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Competition, Tactics & Training
Self Defense & Handgun Carry
Concealed Carry Ballistics: Challenging the Stopping Power Conventional Wisdom
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<blockquote data-quote="Ethan N" data-source="post: 3213506" data-attributes="member: 29267"><p>Defensive caliber/ammo selection has a lot of personal elements, but I don’t consider standard JHP in any pistol caliber effective enough for defensive carry. Standard hollow points frequently get clogged with clothing and fail to expand, which means you might as well be carrying ball ammo. The price difference between proper modern defensive ammo in .40 S&W vs. the same in 9mm is negligible, especially since I buy a very small amount of the ammo I carry because I can’t afford to train with anything but ball.</p><p></p><p>I’m always open to having my mind changed, but for now, based on all of the evidence I’ve seen, I’m convinced 9mm (with the right ammo selection) is not only a great choice for self-defense EDC, it’s the best choice for me. I’m not saying .40 isn’t a great choice also – I know it is. And I’m not saying 9mm is better than .40. There are trade offs with both. .40 definitely has a little bit of an edge in terminal ballistics. In particular, it performs much better fired through barriers. But firing blind through concealment is way beyond my comfort level both in skill and liability. Glass (e.g. windshield) is the only thing I can imagine myself ever firing through, and any pistol caliber is going to behave unpredictably fired through car glass anyway, so I’m not that concerned about the difference between 9mm and .40 in that regard.</p><p></p><p>What it comes down to for me is that 9mm is proven plenty good enough in terminal ballistics for all but the most unlikely scenarios, and has other advantages that appeal to me – accuracy (depending on skill level), cost, comfort when shooting, slightly higher mag capacity etc. One personal factor for me is I would prefer to standardize on one pistol caliber for both me and my wife when she starts carrying, and 9mm is a clear winner for her (based on factors I’ll refrain from detailing since this reply is already long enough).</p><p></p><p>As for your experience comparing accuracy of the two calibers, how often do you train under stress? If you don’t, you may be overestimating your ability to put follow up shots on target rapidly. Just a thought.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Ethan N, post: 3213506, member: 29267"] Defensive caliber/ammo selection has a lot of personal elements, but I don’t consider standard JHP in any pistol caliber effective enough for defensive carry. Standard hollow points frequently get clogged with clothing and fail to expand, which means you might as well be carrying ball ammo. The price difference between proper modern defensive ammo in .40 S&W vs. the same in 9mm is negligible, especially since I buy a very small amount of the ammo I carry because I can’t afford to train with anything but ball. I’m always open to having my mind changed, but for now, based on all of the evidence I’ve seen, I’m convinced 9mm (with the right ammo selection) is not only a great choice for self-defense EDC, it’s the best choice for me. I’m not saying .40 isn’t a great choice also – I know it is. And I’m not saying 9mm is better than .40. There are trade offs with both. .40 definitely has a little bit of an edge in terminal ballistics. In particular, it performs much better fired through barriers. But firing blind through concealment is way beyond my comfort level both in skill and liability. Glass (e.g. windshield) is the only thing I can imagine myself ever firing through, and any pistol caliber is going to behave unpredictably fired through car glass anyway, so I’m not that concerned about the difference between 9mm and .40 in that regard. What it comes down to for me is that 9mm is proven plenty good enough in terminal ballistics for all but the most unlikely scenarios, and has other advantages that appeal to me – accuracy (depending on skill level), cost, comfort when shooting, slightly higher mag capacity etc. One personal factor for me is I would prefer to standardize on one pistol caliber for both me and my wife when she starts carrying, and 9mm is a clear winner for her (based on factors I’ll refrain from detailing since this reply is already long enough). As for your experience comparing accuracy of the two calibers, how often do you train under stress? If you don’t, you may be overestimating your ability to put follow up shots on target rapidly. Just a thought. [/QUOTE]
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