another test

[Mike in Virginia]

My brother and I took 36 water jugs to the range today.  Some were "dressed" in varying layers of cloth.  .45acp Glock (the small one) shooting 330 grain Golden Sabers,  against my LC9c Ruger shooting Winchester 127 grain +P+.  Here's what we learned.
In a 7-shot rapid fire drill, no difference in rounds on target in the same amount of time.)  I was certain the heavier recoiling .45 would slow the Glock, but it did not. 
Both the 9mm and the 45 will penetrate into the 4th water jug.  His .45 showed expansion to about .75.  The 9mm expanded to about .55.  Not much difference until you look at both fired slugs in your hand.  The expanded .45 is huge in comparison. 
We also shot into some pine pieces of 2x4 blocks, taped together.  9mm penetrated just a tad more.
At a man-size steel plate at 150 yards, the 9mm dropped less requiring less holdover. 
My final decision is to get a .45acp.  A bullet that big with that much expansion and which penetrates the same as a +P+ 9mm, is the gun for  me. 
What say you?
 
 
 
 

[tacklebury]

I shoot .45 Colt and .45 ACP in both my revolvers and pistols.  Not a fan of 9mm or 40 for the reasons you've discovered for yourself.  There was a reason the Army chose the .45 and it stuck so long.  Mentality these days is to need more capacity.  I prefer to hit what I aim at and knock it down with 1 shot.     In a pocket CCW pistol the smaller are fine, but not my primary firearm, imo.

[buck460XVR]

  .45acp Glock (the small one) shooting 330 grain Golden Sabers, 
What say you?

I'd say that's one 'ell of a big slug for a .45ACP. 

[tacklebury]

Didn't notice that, thinking he meant 230gr.  hehe   

[lashlaruhe]

IMO, if your caliber choice reqires +P, or +P+ to get up off its knees and do the job, its time to rethink your caliber choice.
 

[Mike in Virginia]

330 grains!  I shouldn't be drinking and typing at the same time. 
I meant to mention that as we were cleaning up, another shooter arrives, a man we'd never seen before.  He had a brand new Ruger 1911.  A beautiful piece and I told him so.  He said, "Wanna shoot it?"  He loaded it and put it in my hands.  And then it hit me.  He said "brand new."  Never been fired, and he was going to let me shoot it first.  I couldn't do it.  Told him to go ahead and I might shoot it another time.  He put 5 rounds down range and handed me the gun.  "Another time is here," he said.  What a generous person.  It is indeed a nice weapon.  I got to have one if I can ever find it.  We watched him shoot for a while and it ran flawlessly.  Something to be said for a 1911 right out of the box that functions perfectly. 
 

[coyotejoe]

My brother and I took 36 water jugs to the range today.  Some were "dressed" in varying layers of cloth.  .45acp Glock (the small one) shooting 330 grain Golden Sabers,  against my LC9c Ruger shooting Winchester 127 grain +P+.  Here's what we learned.
In a 7-shot rapid fire drill, no difference in rounds on target in the same amount of time.)  I was certain the heavier recoiling .45 would slow the Glock, but it did not. 
Both the 9mm and the 45 will penetrate into the 4th water jug.  His .45 showed expansion to about .75.  The 9mm expanded to about .55.  Not much difference until you look at both fired slugs in your hand.  The expanded .45 is huge in comparison. 
We also shot into some pine pieces of 2x4 blocks, taped together.  9mm penetrated just a tad more.
At a man-size steel plate at 150 yards, the 9mm dropped less requiring less holdover. 
My final decision is to get a .45acp.  A bullet that big with that much expansion and which penetrates the same as a +P+ 9mm, is the gun for  me. 
What say you?

If the .45 ACP makes you feel better and more confident by all means go for it. I think that in self defense just as in hunting shot placement is 90% of it and we gun buffs just like to haggle over the other 10%. So if one caliber is proved 10% better than another that becomes 10% of 10% or one percent actual difference, BFD.

[Glock Doctor]

I (separately) carry both 9 x 19mm and 45 ACP pistols.  It can get really expensive when you practice a lot with 45 ACP!  Anyway, ain't no matter; nobody on the muzzle end of my pistol is going to be walking home - Nobody!