a gunfight.

As a general rule, I recommend that shooters go with the biggest caliber that they can make hits in tactical situations.

A .45 ACP round is worthless if you can't make the shot.

[Notorious]

I had to stop and re-read this as your caliber changes pretty much echoed mine. Looking at it now, I have no regrets going to the 9mm. Dr. Roberts various tests and other ballistics data I've read along with the Federal HST all sold it for me for going to 9mm.

I was pretty decent with the 45 but the recovery between shots was noticeably slower than with the 40 so I thought with the issue ammo being the excellent 127 grain +P+ round, I can't do any worse.

Lo and behold, after I got used to the different feel of the G34 versus the G21, and the different recoil impulse, I was able to consistently put the rounds where I want at a faster rate, even in dynamic moving scenarios. The boost in confidence really makes a big difference.

[Jonathan Doe]

I don't know how people conduct ballistics test on different bullets. All I know from my work is that I see bullets collected during autopsies at the coroner's office. I see many "premium bullets" fail to expand although they generally perform well. And, many more FMJ and LRN bullets killed a person with one shot. Like I said before, I don't know if it was immediate one shot stop or not.

I usually tell people buy a gun that you can afford and buy ammo that you can afford and shoot well. End of story. For me, I cannot carry any other ammo than the ones that are issued to me. So, no point of arguing which bullet performs better or not. I am stuck with what they gave me.

[TNP]

Thank you all for your input! I've read all of your posts and really feel 1000% more secure with my purchase. You've all provided an enormous amount of insight for me CALGUNS ROCKS!!!! How are the winchester white box 124 grain hollowpoints grade on ballistics if anyone knows? Those are what I bought for my glock, because they were the cheapest lol

[tanksoldier]

9mm is perfectly adequate.

I carry either a P225 or a S&W M65 loaded with .38 +P.

I've carried an used a 9mm in combat, and nobody ever stood back up and complained about it.

[CaliTheKid]

Thank you all for your input! I've read all of your posts and really feel 1000% more secure with my purchase. You've all provided an enormous amount of insight for me CALGUNS ROCKS!!!! How are the winchester white box 124 grain hollowpoints grade on ballistics if anyone knows? Those are what I bought for my glock, because they were the cheapest lol

Buy the best HP ammo you can afford and shoot at least one box through your gun to make sure it feeds reliably. If WWB HP's are all you can afford, go for it. If you can step up to the SXT's or Gold Dots, do that.

[veeklog]

Do any of you LEO's carry 9mm while on duty? What about 1911's in .45 acp? I am fairly new to gun ownership and purchased a 9mm as opposed to .40 for home defense. Do you think this was a wise decision? Thanks for your services to our community and consideration.

I carried a Glock 19 till 2008 when we switched to Sig 229's in. 40 caliber. Quite frankly, I prefer the 9mm more than the .40. I still carry a Glock 26 off duty, and will be going to a Glock 17 as my primary. Just use a premium bullet and you should be good.