The biggest reason law enforcement agencies don't use the .45 ACP is because officers unions demand high capacity pistols (read double-stack). Small-handed folks (read mostly women) cannot handle a large double-stack framed pistol comfortably in .45 ACP. So which calibers do the departments settle on? Why 9mm and .40 S&W, of course, with more opting for the better stopping capability of the .40 S&W. The reason the 5.56 round is still used by the military is logistics, not because it is more effective at long range or is better at shooting through a windshield and stopping a terrorist driving a car bomb then say a 7.62 NATO round. As has been stated, the NATO factor is a big reason now. With the type of ammo that the military is required to use, i.e. fmj or "ball" ammo, there is likely not a great difference in the stopping power of 9mm vs. .45 ACP, but in the law enforcement or civilian world, there are many high performing rounds out there now that widen the gap between 9mm and .45 ACP. The current premium defensive ammo available these days makes the 9mm a good choice for personal defense.Explain why the Military is still using the 5.56 caliber as well as 9mm? Hell, since the .45 is a one shot man stopper, why do LEO departments not switch the the .45 caliber?
While the calibers are similier, IMO, the 40 Cal is the round that was not needed. Saying that, I will tell you, in case TSHTF any of the Military Calibers will be much easier to find than the "odd calibers" such as the the .40 or the 10mm.
Since the odds of TSHTF are lower than the odds of me winning the lottery this week, I'll tell you buy WTF you want. I'd love to have a .40 Cal and a 10mm, but it's your money not mine. You are the risk taker and not me, but I would buy a 9mm or a .45 Cal. over the "odd calibers".
Enough said,
Vv
why would you resurrect a thread that there have been 5 of since the last post before yours?While the calibers are similier, IMO, the 40 Cal is the round that was not needed. Saying that, I will tell you, in case TSHTF any of the Military Calibers will be much easier to find than the "odd calibers" such as the the .40 or the 10mm.
Since the odds of TSHTF are lower than the odds of me winning the lottery this week, I'll tell you buy WTF you want. I'd love to have a .40 Cal and a 10mm, but it's your money not mine. You are the risk taker and not me, but I would buy a 9mm or a .45 Cal. over the "odd calibers".
Enough said,
Vv
Both! Get the 40 and then buy a Storm Lake 9mm conversion barrel and some 9mm mags. Done! Yeah, you will spend about $160 extra, but it is worth it. I shoot 9mm for practice. I can also shoot 40 for practice too, but less often. The Storm Lake barrel will eat everything including Tula.