.45ACP is still my choice for handgun caliber

[oljames3]

I don't carry my 155mm. It carries me AND provides ballistic cover.

[JRG]

I carry both. 9mm and .45acp Shields and 9mm and .45acp XD Mod 2 subcompacts.

I kinda like both rounds.

Joe

[Syntyr]

I like the fact that it is lower pressure than 9mm, and also moves slower. With a hollow point, it should not be as likely to overpenetrate in dense urban areas. Don't get me wrong, I like the 9mm a lot, and is my choice for carry. But home defense goes to .45ACP.

.45 acp? Well at least you got the "45" part right. I carry 45-70 pistol! You say but it's only a single shot? It doesnt matter i just have to line up right and i can take out 4 or 5! Besides when i light one of these things off everyone just scatters!

[Pawpaw]

What, no love for the Arsenal Firearms AF-2011?

[flechero]

While I prefer .45acp in my own guns, I carry both 45/9 depending on what I'm doing or the level of concealment I need.

I do particularly love the argument that 9mm has undergone these technological advancements that make it more adequate... but apparently no other caliber has benefited from the same modern projectile technology.

Carry what you shoot best and keep it on you!

[MechAg94]

What, no love for the Arsenal Firearms AF-2011?

If I had the spare change, I would get one.

I got a Coonan 1911 instead.

[johncanfield]

Our 1911 is a very favorite gun to shoot, love .45 caliber however my EDC is a Sig P239 in .357 Sig. Lots of energy.

[jb2012]

Steel guns in .45 are my sweet spot. I don't really have an issue concealing larger guns, and I shoot 1911's really well. However, my next gun is going to be a polymer 9mm. I do feel like the .45 has a bit more energy transferred to the target (takedown/knockdown power if you will). Ymmv.

[74novaman]

I do particularly love the argument that 9mm has undergone these technological advancements that make it more adequate... but apparently no other caliber has benefited from the same modern projectile technology.

That's a bit of a misrepresentation.

The argument isn't that only 9mm has improved with technology, but that given the advances in hollow point design, you're now seeing similar results from modern 9mm defensive ammo that you're seeing from modern .45 ammo in testing, whereas before that wasn't always the case.

So if both rounds are preforming similarly, it makes less sense to choose the one with higher recoil, lower capacity, and higher cost over something that has similar performance that you can carry more of and shoot more accurately/quicker in the same size gun.

But TAM had it really right: in the end a rifle>all handgun calibers, and we only carry pistols because they're easier to drag around all day.

[eyedoc]

Well,

I carry a custom Para in 10mm. What is not to like about 16 rounds of hot 10mm in a 1911 platform?

[flechero]

I do particularly love the argument that 9mm has undergone these technological advancements that make it more adequate... but apparently no other caliber has benefited from the same modern projectile technology.

That's a bit of a misrepresentation.

The argument isn't that only 9mm has improved with technology, but that given the advances in hollow point design, you're now seeing similar results from modern 9mm defensive ammo that you're seeing from modern .45 ammo in testing, whereas before that wasn't always the case.

So if both rounds are preforming similarly, it makes less sense to choose the one with higher recoil, lower capacity, and higher cost over something that has similar performance that you can carry more of and shoot more accurately/quicker in the same size gun.

But TAM had it really right: in the end a rifle>all handgun calibers, and we only carry pistols because they're easier to drag around all day.

You're no fun!

I know that all calibers benefit from the latest technology and design... but I only ever hear people talk about it in 9mm which is why it makes me chuckle I shoot my .45 better than any of my 9's, so while a 9mm may be a better choice for many (and I do believe it is) it's not universal.

I don't feel under gunned with 15 rounds of 45 acp. I often feel under gunned with 15 rounds of 9mm... but I carry the 9mm when I need to be more discreet. Not scientific but I have learned to trust my gut. I just can't get there in the 9mm is as good as 45acp debate, in my own head... maybe a great 9 JHP vs 45 fmj- but not apples to apples.

[MechAg94]

I do particularly love the argument that 9mm has undergone these technological advancements that make it more adequate... but apparently no other caliber has benefited from the same modern projectile technology.

That's a bit of a misrepresentation.

The argument isn't that only 9mm has improved with technology, but that given the advances in hollow point design, you're now seeing similar results from modern 9mm defensive ammo that you're seeing from modern .45 ammo in testing, whereas before that wasn't always the case.

So if both rounds are preforming similarly, it makes less sense to choose the one with higher recoil, lower capacity, and higher cost over something that has similar performance that you can carry more of and shoot more accurately/quicker in the same size gun.

But TAM had it really right: in the end a rifle>all handgun calibers, and we only carry pistols because they're easier to drag around all day.

I think it has been posted here before, but there were statistical studies of calibers used in actual shootings. I believe the findings were there was no statistical difference in performance of anything 9mm and up. Of course, a lot of details don't show up in statistics, but I would say that means shoot the gun you are comfortable with, practice with it, and hit your target if you have to use it.

[oljames3]

I think it has been posted here before, but there were statistical studies of calibers used in actual shootings. I believe the findings were there was no statistical difference in performance of anything 9mm and up. Of course, a lot of details don't show up in statistics, but I would say that means shoot the gun you are comfortable with, practice with it, and hit your target if you have to use it.

Shoot a round that meets the FBI protocols, from a reliable manufacturer, that you can shoot well ... and have fun doing it!

[The Annoyed Man]

I don't carry my 155mm. It carries me AND provides ballistic cover.

Cover? Yes. Concealment? Not so much.

[LeonCarr]

.096

That is the difference in bullet diameter between a 9mm and a .45.

According to some "experts" who seem to think that everybody is still carrying ball ammo in their handguns, less than a tenth of an inch in bullet diameter is the difference between an all powerful death ray and a shoot to wound pop gun.

Whatever.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr