Why I like the 9mm…..
1. I am NOT saying that the 45ACP, 40S&W, .357 Sig, 45GAP, or any other pistol caliber is inferior to the 9mm. Shoot what you can shoot accurately with the ability to get back on target for follow up shots regardless of caliber. Period.
2. A pistol is NOT the ideal defensive or offensive weapon. It is vastly under-powered compared to a rifle. ALL common pistol calibers including the 9mm are not man stoppers and actual documented shooting data indicate no advantage from one caliber to the other. Shot placement is the deciding factor.
The 9mm has been attractive to me for several reasons:
First up – capacity.
The 9mm cartridge offers the highest capacity available in all major pistol offerings. It is not uncommon to find pistols with capacities between 15-19. I see this as an attractive benefit providing fewer magazine changes and more time on target. Bottom line – carrying 4 spare magazines in 9mm provides a higher number of rounds than alternative calibers.
Next – recoil.
The recoil from full size “combat” pistol is very timid and manageable for people with limp wrists. With proper grip and stance, targets can be engaged with multiple shots in short order….accurately.
Then – cost.
9mm ammunition is just less expensive than all other comparative calibers. This affords more practice and more ammunition storage for the same amount of money. This is a critical item as storing as much ammunition as possible is certainly important.
Lastly – comfort and ergonomics.
I do not have the biggest hands in the world and have found that the grip size of the 9mm to fit me well. A pistol that feels comfortable and I can get a good wrap around will shoot better in my hands than one that is uncomfortable.
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Like I said – I am not saying that the 9mm is better than any other caliber. Rather, these are some reasons why it works best for me. If you like the 45ACP – great! If you like the 40S&W – awesome! If you like the 10mm – good for you!