Is .45 necessary?

[Steelharp]

I know the legend, as we all do... but, to my thinking, the caliber one shoots best is the one that should be carried. Is there a real "have to have" reason for .45 anymore, with the ballistic improvements in 9mm? Perhaps wintertime, with having to penetrate heavier clothing? Or is that not even the case?

[drboomboom]

Is the .45 necessary? Some folks would say no. Sarah Brady, for example.

[drboomboom]

All kidding aside, it has its pros and cons. Folks will argue all day long and make good points for either the .45ACP or the 9mm luger. I find the .45 very easy to reload and the bores are easier to clean. I don't feel undergunned with either my 4556 next to the bed or carrying my Sig 228. I wouldn't want to be working in Memphis with only the 5-shot 9mm snub. If I had just one bullet in my gun for defense, a la Barney Fife, I would rather have the .45 than the 9.

[TheRabbi]

The 9mm is a .45acp set to 'stun'

[magiccarpetrides]

Why nots a better question...hell if I could control it I would carry a 44mag, or even a 50ae

[hipower]

From someone's sig line: I carry a .45 because they don't make a .46. Like magic says, if you can shoot it, use it.

[HexHead]

Everyone should have a .45 and a 9mm. Debate over.

[Steelharp]

Like magic says, if you can shoot it, use it.

Which refers back to my original post, "to my thinking, the caliber one shoots best is the one that should be carried."

So, "Necessary," no, "Optional," yes?

[darkstar]

The debate goes on and on and on and..... I usually tell my HCP students (when they ask what caliber is best) that the best caliber is the one that hits the bad guy. Shot placement is critical. I'll take a trained Navy Seal with a .22 over a rank beginner with a .44 mag anyday. That being said I think both have a place. There is the school that says bullet mass trumps everything ergo the .45, the other school says speed kills so you get your 9. I'd be comfortable with either, and in fact I do carry a 9 although not a 9x19 mine is the .357 sig (still a 9mm projectile). But for fun on the range when I'm not practicing with the sig I shoot .45. Of the 5 handguns I have there are 4 .45's and the one .357sig. I like reloading the .45 way more 'cause they are easier to handle. When it gets cooler out I'll switch from the Glock32 to my cold weather gun the Sig220 (I don't wanna sweat all over the Sig, the Glock can handle it) so I suppose you could say I carry both. Carry the one you shoot best with is the way to go.

If nothing else the 45vs9mm debate gives endless fodder for gun mags and gun store commandos to argue over.

Besides anyone who knows anything about guns knows that if you don't have a Glock 19 with an Ashley big dot front sight, you may just as well lay down in the gutter and die!

[TheRabbi]

"Shot placement is King. Penetration is Queen. Everything else is angles dancing on the head of a pin."