Is a 9 mm sufficient for defense?

Question

I realize there's enormous controversy over handgun gauge preferences and that placement is generally considered the most important factor in self-defense, but I still have a simple question: Is a 9 mm sufficient for defense?

In other words, is it reliable to quickly put down any attacker? I am on the smaller side and require a handgun that can reliably protect me against assailants who may be the size of a linebacker for example.

Is there reason that a larger gauge may be more effective for self-defense?

Thanks.

Answer 1

I carry a 9mm on a regular basis and consider it sufficient if not more.

A .45ACP will stop a man quicker and the .40S&W is a mid range comprimise between the two, having both advantages and disadvantages.

Answer 2

You're posting a simple question. Is a .9mm sufficient for defense? Simple answer: Of course. it is a medium bore defensive pistol round.

Next question: Is it reliable to quickly put down any attacker? No, but then no caliber is a guaranteed death ray.

Final question: Is there reason that a larger gauge (bore) may be more effective for self defense? Sure, the wider the bore the larger the wound channel, usually...

Provisos: The .9mm works best with 115 to 127 grain jacketed hollow point ammo. The .9mm needs velocity to reliably expand and the best loads are the +P and +P+ but not all pistols are rated for these so stick with the non +P 115 to 127 grain quality defensive ammo.

The best one shot stopper to date is the .357 Magnum loaded with the 125 grain semi-jacketed hollow point bullet fired out of a 4" barrel. Even this one is NOT 100% effective 100% of the time. Of course, the .45 acp fans will swear by the .45 but neither is this a 100% stopper 100% of the time. The nine will serve you well with the right ammo. So will the .45 acp but the most consistant one shot stopper is the .357 Magnum. If I were facing down an assailant the size of a line backer I'd opt for the .357 Mag or the .10mm every time. The .10mm is more powerful and holds more ammo.

If recoil is a problem then stick with the nine and high capacity magazines.

Good luck.

H

Answer 3

If your firearm will handle +P+ loads then you have a great self-defense firearm. My personal favorite Winchester Ranger "T" (127 grain +P+ talon design hollow point). Winchester would like to keep it in the hands of Law Enforcement only, but unless it violates local laws you can buy and use it. Practice with cheap ammo, but make sure you put a couple of magazines of your defense ammo through the firearm. Nothing worse than discovering it won't feed hollow points when you're facing an attacker. Get good enough to hit what you're aiming at no matter what caliber you decide on. A .45 ACP that doesn't hit center mass is no better at "dropping" someone than an off center 9mm--no worse either.

Answer 4

The accepted "minimum" for self defence is the 380 round. The 9mm is more powerfull than the 380 and does not have the recoil of the larger calibers.

I would recomend starting out with a smaller caliber like the 9mm, take lessons and develop good shooting habits and patterns.

Then if you like, you can move to the larger 40 and 45 if you can handle the recoil and still keep your accuracy.

Answer 5

"Your survival will depend on your commitment to the time-tested triad of mind-set, tactics, and marksmanship far more than the type of ammunition you have in your weapon."
--Evan Marshall and Edwin Sanow in "Stopping Power: A Practical Analysis of the Latest Handgun Ammunition"

In the presence of such great controversy, you should go with the safest choice. That choice is the largest caliber that you can quickly get second, third and fourth shots on target. That will be different for every person. My defense weapon is a .40. I would rather not be shot with a 9mm either, though.

Answer 6

Yes it is a 9mm effective caliber to shoot large people...
Since you are a smaller person I would suggest the
5.7x28 round.

There is only one hand gun that shoots this its the FN 5.7.
Its a very fast round basically its a chambered down round from a rifle. for example.
9mm bullet travels from 950-1300 FPS (feet per second)
5.7x28mm is about 1900-2400 fps

The round has half the recoil, of a 9mm. So an amateur can easy use this weapon and engage multiple targets easily and accurately. Plus The FN FiveseveN. Comes with a 20 round mag. Expandable up to 30 rounds.
The Gun only weighs 1.9 lbs loaded to. I think this is a great gun for home defense. Loaded with some hollow points this is a very effective gun that leaves huge wound track's

Spanky

Answer 7

The stopping power percentages are so close with 9MM, 40 CAL. and 45 ACP that there isn't that much difference. Also keep in mind that hollow point technology has come a long way since the mid 1980's.
If you go with a +P or +P+ round in 115 grain or in 124 grain, then you should not have a problem. I have been around this for many years and I consult with experts in the field.
You best bet is to not listen to some of the B.S. artists on this site

Answer 8

The bigger the bullet, the more trauma a bullet will have on the flesh and body. So if you decided to get a 45acp and use Remington Golden Sabers, which will expand to .88", it will do more damage than a 9mm Speer Gold Dot, which will expand to .69".

Some people say you can do fine with a 9mm, or any other bullet as well as shot placement is where you want it to be. But under the stress of a shoot or die situation, your aim may not be the best. The 45 caliber bullet was used against the Phillipinos to literally take them down with one shot. The effects of the larger bullets were described as horrific, but it was the only thing effective, since they were hopped up on drugs and couldn't be stopped with the 38 caliber revolvers. That's the same caliber of a 9mm.

I however, believe that you MUST shoot a gun that you feel comfortable with. That means that if you must carry a 32, carry a 32. If you're ok with a 45 like I am, carry it. Bigger IS BETTER when it comes to pistol calibers.

Oh, but getting back to your original question, YES, a 9mm is a good bullet. But keep in mind that as long as you're not hobbled by a police dept that requires a 9mm bullet, why carry one?

I also recently did a test using 8 calibers of bullets with a small framed woman (5'3" and 110lbs). She was comfortable with the 32, 380, 9mm, 38spl, and 45acp, but had problems with the 40s&w, 357mag and 357sig.

Guns used were a CZ, Astra Constable, CZ SP01, S&W 66, Glock36 and Glock 23.

Answer 9

A 9mm bullet is a little smaller than two .22 bullets side by side. Police may use them but this is because of cost, and the amount of rounds you can fit in a clip. It's also why you hear about police shooting someone 15 times and they survive. Get a .40 or .45. That'll stop 'em :)

Answer 10

My everyday carry is a KelTec P-11 in ten shot 9mm; it is a nasty little surprise and very adequate for self-defense. With a little advance notice I would prefer to use a 12 gauge pump but we should all follow the advice of a gentleman I know who served his country in many interesting places over the past three decades. He asked me if I knew what the best weapon in the world was. I told him I wasn't sure. He told me that the best weapon in the world is the one you have in your hand when you need one at that moment in time.

Answer 11

9mm is good or it would not be the most popular centerfire cartridge in the world. You fight with the whole gun, not just the first round! Need a load suggestion? Try 124gr +p (or +p+ in a solid gun) and you will have a very formidable defensive weapon. Failures with 9mm have resulted from Nato hardball or light grain hollowpoints that lose effectiveness during shootouts with cars involved.