I am about to flip the coin so help me out...

[garand4life]

As much as this has been covered I'm just can't decide which to pull the trigger on. I've had one in each caliber before and was pretty happy with each but kept trading around to try other things. Before I move back west I want to get one to keep.
I can see the versatility in each and I am okay with all 3 calibers but am curious what the most popular model is here.
I can get only one and it will probably be my go to for most things and I doubt it will be used for any real recreational purposes.
Thinking about this as a tool only. I am not considering the .357 SIG or any compact models currently so as much as I know we like to drift to the "what about X gun that's not on the list" I just want to see the preference among the DRTV'rs. Thanks

One note as I know this comes up almost every time first thing, I shoot the 9 just a bit better and the .40 probably the worst of the 3 by a small margin. But I know which ever I get will see plenty of practice and ammo availability is about even so, there ya go.

Commence firing and I'm sure some cheap shots about glocks, xd's and 9 vs 40 caliber jokes.........

[fightingquaker13]

I'd either get the 9mm for low cost ammo, or .45 for knockdown power. The .40 seems the worst of both worlds. More expensive than 9mm, and weaker than .45. If I was starting from scratch and wanting an SD not a range gun? I'd go .45.
FQ13

[jaybet]

I feel for ya Garand...I have only the M&P9, don't own a 40, and I love (read, "LOVE!!!!") 45 acp. Not just because it's a fat bullet, but I like the way the round shoots and feels. My 45s are a 1911 and the newly acquired Springfield XDs.
On caliber, I think 45 is a near-perfect self defense round. 9 is not, but it's cheap and you can cram more into a carry gun, and 50 bee stings is better than a bite from the Rottweiler you left home. 40?  I'm not sure FQ is right in that 40 has some pretty damn good ballistics if you read up on it, especially in an expanding round. But for the price you might as well shoot 45.

So I guess I'm writing down all the stuff that's running through your head. I'm a 45 guy at heart and the smallest M&P you can get in 45 is still not very small...a good, all around pistol. The 9 I have is a great shooter, though, very accurate and if you are buying ammo you get almost 2 for 1 against 45. That's a consideration.

One more thing. While your life depends on that weapon the chances of you having to use it for SD are probably about the same as being struck by lightning...maybe less. Carry what you like to shoot, because you LIKE it.

[tombogan03884]

Since the only difference between them is ammo price and you are not limited to FMJ but can use high quality defensive rounds I would say go with the 9mm
.40 is not going to give you enough difference in hole size to justify the extra cost in practice ammo.
I would say .45 if you were limited to FMJ but modern 9mm defense loads work much better than in the old days and practice ammo for 9 is less expensive than .45

[garand4life]

I think it just comes down to the fact I don't want to go through buyers remorse because of caliber. Its happened before. I like the idea of the 9 for speed and the fact I am very accurate with it. Plus if I get a compact, either shield or M&Pc, I like keeping same caliber in an easier to handle 9. I like the 45 for the raw 45 power and who doesn't love a good old 200 grain round flying really fast?! So I guess I'm leaning to the 9 but really trying to talk myself out of the 45. I'm still split and I need to get this decided soon. Keep the thoughts coming. The reassurance helps.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sponsor]

[fightingquaker13]

I don't know about M@P, but my Glock 9mm eats Remington Golden Sabres in 147 grain just fine, and that ain't a small chunk of lead. Again, I think any good SD round will do the job. All things being equal, go .45, but they ain't equal. Its about cost, capacity, size and money on the range. If you shoot a lot, buy 9mm. If you shoot a little, buy . .45. Flip side? If you shoot 9mm well and are comfy with it? Shoot 9mm. Hows that for helpful?  Seriously, you've chosen a quality gun you like, I don't think the BGs will be critiquing your ammo choices. Get what you feel good with.
FQ13

[kmitch200]

I think it just comes down to the fact I don't want to go through buyers remorse because of caliber. Its happened before. I like the idea of the 9 for speed and the fact I am very accurate with it. Plus if I get a compact, either shield or M&Pc, I like keeping same caliber in an easier to handle 9.

Accuracy wins the day in any situation.
If you shoot a 9 better, get a 9.

I love my 45s. I don't usually carry them. (esp. concealed)
If I'm going to carry something heavy, it's weight is going to come from being filled with a buttload of ammo.

Someone once said: "Bullets are like gum in grade school - if you bring any, make sure you bring enough for everyone."
That's a lot easier to do with a 9 than a 45.

Since the only difference between them is ammo price and you are not limited to FMJ but can use high quality defensive rounds I would say go with the 9mm
.40 is not going to give you enough difference in hole size to justify the extra cost in practice ammo.
I would say .45 if you were limited to FMJ but modern 9mm defense loads work much better than in the old days and practice ammo for 9 is less expensive than .45

^^^^THIS^^^^

[WatchManUSA]

Accuracy wins the day in any situation.
If you shoot a 9 better, get a 9.

I love my 45s. I don't usually carry them. (esp. concealed)
If I'm going to carry something heavy, it's weight is going to come from being filled with a buttload of ammo.

Someone once said: "Bullets are like gum in grade school - if you bring any, make sure you bring enough for everyone."
That's a lot easier to do with a 9 than a 45.

^^^^THIS^^^^

+1 for buying the gun you shoot the best!  I'm a firm believer that you should never buy a gun without shooting one.  I'm not talking about shooting the exact gun you are going to buy but the same mfriendFind a freind or go to a range that rents guns.  Personal protection is all about the speed and accuracy of shots on target.  Do the Larry Potterfield test.

[garand4life]

I think the 9mm is winning for me. I know the 45 is a close second. One thing I hadn't considered is that it seems finding good carry holsters for the 45 is a bit of a task. So the nod to the 9 there. I also noticed that when you look at the performance data from ammo makers like doubletap it's pretty common to see little to no difference in ballistic performance. Which to me is just re-enforcing the belief that the caliber gap is nearly no existent.
I am just trying pair down if there are any real reasons one would be, realistically, more advantageous than another.
So far I think that has been done.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[fightingquaker13]

Try Hougue. They are hard boiled, or whatever, fitted leather and they are great. Great retention (as in hold it upside down and shake retention) and reholstering is a breeze. Best part is you can find them on E-bay for less than $40. I really prefer leather to kydex though, so YMMV.
FQ13