9mm 13 Rd or 45 8rd

Status
Not open for further replies.
Assuming you can shoot either round equally well -- and there is a case to be made that the 9mm is easier to shoot follow-up rounds -- then it comes down to two things: number of rounds and "knock-down power" of the rounds compared to each other. There is a trade-off, unless you accept without question the current dogma that modern 9mm bullets have the same "knock down" power of the .45, derived mostly from the FBI's decision to go with 9mm over their former choice of .40 S&W.

Modern 9mm certainly is capable, and a .45 round out of a short barrel presents a dilemma in that it might fall below the threshold to open up the JHP round in terms of feet per second -- so what is the answer?

You probably have to read a lot of the articles on the internet to make up your mind on the 9mm vs .45 ballistics/impact question, but it is just as important to think about how the pistol is to be used. If you anticipate a one-adversary barroom fight, 8 rds of .45 is more than enough, and .45 appears to enjoy a slight advantage in hitting power (at least based on legend). If you anticipate dealing with a pack of feral dogs, or a contest with a number of adversaries all at once, then maybe the 13 rounds of 9mm is better.

I can't believe I am writing this all down. The question is a lot like - what round do you need in Brown Bear country? Do you use oil or grease in your gun? Are revolvers better for self-defense than pistols? Do you want a safety on your pistol, or do you believe no self-defense gun should ever have a safety? Which is better, Chevy or Ford? The answer to these deep questions lies in what do you feel works best for you, because the "right" answers are considerably based on the particulars of the situation.
 
I just went from a XDs45 to a M&P Compact 2.0

So right now I’m in the more is better camp. My thought is 15+1 plus two 17 round mags is a whole lot better than 7+1 plus a six round mag if a mob attacks. And given the way ANTIFA attacks in groups I’m more worried about them blocking traffic and attacking people then a lone robber.

That said I do go back and forth between 9mm and 45. So it’s just my current thinking.

What’s so bad is that places that I feel a need to carry more rounds are exactly the places that have the strictest “gun control” laws. And the places that have mag limits and don’t accept my conceal carry permit. But then again, my own state is going nuts and is trying to outlaw what I just got.

Soooooo

The real question is why are you asking this? And what do you hope the answers will tell you. Short of that you’ll just get opinions that mean little.

So the best answer is yes. Both are good options. But both serve different purposes.

In my case. 9mm ultra compact for dress clothes as something is better than nothing.
XDs45 has been my EDC as all things being equal bigger is better. So for a slightly larger size with the same rounds I’ll take 45 over 9mm.
And going up, when I want maximum “firepower” I’m going with the 9 Compact. Well max concealed.

Anyway, I’m not sure if this helps any, but hope it at least gives you things to think about
 
All else being equal, the 13 shot 9mm is the more practical choice.

A P365 with a 12 round magazine is much smaller than any 45 ACP.

A Walther PPQ 45 gives you 12+1 rounds in a package no larger than a Colt Commander.
 
Usually there will be at least some difference in size because the thickness of slide and frame required to house each cartridge. I like .45 ACP a lot but choose to pocket carry a 10+1 9mm because it offers the most concealable package that I can shoot reasonably well. In this particular hypothetical I guess I'd have to evaluate other factors such as how well I can control the particular .45 ACP in question.
 
I'm a fan of the 45 but in this case, I'll take the 9mm with 13 rounds. Too many bad guys with high capacity mags these days.

If the choices were 13 rounds of 45 vs 15 rounds of 9mm, I would take the 45.
 
I have come to the conclusion that for me, 13 9mm is better in the same size.

I carry a 9mm Sig P320 SC or a M&P 9c (now called the subcompact). Both carry 12+1.

But my Shield 45 is smaller and carries more discreetly, so it still goes out on occasion.
 
Full size 45ACP , don't own a 9mm so I'm biased. Can shoot full size 45ACP very well. I've always been taught size counts.
 
Assuming you can shoot either round equally well -- and there is a case to be made that the 9mm is easier to shoot follow-up rounds -- then it comes down to two things: number of rounds and "knock-down power" of the rounds compared to each other. There is a trade-off, unless you accept without question the current dogma that modern 9mm bullets have the same "knock down" power of the .45, derived mostly from the FBI's decision to go with 9mm over their former choice of .40 S&W.
[ /QUOTE]


There is no such thing as "knock down power" with any small arms at all, least of all a handgun.

But don't take my word for it; ask Issac Newton.
 
Last edited:
I can do both but I really like the 9 for carry. I bought it not to long ago and it shoots great. Mine holds 16+1 and with a extended mag two more.I find safety in numbers.L.O.L.
 
Last edited:
It would just be a personal preference. Which one I shot better. Round count would NOT be a determination for me. If I had a 5 shot revolver that was the same size and I shot it better than that would be the one I would carry. You say size is the same. Are you also talking about the same weight?
 
FWIW, in a few years, the thread title will be "10 rounds of 10mm, or 20 rounds of 5.7".

What do you shoot more accurately, with the best speed, right now ? Which one is better for your left hand and weak hand drills? Is there one which shoots without ever locking up ? Take that one.
 
I'm not convinced that .45 is a better man stopper than 9mm, so I'd go for the 9mm because of the higher round count.

That being said, I often carry a j-frame so I don't necessarily believe that you need to have a capacity in the double digits to be safe.

In reality, it's a personal choice and there's no wrong answer.
 
8 rounds of .45 acp! I really like .45 acp and I want the maximum damage power of the first shot over more rounds in the mag. I carry 185gr GoldDots in my XDs that I load myself to hotter than my standard load but under full +P velocity. It is nice to be able to afford to practice with my carry ammo... which I couldn't do if I paid retail for self defence ammo.

Although multi-hundreds of rounds shootouts are popular in the movies I do not foresee engaging on a gun battle as part of my self defense plan. My self defense plan is to shoot if I have to and remove myself and loved ones from the situation as quickly as possible. I will let the LEO's hunt down the bad guys... my job is to keep myself and loved ones safe. If I were a LEO I would probably lean towards round count count over a bigger bullet because they seek out the bad guys as opposed to me who tries to avoid them.

When Springfield comes out with their 10mm XDs or 10mm XD mod 2 sub compact I will probably pick one up immediately even though I usually try to avoid "new on the market" gun prices.
 
Last edited:
Which can you shoot better? Then weigh the option what it would take to learn to shoot the other as good as the preferred.

For me personally, given today's environment I'll take extra capacity 9mm with premium bullets. Nobody likes to get shot, and if there are multiple attackers extra capacity will be a huge benefit.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top