Welcome to the fourth installment of this series on concealed carry considerations. In this article we will discuss one of the most debated topics; caliber size for defensive carry.
Just as a reminder, this series covers the following topics. If you didn’t get any previous articles, email me at wakefirearmstraining@mindspring.com, let me know which one you are missing and I will forward it to you.
- Choosing the right tool for the mission. What type of engagement am I training for?
- How much ammo is enough?
- Clothing considerations and concealment. It’s hot in NC in the summer.
- Caliber size. Is bigger always better?
- Reliability; if it doesn’t go bang it’s a club.
For years people have been arguing over the proper and best caliber for defensive purposes. Years ago, the Army switched from a .38 caliber round to a .45 caliber round and adopted the 1911 as the standard issue side arm due to their experiences fighting the Moro guerrillas in the Philippines and thus began the great debate. Over the past 100+ years, the debate has raged and agency after agency has tested and adopted various caliber pistols for various reasons. (The history of this debate is way to long to discuss here.)
Following the famous Miami shootout in 1986, the FBI began to study pistol round ballistics and wounding characteristics in a very scientific manner. After considerable testing and many years, the results published were summarized in this statement. “While some law enforcement agencies have transitioned to larger calibers from the 9mm in recent years, they do so at the expense of reduced magazine capacity, more felt recoil, and given adequate projectile selection, no discernible increase in terminal performance.” Thus, began the transition in both law enforcement and the military away from .40 and .45 caliber handguns and back to the 9mm.
In short, what matters in a gunfight is quickly and accurately putting rounds on target. The larger the caliber the more felt recoil and the slower the split times (time between shots). Also, the larger the caliber, the less capacity of the magazine. Test this for yourself. You will need a holster, mag pouch, and shot timer for this test. Take a 1911 and a common 9mm pistol like a Glock 19. Fill 3 1911 magazines to capacity (8×3=24 rounds). Next put 24 rounds in two Glock 19 mags. Set up your SEB target at 7 yards and time how long it takes to place 24 rounds in center mass using the 1911 and the Glock 19. Remember your mission objective is fast, accurate shots on target. Any hit outside the center mass box doesn’t count. My bet is that you will be faster and more accurate with the .9mm pistol.
Next, think about how much ammo you can effectively carry. It is typical for armed citizens to carry two additional magazines fully concealed. So, what would you rather carry; 24 .45 caliber rounds for a 1911 or 45 9mm rounds for a Glock 19? Before you answer that question, lets go back to the FBI statement and review what they said about wounding characteristics; “no discernible increase in terminal performance”. In other words, given current day hollow point defensive ammo, there was no significant difference in wounding capability between the 9mm, .40, and .45 caliber rounds.
So, if you are more accurate, faster, can carry more ammo, with no reduction in ability to stop the threat, why would you not choose the 9mm round? I’m sure this won’t stop the debate but maybe it will give you something to think about.
That’s all for now. If you have questions, drop me an email at wakefirearmstraining@mindspring.com.
Train Hard! Stay Frosty! Never Give Up!
John