.45 vs 9mm

Would .45 hollow point make a difference over 9MM ball? Always heard that hydrostatic shock from .45 was much greater and more incapacitating. Just asking and I defer to the pistol and revolver experts. Have .38 with hollow points and .45 with ball (admittedly only eight rounds but if I can't hit anyone with eight why did they teach me) . My 12guage with Buck will work very well at the house down a narrow hallway.
 
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Great Article and thanks for the forward. Still like the 12 with Buck as first home defense. Still like the 1911 even with the short round capacity.
 
As do I! Thinking slug 1st in the Mossberg though;)
 
Since the probability of using a pistol in combat is like, never, I don't really think its a productive debate. I doubt the Army will ever move away from (dunno about other services) the 9mm. You can stay in the fight longer with more rounds and its the NATO standard anyway.

I've also heard the "stopping power" is a myth? That the .45 simply blows a hole through the target? Don't see how that would "stop" anyone. Anyway, I would prefer 9mm any day. I've fired a 1911 just once but I remember how heavy the recoil was. Maybe I just have small arms. But it was difficult to control, didn't like it. Fired the .40 (from a Glock) that same day and that was a great experience.
 
Another school of thought is that most folks don't practice enough to be proficient with their weapons in a non stressful situation let alone a stressful one. If that is the case then I think it would be best for them to have more bullets.
 
In the end, the vast majority of our active duty personnel will take what they are issued and better have the proficiency to hit what they are aiming at. The few who have a choice of sidearm will pick the one they feel will best accomplish the mission. Civilians are free to buy whichever make, caliber and price point they choose to.
 
With ball ammo, .45 is a good choice. With modern JHP, 9x19 works almost as well (with the benefit of more rounds and less felt recoil).

In any pistol cartridge fight, you should plan on making multiple hits before stopping the bad guy.

Though I am a total .45 fanboy, I am going to have to agree with this. If I was in a military firefight (not a ccw confrontation) I would opt for the 9mm. Though .45 has the stopping power, you simply cannot get close to the capacity to weight ratio of a 9mm. Every time I shoot IDPA or a three gun match with my WW2 1911A1 I get jealous of the magazine capacity 9mm. Either way, 9mm didn't liberate Europe.
 
Will they ship one to my FFL dealer?;)
 
Stopping Power first on ground support for A-10 but will take all of the above. Loved watching the Buffs on Arc Light. AC-130 with the big guns in orbit were awesome and would be my second choice. The THUDS and the Wiled Weasels were pretty good also.
 
All this bluster about the fancy toys. Just give me a Marine with a Kabar and an attitude!
 
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