Why This And Not That?

Why A .45?

“More power” is the standard answer. Well, yes and no. The fact is, the best modern 9mm defense loads (115 grain JHPs at 1,300 fps or better, and 124 grain JHPs at 1,250 foot-seconds or so) will deliver dramatically more tissue damage than a 230 grain ball .45 round.

Of course, the .45 is more effective with JHPs, but it’s less dependent on projectile design for terminal efficiency than is a smaller caliber gun throwing a bullet of only half the weight.

I’m partial to the .45 Auto for police issue, and for defensive use in cold weather. One reason is that even the most efficient hollowpoint bullet can plug if it has to go through enough layers of winter clothing, and a JHP whose cavity is filled with inert matter is a JHP that will probably not expand. If the bullet is going to turn into flat-nosed ball, I want it to turn into large diameter flat nosed ball.

Military history throughout most of the 20th century, being repeated now in Afghanistan, shows us that 9mm ball is an impotent manstopper, and .45 ball is a pretty efficient one. Certainly, .45 hardball penetrates too much to be ideal for American law enforcement or citizen self-defense settings, but the same is true of 9mm ball.

While the citizen can change guns or ammo with the season, most cops can’t, and in regions where winter brings deep cold, the .45 caliber makes particularly good sense as an all-weather police duty weapon.

The reasons that compel another handgunner’s choice may not be on point to our own needs. As a rule, the question “why” generally needs to go past just the initial asking to be truly informative, and certainly needs to go past supposition.

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