Large Frontal Mass

Anybody who remembers the 1980s and early 90s will certainly recall the repetitive articles ad nauseum about “9mm v. .45 ACP.” It seemed like every other month, in one periodical or another, the debate would be resurrected with no clear resolution.

https://americanhandgunner.com/discover ... ntal-mass/

The magazine capacity of the Wundernines won that debate for 9mm. Especially after the LA riots when people realized that they could be defending their homes and businesses from a horde of rioters rather than just one bad guy.

The larger calibers got popular again when Democrats passed an Assault Weapons Ban that limited magazine capacity to ten rounds. But the 1994 AWB was allowed to sunset by Republicans in 2004, so people went back to 9mm for the large magazine capacity.

I read once the biggest caliber you can shoot efficiently (they said accurately) is what you carry.

For most, it's 9mm. For others, I'd say it's .45 or 10mm. This is probably true for 95%+ of the gun carrying population.

I can shoot .45 decent, and with some time (and different pistol; 1911 gets heavy after a while) I'm sure I could get to be efficient with it, but I'm much better with 9mm. Add in the capacity gains, 9mm is the jack-of-all trades.

I live in a happy medium choosing the 40 smith and Wesson. I can lessen this snappiness with reloads but an produce loads that are potent enough that ensures expansion with HP’s.
I never liked .45ACP but to each there own.
Over the last 5 years or so I’ve been finding more 9mm and less other pistol caliber brass which proves that the majority of shooters in my area prefer 9mm. So there you have it!

357 daily. 9mm added if I’m going to the ghetto and may need an additional 17

40 S&W never seemed snappy to me. Maybe a bit from the Glock 27, but that grip is so short you can’t get your pinkie finger on it. But certainly no big deal

7.62 tokarev.

9mm in the city, 10mm in the woods.



The pistol makes a huge difference in how you perceive recoil of course. A Glock 23 is worlds better to shoot than a Sig p250 in .40, for example.

9mm. Out on the trail, .357 or .44.