What Handgun Calibers Do Most Cops Prefer, Most Effective, 9mm vs .40SW vs .45ACP

[Citicop]

I agree completely.

My only point was that shot placement comes first, then caliber size.

I don't have a .45.

Yet. But it's coming.

-Citicop.

[Cat_Doc]

I, too, have no desire to get involved in a caliber war. I also fully understand, and have stood behind this for many years, that a hit, with anything, is better than a miss.

With that out of the way, I have noticed a huge movement in my department, boldly led by firearms instructors and SWAT members, toward the .45 ACP, predominately in 1911 S/A models. The department recently put together a "1911" course that is required to pass before you can carry. I'm not going to get into details, but it was stimulated by a couple of AD's.

I chose the G21-SF for a few reasons. 1) I've seen plenty of GSW's in my career, and the .45 ACP, well placed in torso, puts them down quickly. (I have seen at least two incidents where a head shot with a .45 at distance did not penetrate and traversed between skull and scalp. It seems the smaller, faster calibers do better for bone penetration) 2) I did not have to wait for the "1911" course to carry. 3) The Glock carries much more rounds. 4) The slightly sized down grip area fit my hand better than the G-21.

I know the .40 caliber has been proven an excellent round, but I did not do well with the very noticeable muzzle flip compared to what feels more like a straight back recoil of the .45 My range scores improved with the .45 so I feel I'm getting the best of both worlds; accuracy and kinetic energy.

[Switchback]

In order for us to carry our 1911s on SOG, we had a 5K round transition course. The .45 is fine. I have a problem with most officers carrying 1911s, though. There us a higher level of training required for someone to carry a 1911. Too many officers just shoot their quals and that is it... and that won't cut it to be proficient in a 1911.

...welll, in my opinion. Of course, I am no longer carrying my Springfield and am back to my Glock 22. :(

[Sgt. Slaughter]

I am no longer carrying my Springfield and am back to my Glock 22. :(

Ewwwwww....

[Switchback]

LOL
I miss my .45, but I am still out-shooting the the Springfield-toting SOGers with my Glock on stress courses.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

That's 'cause you're a PIMP!

[retdetsgt]

(I have seen at least two incidents where a head shot with a .45 at distance did not penetrate and traversed between skull and scalp. It seems the smaller, faster calibers do better for bone penetration)

Was the shot reasonably straight on? I've seen a number where the angle of the bullet was such that it did that with various calibers, but I've seen .45 shots also go metal, e.g. car and truck doors and still penetrate well into the body. I've also seen bones at autopsies destroyed by a .45.

[Switchback]

That's 'cause you're a PIMP!

Don't hate, brother... just because you cannot pull this off:

Was the shot reasonably straight on? I've seen a number where the angle of the bullet was such that it did that with various calibers, but I've seen .45 shots also go metal, e.g. car and truck doors and still penetrate well into the body. I've also seen bones at autopsies destroyed by a .45.

My handgun is just a backup to my 5.56.

[Samuel]

If the OP had done as much research/debating as he claims, there should have been no reason to even start this thread...

[Cat_Doc]

Was the shot reasonably straight on?

Both times were at distance at least 20 meters or so and both entered on the lateral side of forehead area front to back. The first time was bad guy on bad guy in a fast food parking lot. The second was an OIS, hitting the bad guy as he was exiting his vehicle firing on the officers. He was able to stumble into the bush on foot, but was found dazed with no more desire to fight within the hour. Neither one of these guys continued the fight after being hit, but the round did not penetrate the skull. I'm sure distance and angle of strike had a lot to do with it.

I probably gave the wrong impression that I was suspicious of .45 skull penetration performance when I was actually stressing that good center mass hits with the .45 put them down.

[Cat_Doc]

In order for us to carry our 1911s on SOG, we had a 5K round transition course. The .45 is fine. I have a problem with most officers carrying 1911s, though. There us a higher level of training required for someone to carry a 1911. Too many officers just shoot their quals and that is it... and that won't cut it to be proficient in a 1911.

(

It sounds like your firearms crew and ours think a like. I don't know how many rounds are being fired during the 1911 transition course, but it is a three day course.

[basher52]

No secret here, I'm a 1911 fan in 45 acp of course. That said, I'd say most agencies here in the northeast vary between 9mm & 40 S&W. .45 is becoming popular the last year or two. The NYSP switched to 45 GAP and have had good results stopping threats to themselves and civilians since going to 45 GAP.

[retdetsgt]

I probably gave the wrong impression that I was suspicious of .45 skull penetration performance when I was actually stressing that good center mass hits with the .45 put them down.

One of our officers was shot in the head with a 9 mm at close range, but the bullet traversed the skull like you described.

The bad guy was captured alive....

[Cat_Doc]

The bad guy was captured alive....

Things used to be different.

[Creeker]

If the OP wants to know what the best round for ultimate stopping power that can actually be hand carried, I believe there are still a few 8 Guage shotguns out there.

I know when I was a Rookie, the 10 guage was still in LE use, but just barely.

I've never fired either one, though.