As Mas points out, the discussion is very different when you’re talking about modern JHPs, rather than ball ammo or even early 1980’s JHPs.
ESPECIALLY for “departmental standard”, 9x19mm makes more sense for people who are allowed to use modern JHPs. Sure, a single hit from a .45 JHP is still a little large zone of destruction than a single hit in teh same location from a similar 9mm JHP. HOWEVER, anything shooting once is worth shooting until it changes shape or catches fire — and almost anyone can land 3 good 9mm hits in the same time they could land 2 .45 hits from similar guns. . . and 3x 9mm JHP wound tracks are simply far better than 2x .45 JHP wound tracks.
And I say this as a guy who rolls out his M2HB layout chart in the direction of Ogden, Utah, five times a day. 😉
My H&K compact .45 USP works just fine for me. Its just a tad larger than a Glock 19 and seems to weigh about as much. I carry extra magazines and practice on a regular basis.
The ultimate answer is to get a firearm with which you’re comfortable and become expert with it. Get your gun and practice, practice, practice.
After years of carrying everything from .32ACP to .45ACP, I had settled on a Shield in 9MM. I’m keeping the .45s, though, because 9MM is great with quality JHP loads, but dismal with FMJ or RNL. The .45 can still be effective with FMJs. There may come another time when JHPs won’t be available.
And considering the increasing number of mob attacks, I’m thinking the Shield might be better as a backup to a Glock 17 or 19.
September 5th, 2014 at 9:04 am
I knew there was a reason I gave my .40 to my son in law. He’s considerably larger than I am (think baby Huey ) and he loves it
September 5th, 2014 at 9:43 am
On the basis that only hits count, I’ll stick with 9mm.
If I ever win the lottery and can afford endless ammo, I might switch to the .45ACP after a lot of fun practice.
September 5th, 2014 at 11:03 am
As Mas points out, the discussion is very different when you’re talking about modern JHPs, rather than ball ammo or even early 1980’s JHPs.
ESPECIALLY for “departmental standard”, 9x19mm makes more sense for people who are allowed to use modern JHPs. Sure, a single hit from a .45 JHP is still a little large zone of destruction than a single hit in teh same location from a similar 9mm JHP. HOWEVER, anything shooting once is worth shooting until it changes shape or catches fire — and almost anyone can land 3 good 9mm hits in the same time they could land 2 .45 hits from similar guns. . . and 3x 9mm JHP wound tracks are simply far better than 2x .45 JHP wound tracks.
And I say this as a guy who rolls out his M2HB layout chart in the direction of Ogden, Utah, five times a day. 😉
September 5th, 2014 at 4:22 pm
My H&K compact .45 USP works just fine for me. Its just a tad larger than a Glock 19 and seems to weigh about as much. I carry extra magazines and practice on a regular basis.
The ultimate answer is to get a firearm with which you’re comfortable and become expert with it. Get your gun and practice, practice, practice.
September 5th, 2014 at 5:09 pm
Blah blah blah..45…blah blah blah 10mm….blah blah blah.
Shoot what you carry accurately and leave the rest to the arm chair wizards.
If you want stopping power, carry a rifle.
September 5th, 2014 at 6:31 pm
My EDC is a 9mm, because when I can’t retreat to my rifle I want as many rounds as possible for a given size.
A .45 sleeps beside the bed, because if I need more ammo, the rifle is close by.
September 6th, 2014 at 2:22 am
Meh
September 7th, 2014 at 1:27 pm
Helps to have big hands; but a doublestack .45 gives you the best of both worlds. I have many big boolits.
September 8th, 2014 at 9:48 pm
After years of carrying everything from .32ACP to .45ACP, I had settled on a Shield in 9MM. I’m keeping the .45s, though, because 9MM is great with quality JHP loads, but dismal with FMJ or RNL. The .45 can still be effective with FMJs. There may come another time when JHPs won’t be available.
And considering the increasing number of mob attacks, I’m thinking the Shield might be better as a backup to a Glock 17 or 19.