I pick the 45 (which I shoot regularly) based solely on the caliber (and knock down power).Substantial enough for me to pick a 45 over a 9mm based solely on the caliber? Nope. To each their own, but I do not feel that the added size, weight, and recoil of a 45 ACP, along with the smaller magazine capacity is worth the supposed advantages a 45 ACP offers.
From what I understand, the .40 was developed from the 10mm. And actually it was said that it is a better round than 9mm, due to research developed after the FBI Miami shootout.I wonder if a 10mm could be called a 40 S&W Mag?
Case .142" longer. 180gr @ 1250 vs 1100 FPS (Hornady Reloading Manual)
I'm not sure what the hell "knockdown power" is, but .45 and 9mm have essentially the same chance of incapacitation or causing a mortal injury. They both require good shot placement, otherwise they do basically the same thing.So you think a .45ACP doesn't have substantial enough "knockdown power" over a 9mm? With all due respect, that is not correct.
As a gross over-simplification, imagine that each caliber has a measure of goodness, such as E. So, with FMJ bullets, E(40) was 24, E(45) was 23, E(9) was 21. Clearly .40 is the best, right? But what if the users of these calibers only need E of 23? Before, they have no choice but using 40. But let's say that new bullets of JHP type increased E for all calibers, as you say above: "all the calibers ... improved equally". Now, E(40)=26, E(45)=25, E(9)=23. The .40 is still be best! But... nobody cares. They only need 23, so 9mm is good enough. And, but switching to 9, users reap the advantages in better follow-up accuracy, better capacity, less wear and tear, lower ammunition cost.I mean, all the calibers should have improved equally, no?
It's text, yes sarcasm is often lost.Facetiousness is lost on you.
I pick the 45 (which I shoot regularly) based solely on the caliber (and knock down power).
Vail's argument that the stopping power of handgun ammunition is not based on caliber has elicited howls of protest from members of the firearms community who are devotees of particular cartridges, especially the .45 ACP. Vail says he enjoys the debate and he reads the comments on his articles, but he stands by his conclusions about ammo performance based on his experience as a scientist, a surgeon, a shooter, and a tactical medical provider.
POLICE: Is there really a significant difference in terms of wound ballistics between a 9mm, .40, and .45?
Vail: Other than the size of the ballistic projectile, nope. Because unless you hit something vital, it doesn't matter what you hit them with. You could hit them with a .45 in the shoulder, they're gonna survive. You hit them with a 9mm in the shoulder, they're gonna survive. You hit them with a .22 in the brain they could die. So, stopping a threat really does not come down to caliber, it is shot placement.
Handguns are lousy stoppers; it doesn't matter the caliber, they are just not great at stopping threats. Because of the ballistics profile and the amount of energy that a rifle round carries with it and dumps into the body, a rifle is a much better instrument to stop a threat.
no2gates,
Fwiw, I'm planning SOON to buy yet another SIG. The next one will be one of the nice "police trade-ins" in .40 S&W that GT in Austin often has for sale.
yours, satx
The ballistic effectiveness is not based on any single variable. Bullet diameter does not = "knock down power". Knock down power is not even a defined unit of anything. It's a meaningless colloquialism that's only defining characteristic is the level of bias someone attributes to something based on the girth of the cylinder. If you place .45 ACP shots poorly, they do no better than 9mm. Chances are one well placed shot with a .45 ACP will take down a person in a defensive situation just as well as a 9mm or .40. On the same note, 4 well place shots from any of those calibers may not even slow down some attackers in the slightest. Humans are variable in that way, and it is not predictable.Larger calibers inherently have more "knock down" with all things being equal. If speed is vital, shoot a .22 Mag. or .357 Mag., etc. Each to his own opinions. A well placed shot with a 9, 40, or 45 will work fine. I shoot my 45 with confidence.