Why do I keep hearing people say 9mm is not adequate for home/self defense?

[jbombelli]

The 9mm is a proven round. Thousands upon thousands of people who died due to being shot with it would probably agree.

 

[Shroom]

This.

A .22LR round to the head will stop the threat, a .357 Magnum round into your wall 3 feet away from your target wont do anything.

 

[sepe]

Can you define "suck" as it relates to the OP?

a 45 most assuredly does not hit someone with the same force as a 9mm, especially at 5-7 yards...

Compared to a 12g, they suck, I guess. I'd be perfectly comfortable limiting myself to a handgun round IF I had to for home defense. I got the same access to 12 and 20 g as I do 9x18, .38., .357, .40, and .45. I also have access to rifles that would be overkill for a home defense situation. Oops, forgot the .22lr revolver that I've got easy access to. If needed, I know I could rely on that but I'd still choose something more appropriate. That would most likely be a 20g as a minimum.

 

[kawtech87]

If 9mm couldnt get the job done then it wouldnt be the most used pistol caliber in the world.

Anyplace you go on this planet that is inhabited and has some type of police force or standing army you can probably bet 9mm ammo is close by. It works for our troops, it works for our enemys, it works fine for EDC.

no reason not to trust it.

 

[88E30M50]

A 9mm is certainly adequate, but is not always the best choice due to the potential to over penetrate. I am a fan of the 9mm and carry my CZ 75 more often than not, but keep a .45 1911 on the nightstand with standard pressure Gold Dots on board. But, then again, if I did not have the .45, I would not think twice about using my 9mm for HD.

 

[indyjoe]

9mm may or may not expand 100% of the time and the same goes for 40s&w, but a 45 will never get smaller.

.45 at 9 rounds, vs 9mm at 18 rounds.

.45 = .451" = 0.1598 in^2
9mm = .356" = 0.09954 in^2

9*0.1598 = 1.438 in^2 of holes for 45

18*0.09954 = 1.792 in^2 of holes for 9mm

So if they both don't expand, 9mm still wins.

 

[Excalibur]

People keep mentioning over penetration of the 9mm. The .45 is just as likely to go through drywall, typically front door made of wood or sheet metal. When you fire your gun in self defense, you are liable for every bullet that comes out of your gun. So this goes back to training. You make sure every time you pull the trigger, you can hit a man size target at close range up to the varied distances of inside your home. Good defensive ammo will stop in a person and not exit the body. If you miss, that can end up being a bad day for you even if it is justified. Same with shotguns as well. buckshots are the most popular home defense load but that's 8-9 pellets going down and if even one of those pellets misses, it could be trouble for you.

 

[88E30M50]

.45 at 9 rounds, vs 9mm at 18 rounds.

.45 = .451" = 0.1598 in^2
9mm = .356" = 0.09954 in^2

9*0.1598 = 1.438 in^2 of holes for 45

18*0.09954 = 1.792 in^2 of holes for 9mm

So if they both don't expand, 9mm still wins.

That's about as logical as any other argument I've heard.

 

[ChrisBarnes]

I cannot believe 1 person is so silly that they do not think a 9mm is o.k. for HD/SD .

 

[Excalibur]

I cannot believe 1 person is so silly that they do not think a 9mm is o.k. for HD/SD .

Well you've got people who think carrying a .22 handgun is a good SD gun

 

[Hookeye]

That's about as logical as any other argument I've heard.

Yeah, run that "logic" with comparable capacity (note: some single stack 9's seem to be popular).

 

[88E30M50]

Well you've got people who think carrying a .22 handgun is a good SD gun

A .22lr is a good SD gun... If your choice is that or nothing. Any gun can be more effective than no gun. The more powerful you get, the better up to a certain point. But, I'd feel a lot better with a .22 than with nothing.

 

[kboom524]

It still boils down to the ammo you uses and shot placement.

A big Even a 50 BMG will not stop anybody if it misses. Main thing is a good bullet in the right spot.

 

[Excalibur]

Of course people always preach "Oh a head shot with a .22 can stop a man". So my question is...Can you shoot a man in the head with a 22 handgun? At night? in the dark? when you have just been woken up? Can you do that while that man is moving towards you? taking cover? shooting at you? from 20 feet away? the furthest distance inside your home?

 

[ghitch75]

i like throwin' a bowlin' ball at 30mph than a baseball at 100mph.....

 

[churchmouse]

.45 at 9 rounds, vs 9mm at 18 rounds.

.45 = .451" = 0.1598 in^2
9mm = .356" = 0.09954 in^2

9*0.1598 = 1.438 in^2 of holes for 45

18*0.09954 = 1.792 in^2 of holes for 9mm

So if they both don't expand, 9mm still wins.

OK, now what..........


We all have our favorite rounds. Mine is the .45 ACP but please, I do not want to be shot by anything and especially a 9mm.
If all I have is a baseball bat then that is my home defense weapon. Fortunately it is not.

 

[pokersamurai]

The size of the bullet is the least important aspect of a handguns effectiveness. A handguns reliability, accuracy, and how well you handle it are much more important.

or in other words: amateurs discuss caliber, professionals discuss tactics.

 

[VikingWarlord]

Of course people always preach "Oh a head shot with a .22 can stop a man". So my question is...Can you shoot a man in the head with a 22 handgun? At night? in the dark? when you have just been woken up? Can you do that while that man is moving towards you? taking cover? shooting at you? from 20 feet away? the furthest distance inside your home?

Can't the same be asked about any other caliber under the same circumstances?

If the person isn't able to fire accurately (or quickly enough), then it doesn't matter if he has a .50, a .22, or anything in between. This is where the training and tactics angle comes in.

If Steve Vai plays my guitar, it's going to sound like Steve Vai. If I play his, it's not going to sound like Steve Vai. It must absolutely be a combination of both operator and equipment.

 

[Bahbo]

.45 at 9 rounds, vs 9mm at 18 rounds.

.45 = .451" = 0.1598 in^2
9mm = .356" = 0.09954 in^2

9*0.1598 = 1.438 in^2 of holes for 45

18*0.09954 = 1.792 in^2 of holes for 9mm

So if they both don't expand, 9mm still wins.

Assuming a single stack 45 yes your right. But single stack 45's are not the only option anymore.

Thanks

Bahbo

 

[sgreen3]

Here are few articles with some good info for the 9mm round.

Ballistics 9mm Stopping Power vs .40 S&W and .45 ACP ammo bullet expansion penetration

9mm Ammunition Performance Data

http://gomez-training.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Wound-Ballistics-Pic-2.jpg

From what I have read as far as testing an such, I feel more than protected with 9mm.