More On Caliber Wars
BY Herschel Smith
6 years, 7 months ago
You’d think the “caliber wars” would wind down, the firearms community would just accept that people like different things and be okay with it. It’s the adult thing to do and frankly makes more sense than pointlessly arguing over things that don’t matter.
For some reason, the .45 ACP and the .30-06 just can’t be left well enough alone. Every few weeks, there’s a new article in a gun magazine, on a website or something decrying one or the other. The 9mm is better, one might say, or the .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor doesn’t recoil as badly and is more accurate at 1,000 yards says another.
Folks, neither the .45 ACP nor the .30-06 are going anywhere and it is just time we all dropped it.
Look:
If there’s anything approaching truth regarding the efficacy of a bullet on a living target, be it a human assailant or a critter that you’re looking to eat/put on the wall, it’s that there are established “will always work” rounds. However, which one you use doesn’t matter all that much; accuracy and bullet design matter more than the rest of the ballistic data sheet.
Sure, 9x19mm produces less recoil. Follow-up is faster and it’s easier for more people to shoot. It’s also cheaper and subcompact pistols chambered in that round tend to work a bit better than those in .45. If it’s a 9mm, .40, or .45 ACP pistol you put in an appendix carry holster or other concealed carry holster, it really doesn’t matter; what matters is if you carry good rounds and can hit your mark.
Much the same is true of the trusty old .30-06. It’s a long-action round, ruling out compact, short-form rifles which some people can’t live without. While recoil is subjective, the .30-06 is a bit stouter than the trendy cartridges of today like .300 Blackout, 6.5 Creedmoor and .308/7.62 NATO.
And you know what?
It doesn’t matter at all.
The fact is that .45 ACP is a very effective self-defense round. With good hollowpoints and good placement, it will put down a bad guy just as well as a well-placed 9mm round will. Some people find they aren’t as accurate with a 9mm or a .40, so who cares? It works for them.
Well, some people may say that about the .45 ACP, but some others (me) might say that they don’t like the snappy muzzle with 9mm and the slow recovery time to a good sight picture compared to the “push” of the .45 ACP.
Shoot whatever you shoot well. But I do have one nit. I’ll rewrite the sentence for you: “With good hollowpoints and good placement, it will put down a bad guy just as well as better than a well-placed 9mm round will.”
There. Fixed it for you.
On August 30, 2017 at 10:37 pm, Phil Ossiferz Stone said:
There is more than one kind of self defense. The author of that screed is welcome to try and defend himself against a bear or an imported Arctic wolf with a 9mm. I will notify his family. They will be sad.
And the same 230-grain GI hardball that I use on the bear will do even better against two-legged vermin.
On August 30, 2017 at 10:49 pm, Fake Name here said:
Never much cared about the caliber wars…
until I fired a .45 ACP out of something other than a 1911; instant convert to the church of the 45.
On August 31, 2017 at 8:07 am, Joshua Smith said:
.40 cal master race checking in.
On August 31, 2017 at 5:53 pm, James said:
Ford/Chevy/Dodge(all pre 80’s)argument,AK vrs. AR,9/40 vrs. 45,these discussions keep life interesting.
Correct answers when done arguing:
1.Chevy
2.AR
3.45
I hope my input clears all this up for you!
On August 31, 2017 at 6:57 pm, James said:
Thinking about my posted wanted to add that on ? 1 answers Buick/GMC/Pontiac also acceptable answers in some instances.
On August 31, 2017 at 9:16 pm, Herschel Smith said:
James,
No, no, no, no, no, no and no.
1. Ford
2. AR
3. .45
On August 31, 2017 at 11:34 pm, Fred said:
.45 because I can hit with it better. Stopping power is the bonus. I win.
On September 1, 2017 at 2:59 pm, DAN III said:
ALCON,
You guys commenting are funny . Hell, I remember reading the .45ACP vs 9mm Luger arguments in firearms periodicals decades ago. Bottom line….the caliber wars will continue for even more decades. That is a great thing because Americans are gunners still shooting today and tomorrow.
On September 1, 2017 at 4:03 pm, Alex Lund said:
I am from Germany.
We have NO 2nd Amendment.
I envy you that you can have this discussion.
Except for politicians and very well connected People we dont own guns.
So, while I would like to take part in this discussion (during my Air Force time I fired the P1 in 9mm, the G3 and MG3 in 7,62 and because we were together with an US unit – US Army 85th Field Artillery Detachment – I fired the M-16 in 5,56. But all together less then 150 shots.) I cannot.
Keep the 2nd AD and dont let them take it away.
On September 1, 2017 at 7:05 pm, Roger J said:
One of the first articles I read in a gun magazine at age 12 was “.45 vs 9mm”. The author shot up an old car in a junkyard. He noted that the 9mm FMJ rounds would punch through the trunk lid and penetrate the rear and front seats – must have been submachine gun ammo. The .45 would only dimple the trunk lid in those days when cars were made of real steel. But all the WWII vets I knew swore by the .45. It is amusing, and somewhat comforting, that 53 years later I am still around to hear these old arguments – and that the anti-gunners have failed and we still own these fine self-defense tools.
On September 1, 2017 at 8:28 pm, Donk said:
I stand by my earlier statement about fast pitched baseballs vs softballs. As a longtime former baseball catcher I have been hit by both – baseballs hurt much less.
On September 2, 2017 at 12:07 pm, Blake said:
1. Chev.
2. M1 Garand.
3. .45
(James got two out of three, which isn’t bad)
On September 3, 2017 at 12:45 am, TheAlaskan said:
There will be caliber wars as long as there are calibers. And hands down, Rambler is number one, especially the Rambler American straight six three on the tree….built like a tank…and y’all know it’s true.
2. Pre ’64 Winchester 30 30
3. 44 magnum wheel gun just because.
On September 3, 2017 at 10:51 pm, Herschel Smith said:
Alaskan,
I have my eye on S&W Model 629 V-Comp .44 Magnum. One day …
On September 18, 2017 at 9:26 pm, TheAlaskan said:
Awesome Herschel, you won’t be disappointed. All gun calibers have their intended place in the world we live in. No such thing as a tool for all circumstances…except Jesus.