Who likes the 9mm for CCW?

[Adam Helmer]

I am amazed at the assortment of 9mm ammo (and other caliber ammo) available, for the time being, for CCW. I bought and carried a Glock 19 as a duty arm in 1989 and carried it until I retired in 1996. Our duty load was the 147 grain JHP "Deep Penetrator" made by Winchester. Accuracy was pretty good and there were 15 rounds in the magazine-what was not to like?

The .45 ACP is very popular here among the CCW guys. The women CCW people I know like the .38 Special in small revolvers, and a few others carry 9mm or .380 semi-autos.

I carry the old Glock 19 occasionally CCW and the M1911 more often. Today, I shot an old P-38 I got years ago and ran some current-day 9mm ammo through the pistol. To my surprise, all ammo was on, or VERY Near, point of aim at 25 yards from the bench. I can see me carrying this P-38 CCW in the near future in lieu of the Glock 19. I like the 9mm, loaded right.

Adam

[spike1]

It's hard to beat a 9mm for CCW. I usually carry a Kel-Tek FP9. The 9mm HP's can do the required job and the Kel-Tek's size means I always carry it.

[jmarriott]

The H&K p7 is one of my favorites. Took me years to find one I could afford over other purchases as the german mark/euro trade rates never favored me when i had money.
Now i need a second one for my left hand.

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I have two 9mms that I use for CCW: a S&W M39 and a CZ75B. I like that S&W!!! I bought it back when the first Clinton gun ban was going into effect....everyone wanted large capacity magazines, and I got the gun for a good price. It is what I consider 'medium sized'....large enough to fit the hand well, but small enough to conceal fairly easily.

I also carry a few others (.38, .380, .38 Super), but the S&W is one of my two favorites (.38 Det. special being the other).

Ammo for both 9mm carry guns is Speer Gold dot 124 grain loads, although I've tried others (Federal Hydrashok, Winchester Silver tip, Hornady XTP, PMC Starfire) and I wouldn't feel undergunned with any of those, either.

[Adam Helmer]

Excellent replies, fellows. I think the 9mm got a bad rap from returning veterans who must use 9mm Ball ammo in the combat zones. Ball is not a good defensive round in handgun calibers. The current array of very good jacketed hollow points gives the 9mm much more effectiveness.

Adam

[buckhunter]

I agree that the 9 isn't the best man stopper in the world but it ain't too shabby. It pretty much shoots like a 38 which is perfectly fine for defense. As far a ball ammo, it will kill but not well and as Adam said it does have a bad rap and deservely so. I was pretty disappoint when the military went with the 9 with ball ammo. It would be a interesting although it be sad to see how many of our soldiers lost their life because the of the ammo used in the 9.

My understanding is the British SAS uses a Sig 226 in 9mm. Teach them to double tap and aim for the head.

I do carry a cz75b from time to time and thankfully haven't had to use it. I do feel fine when its loaded with 124 gr Federal Hydrashocks. They may not drop on the spot but it will give me enough time to get away and truthfully they will not survive.

[gd357]

I've shot a lot of 9mm ammo, both bullet types and brands. Can't say I've ever wanted one if my life was on the line. Not that they won't do the job - there's just better rounds available. I really like the .40 S&W, but if I were guaranteed a tough situation, I'd stick to the .45 or the 10mm. I believe that a texas ranger once said it best. When asked why he carried a .45, he replied "Because they don't make a .46".
Now they make 'em bigger than that, but it'll do. JMHO

gd

[kt]

gd357, i had seen a pretty clever end to the argument .45/9mm on another sight. a guy said, your 9 might expand, but my .45 wont shrink. that being said i like the 9 a lot, a g26 is what i carry except for the rarest occassions my lightweight .38. what is not to like about high capacity, low recoil, and 147 gr +p's? i can get a clip of 10 9mm's on target much faster than a clip of 7 .45's.
kt

[Valigator]

I am havin the darnest time pickin a gun to wear on my ankle...I have researched and I know how I need to wear the gun during work, which is a long day and much moving around...when it comes to this issue I feel pretty much in the dark....its as confusing on picking the right holster.....like a chicken and egg scenario....

I wear nurses scrubs, wide loose pants...so attire is the easy factor on this, but I have reheased every possible scenario, if I had to carry a lightweight smaller calibur, I got no distance in backing up while firing...looks like I better go practice head shots..

[Adam Helmer]

Valigator,

For years I carried a S&W M12 .38 Special in an ankle holster and it was very lightweight. I do not understand your statement, "I got no distance in backing up while firing." If ya can't backup, stand still and do them head shots.

I liked the M12 because it was 6 shots and weighed 14 or 16 ounces, loaded. Best of luck in choosing your handgun.

Adam

[gd357]

kt,

No argument for the quicker second shot with the reduced recoil. The whole point of a bigger round is to make sure the first one can be the last. And if you need that 10th round, the first 9 didn't work like they were supposed to.

gd

[Mr. 16 gauge]

And if you need that 10th round, the first 9 didn't work like they were supposed to.

Unless your up against 10 adversaries!;)

[Larryjk]

A long time ago a FBI firearms instructor told us, "Hurry slowly, the first shot that hits generally wins the gunfight!" Whatever you carry should fit that criteria. One hit will always be better than 2 or 3 very close misses.

[Adam Helmer]

Larryjk,

Bill Jordan said in his book, "No Second Place Winners", "Fast is fine, Accuracy is Final!"

Adam

[kt]

yes, i must agree with all above post. i never felt under gunned with a 9 until i was at a gun show last year and opened a box of .45 golden sabers, and i thought about them compared to the ones in my clip in my waist band. made the 9 loads look itsy bitsy.
kt

[Larryjk]

kt, Remember what a couple of us have said. Hitting your target with the "little" 9mm is better than being really close with a missed .45 slug.

[buckhunter]

I totally agree that the 9 looks tiny compare to the 45 but it a fine self defense round provided you use a bullet with a hole in the middle. And I agree that he 45 is much better even with ball ammo.

[gd357]

kt,

never had a problem hitting on target once I got familiar with my .45 acp. I would like to get a "one gun does it all" handgun, but haven't found that yet... still lookin'. If you can hit a relatively small target at normal range, just about any round will do. It's all about where the bullet goes.

gd

[Win75]

I like the 9mm. While a Deputy Sheriff for five years in Northern Missouri, I carried a S&W 659 loaded with 115 gr. Winchester Silvertips. I now have two 9's, one is a S&W 6906 and the other a Taurus Millennium Pro. Both are now filled with Hornady Critical Defense loads.

[wrenchman]

Every one seems to have a prefered round and gun and in most cases are fine.
The thing is what works for you if it dont fit you good or you are recoil shy chances are you will leave it home when you need it.
I have 3 carry guns a pt92 for colder months were i can wear a coat over it a bulg 9x18 i carry in my waist band and a taurus copy of to berreta in 25 caliber i can just but it in a pocket.
Two of these guns are 9mm rounds.

[popplecop]

I purchased a Para Cary Nine a 6 months ago. The reason I chose this firearm it has the same basic 1911 grip and functions. I had been told that the double action was smooth and happy to find out I like it. Still like my 1911s and redoing a late 70s Colt LW Commander. As far as the S&W 36 goes mine is probably older than a lot of people on this site. Great little firearm. Mine goes in old Berns-Martin Shoulder rig.