luzyfuerza
Member
...versus 40 S&W, 45 ACP, 10mm, 380 ACP, etc.?
I have gotten so tired of the caliber wars.
Repeatedly explaining the FBI's reasoning for switching to 9mm has some value for the community, I suppose, but that value is diminishing with repetition.
One key argument in the wars is that the FBI has determined that the 9mm is easier for the average agent to shoot quickly and accurately than 40 S&W or 45 ACP (or 10mm, etc.).
Frankly, the idea that 9mm is easiest for the average FBI agent to shoot doesn't really matter to me. For good old luzyfuerza, the real question is this: "How quickly and accurately can I shoot a 9mm versus a similar gun in 45 ACP?"
So, I grabbed my timer and went to the range.
I set up a simple drill that had several controlled pairs and target transitions: three targets, one at three yards in front of the shooter, another at five yards on the first target's right shoulder, and one at seven yards on the first target's left shoulder. Placement required a little movement to the left and to the right to engage targets two and three. At the beep, draw, and fire two rounds into each target, moving as necessary. Hit zone was a 6" circle at COM.
The guns I used were two full-sized Springfield XD gen 1s, one in 9mm and the second in 45 ACP, plus an XD gen 1 45 Tactical. All were carried in kydex strong side OWB holsters. No concealment garment.
Ammo used was my practice reloads, which tend on the mild side. In 9mm, 115 grain bullets at about 1050 fps. In 45 ACP, 230 grain bullets at about 750 fps.
Results (average time to shoot the drill):
9mm (full sized) 3.32 seconds (SD=0.29) (nine runs)
45 (full sized) 3.49 seconds (SD=0.14) (ten runs)
45 (Tactical) 3.41 seconds (SD=0.27) (13 runs)
and then I repeated the test with the 9mm to see if my skills had improved at all over the course of the testing
9mm (full sized) 3.45 seconds (SD=0.50) (14 runs)
Accuracy: Almost all shots were in the six-inch circles...a couple of fliers per target for each gun.
For me, it doesn't look like I shoot 9mm a lot better (if at all) than I shoot the same gun in 45 ACP.
I need to repeat this test with practice ammo to confirm these results. I also need to shoot the drill with duty ammo. It might also make sense to repeat with .38 special and .357 magnum revolvers. Etc. As I do this, I'll post my results.
So, for the community: Are you like the average FBI agent? Do your targets and your timer confirm that you shoot 9mm faster and more accurately than a 40 S&W, 45 ACP, 10mm, etc.? Or not?
I have gotten so tired of the caliber wars.
Repeatedly explaining the FBI's reasoning for switching to 9mm has some value for the community, I suppose, but that value is diminishing with repetition.
One key argument in the wars is that the FBI has determined that the 9mm is easier for the average agent to shoot quickly and accurately than 40 S&W or 45 ACP (or 10mm, etc.).
Frankly, the idea that 9mm is easiest for the average FBI agent to shoot doesn't really matter to me. For good old luzyfuerza, the real question is this: "How quickly and accurately can I shoot a 9mm versus a similar gun in 45 ACP?"
So, I grabbed my timer and went to the range.
I set up a simple drill that had several controlled pairs and target transitions: three targets, one at three yards in front of the shooter, another at five yards on the first target's right shoulder, and one at seven yards on the first target's left shoulder. Placement required a little movement to the left and to the right to engage targets two and three. At the beep, draw, and fire two rounds into each target, moving as necessary. Hit zone was a 6" circle at COM.
The guns I used were two full-sized Springfield XD gen 1s, one in 9mm and the second in 45 ACP, plus an XD gen 1 45 Tactical. All were carried in kydex strong side OWB holsters. No concealment garment.
Ammo used was my practice reloads, which tend on the mild side. In 9mm, 115 grain bullets at about 1050 fps. In 45 ACP, 230 grain bullets at about 750 fps.
Results (average time to shoot the drill):
9mm (full sized) 3.32 seconds (SD=0.29) (nine runs)
45 (full sized) 3.49 seconds (SD=0.14) (ten runs)
45 (Tactical) 3.41 seconds (SD=0.27) (13 runs)
and then I repeated the test with the 9mm to see if my skills had improved at all over the course of the testing
9mm (full sized) 3.45 seconds (SD=0.50) (14 runs)
Accuracy: Almost all shots were in the six-inch circles...a couple of fliers per target for each gun.
For me, it doesn't look like I shoot 9mm a lot better (if at all) than I shoot the same gun in 45 ACP.
I need to repeat this test with practice ammo to confirm these results. I also need to shoot the drill with duty ammo. It might also make sense to repeat with .38 special and .357 magnum revolvers. Etc. As I do this, I'll post my results.
So, for the community: Are you like the average FBI agent? Do your targets and your timer confirm that you shoot 9mm faster and more accurately than a 40 S&W, 45 ACP, 10mm, etc.? Or not?
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