Which handgun is more powerful? 9mm handgun or a .45 cal handgun?

Question

I know this may seem like a dumb question but I am an idiot when it comes to firearms. I purchased a Sigma Smith & Wesson 9 mm SW9VE handgun about 6 month ago and go the range often and I love it. (click here to see--> http://web.quick.cz/terc/saw/sigma.jpg ). I have been looking at some .45 cal handguns to upgrade to and am just wondering which is more powerful and will have more of a blow to intruders/invaders when using for self defense/home protection? When I go to the range my 9mm sounds like a BB gun/Pellet Gun compared to the .45 cal the others shoot. If a .45 cal is better then a 9 mm which ones would you all suggest being that I love Smith & Wesson? I am open to try another market or brand of .45 cal handguns but want a dependable one that is not a revolver. It must be an automatic handgun. Any good answers to my questions or suggestions would be great. Any links to some that I can look at would be great also.

Answer 1

The .45 is WAY more powerful than the 9mm (I own both, but carry the .45). Just set he 2 bullets next to one another and see for yourself.......

As for the military switching calibers.... BAD move, spec ops nearly always chose to carry the 1911 (or one of the more modern handguns, but in .45 acp). Why? Simple its been combat proven to get the job done.

If you notice, more and more police departments (including the Fed cops) are switching from the 9 to higher calibers (.40 for the Fed) for the simple fact that they are WAY under powered.

The 9 makes an excellent range gun, but to trust your life? Go fo the .45

Answer 2

The 9mm has the advantage of carrying capacity and will penetrate deeply. The .45ACP has more "knock down" power because it is a bigger bullet. You sacrifice carrying capacity, but you get a more powerful round. The .45 is a better man stopper.

For something in the middle, you might consider a .40 (I have a Glock). I have read mixed reviews about the Sigma, I am glad that you enjoy yours. I would suggest sticking with the 9mm. It is much cheaper to shoot and you can continue to learn.

The .45 is more expensive.

I would suggest a Colt 1911 style .45. It is a classic. The Colts are expensive, but you can go with a similar style pistol from Kimber or some other brand. Ruger also make a decent .45

EDIT: H is right. I own many guns. I just wouldn't trade in my 9mm for a .45. Keep the 9 as it is cheaper to shoot at the range. Also, use defense loads for home defense to prevent overpenetration.

Answer 3

Seriously, just look at the two rounds. Now tell me, which one is bigger? Which do you think is the more powerful?

If you want a .45 acp, more power to you. Loaded with ball ammo the .45 will have an advantage over the .9mm also loaded with ball ammo due to the sheer width and weight of the .45 bullet. Now compare a slow moving, 230 grain ball .45 to a hyper-velocity 115 or 124 grain +P+ hollow point defensive round .9mm and the scale will be tipped in favor of the .9mm. All things even, then the .45 will have the edge every time. This is what made the .45 great.

If you are looking for protection against home invaders, remember, bullets shoot through a lot of dry wall. Bigger bullets shoot through even more walls. Consider pre-fragmented rounds in what ever you choose. Although I prefer the Glock, you could do worse than your Sigma .9mm for plinking and home defense. If you want a .45, then I think you should buy one. This is still a free country and no rule says you have to have only one gun.

Best.

H

Answer 4

Frust,

Again, I'm not going to win any popularity contests...I don't care, though.

Folks have already answered your question...hands down, the .45 ACP proves ballistically superior over the 9 X 19mm.

What folks aren't saying here is that the 9mm para has killed many, many people...I heard once that the Germans "developed the 9mm para to kill Europeans, so they are worthless against us corn-fed Americans."

Uhhh...right.

When you hear about the military folks complain about the 9mm, it has more to do with the ammo that they are issued. They are issued "ball" ammo, which, if the bullet does not hit a vital area or bone to 'yaw' the round, goes right through the opponent. Experienced law enforcement officers will tell you that the 230 grain RNFMJ in .45 ACP is notorious for over-penetrating. Now, you don't have to settle for ball ammo (though I use RNFMJ's for my outings at the range)...hollow point defensive rounds are designed to expand with impact and create a large wound channel. Again, you start with a 9mm, 124 grain pill, and compare it to a .45 (11.25mm) 230 grain bullet...no contest. You do get a lot more 'stopping power' from a 9mm when used with hollow-point defensive rounds.

I would not consider changing weapons just because it doesn't sound impressive compared to my neighbor's at the range...there are times when having less muzzle blast is better...if I have to defend myself in an enclosed space (think: convenience store/gas station), less noise is probably going to be to your benefit...and at close distances with hollow-point rounds, I doubt a badguy is going to dust himself off and ask for another.

I would not doubt anyone's sanity for opting to carry a .45 ACP instead of a 9 mm para. I would suggest though, that you try someone's handgun first (if possible) before buying a similar model, be it a Springfield XD, Glock 21, the myriad choices offered in the venerable 1911 design. Carry it for a couple of days (you'll be doing more of that than shooting it) and by all means familiarize yourself with the arm...this is a highly personal decision.

Answer 5

45

Answer 6

the 9mm. 40, and 45 are become equal stoppers when the RIGHT version of each shell is used in OPTIMAL circumstances-PERIOD! A 9mm 124gr +p or +p+ can beat the hell out of some 45ACP offerings and vice-versa! People are mking generalizations and stereotypes here.
A 9mm acts just like a .357Magnum if it has the right velocity and leaves a 5" barrel. Conditions, conditions, conditions! The Hatcher Bullet Theory is just that-A THEORY. And it's an outdated one as well. Why do you think that 5.7mm is out right now. Sure, it's armor piercing in one form, but even the plastic spitzer tip design slug is very lethal and has plenty of interior wound potential for a quick stop.

Answer 7

well the .45 is a lot more powerful than 9mm the only handguns bigger than it that i know of are .454 and .500

Answer 8

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Answer 9

I have a 26.5mm made by H&K that is a break-action pistol meant for shooting flares or smoke canisters, although you can also fire small grenade rounds from it. BUT you can take an empty flare shell (aluminum) and put a new primer it, and reload it as you wish, with powder and buckshot, to be a gigantic shotgun shell, now you have a pistol with a bore of more than 1" diameter! I suppose if you really had to, you could put a single 1" lead slug in there, but i gotta say i'm not going to be the one looking for that broken wrist (but it WOULD fire if held by a vise or, say, the terminator, so therefore the gun itself is functional and plausible).

Answer 10

.45 more powerful. ouestion: are you really ready for a .45?? its more recoil than the 9mm, a lot more to handle all the way around. why do you want to " upgrade" to a .45? is your 9mm not ok for home defense and fun to shoot at the range?? also, ammo much cheaper, most of the time, for 9mm.