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We used to use the .45. Now we have the 9mm and are getting yet another 9mm handgun. Why? The 9mm is fine for a Personal Defense round, but in warfighting, shouldn't we use one that packs a little more punch, especially since we can't use expanding rounds.
The .45 is huge, and limits the amount of ammo to carry, the 9mm is small and allows for more rounds. But I don't want to have to plug a combatant full of 3-4 rounds (or more) in the event it comes down to a pistol fight.
The FBI developed the 10mm as the middle ground between the two (and then cut it down to the .40 S&W (short and weak, hehe)). More rounds than the .45 and much more stopping power than the 9mm.
Why not utilize the 10mm as the military round. If it comes down to the fact that there's already a ton of 9mm ammo in the arsenal, that's a worthless excuse...that's the reason the Bradley shoots TOWs instead of Javelins.
The .45 is huge, and limits the amount of ammo to carry, the 9mm is small and allows for more rounds. But I don't want to have to plug a combatant full of 3-4 rounds (or more) in the event it comes down to a pistol fight.
The FBI developed the 10mm as the middle ground between the two (and then cut it down to the .40 S&W (short and weak, hehe)). More rounds than the .45 and much more stopping power than the 9mm.
Why not utilize the 10mm as the military round. If it comes down to the fact that there's already a ton of 9mm ammo in the arsenal, that's a worthless excuse...that's the reason the Bradley shoots TOWs instead of Javelins.
Posted in these groups: 
Ammo
Handguns and Pistols
Ammo Handguns and Pistols
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 9
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Ammo, ammo, ammo. I carry 9mm simply because I can more easily and accurately put my follow on round on target than I can a .45 not because I suck with a 45 its simply a quicker realignment. Also I enjoy the extra few rounds I get with the smaller round.
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TSgt David L.
SPC David Willis - I'm really a fan. I have a good selection of carry pistols and almost half are .40s. A good compromise between the .45 and 9mm. Makes me wonder why the FBI and Army have gone back to a 9mm cartridge.
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SPC David Willis
TSgt David L. - Id imagine its for universality. If an FBI guy liaises with a local PD raid he can easily grab some extra ammo and roll. Same for an Army unit who's maybe attached to a foreign unit for some reason IDK but sounds like a good reason.
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TSgt David L.
SPC David Willis - I'll buy that for a dollar. That the "NATO" answer so I guess it works here.
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CW2 (Join to see)
I'm ok with the .40, it's my summer carry. I just prefer the 10mm because it has much more power like a .45. Both rounds provide the middle ground between power and capacity, the shortcomings of the 9 and 45. You hit someone with a 10mm, they're going down.
As for universality, it's probably a good point. I don't think there's much difference between 9mm used by different NATO countries, unlike the 5.56 where our rounds are different from ones other countries use, so on a longer distance shot your zero may be off a tad if you got foreign rounds but zeroed with American ones. However, if we switched to another caliber, you can make a pretty fair bet the rest of NATO would follow suit. Hell most of em use Glocks which already have about every caliber made. Many weapons would only need to change a barrel and magazine, especially going from 9mm to .40
As for universality, it's probably a good point. I don't think there's much difference between 9mm used by different NATO countries, unlike the 5.56 where our rounds are different from ones other countries use, so on a longer distance shot your zero may be off a tad if you got foreign rounds but zeroed with American ones. However, if we switched to another caliber, you can make a pretty fair bet the rest of NATO would follow suit. Hell most of em use Glocks which already have about every caliber made. Many weapons would only need to change a barrel and magazine, especially going from 9mm to .40
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Teaching Soldiers pistol marksmanship is very challenging. The most important aspect of shooting is "shot placement". You wouldn't have to shoot a person "3-4 rounds (or more) in the event if comes down to a pistol fight", if you are properly trained. I carry a concealed 9mm XD for protection. I don't need to carry anything else. I am confident that I can neutralize any situation with just that.
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As with anything determined by Government RFP...it all comes down to money (LOL). I personally "seem" to have good grouping and control at a realistic distance with a 9mm and appreciate the fact I can get that ammo fairly readily and economically. Been a while since I fired a .45 ACP, but I can see benefits and drawbacks of any system, depending on the situation. When I did carry a sidearm on AD and in the AO, I pretty much felt that if it came down to me having to use it...things would probably be sufficiently off the rails at that point , and it was likely going to be a final effort.
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CW2 (Join to see)
That's my point. When someone downrange is needing to use a sidearm, things are pretty crazy. Having a bigger round could make things a little better.
Granted it all comes down to the skill of the shooter. I can see that the 9mm is more controllable, and not every servicemember can handle a .45 or 10mm. But we have people who can barely handle an M4/16.
I really hate how money drives everything. We were so close on the XM-8 and the 6.8 SPC II, those would have been such great investments.
Granted it all comes down to the skill of the shooter. I can see that the 9mm is more controllable, and not every servicemember can handle a .45 or 10mm. But we have people who can barely handle an M4/16.
I really hate how money drives everything. We were so close on the XM-8 and the 6.8 SPC II, those would have been such great investments.
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