Briman you can use "paper technology and theories" on alot of military/law enforcement equipment but when it comes down to outright personal/in the field examples, the 45 puts the 9 too shame with actual experience.
My brother-in-law and neighbor both just recently returned from a year in Iraq and they will BOTH tell you that they would've MUCH RATHER have had a 1911 than their standard issue 9 Beretta.
The Europeans have been using the 9mm in sidearms for 100years, even the brits changed from the bigger diameter .455 webley to the 9mm.
The real world experiences with the .45 and 9mm more than likely have more to do with the person shooting it than the caliber itself. People who are into guns gravitate toward the .45, mainly because of the 1911 pistol which lends itself to fast shooting, good accuracy, and unlimited customization. These people tend to be much better shooters than the run of the mill police or Military Officer who is issued a 9mm, consequently the better shooter is almost always going to get faster stops because of their more precise shooting than those who are given a 9mm with very little practice or even interest in their sidearm. If I were in a situation where I had to use a sidearm on a daily basis, Id choose a .45 in 1911a1 also, it come out of the holster and registers hits far faster than a typical SA/DA pistol. (I shoot both a 1911 and a Beretta 92 in IPSC competition, there is nothing wrong with the 92, its an outstanding pistol, but if I had to choose, I'd pick the 1911A1 every time)
The military adopted the "lay down superior #s of fire upon your enemy" many years ago because most recruits simply aren't that good of a shot.
Nope. The 'fire and movement' tactic developed during WWII is far superior to individual aimed fire. The squad putting down covering fire doesn't need to hit anything, just needs to keep the enemy pinned and uanble to return fire or move until another squad moves and flanks the enemy position or better yet, calls in artillery. At any rate, it has nothing to do with handgun calibers.
I have a couple of 38s, 9s a 357 and a new 45 (Para LDA SSP Black Watch) and while I could "spray the hillside" with one of my 9s I would MUCH rather have either the 357 or the 45 on my hip if I were shooting Hadji's or enemies.
Now that is just plain silly[8D]