.45 ACP vs 9mm for home defense: technical reasons to choose the bigger slow round?
Posted by Hefty_Drummer_965@reddit | Firearms | View on Reddit | 108 comments
I know the 9mm vs .45 ACP debate has been done to death, but I’m looking for the actual technical or ballistic reasoning behind choosing .45 for home defense specifically.
Capacity and follow-up shots usually favor 9mm, and .357 SIG has that high velocity, but what are the specific use cases where .45 actually wins out? Is it primarily because it’s naturally subsonic and makes a better suppressor host for indoors? Or is there a real-world advantage to the lower pressure and larger frontal diameter in terms of reducing over-penetration through drywall while still expanding reliably?
I'm curious to hear from people who chose a .45 setup for the nightstand over the higher capacity options. What was the specific mechanical or ballistic factor that sold you on it?
Electronic-Split-492@reddit
.45 with safety slugs will put more frangible mass into the target. If it hits a wall then it does not do much damage on the other side.
Ok_Muffin_925@reddit
When the Army went from Colt 1911s to Beretta 9mms the most often stated reasoning was stopping power. Because if you are using your sidearm, you are close and need to stop the threat. A .45 will stop the threat in place. He will not continue towards you. A 9mm on the other hand, you need to shoot and reassess and maybe fire again. Indoors at home, that is dicey.
Travel_Dreams@reddit
Technically, I like shooting the .45 more than the 9mm and I also shoot smaller groups with the .45
BaronvonBrick@reddit
Faster too?
SilenceDobad76@reddit
Faster is a bit subjective. Im slower on the clock with .40 than 9mm but will the guy who is getting shot notice the difference of a .3 split on at the end of the clock?
BaronvonBrick@reddit
If he's trained and drawing/firing on you with .3 second splits then yeah, I'd bet so.
SilenceDobad76@reddit
.3 seconds at the end of a string. Im not talking about USPSA Open shooter
Travel_Dreams@reddit
Yes, but I don't know why.
She just feels better.
BaronvonBrick@reddit
I accept this answer
johnlarthur@reddit
I will second this. For me personally the .45 recoil (G21 and G30) is more of a "push" than a "snap" associated with 9mm.
Travel_Dreams@reddit
Yes!
salchichasconpapas@reddit
if you breach my home you're being shot with a rifle
there's no reason to debate handgun calibers
Waja_Wabit@reddit
Depending on your home size and layout, a 16” rifle or 18.5” shotgun is going to be a lot less maneuverable than a handgun.
salchichasconpapas@reddit
If you're untrained and alone trying to sweep and clear I'm not sure it matters what firearm you're using
When I was younger and married with children, all bedrooms upstairs, there was plenty of space to defend the second floor from an intruder trying to get upstairs using a carbine or shotgun - but an intruder was unlikely to get past the mastiffs downstairs - in fact, they didn't
much smaller single story home now, no kids, there's plenty of room to defend the sleeping quarters from breach with a carbine or shotgun, i'm not stepping out to sweep, turning corners and hunting, I'll let them walk into the ambush ... anything else is ignorance or bravado
i think people fantasize about clearing their house alone with their Glock and WML ... like they're John Wick
it's a fantasy, it's not real
shelter and secure your location, or move out to defend your wife and children from a secure location, from cover or concealment,
or be smart and get some motion lights and dogs
also, braced carbines are common and easy to acquire or assemble, a 10.5" - 12.5" 5.56 is quite effective and maneuverable
just my opinions, I'm not in charge of anyone's home but mine
Waja_Wabit@reddit
Some states you can’t have a rifle shorter than a 16” barrel. I have a compliant 16” AR, and I do like it. But having to tuck it to clear around a corner every 3 feet in my house feels impractical. Especially since you can’t have one with a pistol grip on it and have to maneuver it with one of those traditional stocks. Feels like trying to do CQB with an M1 Garand. I know 16” is shorter than a Garand, but having to grip it so far back on the stock makes it handle like a much longer rifle than a 16” normal AR.
I do agree there’s something to be said about holding your position rather than clearing the house. But if I’m holding my position and have to turn around suddenly, and move suddenly, I’m going to be banging that thing into the walls or hitting doorframes. Small vertically built urban homes are tough to quickly swing a rifle around in unless it’s a rifle designed for CQB. I have a hard enough time bringing more than 1 bag of groceries in at a time.
Big house, free state, yeah I’d want a rifle too. Small urban home, compliant rifles only, I’m grabbing my handgun. But if shit is going down on the street outside, I feel like that’s a fair time to get the rifle and some extra 10-round mags and hold position.
BeenisHat@reddit
Bullpups are a thing. You can have the 16" requirement and still have a short rifle.
Waja_Wabit@reddit
Not legal. Pistol grip.
BeenisHat@reddit
There are CA compliant bullpups. Keltec, Springfield, IWI Tavor, etc.
drthvdrsfthr@reddit
i’m new, and my friend is pointing me towards an AR-9 since i already have a 9mm pistol
i kinda like the thought of just having one ammo size, but wanted to get some feedback from others about PCCs. what do you think of them?
salchichasconpapas@reddit
I think they're fun, but they still shoot a pistol caliber round
You're in your home, you're not limited by concealment; rifles and shotguns are exponentially superior to pistol calibers
People want to debate pistol calibers and penetration - for decades it's the same shit over and over ... fine, I'm not shooting a 30-06 or 308 or 7.62x54 in the house - but a 5.56? 7.62x39 or 12g 00 or 000 ... yes
I have 9mm, .45ACP, .38 and .357 in the house, and multiple 9mm within reach, but if you're kicking in my door or rousting from bed, I'm grabbing a 12.5" 5.56
the 9mm are for when I leave the house
Sure a 9mm pistol is sufficient for home defense, and if you've trained with your reliable 9mm PCC that's perfectly adequate as well ... however, you're in my home and I don't have to conceal and 5.56 is far far superior to every pistol caliber, and 12.5" is effective and manageable inside
BeenisHat@reddit
A rifle is also a lot louder and more concussive, burning a lot more powder at higher pressures.
There are good reasons to consider a pistol caliber over a rifle for indoor use.
drthvdrsfthr@reddit
appreciate the info, brother 🫡
salchichasconpapas@reddit
My pleasure
Just one man's opinion, everyone's got one, this one is mine
My go-to's in the house are a Geissele 12.5 URGI and a Sig MCX Rattler, they double duty as truck guns, they tuck away nicely, and the Sig folds up small,
but there's plenty of good choices and cheaper reliable choices if you're new and just getting your feet wet
and I know this is a firearm sub but ...
I've lived and worked all over north america, nice places and less nice places, ban states and free states, and downright dangerous places and let me tell you this from experience, NOTHING trumps motion lights and dogs and i've got multiple experiences to back it up - big very bright lights and dogs are a very strong repellent
A lot of people over the years have asked me what's the best home defense gun and my honest answer is motion lights and dogs, every single time ; the lights come on the dogs starts barking and the bad guys go and rob your neighbors instead
now if you're being targeted it's another story, get some training, hire security, and move
TheFirearmsDude@reddit
Love em, built my first one back in 2013, but not my first choice for home defense. However, up until I got an MP-5, it was one of my most shot guns at the range. AR-9s can be finicky as hell.
I keep a Ruger PCC as a ranch gun when I’m out in my woods for coyotes and groundhogs.
npaladin2000@reddit
I would the up using .32 caliber. 9 of them. Fired at once from a shotgun shell.
TheFirearmsDude@reddit
Yeah I had a bus that wouldn’t stop razzing me because I sucked at pistol shooting. Tried to get me to do some drill he was really good at. Timer beeped, I picked up my shotgun and fired two shells and the target had more holes in it than he had rounds in his magazine. Not a bad spread either, I’m a huge fan of an IC choke.
npaladin2000@reddit
In NYS we're allowed 10 round magazines. 7 in a shotgun. But I can have 8-20 projectiles per round in the shotgun so I can live with it. It's just a shame Shockwaves are also banned here.
FortunateHominid@reddit
Sadly a rifle doesn't fit in my nightstand.
BeenisHat@reddit
Because they don't make a .46 ACP.
UllrRllr@reddit
TWO WORLD WARS!!!
Sorry I had to do it.
BeenisHat@reddit
Well yeah, but what do they say about .45?
npaladin2000@reddit
Some of us are limited to 10 round magazines by local law, and therefore just want to have the largest 10 rounds we can get our hands on.
Maximum_Dweeb4473@reddit
So… 10mm then. Not .45. Not .40.
FortunateHominid@reddit
45 has a larger diameter than 10mm. So larger hole.
40 is the same diameter as 10mm, with less recoil so faster follow up. Same size hole.
10mm is a good round for certain circumstances. For a home defense pistol, wouldn't be in my top 3. Primarily due to overpenetration increase as well as followup.
CFishing@reddit
The larger hole means nothing when modern 9mm bullets outperform even the most advanced 45 acp bullets.
.45 is a very stagnant round, it’s pretty much impossible to improve it from here, it has reached the best it will ever be, 9mm has surpassed it and will continue to do so.
FortunateHominid@reddit
With pistol calibers the wound (size of hole) is all that matters aside from shot placement and penetration.
9mm has improved it's expansion to "almost" the size of an expanded 45 acp. There's higher velocity for better penetration. Also has lower recoil and higher capacity.
I prefer 9mm for the reasons above. Yet there is no arguing that a 45 leaves a larger permanent wound cavity. It is a great round for close quarters/home defense. Even more so suppressed.
airmech1776@reddit
This is the only reason to choose .45 over 9mm. 10mm would be even better though
Palehorse67@reddit
With 10mm you might get some serious over penatration.
BaronvonBrick@reddit
If youre using fmj or hardcast for HD
lethalmuffin877@reddit
Very likely, considering the cost of good quality defense rounds
FightFireJay@reddit
Pretty much all modern handgun rounds will over penetrate walls. Lighter faster rounds penetrate less than slower but heavier rounds. It's a trade off.
BaronvonBrick@reddit
So... a 45 will too? With more recoil and less rounds?
FightFireJay@reddit
Sorry, I'm not sure what you are asking me. I talked about wall penetration, target penetration, and stopping rate during my post.
.45 ACP will definitely over penetrate walls (more than5.56.mm). It's not statistically quicker at ending threats than other handgun calibers down to at least 9mm.
bleedinghero@reddit
So I have a good reason. .45 is sub sonic. So if i suppressed it in the house im not blowing out my own hearing. Else no real reason other than that.
Jazz_horse@reddit
I’d love to see a .45 integral suppressed pistol.
JustaKidFromBuffalo@reddit
I live in Buffalo, which is in the People's Republic of New York. Being that we have a 10 round limit it might as well be 10 rounds of .45 or 10mm. I carry 9mm due to the size, but the gun next to the bed is a Glock 20 with 10+1 rounds of 180gn JHPs going 1250fps. That's like 225 power factor and you're never going to see 9mm get there.
That being said, when I move it's going to be 23+1 of 9mm bc capacity is king.
RedPandaActual@reddit
I thought NY was 7 rounds, did it go back up to 10?
AlphaTangoFoxtrt@reddit
NY law said you can have 10 round magazines, but can't load with more than 7.
Even NY courts said that was too far. Though I wouldn't put it passed them to try again.
JustaKidFromBuffalo@reddit
That's was part of the NY SAFE act in 2013 and was ruled unconstitutional even by our circuit courts pretty quickly as I remember it.
RedPandaActual@reddit
Ah, I am from NY up in the sticks but even here living in the Democratic People’s Republic of MA I have the same crap. I wonder if NY even grants out of state licenses yet.
JustaKidFromBuffalo@reddit
Just started recently. You're going to have to jump through some HOOPS though.
AlphaTangoFoxtrt@reddit
Ban states where you're limited to 10 rounds anyway, so capacity doesn't matter.
Otherwise 9mm is generally just a better, cheaper, round. Even if you want to suppress get some heavy grain subsonic 9mm rounds.
Mad_Gankist@reddit
This video covers that exact question for a LOT of calibers.
https://youtu.be/mjwvZoYcTIM?si=s--eJpZ_EwczIryq
Sianmink@reddit
.45 will penetrate more construction material. This is generally considered to be a bad thing.
With modern hollowpoints the difference in terminal performance between 9mm and .45 is clinically insignificant.
The one thing I'd say is subsonics are going to blow your ears out less when cracked off indoors, but that doesn't change the choice.
AP587011B@reddit
I would point you to the lucky gunner ammo testing. Some of the differences seemed pretty stark to me between 45 and 9mm
Modern defensive 9mm ammo is basically akin to 45acp FMJ from 40 years ago sure
But it’s not like modern ammo developments don’t also apply to 45 and other calibers lol
Ernie_McCracken88@reddit
Why do you say this? In lucky gunners testing HST 147 grain expanded to an average of 0.61. The jump from 9mm to 45acp is a 0.1in larger diameter, The jump from 45acp fmj to (this particular) high quality 9mm defensive round is 0.16 in greater diameter.
And that's while holding more capacity (assuming the same frame size) and less recoil generally.
https://www.luckygunner.com/9mm-147-grain-jhp-hst-federal-premium-le-50-rounds
AP587011B@reddit
Ok so compare it to the modern 230 grain HSTs in 45
Ernie_McCracken88@reddit
Agree, but that's not the point that I disputed.
Useless_Fox@reddit
To some extent it does. Penetration is heavily reliant on velocity, which 45 doesn't have a lot of. And while all pistol calibers don't reach the rifle wounding velocity threshold, that velocity can still be useful for punching through objects like arm bones. In the interview James Reeves did the FBI agent on why they switched back to 9mm, the agent said the higher velocity of 9mm equated to more room for ammo development. And it got to the point where it matched 40sw terminal ballistics, which sort of became a "dead end" due to its lower velocity.
Sianmink@reddit
Clear gel is good for comparing like to like, it's not as much useful for comparing different calibers to each other.
The thing is no matter the caliber everyone wants to meet the FBI guidelines as a baseline, which means all main caliber defensive ammo is shooting for the same performance goals.
usa2a@reddit
I mean, the whole claim with 9mm is "modern hollowpoints" have made it effective.
It seems like any method you use to distinguish a "modern" 9mm hollowpoint from an "old and shitty" 9mm hollowpoint would also be valid for measuring a .40 or .45 or whatever other bullet.
Something like a .45 Ranger-T that expands to a goddamn inch and still meets the FBI penetration standard is going to remove a lot of important plumbing from whatever part of the body it hits.
SilenceDobad76@reddit
Some loads have near twice the expansion. I wouldnt say an inch hole is insignificant but Im also not paying 10,000 field agents to qualify. Fun fact, like 10mm, cost and qualifying scores was the driving factor for why the FBI switched from .40 to 9mm. "New bullet technology" was a marketing excuse for the change.
Veteran_PA-C@reddit
Suppressors. .45 ACP full power standard rounds are subsonic.
Weep4Thee@reddit
45 is loud af
Outrageous-Basis-106@reddit
45 Auto can have advantages when it comes to energy, penetration, power, wound channel, ability to suppress, and others. Emphasis on the word can since depending on the exact round, 9MM could be better. Even when 45 is better, its not likely to be a significant difference.
Like neither really has significant enough energy or power to rely on, increased wound channel mostly speeds up a timer, super sonics suppressed although louder can still be in a somewhat safe range for the shooter for a limited round count (a lot worse for the receiving end), etc. And like I said, a lot of it can also equal out more with the right round (147gr HST, just dont use wipes or abblatives).
Terminal_Lancelot@reddit
45 ACP is ballistically superior to 9mm, yes, enough to make up the difference in capacity, statistically speaking. It's also natively subsonic, pushing 230 grain JHPs up to 1,000 ish FPS, which would make a killer suppressed home defense load. If you're not running subs, 185 grain JHPs at around 1200 FPS are pushing 600 FPE, sitting pretty well in low-mid 357 Magnum territory with a larger diameter projectile. The Buffalo Bore 255 grain hard cast+P is also a better choice for bear defense, per Tim Sundles, over 10mm, due to having enough penetration to go shoulder to shoulder through a bear, while carving a bigger hole, functioning more reliably in multiple firearms than 10mm, and having lower recoil to boot.
People who talk bad about 45 either just want to hate on it because that's the popular thing to do, or don't actually understand that it's not 1945 anymore, and all the modern ballistic advancements that made 9mm "good enough," made 45 ACP exceptional. Wicked expansion (.75 inches and more, up to an inch), excellent energy (up to ~600 FPE), excellent momentum, and a fantastic starting diameter. Yes, it's generally lower capacity, but statistically speaking, 5 rounds of 38 Special will cover most circumstances, so there's no reason to think that 8-15+1 of 45 ACP+P would be insufficient.
_Zero_Fux_@reddit
.45 ACP delivers slightly higher muzzle energy with heavier bullets for better energy transfer in self-defense. .45 ACP also creates a larger wound channel. Both are fantastic self defense rounds if you buy the correct ammo. Lastly, .45 ACP is god's caliber.
PositiveMix9649@reddit
Don’t forget 10mm! If you might have a bear or burglar in your garage you can switch between hard cast or hollow points. Could also run .40 S&W.
revolootion@reddit
Bigger hole
timothra5@reddit
Here’s much of the data you seek:
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/category/experiments/
Expensive-Shirt-6877@reddit
45 +p is still subsonic and is like 450 foot pounds of muzzle energy
With a suppressor out of a usp 45 tactical thats a mean round
Plus its just cool and I like it
Pereoutai@reddit
What can do you run? I'm looking to get one for the same setup, and the previous owner said it always choked when suppressed.
nan0brain@reddit
I like 45 AARP. It's fat. It's slow. Makes big hole.
lethalmuffin877@reddit
FN really knows how to balance looks and practicality. Two scars and super magnum police 12g everything I run from these guys just fits like a glove
CappinTeddy@reddit
FN really missed out not offering an FNX-T in 9mm.
BaronvonBrick@reddit
Also fnx 45 aarp maybe sexiest pistol ever
MONSTERBEARMAN@reddit
I also wouldn’t call the FNX .45 a gun with “limited” ammo capacity 15+1 is probably enough to get it done and there are mag extensions available too.
truckensafely@reddit
I chose 9 in a pcc because of the 35 mags & frt.
changen@reddit
It doesn't matter. Go train. Even a couple of well placed shots with a 22lr will be better than missing everything because of adrenaline and poor aim.
Most casual and even hardcore gun owners don't train enough for any of this to matter.
ElmoZ71SS@reddit
9mm does funny things inside apartments and town homes if you live in a dwelling with multiple units, a why some urban swat or tactical units dropped the MP5. .45 is nice against an unarmored soft target at close range. However my bump in the night pistol is a Glock 19 with night sights and a TLR7. 15 rounds of 147 hollow point
Plain_Spoken@reddit
Use whatever firearm you can shoot the best. Nothing else matters when your adrenaline is flowing and you're running on instinct. Practice until it's second nature and you don't have to think about, the caliber won't make a difference.
That said, you can train a helluva lot more, cheaper and with less fatigue with 9mm.
jamesdo72@reddit
Username is appropriate. Well said.
84074@reddit
This was for u/plaine_spoken. My apologies for cutting in line.
84074@reddit
Million dollar comment right there u/plain_spoken!!!!
Many different types of firearms use 9mm now, semi auto pistols of course, pistol caliber carbines, revolvers with or without moon clips, and double and single action cowboy types that also chamber 357mag, even adaptors for single shot shotguns for 9mm. The world of guns and ammo is quite wide. And modern technology has closed the gap on performance between different calibers.
But like the addage says, "Don't fear the man that knows 1000 different kinds of kicks, fear the man that does 1 kick 1000 times. "
There's a lot to be said about training, training, training ..... muscle memory is huge when you're under pressure. Cheap ammo really helps to train.
If you reload 45acp it might cost close to basic 9mm store bought ammo, however that will depend on a lot of variables. Including a large investment up front unless you score a crazy used reloading collection for dirt cheap.
Honestly I'm looking into 45acp again. I've ditched 40cal and kept 9mm. 9 is just too available and so much cheaper to not shoot it!
My first handgun was a Glock 21. Full size 45acp LE trade in. I loved that gun!! I could hit anything I pointed it at!
84074@reddit
https://youtu.be/TIMtAoVLG-Y?si=bGyavhzhUqhKsWuc
SquirtGun1776@reddit
Heavier rounds do a better job of traveling in a straight line because of momentum and sectional density.
A bigger hole means faster blood loss. Shot placement is ideal but people act like this is easy because they do range training. It isn't easy, many shots will likely not be hitting critical spots.
Hollow points, even high quality ones don't always expand. If this happens with 9mm then you're left with a pretty bad round. If this happens with 45, its not great but its not bad
If it impacts bone itll dump energy and cause more injury to it
I don't think you should use a pistol for HD but 45 has a lot of advantages over 9. 9 is pretty much exclusively good for its capacity and when you stick to JHP
If you go fluted or any other bullet design, you're probably better with 45
xchaibard@reddit
This is the real answer. Any rifle you can use instead is a better option. More control, faster follow up, etc.
If you're obsessed with large diameter rifle rounds too, and want to stick with fudd calibers, just go 45-70 instead.
I can't imagine anybody keeping up the fight with a 45-70 sized hole in their torso
TheFirearmsDude@reddit
The last couple of shells in my HD shotgun are slugs. I shoot so much shotgun though it is by far the guns I shoot the best.
fpssledge@reddit
Difficult to truly convey and measure the efficacy of damage of a bigger hole in the human body. Gell tests only demonstrate basic tissue. A bullet will do different things to different parts of the body.
A bigger hole will definitely do more damage than a 9mm. Just like 30 cal over a 5.56. undisputable. The biggest argument is it's hard to hit people so get a gun easy to shoot (generally 9mm over 45) and holds more rounds for more opportunity to hit at all. A hit with a 9 does more than a miss with a 45. And if you are so reliable as a shooter that every shot hits, you'll get more hits with a 9mm than 45.
That's the case for 9. It's just a probability trade-off. Of course 45 and other rounds are likely "better" in many other categories but it's more important to get a hit. No one will stop in the middle of a fight and ask "did that 45 hurt more than if i used a 9?"
84074@reddit
45 super, which I understand is just extra powder regular spec 45acp cases/projectiles. I learned has the equivalent or better ballistics than 10mm...... With larger diameter hole!!
And yes, 45acp perfect for silencers using basic ammo.
sneak_king18@reddit
Slower? On a stat sheet. How the fps speed makes a difference against the bad guy is an irrelevant point. Both will kill you. No one is dodging a bullet of any caliber...
TroubleLovesMeh@reddit
Depends if you can have more than 10 rounds. And It’s not even about the rounds. States that have the 10 round laws most likely also don’t allow you to have suppressors either. So you want to look at .40. .45 acp and 10mm. If not, then a pcc 9mm with expensive ammo with a lot of ammo is a great firearm for protection.
My home scenario is multiple intruders. You put one down and one appears to run away. When you approach the person who was shot the other one attacks.
You need to practice. Outdoors where you have a bit more freedom. At weird angles. One handed once in a while. Be one with all the arms you own. Pay for the fancy classes. They help too.
Purple-Slip-6958@reddit
In a home defense scenario, I'm grabbing my .45 PCC. It's suppressed, and .45 ACP is by default subsonic, so my ears won't get absolutely demolished. I have an integrally suppressed 9mm PCC as well, but the difference in rounds is like 26 vs 33, but the sound difference is pretty high.
cody87hoke@reddit
I’ve responded to a lot of shooting and a lot of people shooting at each other.
It doesn’t matter between 9MM vs 45 when it comes to over penetration. It’s a lot of luck, what you hit, ammo type, and the trajectory of the round. 9mm is faster and will “bounce” a little more vs 45.
Typically in a defensive shooting a larger capacity magazine is better because you’re not nearly as accurate under extreme stress. Getting shot with anything sucks ass, some people can get shot a lot and keep fighting, some get dropped in 1 round.
It’s all luck.
I’ll add I’ve seen a dude get hit once with a 22 in the dome and dropped. Seen dudes hit with multiple 9MM and 7.62x39 and live. Multiple 5.56 wounds and live. Dudes hit with one 45, double lunged, through the heart, somehow ran 50 feet and died. A girl got saved because a hood rat was shooting hollow 9MM rounds (they normally have mixed ball) into the car she was in. It hit the B pillar, bounced into the floor, back up through the center console and lost enough velocity it went like 1/2 and inch into her tricep.
Saw a dude get hit in a drive by by both 9MM and 7.62, almost all threw and threw wounds except one 9MM hit his head after hitting multiple walls. It didn’t penetrate his skill, followed it and wedged against his ear. You could see the end of the round sticking out, even in the chaos I really wanted to pull it out like a splinter but obviously didn’t, I’m not a medic or doctor.
madness707@reddit
Everyone talks about penetration with 45 which is still important, 9mm can still penetrate enough .
The focus should how effective can you hit your target. Have you tried to shoot a 45 several times with. 1-2 seconds and still hit an a zone vs 9mm?
But there just so many YouTube videos that goes over ballistics if you’re more interested in that with 45 vs 9s and gel testing. That should be a good start for more detailed info.
Dive30@reddit
Buy what you will carry and train with.
One-Challenge4183@reddit
If it’s the capacity reasoning in limiting states. I keep hearing, “45 over 9mm. 10mm even better.”
I’m over here like, how bout 460 Rowland 😬🤷🏻♂️
N2Shooter@reddit
I have reasons not to choose the .45ACP, such as the much heavier round has excessive penetration because of its momentum.
AP587011B@reddit
45 has less penetration actually because it’s fatter and slower
Squirrel_Works@reddit
SiegfriedArmory@reddit
My home defense gun is a suppressed SP45A3, I also own the SP9A3 too but the advantage to the .45 in my opinion is that it hits harder, leaves a larger wound, is less likely to overpenetrate, and is naturally subsonic with all common loads making it whisper quiet. With 230 grain hollowpoints out of an 8 inch barrel its hitting about 50% harder by foot pounds and getting 50% more expansion by diameter than any 9mm round can achieve, which makes a 1-shot-stop much more likely.
The typical downsides of .45 in a pistol (capacity and recoil) are both negated by the PCC. Magazine depth is 25 (stock mags are 20 but 25 rounders are common and high quality), compared to 30 in the 9mm. I think the odds of even firing half that in a home defense situation is slim but have extra mags around just in case. Out of a PCC the recoil of any handgun round is irrelevant, I can shoot it with equal speed and accuracy to the 9mm. My opinion there's 0 downsides to switching to 45 for a PCC, its just strictly better.
Hoplophilia@reddit
For home defense, suppressed is pretty well required. If you're stuck running a bullet at 1050 FPS, a 230gr .451" bullet has damn near the exact sectional density as a 147gr .352" bullet, and needs a 6" barrel to kiss the sound barrier at +P.
In this scenario the .45 has about 57% more energy, roughly the same penetration. Bullet choice is critical obviously.
A favorite PCC, 8" suppressed, with tuned handloads, might be close to the perfect HD gun.
Averagecrabenjoyer69@reddit
It frankly just leaves a bigger hole ie permanent wound cavity either way you look at it which is always an inherent advantage. If you're in a magazine capacity limited state the bigger caliber makes more sense. If using a suppressor, .45 ACP is naturally subsonic and works wonders over 9mm in a suppressed gun. Bigger frame pistols are just easier to shoot and handle than compacts.
PlaceUserNameHere67@reddit
I haven't fired a .45 cal in a long time. But, living where I do, i feel 9mm with more capacity is key. I know there are large capacity/double stack it's but they're not as affordable as a high capacity 9mm handgun.
There again, I do agree that the stopping power of 45 is better. I own 3- 9mm handguns and will use if necessary. But, if i could afford a 2011, I would want it for home defense.
Hoplophilia@reddit
The power of stopping....
Iwalksloow@reddit
Training means more than caliber. More bullets is better than less bullets.
AP587011B@reddit
45acp is more effective than 9mm on a shot for shot basis.
A 230 grain HST vs a 124 gr or even 147 gr HST, what is going to make a bigger hole and larger temporary or permanent wound cavity? Which will have the higher odds of a 1 shot stop?
45acp is slower and thus being slower and fatter will probably have less odds of over penetration than 9mm
My home defense pistol is a Gen 4 Glock 21 with a TLR1 but I eventually plan to get the FNX45
To each their own
dustysanchezz@reddit
Pick the largest caliber you can shoot accurately.