What caliber do you recommend for concealed carry?
Short answer - 9mm. Let me explain.
First we need to agree that 9mm, .40cal, and .45cal are the most common
defensive calibers. Ammunition sales points toward this as evidence.
Also we have to somewhat agree that defensive pistols are not designed
to be precision tools. (That's why we have rifles) At the distances that
most shootings happen, which is inside
of 7 yards, we don't need precision out of a handgun. Accuracy is a
different thing and can be attained by any caliber at that range.
Now some quick facts before we talk ballistics.
1. A modern defensive pistol chambered in 9mm will always carry more bullets than a similar gun chambered in .45 auto.
2. Recoil and follow up shots are important. 9mm kicks less than a .40
or a .45 making follow up shots faster and potentially more accurate.
3. Stopping power is a function of ballistics mainly, which we will
discuss. But don't be the overly proud person who thinks that in the
heat of battle, under massive stress, you will be able to make the
precision shots you can on the range while using a bench rest.
Now
on to ballistics: do your own research, but make sure you are looking at
hollow point defensive rounds and you will quickly notice that pounds
of pressure transferred to the target, depth of penetration, and size of
wound channel are almost identical between 9mm and .45 cal. With this
in mind, here's my summary:
Choose a 9mm because in general they are
lighter, faster, hold more bullets, recoil less, and do the same amount
of damage as a .45 with less energy spent. Which also makes them more
efficient.
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