Caliber war if you were limited

[KegCommando]

I know the normal arguments for 9 vs 40 vs 45, but if peoples choices would change if you remove the higher capacity out of the equation for the 9 and 40.

If you were limited to the same amount of rounds for each, how many of you would you always take the 45 or would the other factors such as cheaper to shoot still have you choosing the 9? Would there be any reason to bother with the 40, and if so why would you still choose it?

The amount of rounds is unimportant, but lets say for the sake of argument you were restricted to 5 rounds.

I'm curious what people's logic will be on this one.

I'd like to see your thought process rather than a response that just says "45!" You have 20 mins. Class, you may begin now!

 

[indoorsoccerfrea]

45 hollowpoints. bigger hole. the difference in velocity at SD ranges in negligable, and with 5 rounds each caliber, reloading would be same (unless we're talking wheelguns and auto)

 

[Agent-J]

.40s&w

Higher mag capacity, more punch than 9mm.

 

[KegCommando]

Somebody wasn't paying attention to the teacher

The mag capacity is fixed the same for all in this test.

 

[Jason M]

.40s&w

Higher mag capacity, more punch than 9mm.

The hypothetical limits us to 5 rounds, so capacity is irrelevant.

I would go with .45. Less felt recoil than .40 and makes a larger wound cavity.

 

[CoRoMo]

Yep. I suppose the .45 would be my pick because one of the reasons I like 9mm is the hi capacity. Take that away and I'm not as interested anymore.

 

[Agent-J]

hypothetical or not, even NY doesn't have limit you to 5 round mags.

Whats the point of this hypothetical? If you take away the obvious benefits, you're introducing bias into the decision.

Would you choose 9mm, .40, or .45 assuming the .45's are made out of jello?

 

[Boba Fett]

44 Magnum

.308

Or did you mean from a handgun?

In that case, 30 Carbine from a AMT Automag III.


OK, OK, seriously now.
It is a good question you ask.

I like the 9mm but it has a higher velocity. This is not always good for CCW since it can go through the bad guy and into by standers behind them. In a situation like a war it doesn't matter so much. I always remember in Indiana Jones III (and yes, I know it's just the movies) where he shoots three Germans lined up with one shot with a Luger P08.

But it is small (see the image chart below). And I am not aware of any military that still uses 9mm as it's primary handgun round. (if anyone does know, I'd be interested to know...I like that sort of useless but fascinating info )

Because of size, I carry 45. Also because it expands to about double its original size.

But ultimately, since CCW isn't a restrictive factor, I'd go with 44 Magnum. I've been very impressed with the 44 Magnum from my friend's revolver. He even has a lever action rifle that shoots the same rounds so that is some added versatility. Great round if you don't have to worry about blinding yourself at night or going deaf.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

9mm would still be cheaper and have less recoil.


That said, I'd carry .40 or .45 even if the magazine capacity wasn't limited.

And I am not aware of any military that still uses 9mm as it's primary handgun round

The U.S. and NATO. Probably why it's as cheap as it is.

 

[KegCommando]

The reason for the hypothetical is to see if peoples responses confirm what I suspect. I can't tell you that because it would invalidate the test.

If you want to start your own hypotheticals, by all means start a new thread.
BTW, if they were made out of a jello I'd choose the 45 so I would get more of it, unless it was lime flavored, then I'd take the 9mm.

 

[BlindJustice]

It's CARTRIDGE geez

 

[HKIWB]

Since I practice frequently with all three calibers, I'd probably go with the .45 because I shoot it as well as the others and its been my most reliable pistol so far. If Mrs. HKIWB or any other novice is doing the shooting, then I'd hand them my 9mm because they'd shoot it better than the other two.

 

[BlindJustice]

I'll go with .400 CorBon
1400 FPS with a 155 gr. Speer Gold Dot.

& yeah I have the Bar-Sto Barrel for my 1911

6 capacity in my 625 .45 ACP revolver = 5 mag + 1 chambered

R-

 

[Boba Fett]

If Mrs. HKIWB or any other novice is doing the shooting, then I'd hand them my 9mm because they'd shoot it better than the other two.

This is another good consideration.
Question for the OP: are we talking novices shooting or practiced shooters? The ability to handle the caliber being shot is an important factor. If someone can't shoot 45 worth spit because they can't handle the recoil, but are able to shoot 9mm with no problem, then they should use the 9mm.

In a defense situation, it doesn't matter how big the caliber is if you can't hit the target.

So are we considering the shooters ability in caliber choice, or are we just assuming the shooter is a good shot and can handle anything and going from there with caliber choice?

 

[KBintheSLC]

I would hypothetically take 5 rounds of .22 Short out of a 1.5" snub nosed revolver... the ultimate mouse gun for mice.

 

[f4t9r]

I would pick the 45 shooting my 5 rounds out of the 1911 model.
I shoot it well and it makes a bigger hole

 

[chuckusaret]

I'll take the middle road .40 caliber out of SA XD

 

[KegCommando]

If Mrs. HKIWB or any other novice is doing the shooting, then I'd hand them my 9mm because they'd shoot it better than the other two.

This is another good consideration.
Question for the OP: are we talking novices shooting or practiced shooters? The ability to handle the caliber being shot is an important factor.

Shooter is up to you. If you are the only one, fine, if someone else is a consideration, that is a perfectly valid reason.

If you think Martians are going to invade, and they have .40's, and want take the ammo from their corpses, no problem.

I'm interested in the responses, and the reasoning behind the decision, and how it relates to the "normal" responses given for the typical caliber war threads. And in the end I'd like to compare those responses to what I typically see in my real world.

So far I'm not surprised by the 45 responses. It is what I expected. I do enjoy the few responses regarding 9mm because they seem to have considered other factors other than bigger is better. I'm a bit surprised to not see some of the other advantages cited in "normal" threads come up yet, which tells me that of the other advantages often listed, capacity is the most important. Interesting, but not too surprising. I've said too much and probably skewed further responses.

 

[Marcus L.]

9mm would still be cheaper and have less recoil.


That said, I'd carry .40 or .45 even if the magazine capacity wasn't limited.


Quote:
And I am not aware of any military that still uses 9mm as it's primary handgun round

The U.S. and NATO. Probably why it's as cheap as it is.

Not to mention that the primary service caliber for both Russia and China is now the 9x19mm. It is highly probable that the 9mm will be the only handgun cartridge still in use in 100yrs.

If I were limited to a 5rd capacity in an auto loader:

Subcompact with barrel length 3.5": 9x19mm. The pistol can be more slender, lighter, and still maintain a high degree of durability and serivice life. Handling is also much better with 9mm considering the subcompact pistol characteristics.

Compact with barrel length of 4": Provided that the pistol has a adequate amount of slide mass to slow recoil velocity, and that it has enough mass overall have good durability....40S&W since the .40S&W JHP design is still optimized around the 4" barrel.

Full Sized with barrel length of 5": .45acp


Given no capacity limit laws:

Subcompact: 9mm
Compact: 9mm or .40S&W
Full Sized: .40S&W

 

[AKGuy]

Gimme the 40. 9mm doesn't cut it stopwise, and the 45 has always been less pleasant to shoot (for me and my hands) than the 40. I don't own any 45s nor have I ever, but I've got a 40 that I can shoot decently and believe I can count on to do what needs to be done.

That having been said...I'm a 357 wheelgunner myself...

 

[Matrix187]

44 special for the win I can shoot them so accurately (anyone probably can).

 

[ConstantineJ9]

45acp

 

[Boba Fett]

The U.S. and NATO. Probably why it's as cheap as it is.

I wasn't aware the US still used it. The retired army guy at my local gun store was talking about how most of the people he knew in the service were using some form of 45 pistol (Sig or H&K mostly).

Learn something new every day ^_^

 

[Big Boomer]

45 caliber for sure, but...how about a 460 Rowland or the 45 Super?

 

[FlaChef]

nine is fine.
In modern hollowpoint and frrangible ammo the 9mm is not what you father's 9mm was and it is still cheaper to practice with.

Unless it is a 1911, that's just a classic for the .45 (nothing wrong with 1911 9mm either, i'm building one).