Suppressed 9mm vs .45acp

[Zundfolge]

Aside from cost, is there any advantage to suppressing 9mm over .45acp?

It seems to me that since most full power .45acp is already sub-sonic that it would make a better candidate for suppression than 9mm (where you have to use lower powered ammo to keep it as quiet as possible).

 

[Red State]

I agree.

While I do like 9mm because of the cost, the suppresed .45 packs a lot more punch than a suppressed 9mm.

Are you considering pistols or carbines?

 

[Zundfolge]

I haven't decided. I really like the idea of a carbine because you can put a bigger suppressor on it (thus making it quieter I assume ... also I suspect a carbine would be more accurate).

There's a guy here in CO with a Marlin Camp Carbine in .45acp with a built in can ... something like that would be ideal I think.

That said, if I go 9mm I'm leaning more toward the pistol as a longer barrel is just going to exacerbate the high velocity problem.

 

[Silvanus]

A 9mm would be quieter.

the suppresed .45 packs a lot more punch than a suppressed 9mm.

where you have to use lower powered ammo to keep it as quiet as possible

Not really... Subsonic 9mm is not some watered down ammo like most subsonic rifle ammo. Virtually all 147 grs 9mm ammo is subsonic and packs plenty of "punch".

 

[Ironman]

Id go with subsonic 9mm. A 147grn bullet at 1000-1050FPS is no slouch. 9mm is way quieter than 45 suppressed.

 

[TalonArms_R]

I am in the 9mm camp for suppressed weapons. They are quieter and cheaper.

 

[RhinoDefense]

9mm is cheaper, quieter, but lacks adequate terminal ballistics versus the .45 ACP.

.45 is a bit more expensive, louder, but has superior terminal ballistics over the 9mm suppressed.

 

[Zundfolge]

So it seems to me that for a handgun the best choice is 9mm, but for a carbine a .45 might be better (since 9mm tends to speed up a bit with the longer barrel).

Am I correct in assuming that suppressed supersonic 9mm is still louder than suppressed subsonic .45?

 

[RhinoDefense]

Yes, for the most part. They are pretty similar, depending on host, ammunition, and silencer.

You can buy subsonic 9mm ammo that will remain subsonic in a 16 inch barrel (or handload yourself).

The suppression of the 9mm vs .45 deals with less gas volume through a smaller hole. Same reason a .22 rimfire is quieter than a 9mm. Less gas and smaller hole.

For the better suppression I recommend the 9mm. For better terminal performance I recommend the .45.

 

[springwalk]

Just get a 45 Osprey like I did and an extra pison 1/2-28 so you can shoot your 9mm through it. 9mm is really quiet through the huge volume of a 45 can, despite the .50 exiting hole. Subsonic 9mm gets close in cost to 45, but if you use a smaller/shorter 9 like a Glock26 you may stay subsonic with cheaper 124 grain like I found. Of course you cant beat the 45 now with the latest cans on the market like the Osprey and Tirant.

 

[Wahoo95]

I prefer 9mm in terms of more quiet with a can. My 115gr Handloads are subsonic out of my Sig P226 and 9mm AR w/5" TROS Barrel.

 

[mesinge2]

Suppressed 9mm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtlWc7GVQxI&NR=1)

vs.

Suppressed 45 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNgMkxzeQNE)


I can't hear a difference.

 

[Wahoo95]

Mesinge2....do you own either can, or have you seen them side by side for comparison? I'm asking because Youtube does not give a good representation and its not fair to compare a 45 can being shot in an open field to a 9mm can being shot at the ground while standing next to a fence. Sound waves reflect off of everything and a can will always sound best in open space.

Easiest thing to do is determine whether sound or terminal effect is most important. If its sound, 9mm wins since most quality 9mm cans will have a DB rating in the low-mid 120's while most 45 cans will be in the low 130's. The Osprey and Ti-Rant are the first to approach 9mm levels of quiet, but even thats on the high end where they are comprable to the not so quiet 9mm cans.

 

[mesinge2]

Mesinge2....do you own either can

No, and while I am very knowledgeable about firearms; I will admit that I know very little about suppressors. I understand how they function, but I don't know the various DB levels that a weapon has to be suppressed to in order to perceived as a "good suppressor."

I just posted that I didn't hear a difference simply because I didn't hear one.

Any info on them would be appreciated