[Nanuk]

I was biased against it from the 1970's. The last few years my carry guns have been 9mm.

 

[Jim Watson]

I figure people with an "aversion to 9mm" are a vocal minority. Kind of like the ones who complain about a new gun that doesn't work.

9mm is where it is at. It is a circular process, lots of 9mms out there, so there will be more made. At least partly due to government support, it is the current standard for military and police. If the Army had thought .30 Luger was enough in 1900, we would by now have the best .30 guns and ammo physically possible. As it is, the .30 SC, ballistic equivalent of .30 Luger, is a flop.

Me?
Hey, my most recent - this week - gun purchase was a .45.
But what am I doing with it? Testing loads and shopping softer recoil springs so I can get the recoil down to the 9mm level; it is to be strictly a "range gun", not duty or defense.

 

[Bearfan]

Id rather shoot .22 i just like plinking .22. If i carry it will probably be my 9mm m&p.

 

[peng]

If you like 9mm AND .45, are you bi-ammosexual?

I like 9mm, but I am cartridge curious.

 

[GeorgiaGlocker]

I trust my life to the 9mm round.

 

[G19213042]

If you like 9mm AND .45, are you bi-ammosexual?

I'm more pan-ammosexual. Since opening up to 9mm, I've added .357 Mag, .44 Mag, .380, 9x18, 7.62x25, and .32 ACP to my repertoire. I'm resisting .454 Casull. I was impressed with the DA accuracy of a Super Redhawk I shot in the caliber, but starting out with a couple cases of that round, while plenty doable, is just something I don't need to do. I have a hard enough time maintaining caseloads of all of the other calibers I already have.

 

[nikerret]

I’m on the other end of the spectrum. 380 ACP, 38 Special, 9mm, 40 S&W, 45 ACP, and probably a few others have all been my go-to defensive caliber, for at least a limited time.

 

[G19213042]

Another bunch of "I can logically justify my impulsive compulsive shopping" worse than any woman ever came up with.

Hey, compulsively shopping for guns and ammo is not even close to compulsively shopping for shoes and purses. Guns and ammo are practical.

There's also an important role that compulsive gun and ammo shoppers play in our national security. People like us incentivize innovation in technology that keeps the citizenry better equipped to scare the pants off of any foreign government's designs on ever considering an invasion. Our geographical location makes invasion a tough nut to crack alone, but we can't solely rely upon that.

 

[gyr903]

I think a lot of people who disparage 9mm are either trolling or just ignorant. It's not the be all-end all, but no handgun cartridge is.

 

[MarkCO]

I think a lot of people who disparage 9mm are either trolling or just ignorant. It's not the be all-end all, but no handgun cartridge is.

Trolling trolls 👍

Agree that service caliber handguns are a compromise. For an undetermined attacker, most any caliber works. For a determined attacker or one who has diminished self preservation or reality realization, maybe a bit more on target energy will stop the threat faster. Then we have the T-box shot placement that so many argue. In lots of shooting reconstructions where my task is to determine which bullet fired hit where, it's pretty consistent that precise bullet placement in lethal force shootings is a fantasy.

 

[G19213042]

it's pretty consistent that precise bullet placement in lethal force shootings is a fantasy.

100%! The "shot placement" crowd should read your post and then re-read it a few more times.

 

[bac1023]

I think a lot of people who disparage 9mm are either trolling or just ignorant. It's not the be all-end all, but no handgun cartridge is.

Very true

No service caliber is, that’s for sure

 

[Jim Watson]

Realistic moving targets are expensive and laborious to set up and operate.
A pity because they add a lot to training or competition.

 

[9x45]

9x19 is the most widely used center fire caliber in action pistol competitions, USPSA, IDPA and Steel Challenge (SCSA). Carry Optics and Limited Optics about doubled the number of shooters, and the power floor is Minor.

 

[CAcop]

I think the no 9 people are probably in a niche somewhere like bullseye shooters who won't shoot anything that isn't a .45 in 1911 or maybe some .38 or .357 snubby.

They have no interest in 9mm because they have no need for it. They reload or they just have the spare money to buy .45 for a range gun only. Why buy another caliber?

I used to have 3 auto pistol cartridges and then I dumped one because it simplified stocking ammo.

If I had more time to reload I would likely drop my 9mm to a token amount and just shoot my .45 1911s and .357/.38. I may even drop the .38/.357 to a token amount. I may ditch 5.56 and just go .308.

Hmm. Good thread I need to think on this more in terms of simplifying.

 

[pgg00]

I guess improving the specs meant moving away from 9mm of the time, and now that 9mm can meet the new specs, they're back to 9mm.

People blamed the cartridge. It was built to the specs that the FBI wanted. The specs have changed (to include adding denim layers in front of ballistic gel during testing). So manufacturers built new rounds to meet those specs. 40 and 45 duty rounds are also built to meet those same specs. Hence why they all perform similarly in shootings

 

[LeonCarr44]

You have to go to the range and practice with any caliber gun to be proficient with it.
Even a Daisy Red Rider takes a little practice.

Yes, very true, and the prevailing wisdom is we no longer have to practice because we are issued 9mms now.

Yes, shooting is a perishable skill. When practicing shot placement should be emphasized above all else, but when it comes to terminal ballistics the 9mm just does not do it for me.

 

[Gunzz97FL]

I really think the 9mm round is a great balance for recoil and placement. On a platform like a heavy 1911, it is Spot-On for targeting. On super-light polymer platforms, the 9mm is a wonderful balance of quantity-to-weight system.

Now, all the internet focuses on is 9mm, 10mm, 11.45mm on diameter, and Power Factor, and One Shot Stops, and Trust My Life To, discussions.

In a past life, where I had to work to prep wounds with tourniquets, bandages, sutures, nylon staples, super-glue, and a host of cloths, belts, and field-improvised solutions, it was irrelevant what made the wound.

Seeing and living the intensity to get the wounded patient for surgical specialists, made aware of how nothing is ever simple, or easy to fix, like TV shows and movies make it out to be. All we wanted to do was stop the hemorraghing, stabilise the patient, and get a successful surgery outcome.

Any projectile is effective. Stop a raging attacker with narcotics in bloodstream and all that alcohol or adrenaline is the internet What If Worst Case discussion. Even shooting 400-800 pound bears. Of course the larger round will be more of a survival statistics improvement, IF IT LANDS in the desired spot.

I love the way my groups fit under 3 inches at 30 feet. Most of the time, it is withing 2 inch groups. The 9mm gives me that control on the recoil absorption side. I have to work harder with the 10mm, 11.45mm diameter sizes to stay in the 3-4 inch groups.

 

[Will-21]

So…

I’m a little puzzled by folks who dismiss this round for various reasons. I get the fact that some folks don’t want to use it for home defense or self defense and opt for a more powerful round. I’m not talking about that. I’m referring to folks that won’t even buy them as range or recreational guns/competition guns, etc.

Here’s a little secret…there’s likely more R&D into platforms for 9mm than all other centerfire handgun calibers combined. Some of the coolest pistols both past and present have been chambered for 9mm and only 9mm, the list goes on and on. See all these new high end pistols entering the market? Guess what caliber they’re chambered for. Same goes for all the new polymer duty guns.

The way I see it is pure stubbornness, but maybe I’m missing something. Maybe shooting 9mm insults some folk’s manhood. I have no idea.

Not that it really matters, it’s just a curiosity.

Anyone care to discuss?

I think the gun industry pushes the heck out of the 9mm to keep up sales. A lot of minimally interested shooters buying firearms. I don’t trust the FBI conclusions since they have a budget issue that is incessant and the corruption of their lies and omissions over the past 40 years. Finally, 21 years in the Army, Combat veteran, multiple deployments and now civilian. I’d rather have a .40 or .45 if I don’t have a carbine handy. Some people like asparagus, some people like broccoli, some people like anything except 9mm, .380, .38 and such.

 

[Leon94]

I’m a little puzzled by folks who dismiss this round for various reasons.
...
I’m referring to folks that won’t even buy them as range or recreational guns/competition guns, etc.
...
The way I see it is pure stubbornness,
...

My own opinion is that it stems from misguided ideals. In some cases, it's just annoyance.

I'm on a number of forums and I've seen Nine•Odium at its best. So I thought I might list the top three that I've seen for everyone's amusement.

1) Ignorance and Stubbornness, stemming from misguided ideals.

For example, "I would never use a Commie Com-Bloc caliber like 9mm" (I already know what's wrong with that statement, no need to preach to me).

Others are a wee bit less angry but maybe a bit more conspiratorial. For example, "You'll never catch me using a NATO-Eurotrash caliber like 9mm! First they get you to use their caliber and then you start losing all your rights!"

2) The Miami-Dade aftermath: All these years later, the spectre of that event still permeates the internet and influences people's decisions. Right or wrong, it's there and won't go away.

3) Incessant Proselytizing: From folks who know nothing about you or your needs, insisting they know what's best for you because you don't.

I've had this last one happen to me recently. I went to my local gun store in search of a 20 guage shotgun for one of my grandkids. The guy behind the counter started blathering on about how great a 20 guage is for "Older Folk". Well, he talked himself right out of a sale and I left.

Here's a hint: Get to know someone a little bit before you start handing out recommendations like a PEZ dispenser.


Anyway, those are the first three off the top of my head. I hope you found as amusing as I have.