Is there an advantage in shooting a 9mm round vs a .45?? I imagine their is cost difference, does the .45 kick/recoil a lot over the 9mm? Doing some cypherin’
Thanks
In general…
The .45 round is more expensive.
The .45 has more recoil.
The 45 is heavier.
Stuff for the 45 tends to be more expensive.
The 45 is louder.
And without a doubt shooting the 45 is way more bada**.
Oh no…the firearms owner’s “what oil is best for my car” argument.
Old guys shoot .45. Everyone else shoots 9mm. How’s that? ![]()
My bad. Forgot to mention the .45 has approximately 2X the stopping power of a 9mm. I’m old, so I have earned the right to forget things from time to whatever you know the thing.
I shoot both?
I’m no spring chicken, but I’m not a geriatric patient either…. So….
But the 9mm has 2x the capacity,… soo?….
![]()
![]()
![]()

There are pros and cons to both. It is all about personal preference and MAGA.
Sooo I only have to hit the bad guy once.
No…it’s about the human urge to argue (but in a friendly way ).
Go in the middle and get a 10mm ![]()
With no expansion from either, the 45 makes a 61% bigger hole (unless I calculated wrong).
Perfect analogy ![]()
And MAGA
That is highly debatable based on modern bullet designs. More recent studies seem to put that number more in the 10% to 20% range. Plus 9mm has an advantage in generally having better penetration which real life events have shown is significantly important to stopping threats.
Then throw in the lower recoil and higher capacity allowing for more and faster follow up shots and it is easy to see why most agencies and militaries use 9mm.
I have a 1911 .45 that I consider having a mild recoil compared to my polymer frame 9mm carry. Same size handguns but the .45 is more like a “push” into the hand than the “snap” of the 9mm.
.45= 36 oz. 230 gr. Federal HST standard pressure
9mm=22 oz. 147 gr. Federal HST standard pressure
More capacity, smaller easier to conceal gun, faster follow up shots
Absolutely no it does not
Not. Even. Close
I personally prefer .45 based on my experience shooting it out of a full size 1911.
But, cost? ![]()
Concealment? ![]()
That’s why I carry a compact 9mm.
The funny thing is, after more than a hundred years of debating, gunners still can’t decide between .45 and 9mm, and yet the manufacturers keep adding more and more calibers ![]()
Hold on there, manufacturers, we’re still sorting out whether we like Luger’s or Browning’s work from a century ago, we ain’t got no time for your newfangled calibers ![]()
Wait, Hey, I’m old and I shoot a 9mm…
Define “old” ![]()
But there isn’t “an” answer. A lot of choices. Shoot what you like and defend yourself with what you’re comfortable with.
