9mm or 45cal

[SGT Rocket]

Ok bartenders, if this is in the wrong place, please feel free to move this post.

Fellow loungers, I have a dilemma. I have been eying the Ruger P95, which is a 9mm for quite some time. It is currently on sale at a local store here for a good price. I currently have a five shot Taurus 357 snub nose, and a S&W six shot 38.

Now, Ruger also has a P345 which is a 45cal. However, it is about $200 more.

I like the idea of a 45cal for the knock down power. But the P95, 9mm, would be a little bit easier to handle (I could get more used to the 45 with a little practice).

Now, what would I be using the weapon for? I could probably use the P95 for conceal carry, but the P345 is only a little wider and longer. In general, the other uses would be home defense, and to take along on back woods hiking and camping trips. Oh, also, tooling around at the range.

The ammo for the 45cal would be a little more expensive too.

[Treetopflyer]

.45 has the stopping power that you would need if you had to use it for its intended purpose. So, I say the .45 is the better option.

[Atticus Finch]

The 9mm is not a great weapon for self defense. Most law enforcement agencies have abandoned it in favor of the .40 and calibers with more solid stopping power. It is fine for the military, but if you want to make a person...especially a large person...stop whatever he's doing...and stop it right now...the 9mm isn't your best choice.

AF

[WH1]

Big fan of the .45 ACP I have 2, a 1911A1, Sig P220 (my personal favorite) but I also like 9mm due to lower recoil, accuracy, and mag capacity. Fan of the Browning Hi-Power and I have a Sig P226 which I have carried for years it is a go to for me especially when abroad, easy to get ammo .45 not so much anymore. My logic is if I group properly (Mozambique) the individual won't be a problem. 9mm is easy to practice with so the groups are tight. Shoot what works for you better to put all the rounds in center with a .22LR than miss all with a .45.

[SGT Rocket]

Good point on getting a caliber that you can shoot on target with. However, I think that with most guns, I can get fairly accurate with practice. I think I really want the 45cal, because of the stopping power. But, man, I'm trying to pay cash for everything and I may have to wait. Now, the p345 is a little bigger, so I probably won't carry it as much. Which means, I may end up with the 9mm. Boy, can I talk myself in circles.

[Buggnkat]

With the new ammo on the market these days, a 380 can open to the point of being as or more lethal than a 45.

What would you like to do with the gun? If your paper punching, then a 9 wouldnt be a bad choice. Ammo isnt too bad (I say that with tongue in cheek as all ammo is expensive these days) compared to other calibers.

Self defense, I would recommend a gun that fits your hand, is balanced for you and most importantly accurate for you. A friend of mine says "if it doesnt jump into your hand, then you have the wrong weapon", translated "if it fits, you can shoot it accurately, then you have the right weapon for you". Again ammo coming out and some that is out now, makes smaller calibers open wounds far greater than the larger calibers.

[Rathdown]

"Stopping power" is something of a myth; incapacitation of an assailant only occurs when the flow of oxygenated blood to the brain is interrupted long enough to cause unconsciousness, or the central nervous system is damaged to the point that paralysis occurs. Either event can be caused by a well placed 9mm or .45 caliber bullet. Neither round, contrary to what one sees in the movies, will knock a man down, except under the most exceptional of circumstances.

My advice would be to buy a used 9mm Ruger P89 for two reasons. First, you will save yourself a couple of hundred bucks; second, 9mm is probably tied with .38 spl. as the most commonly available handgun ammunition commercially available in the United States (.22 long rifle is classified as rifle ammunition). If you check out the on-line auction sites (try Googling Gun Broker and Guns America) you will get a feel for the prices of used Rugers.

[Buggnkat]

"Stopping power" is something of a myth; incapacitation of an assailant only occurs when the flow of oxygenated blood to the brain is interrupted long enough to cause unconsciousness, or the central nervous system is damaged to the point that paralysis occurs. Either event can be caused by a well placed 9mm or .45 caliber bullet. Neither round, contrary to what one sees in the movies, will knock a man down, except under the most exceptional of circumstances.

True, but kinetic energy of a 45 versus a 9, there is quite a bit of difference. I have fired both in combat, and round for round I would take the 45 to combat and leave the 9 in the arms room. The wounds caused by the rounds make the difference, and with the ammo coming out for the self defense market these days the caliber argument is going to be a mute point shortly. The new teflon tips coming out expand to the point the wounds inflicted are relating to the size of a quarter going in and exiting the size of a golf ball coming out. I was shocked and impressed after the demo.

I carry a 45 Rock Island CS 1911a1. It is relatively inexpensive and comfortable for me. It is very accurate right out of the case. I would recommed it as it will come in under $520 depending on your state tax.

[sal]

Why not a compromise between the two.
I am a big fan of the .40. I have multiple calibers and my carry piece is the .40.
Also I am a fan of Glock, although I also have S&W, Browning, SigSauer, an Taurus. I agree with Buggnkat; the most important feature of a handgun is one that FITS you and your hand

[mason569]

1911 All that way it is my carry gun, the .45 is my main round, even in BALL form it will knock a man down with one hit...