Since a 9mm is smaller and lighter than a 45, it moves more quickly than a 45. So, upon impact, the 9mm will penetrate the target much deeper than a 45. It is shot out of the barrel at a much higher velocity, so it takes more stopping power to halt the bullet. A 9mm also has a greater capacity.

Similarly, Is 9mm or 40 more powerful?

The 9mm has a muzzle energy of 364 ft-lbs, while the . 40 S&W has a muzzle energy of 484 ft-lbs. This is one comparison, but you will generally find that most . 40 S&W products are stronger both at the muzzle and downrange.

Additionally, Is a 9mm or a 45 more powerful? With a good modern defensive ammo, the 9mm is just as powerful as any . 45, just in different ways. When comparing the two handguns, it’s important to note that the 9mm hasn’t become better than the . … new self-defense 9mm ammo opens up to create some nasty possible wound channels to stop attackers in their tracks.

Is 9mm really as good as 45?

Reason: Current 9mm ammunition has more consistent and better barrier penetration than . 45 ACP. … If a barrier is involved, a 9mm +P load is superior. You can carry a lot more 9 mm rounds in the mag, and it is easier to shoot well.

Is a 45 harder to shoot than a 9mm?

Your pistol is a soft shooting 9mm, but since . 45s are generally a little heavier the felt recoil is fairly close, in as much as neither one is punishing at all. The 9mm is higher velocity, so it tends to be a little snappier.

What has more stopping power 9mm or 40 cal?

The 9mm releases about 10 – 12 % less energy than its competitor. Also, there are ammo manufacturers that say their 9mm can match up in stopping power against other 40 cal. … Most gun manufacturers use the same 9mm pistol frame for both calibers. Glock is notorious for this.

Is 9mm or 40 better for concealed carry?

Yes, this is a massive generalization, but the fact remains that 9mm is a far more effective round than it used to be. 9mm is also far less snappy than . 40 and carries 1-3 more rounds on average. As a result, police departments and the FBI have essentially migrated from the 9mm to the .

Which is better 9mm 40 or 45?

Light bullets shed velocity and thus energy faster, both in the air and in the target. Retained energy aids in penetration of the target. … 40 has 122 percent more bullet weight than the 9mm, and the . 45 has 161 percent more bullet weight than the 9mm.

Do police use 9mm or 45?

“While many law enforcement departments and agencies still use . 357, . 40, and even . 45 caliber guns, most have already switched or are switching to 9mm,” says Joel Harris, SIG Sauer’s director of media relations and communication.

How much bigger is a .45 than a 9mm?

45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) cartridge holds bullets that have a diameter of . 452 inches (11.5mm) so it is slightly larger than the 9mm (. 355 inch bullets). Both cartridges have a long history and were first designed over 100 years ago.

Will a 9mm stop a bear?

The 9mm can kill bears but is considered underpowered by experienced woodsmen. The 9mm has 350 to 450 ft/lbs. of energy, while 1,000 ft/lbs is considered the minimum for a bear hunting gun. Proper 9mm bullets yield sufficient penetration in soft tissue, but it may not stop a bear quickly enough to avoid being mauled.

Is a 9mm a good self defense gun?

So, with proper HOLLOW POINT and 124-125 grain ammo, a 9mm will work fine for defense, since it meets these two F.B.I. criteria. Recognize that some guns perform better with high pressure loads or bigger grains, while some don’t.

Is 45 louder than 9mm?

Decibel scale is exponential. 9mm comes in at 159.8 dB and 45 acp at 157 dB for a difference of 2.9 dB. Well every 3 dB is a factor of 2 in sound energy, so there really is a difference and 9mm is significantly louder.

Which caliber is best for self defense?

The most common caliber for a home defense handgun is 9mm. This does mean that your gun will penetrate through walls and can possibly harm your loved ones during a home invasion. Also, many experts recommend hollow point ammo because of the power, and they are a bit safer to shoot in a home defense scenario.

What caliber is 9mm equivalent to?

357, . 380 auto and 9mm ammunition are all the same caliber. (Caliber is the size of the projectile, or bullet.) The different names are for marketing reasons or because of where the cartridge was developed.

What is the best gun for home defense?


5 Top-Rated Handguns for Home Security and Self-Defense

  • Glock 19. When it comes to handguns, the pinnacle brand for reliability and ease of use is Glock. …
  • Glock 43. …
  • Sig Sauer P320. …
  • Sig Sauer P365. …
  • Smith and Wesson M&P.

Is a 40 cal good for concealed carry?

40 caliber pistols would be a good choice for home defense, concealed carry, self-defense, or just casual range use.

Is a .40 good for self-defense?

40 S&W is a perfectly viable self-defense round. … But, if you shoot a lot and want to shoot better for less money, or if you’re considering using a handgun for personal or home defense, pick up a 9mm handgun and get shooting. You’ll save time and money, without compromising defensive performance.

What caliber pistol is best for self-defense?

The most common caliber for a home defense handgun is 9mm. This does mean that your gun will penetrate through walls and can possibly harm your loved ones during a home invasion. Also, many experts recommend hollow point ammo because of the power, and they are a bit safer to shoot in a home defense scenario.

Is a 40 or 45 more powerful?


40 S&W exceeds standard-pressure

. 45 ACP loadings, generating between 350-foot-pound (470 J) and 500-foot-pound (680 J) of energy, depending on bullet weight.



Comparison chart.

.40 S&W .45 ACP
Velocity 900-1449 FPS 700 – 1150 FPS
Maximum pressure 35,000 psi (240 MPa) 21,000 psi (140 MPa)
Designed January 17, 1990 1904

What is best caliber for self defense?

The most common caliber for a home defense handgun is 9mm. This does mean that your gun will penetrate through walls and can possibly harm your loved ones during a home invasion. Also, many experts recommend hollow point ammo because of the power, and they are a bit safer to shoot in a home defense scenario.

Why do police use 9mm instead of 45?

45 Auto projectiles tested by the FBI. 9mm Luger offers greater magazine capacity and less recoil/more weapon control at a lower cost. A majority of FBI shooters are both faster and more accurate using 9mm Luger versus . 40 S&W rounds.

What ammo do most police use?

So if every major government in the world agrees that this weapon is too deadly even for war, then why is it the standard ammunition used by American police officers? Hollow point bullets are the most common type of round used by American police.

What caliber do most police use?

45 ACP and the 9mm have their fans, these days, most law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, have chosen Glock pistols for their standard issue sidearms.