Concealed Carry 9Mm Or .45 Acp ?

[retiredbosn]

What did this Oregon Officer use on this guy in video that came out about a week ago? The guy got shot in chest but didnt skip a beat. Was able to get more shots off then drove off and a 1/2 mile later well didnt make it.

I remember a training video that I saw while in the coast guard, in the video one subject who was all jacked up on pcp took 11 +p jhp (jacketed hollow point) 38 rounds to the body & two to the head all point blank range, did not stay down until he bled out. The video is ultimate survivors, by calibre press, officer's name Steve Chaney, criminal's name John Mullery.

There are numerous documented cases of ppl who were high on pcp, taking multiple rounds, even being knocked down continuing to fight. All I know is that video scared the crap outta me!

[Sam]

I read on this site that the Ruger .38 is an excellent selection for a conceal weapon.

 

I took my grand dog to Green Top on Friday to look at the fishing stuff and decided to check out the Ruger.

 

It is a sweet little weapon and the guy told me it is their best selling handgun.

 

Will decide in 2014 to take the carry course and then purchase the weapon.

[Lewi]

It really comes down to budget and what you are comfortable with and how you plan on concealing it. Yes, the 45 is a larger pill and has what I call more knock down power. But a good hollow point round like the SPEER GOLD DOT JACKETED HOLLOW POINT in the hands of a skilled shooter in 9mm is a one shot kinda deal.

Seems like alot of questions need to be answered, but i wouldnt automatically choose a 45 over a 9mm just for the knock down power. I have a sub compact 9mm and I absolutley love it, and if you think I cant. "Neutralize a threat" with one shot, you have another thing coming. ....and honestly, If im in a situation where i feel deadly force is authorized, im going to empty the magazine (or cylinder) anyway.

 

 

Exactly what I would have said also.  The Speer will make .45 size damage and you shouldn't have to worry about pass through.

[Silas]

I've found the Glock .45 Model 36 to be very concealable and accurate.

[F14A-B]

The thread has new life, aka zombie ( hornady ) or the undead thread.. I prefer penetration over expansion ( both are ideal ) .45 over 9mm to my thinking, even better is .357 mag or .357sig.. Of course I own .40, .357 mag, 9mm, .357sig, .45, & .44mag, .22lr pistols&revolvers. No magic bullets though.. Shot placement is key.. However, a hot .357 is without a doubt, king of one shot stops. Undisputed.. It's what I carry daily.( mostly ) currently, I'm looking for a .327 federal but weapons are limited.. I will find one.

[desmobob]

.357, then .45ACP, then .40 S&W, then 9mm is the order of my preference.  But the compact nines are so easy to carry and shoot, it's hard to want to carry anything else.  (Although I am very interested in the little Kahr pistols in .40 S&W...)

 

Tight lines,

Bob

[The Patriot]

This debate has been going on for eons.  Personally, I think its preference.  If you practice, and train with the round you choose to carry, and become proficient with it, either one is effective.  Of course the high stress scenario of a defense situation is obviously different from training at the range, but if you can quickly and accurately get rounds on target, then thats what matters.  I like using a shot timer.  It forces you to draw and shoot much quicker, and practice doing so accurately.  I personally currently carry a 9mm Shield.  If God forbid I need to use it some day, I feel confident that I could effectively put a couple rounds center mass.  I feel equally comfortable saying the same about the Glock 30s, and the Glock 26 that I had.  I plan on trying out the XDs45 as well.  

[Skeeter Dan]

No matter what you buy they are only as good as the person who pulls the trigger. With the proper training any of them will do just fine. But you have to put in the time. I love my Walter p99 40cal. Support our Armed Forces.

[Ronald K Smith]

I'm also a 1911 fan. I like the LDA models of ParaOrdnance.

[Fun4Me]

I personally like having more rounds. I feel that each caliber is capable of getting the job done, provided we do ours. 

 

I carry an M&P 9c

[StratDude]

Off duty, I usually have one of my 1911's on me. It's just a personal preference. I'm a big fan of 45's. I shoot them all enough to be comfortable with them. And 1911's are very addictive.

Occasionally, I will carry a Glock 19 on the boat. I'd rather drop it over the side rather than a high dollar 1911 any day.

[DogBone_384]

The 9 and the 45 are both proven effective with good shot placement.  Both are also proven ineffective with poor shot placement.  The bottom line is to buy something that you will actually carry, and carry what you shoot well.  In my case, I prefer the 45 but carry the 9 more often because in guns I currently own, the 9 fits into my summer time dress code easier.  Hoping to change that with a new XDs, so I can carry the 45 more often.

 

Well said.  I own neither .45 or 9mm.  In warmer weather I carry a S&W J-Frame .357 or SIG .380.  In colder weather I carry a SIG .40 SW. or N-Frame .357.  Of the three I prefer .357 only because I grew up shooting revolvers, and they'll never jam.

[Josh Smith]

I just strap a .45 1911 on my belt and go.  Before that, I strapped a 9mm Beretta clone on my belt and went about my business.  Both work well and it's what you're comfortable with.

 

After I discovered that I shot high with the Beretta 92 clone while under stress, I built the 1911 to fit my hand.  It works very well and lines up perfectly.  Took a lot of work.

 

Josh

[IndyGlockMan]

With today's new self defense bullet technology, 9mm can be pretty nasty especially +P rounds.

Don't fall prey to the old stereo types about 45 acp 1 shot knock down power crap.   

45acp is an awesome round, but big awesome bullets don't take the place of training, practice, shot placement, etc... 

Today's 9mm rounds are more than capable, so don't worry about which is the biggest & badest.

 

How the heck are you going to conceal carry a FNP 45 Tactical?

That's a huge gun.   Sure, it's cool, but not practical for CC. 

Is this your first handgun??

 

9mm is better for first time gun owners.  It's cheaper, less recoil, and you will need to practice with it a lot to get your skills up.

45acp is also great but more expensive to shoot, and is more for the seasoned experienced gun people IMHO.

Make sure you choose a gun you can afford to shoot because you'll want to run at least 300-500 rounds through it for break in and to get to know your gun.

 

After 25 years of shooting, I still love my Glock 19 9mm.  I own other guns (Sigs, Rugers, Walther, Les Baer 1911, etc...) but I always seem to feel most at home with the Glock.

I did all of my training with Glocks so that's to be expected, but my Glock 19's have never let me down and I'm dead nuts accurate & fast with it.

[Gundog]

Like a lot of the other posters here I prefer a 1911 in 45acp. Mine is a Citidel with a 3in barrel. IMHO stopping power is more important than the amount of bullets your magazine holds. But in the end it comes down to training and being prepared for any situation. The best defensive weapon is knowledge. 

[bigbill]

I shoulder holstered 5 1/2" & 7 1/2" barreled redhawks for years. I just purchased a shoulder holster for my ruger super Blackhawk 44mag with 10 1/2" barrel. The shorter barrels are easy to carry.

[K_Mac]

Go to any gun forum on the web and you can find countless discussions on this topic. There is very little difference in the "stopping power" of handguns in any traditional ccw caliber. Carry what you shoot the best and are able to carry regularly. One shot stops with a handgun happens a lot on the internet, not so much in real life.

[68camaro]

.45 in commander size is my preffered carry, but when I need deep concealment, especially in summer clothes in South, I have switched to Brownings new 1911-380 Blackout. I prefer this than any pocket gun or micro in any caliber.

 

Before you chuckle at a 380 realize its a real 1911, only 85% of the size of full size .45c, and it be being a 380 it is a lot more narrow so it gets lost in waistband with tuckable minimalist holster. As afar as ammo, the long barrel gives the 380 much more velocity than a pocket or smaller 380, and paired with Power'R ball ammo it is d**n lethal. Accurate as you can get. 

 

As others say, carry what you are comfortable and proficient with, remember better to have something than nothing.

[I.rar]

I recently picked up a lcp custom and went with fiotcchi xtp rounds. There's a YouTube series where these xtp bullets in .380 scored very well in bare gelatin and denim/gelatin. Sure it's not a 45 but I can carry in my pocket everywhere I can't bring my shield and not worry about under or over penetration.

[K_Mac]

The LCP is a great little pistol. The .380 in your pocket is worth much more than the .45 in the gun safe at home if the stuff hits the fan.

[F14A-B]

I just picked up a Sig P229 Ex-1. 9mm. It's a fine weapon. Sig lites, G10 houge grips, SRT, 4 clips, now I just have to find some Zombie bullets..

I wonder if they really kill zombies?