Since th3 int3rw3bz loves to endlessly debate about equipment and caliber, here’s some more fuel for the fire. Because we all know 9mm sucks and any caliber that doesn’t start with a “4” isn’t worth shit.
Greg Ellifritz writes about his experience shooting a very simple drill. You should click through to read the drill and Greg’s experiences, no point in reprinting it here (or click here to read just the drill).
Here’s the thing:
I found it interesting that I could shoot the same number of rounds in 2.5 seconds (and with better accuracy) with my 9mm as I could in 3 seconds with my .45. There isn’t that much stopping power difference between the 9mm and .45 (using good loads) that I’m willing to sacrifice the 3- 4 rounds per second difference in speed for a marginal difference is stopping power.
So shooting a 9, Greg could shoot faster and get more accurate hits.
Hrm.
For fun, Greg ran it with some other guns:
Just for fun, I then did the drill from the ready position with a 2″ snub .22 long rifle revolver (S&W 317). 3 rounds (from ready) in 1.8 seconds. Set the par time at 2 seconds and ran it 10 more times.
Results: consistently 6-7 shots. One time I hit all 8 shots in 1.99. No misses.
So what you’re telling me is, when there’s less recoil to manage, you can shoot the gun “better”. Whodathunkit?
Look, if you really want to shoot a handgun chambered in .40S&W or .45ACP or some other “manly” caliber, go ahead — I won’t stop you. But I would ask you to consider your goals and purpose. If it’s shooting for fun, go for it. If you are shooting in competition, you have to play by the rules of the game. If you are shooting a particular gun because you have no choice (it’s all you have and you can’t get anything else, department regulations, local laws, etc.), then you gotta do what you gotta do. If it’s about the ability to defend yourself and your loved ones, then wouldn’t you want to choose equipment that can best serve you towards that end? The fabled “stopping power” of .4x-caliber rounds isn’t what you think it is — all pistol calibers suck about the same. Ultimately there isn’t any meaningful “stopping power” difference between 9×19 Parabellum (Luger), .40S&W, and .45 ACP with modern self-defense ammunition. So where can differences be had? 9mm allows for greater capacity (who ever said they wanted less ammo in a gunfight?). 9mm is less expensive. 9mm has less recoil (both real and felt/perceived), and leads to results like Greg experienced above — ability to mange recoil more easily, allowing for faster and more accurate hits — and isn’t the ability to deliver accurate hits quickly what it’s all about? I fail to see the downside to 9mm, and I fail to see why some people continue to insist upon other calibers when they offer no measurable advantage.
Yes those other calibers work, but when your life is on the line, don’t you want to do everything you can to stack the deck in your favor?
Stuff From Hsoi 
The entire CCW experience, indeed, the entire “going in harm’s way” experience is one of hedging your bets. We choose one type of holster instead of another not because we truly like it better but because its lighter, stronger, easier to conceal, etc. We choose a wardrobe around the holster/firearm combination of our choice, we choose the round we carry based on everything from the marketing (DRT, Glaser Safety Slug, Winchester Silver Tips) to what the FBI criteria dictates, to their actual performance in gel or wet phonebooks. We make decisions based on length, width, and weight. Plastic or steel. The caliber wars have been going on for decades and the same arguments made from one shooting generation to another. In the end there is no “right” answer for every single person. Carry the firearm that you can make a commitment to in terms of 24/7 carry, that you can also get good hits with reliably. Carry a major manufacturer’s personal defense round (use the one your local LEOs use – its already been vetted), and find a good quality holster that you can wear in the same place everyday of your life. Carry a reload or two and carry on. With the money you save on this week’s best gun or best bullet, go to Gunsight, Front Sight, Thunder Ranch and train. Money very well spent.