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What would you rather carry?

6812 Views 96 Replies 66 Participants Last post by  Nebraska12
I have been reading as much as I can while waiting for my CC license. I see many different schools of thoughts and wanted to get people's thoughts and opinions on the following.
What would you rather carry? A high capacity 9mm (17 rounds) or a lower capacity (8-10 rounds) .45?


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I carry both at different times. I like them all.
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I carry both at different times. I like them all.
Fair enough. What if you could only pick one?


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I like my 1911 CMD. It is concealable and it shoots well. t is also reliable as proven by using it in monthly IDPA matches.It is my primary carry gun
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Whatever suited my needs the best and I was the most comfortable with at any particular time. It truly is one of those questions that has no right or wrong answer. Strictly a personal preference and a matter of the right tool for the job. That's the only answer I can give
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The answer will be different for different people. It would depend on which pistol/platform "fits" a person the best. It's quite a personal thing. For me, a good old 1911 is the choice (usually in .45 ACP, but sometimes 38 Super). If I could only have one, it would be a 1911.
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whichever one I was most accurate with and also was the most comfortable wearing all day.
Is this a trick question? :blink:
Pick a hi-cap .45 acp & call it a day! :biggrin2:
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For me it's because I'm more comfy with a 9mm, and the S&W M&P9 fits my hand like a tailored glove. Just had to get the right defensive ammo to load it with.
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I understand about accuracy and that makes sense. The reason this question came up is that I have read quite a few posts of guys saying they want as many rounds as possible when carrying a 9. A 45 has more knock down power but carries less rounds. So, all things being equal as far as accuracy the question comes down to would you rather have capacity or knock down power?


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With all the junk going on in today's world, I've gone to more capacity now.
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My preference is a 45 but if I did want more rounds I will switch to either a 10MM or 38Super.
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I'd take the 17 rounds all day long.
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Opinions are like rear-ends everyone has one, me included. If you had a show of hands of whom was in a shooting incident in protection of themselves or others you would not witness a lot of hands held high. Its your problem to solve, so solve it.
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I understand about accuracy and that makes sense. The reason this question came up is that I have read quite a few posts of guys saying they want as many rounds as possible when carrying a 9. A 45 has more knock down power but carries less rounds. So, all things being equal as far as accuracy the question comes down to would you rather have capacity or knock down power?


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That's another reason. My 17 round clips are legal here, so I can have 35 Speer Gold Dots at the ready if I absolutely HAVE to have them, 124 gr +P. That said, I will probably buy an M&P Shield to help with CC, when funds allow, even though I've had no issues with concealing the full size.
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All of the above answers are correct. First determine the type of threat that yout MOST likely to encounter. A solo actor with a knife? Multiple "hoods" with weapons? Terrorist attack in a mall or other gun free zone? Convenience store robbery?

Then think about your skill level with your choices of weapons. And also think about the weapons/ammo terminal performance.

Thirty (or more) years ago I wouldn't have considered a 9mm as a viable defensive caliber (millimeter?) due to what I experienced in the military. Now I believe that with modern ammo the 9 is perfectly adequate with the understanding that the 9 is very much dependent on ammo performance.

I won't get into my specific choices. It may be different than yours because my profession (Fed LEO) forces me to take lots of scenarios seriously. There is no wrong answer except being unarmed.
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Opinions are like rear-ends everyone has one, me included. If you had a show of hands of whom was in a shooting incident in protection of themselves or others you would not witness a lot of hands held high. Its your problem to solve, so solve it.
I have learned a lot and changed my own views on things by reading and hearing different opinions. Nothing to solve hear. It's not like I asked how to solve poverty or how to end world peace. Maybe I should have simplified the question. You have two guns on your kitchen table. You shoot both with equal accuracy. One is a .45 with 8 rounds and the other a 9 with 17 rounds. BG comes through your front door. Which gun are you grabbing?


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Handguns do not have "knock down power."

Pick the one you will always carry; can afford to practice with; and that allows you the most accuracy.
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This right here.
Handguns do not have "knock down power."

Pick the one you will always carry; can afford to practice with; and that allows you the most accuracy.
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