If you had to pick: .45 or 9mm

I agree! One gun-look at the history of the 1911 and how it came to fruition. A shootout isn't a Christmas Party and I really don't want to "hope" the first shot puts the bad guy down. Complicate matters with the choice of an FN 5.7 which provides a flat shooting longer range projectile (a modern cartridge) and you might really have a horse race.

 

Ok I know this is not the place for legal advice but... Say hypothetically you have a firearm on your person and a situation arises where you are justified to use deadly force. If you don't have the proper permit would the potential you be facing a felony? Just to be clear I would never carry a fire arm on my person without a permit just wanted to see how it would play out. Also sorry to thread jack. But back on target I got a 9mm first than went for the 45. (9mm was available and the 45 was back ordered)

 

Because it's kinda hard to conceal a Hotchkiss Mountain Gun when strolling through the mall

But seriously, both the 9 and 45 will get the job done. If the smaller calibers were inadequate, we would not see police agencies using everything under the sun that's larger than a .380.
9mm gives the advantage of higher capacity in most platforms, and this can be a big issue particularly when faced with multiple assailants.

 

Even with the proper permits you may be faced with charges (LTC does not exempt you from anything other than PC12025 and 12031).

But generally, if it is a "good shoot", fully justified, and clean, it is unlikely that charges would be pressed. You may or may not go for a ride to the station, you may or may not be booked, you may or may not have to post bail... but ultimately it is unlikely that the DA would press charges.
At that point, you hire an attorney to petition the court for a finding of factual innocence which effectively clears your record even though the arrest remains on your rap sheet.

 

i guess you could say i "understand ammunition" since i reload all of my own (except what i use for HD/carry rounds)

that being said i dont care who you are, let me put ONE 124gr Federal HST round in your chest i bet you'll hit the ground

this "4-5" 9mm stuff needs to be put to rest, just because the military uses 9mm with a FMJ projectile that might take more than one round to drop an enemy insurgent who's dopped up and high doesn't mean a modern good self defense round is gonna take 4-5 hits to get the job done in your living room

 

yeah i realize in real world situations anything can happen, i also realize that if you shot me in the chest with a 9mm that i'd be dead

edit, i think i may have mentioned, i use a G21SF for HD (45acp), if you break into my house, i'm firing a minimum of 3 initial shots at you

 

With a 9mm you need a little hope. With the 45 you need less hope. The cartridge was designed to stop people. LEOs carry 45, cocked and locked.

 

Can't forget the 12 gauge.

 

own both, I'll stick with the 9mm.

 

.45 , however 9mm rounds are cheaper

 

Then you must think I am down right crazy. If I am in a shooting situation I keep pulling the trigger until it goes *Click* no matter what round I'm using.

 

... then take cover, reload, and get back in the fight.

 

No, the cartridge was designed to damage soft tissue and shatter bone.

NO cartridge in a traditional handgun caliber is going to "knock down" or stop someone in their tracks.
The force that the target feels is the same as the force of the recoil that you feel.
This isn't Hollywood... a 10mm isn't going to throw someone over the bar and through the wall behind it.

It's going to punch a 10mm hole.
The round will hopefully expand, and tear soft tissue and break bone.

There are only a few ways that you are going to "stop" someone and a .22lr can be quite effective at most of them. Remember, a .22lr very nearly killed Ronald Reagan and did quite a number on Jim Brady.

You are going to "Stop" someone through, in order of speed of results:

CNS hit - peg the "apricot" and sever the brain stem
Shatter their pelvis
CNS hit, spinal column.
Psychological - "OMG this guy is NOT afraid to kill me!"
Bleed out - Even a direct hit to the aorta will take 4 minutes to kill, at least 15 seconds before they pass out. Peg someone in the chest and they can still get off a couple of shots before they drop.

Only the first two are going to stop someone "in their tracks". I think most of us have seen the video of the jewelry store owner who shot two robbers... the one who crawled out the door had been hit in the spine and is now completely paralyzed... yet he was able to effect an escape.

The advantage of the .45 and 10mm is they are more likely to penetrate soft barriers such as leather, denim, or a down jacket, and retain enough energy to inflict a critical injury.

 

.45 ACP for the win!

 

i carry a Glock 19 9mm...but it still all comes down to practice and skill. a high percentage of the world cant hit the broad side of a barn with a pistol. so the moral of the story is "PRACTICE".

 

Winner winner, chicken dinner!

A well placed shot with a .22lr is going to be far more effective than a poorly placed shot with a S&W .500Mag.