9mm, .357 Sig, .40 or 45 ACP?

[Jed Carter]

If you only have the one 9mm pistol, a P320, then as I see it, you have 3 ways to go. Get a different 9mm like a CZ SP01 or a 9mm 1911. Get a 1911 in .45ACP or a SIG P220 fullsize. Or go the other direction and get a 22lr target pistol like a Ruger Mk series or a Browning Buckmark. these are just some examples, but IME there is almost nothing to compare to shooting a good 9mm 1911, especially when shooting subsonic 147 grain ammunition.

 

[jad0110]

Other: .357 Magnum. Because every gun nut needs at least 1 .357 revolver in their collection .

Or a 1911 Government Model (5") in .45 ACP.

Or a Ruger Blackhawk in .44 Magnum.

Or a Walter PPK in .32 or .380 ACP.

Or an 1873 Colt or Colt Clone in .45 Colt.

Or a Browning HiPower / clone in 9mm.

You see where this is going?

 

[Lj1941]

I voted for 40 because IMO it has most of the advantages of a 45 ACP but is available in the same guns as a 9 when it comes to size and weight. There isn't enough difference in a 45s "Stopping Power" compared to a 40 to really make a difference. I own guns in all 3-9,40 & 45. I have just recently became a fan of the 40 over the 9 & 45.

 

[george burns]

9 and 45

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

I voted 40 S&W. If you shoot factory ammo, its still 20% cheaper than 45 ACP.

I've been shooting 40 caliber pistols for a long time, but recently acquired a couple of 9mm's. I really enjoy shooting the 9mm, soft recoil and very accurate. Follow-up shots are fast.

 

[Partizanai]

A very safe bet indeed...

I feel that a 1911 style .45 is an exceedingly safe bet indeed. They
are safe, dependable weapons (with a long and well-proven history..)
The ammo is readily available and the stopping power is extremely
evident.
They are a highly dependable weapon by any metric...
P

 

[tanglefoot]

I've heard for years, forty and above center of mass-below forty head shot, just saying

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

Wonder 9. Don't own one yet!

Four .357's here!

For the first 30 years of pistol buying every pistol I purchased I could hunt deer with.

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

Check out tnoutdoors9 on you-tube....he's tested a ton of ammo in gel. The latest offerings in 9mm are really impressive, like the Federal HST. With a solid hit, I don't think it'll make a difference whether is a 9, 40, or a 45.

 

[drband]

You NEED a .45! Get a good 1911--you will never regret it. I would also vote for a Browning Hipower in 9mm after you get a 1911 in 45acp. Classic steel handguns and fine shooters.

 

[herrwalther]

The benefit of having the P320 is you can buy a conversion kit to turn the 9mm into a .357SIG or .40S&W. Unfortunately not the .45ACP as you need a different lower to fit the longer cartridge. So spend less than buying a new firearm, kits are about $400, and stick with the platform you know. Win win.

 

[usfan]

Well, 9mms are fine, & you can't really have too many of them. But if you don't own a 1911 in 45acp, you can't really call yourself an American gun aficionado. Oh, sure, the tupperware guns are great, but it's just an unwritten law, that real red-blooded american men have to have a 1911. God & John Moses Browning expect it.

and somewhere along the line, you will also have to get a revolver.. at least one, in 38spl. That will let other gunners drink with you, otherwise they'll scoot down to the other end of the bar..

 

[Evil-Twin]

I've shot, owned and carried everything from 22lr to 45 ACP... over my tenure in personal defense ( 50 years ). I've uses every type of holster from ankle to arm pit. Ive changed my carry style, ( holster ) and my EDC ( weapon ) and choice of ammo ( caliber ).... for the last six years I have been carrying one weapon, summer and winter, every waking hour...I've been using the same holster, and the same personal defense ammo.. I also only use the same ammo weekly to practice that I actually carry in my EDC .
Usually when people start out shooting, money is a big consideration... but as time goes on your carry weapon and carry style evolves into something better than you had before it..
I would never " NEVER " considering back peddling my personal carry weapon, caliber or holster.. I have all the weapons and holsters and ammo from all the previous carry weapons.... for the last six years I've been carrying a Kimber 1911 ultra 45 ACP combat defense package in a Mikes #3 Pocket holster, using Hornady 45 ACP 230 gr +P'. I would never take a step backward.