Why is 9MM faster than 45 ACP?

[hogwylde]

I just finished reading (in this forum) an article called "Why I carry a 9mm" and in it was stated that "Your target will be moving around and not sitting still like your target at the range so you more than likely will either not hit the target or maybe just get an arm shot, so you're better off with a 9mm as opposed to a .45 because you can get more rounds off faster."

I don't get it. How can one gun shoot faster than the other? Isn't it all about the shooter with perhaps the only real mitigating factor being trigger pull?

 

[Caribou]

It is all about recoil. The less recoil the faster you can come back on target. Many things can affect felt recoil like the weight of the bullet, weight of the gun, powder load, angle of the grip. The higher the barrel above the hand the more the leverage and the higher barrel climb, therefore the longer to bring it back on target. Chiappa makes a revolver with the barrel at six o'clock to reduce felt recoil and barrel climb. Some guns have ported barrels to reduce barrel climb.

The skill of the shooter can negate some of the effect of the recoil but any shooter will be faster with less recoil than with more. You may see a professional shooter fire a .454 or a .50 AE but you will not see them doing a speed drill with them. Many people like the small light weight guns because they are very light and easy to conceal. These light weight guns are often called expert guns because the kick so much.

 

[Phillip Gain]

You're forgetting magazine capacity. While it doesn't matter in states like Massachusetts (max 10 rounds for most guns) - in other states, you can carry cram about 15+ rounds of 9mm in the same size gun that will hold maybe 10 .45ACP rounds.

So essentially, you have more rounds between reloads. (The reloads being the real big factor in slowing down your rate of fire.)

The theory being presented is also referred to as "spray and pray." I'm more of a proponent of the "hit your damn target" school of thought.

 

[hogwylde]

It is all about recoil. Chiappa makes a revolver with the barrel at six o'clock to reduce felt recoil and barrel climb. Some guns have ported barrels to reduce barrel climb.

Ok, so it's about recoil. That makes sense. Thanks. My brother has a Chiappa amongst "others"

 

[walt629]

Actually it all about the shooter being able to control whatever weapon he/she decides is the one to carry. 9mm or .45 doesn't matter as long as the shooter can handle it, get back on target and move smoothly with the weapon. It is a matter of matching the weapon to the shooter properly. A lot of us carry the "macho" weapon because we don't want to admit we'd be better off with a .380 because we would be faster and more accurate with it due to physical issues.


I've seen grown men at the range with what is definitely too much gun for that person. And I've seen kids with small guns drilling the targets because the gun fit them.

IMHO the only thing that makes the 9mm faster than a .45 is the bullet speed.

 

[AzBanks]

more recoil = more time between aimed shots.

It is as simple as that.

Until it's not.

Training properly with a particular weapon will make you faster with that weapon. Some people are naturally faster than others but in general, less recoil = faster shots on traget.

 

[spdracr39]

Actually it all about the shooter being able to control whatever weapon he/she decides is the one to carry. 9mm or .45 doesn't matter as long as the shooter can handle it, get back on target and move smoothly with the weapon. It is a matter of matching the weapon to the shooter properly. A lot of us carry the "macho" weapon because we don't want to admit we'd be better off with a .380 because we would be faster and more accurate with it due to physical issues.

Actually a pocket .380 has more recoil than some .45's. Thats why I'm upgrading to a slightly larger framed 9mm ( SR9C from a Bodyguard 380) to reduce that issue, increase accuracy, and increase the number of shots I have available.

 

[Purple]

It's all about the size of the gun, the fit in the hand and what caliber you can handle that makes you able to fire more or less rounds in a specific period of time. A gun that has too much recoil for you will be harder to keep on target to get that 2nd and 3rd round off - which affects rate of fire. More stacked rounds down range and on target will increase your odds of stopping and dropping the threat before they can do harm.