9mm 13 Rd or 45 8rd

I've been considering this one all day.
My experiences in the deer woods taught me to use big bore handguns if you're trying to put something down fast.

The one time I thought I was in deep trouble was when a dozen thugs surrounded my family's Ford Expedition on a Seven-Eleven parking lot in Farmington, NM.

I'm going with the 9mm and federal HSTs.

JR24 said:

That's a good point, I do prefer .45 in a steel frame 1911.

In my mind this question was between a 1911 and Browning Hi Power.

Probably not what the op was thinking though

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like the way you're thinking.

is there really any other choices?

Armored farmer said:

The one time I thought I was in deep trouble was when a dozen thugs surrounded my family's Ford Expedition on a Seven-Eleven parking lot in Farmington, NM

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Do tell....

Put me down in the 9mm camp.

jhb said:

like the way you're thinking.

is there really any other choices?

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If I'm carrying a 9mm I am partial to a Glock 19, the BHP hammer jabs my ribs painfully where I prefer to carry. I really do need to send mine in for a beavertail and commander hammer, and some trigger work.

rskent

Problem is, 1911’s are heavy to carry.

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That was one of the reasons why I bought a Colt Lightweight Government some years back. Up til that time I rarely carried an all steel 1911, usually opting for a slightly lighter Combat Commander instead. I liked the way the Lightweight Government felt in my hand and how evenly balanced it was with it's aluminum alloy frame. I also found it to be very comfortable to carry for a long period of time with the right holster and belt set-up.

I carried a Browning hi power the longest followed by a CZ 75 compact and then after that I carry a Glock model 26 with the 12 rounds plus one in the chamber.

Now I’m carrying a CZ P10C with a 15 rd mag +1 in the chamber and at least one 17 rd reload.

So that probably answers that question.

I started out on 1911’s though. Not like I’d feel unarmed. I’ve just had a few incidents and all involved multiple attackers. Where I live (urban environment) it makes the most sense.

I'd use what I could shoot fastest, most accurately, and farthest with. Simple as that. Any shot that would make a quick stop would do it with either caliber I think.

In my head, that'd likely be the 9mm. The extra rounds would probably be a notable advantage in any situation I can think of.

If I wanted to carry a gun with more rounds, I think I would just start to carry the Ruger SR9C. 11 rds of capacity and can easily convert to a 17 rd mag and still have a fairly light weight COMPACT. Only 23 oz. And the mild shooting is a bonus. I do not have enough experience with a 45cal to judge one. But still would like to have one. Would not mind trying out the New RIA subcompact.
And then there is the Ruger American compact. 10 plus 1. Heck, if you are going to carry a 45 cal then make the concession to carry more weight.

Man, that Kimber is a nice looking gun for sure. How does it shoot?

Me 9mm always, just depends on activity and time of year which one of my 9's goes out the door.

Wow! This thread took off fast.

milemaker13 said:

9mm less expensive ammo= more practice for your buck.

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Anyway this is what I was thinking. Personally I have always liked .40 as a compromise between 9mm & .45. Lately though I have been thinking I need to pick up slightly larger 9mm than my little Kahr or maybe a conversion barrel for my .40. I'd just like to be able to shoot more for less money.

Jeb Stuart said:

If I wanted to carry a gun with more rounds, I think I would just start to carry the Ruger SR9C. 11 rds of capacity and can easily convert to a 17 rd mag and still have a fairly light weight COMPACT. Only 23 oz. And the mild shooting is a bonus. I do not have enough experience with a 45cal to judge one. But still would like to have one. Would not mind trying out the New RIA subcompact.
And then there is the Ruger American compact. 10 plus 1. Heck, if you are going to carry a 45 cal then make the concession to carry more weight.

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I’ve become quite fond of my Glock 30 lately.

45 is a good cartridge and 8 rounds is usually enough.... until it isn't.

I've never been at the end of a gunfight and thought "I wish I brought less ammo".

But in reality everything is a compromise. Size, weight, capacity, shootability, etc. I sometimes carry a J-frame 38 Special. Not because I think it's a better fighting gun than my Glocks, but because my needs for that time required it or I reviewed my threat potential and made the compromise.

Walkalong said:

So hard to choose.


6 (7) of .45.
View attachment 882811

or

10 (11) of 9MM
View attachment 882809

Comfortable with both.

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I've almost got the same two pistols.
The difference being my CDP is the discontinued Compact. (Officer's Size Frame with 4" Barrel).

This is a question from 1986.

The answer is neither.

I went with 10 rounds of .40 S&W...

Trey Veston said:

This is a question from 1986.

The answer is neither.

I went with 10 rounds of .40 S&W...

View attachment 882857

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M&P M2.0 Compact 4" .40 S&W 13+1 (+15x2)

M&P Shield .45 ACP 6+1 (+7x2)

LCP Gen 2 .380 ACP 6+1 (+7x2)

Depending on threat level assessment and dress conditions.

I find the first two difficult to conceal in beach shorts.

C-grunt said:

45 is a good cartridge and 8 rounds is usually enough.... until it isn't.

I've never been at the end of a gunfight and thought "I wish I brought less ammo".

But in reality everything is a compromise. Size, weight, capacity, shootability, etc. I sometimes carry a J-frame 38 Special. Not because I think it's a better fighting gun than my Glocks, but because my needs for that time required it or I reviewed my threat potential and made the compromise.

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17 rounds is usually enough.....until it isn't. I've never been in a gunfight and thought "I wish I brought less ammo". (Actually I have never been in a gun fight)
I think it is now time we all just move to the 5.7. Why are we even talking 17 rds? More is always better. The very least I will now carry is a 5.7 with 20 rds and a few spare mags.(6 mags to be exact, actually add one more for lucky 7 and a even 160 rd total carry)

Jeb Stuart said:

17 rounds is usually enough.....until it isn't. I think it is now time we all just move to the 5.7. Why are we even talking 17 rds? More is always better. Thank God we have the internet and gun forums to prove that.

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My Canik TP9SF has a standard 18 Round Mag and the slightly longer factory extended mag is 20 rounds.

I haven't had it long enough to trust it for a high threat level with cover garment situation. So far it shows good reliability and shows every sign of becoming the platform I shoot best. If that trend continues next winter may see me carrying a full size 9mm. handgun.

Quote by Dr. Gary Roberts

Basically all the standard service calibers work when using good quality ammunition.

Keeping in mind that handguns generally offer poor incapacitation potential, bullets with effective terminal performance are available in all of the most commonly used duty pistol calibers—pick the one that you shoot most accurately, that is most reliable in the type of pistol you choose, and best suits you likely engagement scenarios.

Unless your department picks your caliber for you, pick the platform you shoot best, then decide on caliber from there. Basically all the standard service calibers work when using good quality ammunition; the platform picked tends to dictate the caliber.

I have no issue with 9mm, but I was raised on .45ACP, and shoot it slightly better. I switch between a full size 1911, and an Officer's Model, and carry a 10 round spare with both, with a 7 round mag for the Officer's Model, and an 8 rounder for the full size. I don't 'Barney' load, so it's 17 or 18 rounds for me.

I've carried this for most of my 30 years of carrying, and I'm comfortable with it, and do not find the weight burdensome with a good belt and holster (OWB). I did try a GLOCK19 for a while, but it seemed disproportionately bulky, and I'm just not comfortable without a safety.

Here is a very good article that addresses this issue

http://www.03designgroup.com/technotes/why-glock-why-9mm

QUOTE from the article

I thought back to the effects different pistol rounds having on animals, victim's of shootings, and Officer involved shootings that I had seen personally and read about during my career. I couldn't think of a single shooting where the person or animal was shot with a 9mm and lived, but would have died if the round would have been a .40S&W or a .45acp. And I could not think of a single shooting where a person or animal was shot with a .40S&W or a .45acp and died, but would have survived if the round would have been a 9mm.

well, if I'm shooting 8 big guys gimme the .45. if they're 13 little guys gimme the 9mm.