When I first made the transition from revolver to semi-auto, the 9mm was called a pusillanimous sub caliber round. At least in my neck of the woods.
I think a lot of it was the ghost of the Miami FBI shootout still lingering around. I remember when OHP were doing their transition, troopers could only carry a .45ACP and it could only be a DA/SA Sig P220 or a Smith and Wesson 3rd gen 4506 or 4566.
Technology has also had a lot to do with the craze over the 9mm cartridge. It has been revamped and with today's weaponry, it's more reliable. Then, of course, the absolute flooding of new gun owners has a big part of the 9mm's recent popularity.
I own two 9mm pistols and I swore I would never own one. I was a big .40 S&W disciple for many, many years. I really don't know exactly when or why I ditched that caliber, but I did nonetheless. I still have my gen2 Glock 22, that is officially retired, but I really don't see my ever buying another .40 S&W.
wasn’t .40 popular back in the day because it would go through a windshield better than 9mm or something?
I have 9mm and I did have a good stash of .40 and a few glocks in .40. I mainly carry .45 so I downsized and got rid of the .40’s entirely because it didn’t make sense anymore. Much easier to stash 9mm and .45.. oh and 38spl. But now I’m an idiot and added 380 to the stable. Lol