eldeguello

As stated above, velocity is the determining factor RE: "kinetic energy". But don't make the mistake of equating kinetic energy with killing or knock-down power.

The 9mm has alkways been loaded to the peak of its potential, but the recent advent ofvarious +P loadings in the .45 ACP place it far beyond anything a 9mm can do!

For example, one of my own .45 ACP handloads uses a 230-grain cast semi-wadcutter hollowpoint bullet at 1000 FPS andgives a muzzle energy of 510 FT/LB. I have even seen some .45 ACP "SUPER" ammo used in M1911A1's having ramped barrels that gave 1150 FPS with Hornady 230-grain XTP bullets. This load produces676 FT/LB, or nearly TWICE what you can get from any 9mm load.

Now, to avoid controversy, I am NOT going to assert that the .45 ACP is a better combat round than the 9mm! BUT, there is a reason why U.S. Special Operations forces are today buying specially made custom M1911A1-type .45 ACP handguns to replace the 9mm's they were using. And it is not just to complicate logistics problems....

biscuit jake

I found out last weekend that a unit aquired 40 Glocks in .45 Auto. I assume they went open purchase. It will be interesting to see what long term changes in weapons and ammo come out of this conflict.

REM7MMAG

.45acp my choice hands down great stoping power and im a 1911 style gun fan but if for just plinking 9mm is very cheap on ammo and little recoil and in most polymer style guns u can fit up 17 rounds in one mag

Charley

No, it isn't to complicate logistics...it's because by law they must use BALL ammunition. .45 ACP ball will always be more effective than 9x19 ball. If i lived in a retard state like New Jersey that prohibits HP ammunition for its citizens, I would carry and use nothing but .45 ACP. I don't, and I don't. With a good JHP there is just not that much difference in effectiveness, assuming you chose the proper load.

[email protected]

Wolf ammo makes the 45 about as cheap to shoot as the 9mm and you don't have to save brass, though you should try to pick it up anyway .i love my 40 sw pistols but I'll most likely have a 45 before long.Not because I feel undergunned or any such,It's just that I need one. You see I have a 9mm, 2 40 cals a 44mag a 380 Kel Tec and a target 22! and a good 45 would fit in my gun safe so why not.

HighDesertWolf

HEH!!! WOLF........ I wouldnt shoot that nasty dirty inaccurate stuff if it were free. Not to mention the laquered cases when fired heat up and leave laquer in your chamber, that has to be scrubbed out with kroil and a bronze brush. If you dont clean that laquer out over time it builds up and eventually causes feeding and ejecting malfunctions. Forget what fornra says trying to compare wolf 45 ammo price price to 9mm ammo, to me wolf ammo doesnt exsist except for their gold line ammo which is brass cased but its not any cheaper than say Sellier & Bellot, independence or magtech ammo.

AmericanPioneer

I have a copy of a Browning Hi Power that is made in Bulgaria. It is called an Arcus 94. It is a beefed up version with a matteblued , squared off slide and chromed frame. This is the most accurate and reliable 9mm I have ever owned. I paid about 300.00 for it years ago and it was a good investment.I can fan the trigger on a 15 round magazine and it emptys like a full automatic and never jams. I have a Sig 220 in .45 acp but I cant shoot it as well as my 9mm. If you look at the ballistics on the corbon 115 gr jhp you will see it has a one shot stopping figure equaling the powerful 125 grain jhp.357 magnum loads. The nine can be shot cheaper too. I get 50 rounds of usa white box at wally world for about seven bucks. Here are some figures on energy levels and fps from CorBon.











9MM LUGER+P 115 GR. JHP 1350 FPS/466FTLBS***

9MM LUGER+P 125 GR. JHP 1250 FPS/434FTLBS

45 AUTO+P 165 GR. JHP 1250 FPS/573 FTLBS

45 AUTO+P 185 GR. JHP 1150FPS/543 FTLBS

45 AUTO+P 230 GR. JHP 950 FPS/461FTLBS***

357 MAG 110 GR. JHP 1500 FPS/555 FTLBS

357 MAG 125 GR. JHP 1400FPS/544FTLBS***