9 vs 45 and confirmation bias
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redeemed.man
Ultimate Member
Until two years ago I stuck with 9 mm, then I added .45's to the collection. In the last year I have added .40, .357 sig, and 10 mm. I don't feel undergunned with any of these calibers. What's most important to me is the platform. The handguns in my collection all operate the same, IMHO opinion it makes it easier to be proficient. I settled on Glock semi autos because I can pick any of them up and they feel very similar. I feel out of place with a DA or SA semi auto. Of course others like 1911's, Sigs, etc. and there is nothing wrong with that. I shoot and carry the 9 mm's most often, but also carry my G30s pretty often. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the calibers listed above but .357 sig and 10 mm are certainly more expensive to shoot regularly. In the 9 mm vs. .45 debate I normally lean toward capacity hence the carry of 9 mm's most often. Shoot whatever you enjoy the most. If you enjoy shooting a particular gun/caliber combo you will likely do so more often. In turn you will be more likely to place shots where they need to be placed to be effective. One shot of 9 mm to the chest will almost certainly be more effective than two shots of .45 to an extremity.
Alan3413
Ultimate Member
- Mar 4, 2013
- 17,174
RoadDawg
Nos nostraque Deo
- Dec 6, 2010
- 94,469
At one time or another... I have carried revolvers and or pistols in calibers .380, 9MM, .38, .357, .40, .45, and even the lowly .25 as a deep back-up to the .357...
I have read novels worth of text on the subject of which round is superior to another and for what ever reasons or opinions the writer of the tomes chose to present. What I have come to realize is that the key to every last one of them is two fold...
1) Can you reliably hit what you aim at where tunnel vision takes away nearly all of your peripheral vision in a stressful situation?
2) If #1 is answered in the affirmative... Can you point your weapon at another human being and pull the trigger on a live round with NO hesitation.
If the answer to either is in the negative... It will not matter if you are carrying a .177 BB or a .500 S&W Magnum.
I have read novels worth of text on the subject of which round is superior to another and for what ever reasons or opinions the writer of the tomes chose to present. What I have come to realize is that the key to every last one of them is two fold...
1) Can you reliably hit what you aim at where tunnel vision takes away nearly all of your peripheral vision in a stressful situation?
2) If #1 is answered in the affirmative... Can you point your weapon at another human being and pull the trigger on a live round with NO hesitation.
If the answer to either is in the negative... It will not matter if you are carrying a .177 BB or a .500 S&W Magnum.
redeemed.man
Ultimate Member
BUFF7MM
☠Buff➐㎣☠
It's a Glock, in .45acp, what's not to like?
Honestly, love it!
If you wanna shoot it, meet me at AGC someday.
DutchV
Ultimate Member
- Jul 8, 2012
- 4,730
With a 9mm you can carry about twice as many rounds as a .45 - look at the G19 vs the 1911.
And since wolves and BLM thugs both travel in packs, you may prefer to have the extra rounds readily available. When it comes to ammo and bubblegum, you know the rule: Make sure you brought enough for everyone.
And since wolves and BLM thugs both travel in packs, you may prefer to have the extra rounds readily available. When it comes to ammo and bubblegum, you know the rule: Make sure you brought enough for everyone.
redeemed.man
Ultimate Member
ISIS lone wolves tend to be well... Loners, but I still want lots of ammo so he can be sent to Allah looking like Swiss cheese.
But what will keep him from shooting back?
rob-cubed
In need of moderation
Why compromise? Choose .40 instead! 
Most of mine are 9mm: it's cheaper, it's effective in 147 grain +P, and it's universally adopted. I make exceptions for the venerable 1911 and am getting an HQL for a couple Glocks (.45 being one of them).
As others have said it doesn't matter how awesome your ammo is, if you can't hit what you're aiming for. If you can be fast and accurate with .357 Mag or 10mm, why not?
Most of mine are 9mm: it's cheaper, it's effective in 147 grain +P, and it's universally adopted. I make exceptions for the venerable 1911 and am getting an HQL for a couple Glocks (.45 being one of them).
As others have said it doesn't matter how awesome your ammo is, if you can't hit what you're aiming for. If you can be fast and accurate with .357 Mag or 10mm, why not?
Magnumite
Ultimate Member
I was waiting to build the 10 I have accumulated parts for. But all this 10mm talk... plus I have a Super barrel and bushing to fit....
GunnerGunz
Sunken Treasure
I like both and have both. 9 for the left hand and 45 for the right. Knock before entering please.
Biggfoot44
Ultimate Member
- Aug 2, 2009
- 33,274
I'll see RoadDawg's list, subtract .40 , add 10mm,.41mag,.44spl, and.45 Colt , .32acp, and .32 S&W Long .
(As long as choose ammo ) I haven't had complaints about 9mm effectiveness since the '80s. Not going so far as to say 9mm is better than the best loads in .45acp , but reasonably good loads in each are plenty good, and largely overlap.
There are differences at the extremes of applications. For polymer subcompacts weighing less than 16oz, 9mm has advantage. If large critters are a possibility, .45 has advantage. For the 95% betwen the extremes it is matter of prefered individual pistol. Between my prefered 9mm and prefered .45acp , I'll grab either one at random.
Does that give me Confirmation NON-Bias ?
(As long as choose ammo ) I haven't had complaints about 9mm effectiveness since the '80s. Not going so far as to say 9mm is better than the best loads in .45acp , but reasonably good loads in each are plenty good, and largely overlap.
There are differences at the extremes of applications. For polymer subcompacts weighing less than 16oz, 9mm has advantage. If large critters are a possibility, .45 has advantage. For the 95% betwen the extremes it is matter of prefered individual pistol. Between my prefered 9mm and prefered .45acp , I'll grab either one at random.
Does that give me Confirmation NON-Bias ?
RoadDawg
Nos nostraque Deo
- Dec 6, 2010
- 94,469
The all around best round is the one you use to save your life or the life of another innocent person. NON Bias... Confirmed...
- Feb 4, 2013
- 28,175
The argument that modern bullets perform better than older designs and make the 9mm fine, forget one thing. The same new bullet designs are available in 45 bullets, and they still start out 2mm bigger. 
The argument that modern bullets perform better than older designs and make the 9mm fine, forget one thing. The same new bullet designs are available in 45 bullets, and they still start out 2mm bigger.
But it doesn't put any more .45 rounds in your mag.
HankR
Ultimate Member
I used to be a .45 fanboi, but I find myself actually carrying a nine more and more often these days. I also find myself shooting nines more often, mainly due to the price combined with a lack of time for reloading.
It started with laziness, and do I really need to take a gun if I'm just going to xxxx? Probably not, but maybe take a small nine just in case. More of an ease and concealment issue than a capacity issue--similar or slightly reduced capacity in a much smaller package. For example, decide to leave the Officer's at home, don't put on the holster, but then decide to grab a PF9 (pocket holster) at the last minute. Nowadays I certainly don't feel undergunned with a nine.
It started with laziness, and do I really need to take a gun if I'm just going to xxxx? Probably not, but maybe take a small nine just in case. More of an ease and concealment issue than a capacity issue--similar or slightly reduced capacity in a much smaller package. For example, decide to leave the Officer's at home, don't put on the holster, but then decide to grab a PF9 (pocket holster) at the last minute. Nowadays I certainly don't feel undergunned with a nine.
GolfR
Ultimate Member
I believe that much of this 9 vs 45 discussion has its roots from military discussions. The fact in the military is that 45 is absolutely better because they can't use hollow point ammo. Round nose 9mm just doesn't have much stopping power which has given the round a bit of a hurtle to overcome in the private sector.
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