"The Great Debate: 10mm vs .45 ACP - Which is the Ultimate Defense Caliber?"

2888 Views 89 Replies 23 Participants Last post by Powerman, 16 d ago

Mr10mm

Discussion Starter · 4 mo ago

As a firearm enthusiast, you've likely heard the age-old debate over which caliber is the best for personal defense. On one side, you have the powerful 10mm with its impressive stopping power, and on the other, the classic .45 ACP with its proven track record.

So, what's the verdict? Is 10mm the new king of defense calibers or does the .45 ACP still reign supreme?

In this forum thread, we want to hear from you! Share your personal experiences and opinions on both calibers, and let's see if we can reach a consensus on which one is the best choice for personal defense.

Whether you're a seasoned shooter or just starting out, this thread is the perfect opportunity to expand your knowledge and connect with fellow firearm enthusiasts. So don't be shy, jump in and let the debate begin!

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Cuda66

· #2 · 4 mo ago

Depends on the shooter.

Which can you place accurate hits with the most rapidly? That’s what matters.

Amateurs care about caliber; pros care about rapid, repeat placements.

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Texan-XD

· #3 · 4 mo ago

Well, if you care about rapid, repeat placements, then I'm thinking the 45acp will be a bit easier to accomplish that with. I just fired my new XDM Elite 10mm yesterday for the first time, and I love the recoil. But, putting the sights back on target takes longer because of it.

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Powerman

· #4 · 4 mo ago

Irrelavent. More people are killed with .22 than with anything. I will assume 9mm is after that. 10mm will never rise above niche caliber, 45 has been around 100 years and counting. There really is no debate.

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gunsmoke92

· #5 · 4 mo ago

230gr ball has been putting bad guys down for over 100 years. With modern ammo, fat and slow is the way to go.

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Cuda66

· #6 · 4 mo ago

gunsmoke92 said:
230gr ball has been putting bad guys down for over 100 years. With modern ammo, fat and slow is the way to go.

Fact is, caliber really doesn’t matter when it comes to self defense.

2 or more hits with a .32 or better will have over a 90% chance of incapacitation; a .22 drops the chance to 80%, give or take.

(see: the Ellifritz study)

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BullseyeExpert

· #7 · 4 mo ago

Ultimate defense caliber? The one you have when you need to defend yourself.

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M1A4ME

· #8 · 4 mo ago

If we believe the test results of the modern hollow points what is the point of a 10MM? What will it do that the smaller/older calibers won't do already and for less costs?

I was a .45/1911 guy for decades and I started down the road of smaller calibers only to be disappointed, not by stopping power (never shoot anything but targets) but by a lack of accuracy compared to my old 1911's.

I've bought buckets of 9 and .40 pistols the last 15 years or more searching for those groups I remember with the 1911s without finding them in most of the brands/models/calibers I've bought.

I have also bought two .45's in all those searching years. That big XD Tactical 5" and the smaller M&P 2.0 Compact. The 2.0 Compact is similar in size to the Combat Commander and the big XD is, well, big. I like it, but it's a bit on the heavy side compared to the M&P. I would not be afraid to carry either one.

I reload. I've got the .45 acp brass. I don't need to buy ammo for that caliber. 10MM is missing from my boxes/jugs of bullets and brass (yeah, I can use bullets for my .40's for the 10MM but I'd still have to accumulate a bunch of brass to feel secure in my compulsions for reloading supplies).

I'll stick with the .45's.

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gunsmoke92

· #9 · 4 mo ago

Two properly placed shots from just about anything will do the job, agreed. I assumed it was understood that we were referring to that standard. An individual who bleeds out from a .32 in 5 minutes is just as dead as one who bleeds out from a .45 in one. But the question was ask about 10mm or .45ACP, not 32. Though the 10mm certainly will do the job, I still prefer the .45acp. Opinions were requested and I gave mine, not expecting a lecture in return. Have good day.

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Mr10mm

Discussion Starter · #10 · 4 mo ago

I see I have opened Pandora’s box…..gooood Who ha ha ha ha ha ha who ha ha ha ha ha

Eyebrow Smile Mouth Flash photography Jaw

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Reactions: 1

Cuda66

· #11 · 4 mo ago

gunsmoke92 said:
Two properly placed shots from just about anything will do the job, agreed. I assumed it was understood that we were referring to that standard. An individual who bleeds out from a .32 in 5 minutes is just as dead as one who bleeds out from a .45 in one. But the question was ask about 10mm or .45ACP, not 32. Though the 10mm certainly will do the job, I still prefer the .45acp. Opinions were requested and I gave mine, not expecting a lecture in return. Have good day.

An effective stop means threatening behavior ceases immediately.

2 shots from anything .32 or better has a 90% chance of achieving that.

In light of that, it makes a .45 vs 10mm debate kinda useless.

HngnHunter

· #12 · 4 mo ago

Cuda66 said:
An effective stop means threatening behavior ceases immediately.

2 shots from anything .32 or better has a 90% chance of achieving that.

In light of that, it makes a .45 vs 10mm debate kinda useless.

Should be, 2 well placed shots .32 or better. And after watching that cop empty a mag plus into a guy and he kept walking I’m leery of immediate stops except for 50 BMG.

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YosemiteCedar

· #13 · 4 mo ago

What is the perceived application? Handgun hunting? Self-defense? Home defense? What is the person's ability to manage recoil and accurately place shots? What is the platform (e.g. 1911's, PCC's, polymer framed handguns, etc.)?

While I understand that the answer is specific to an individual's circumstances, I personally think there are a lot better choices than both .45 ACP and 10mm in all of the above categories. Limited to a choice between 10mm and .45 ACP, it still depends on the above factors (though for most of those .45 ACP wins hands down for me).

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Alferd

· #14 · 4 mo ago

I'll choose 10 mm. I have lots of options in bullet weight, I have more velocity if I want it, I can go slow and heavy if I want to "downgrade" to that

, and I have more capacity over the .45.

Nothing wrong with .45 at all. I believe I have 4 guns that shoot it, including 1 PCC.

But I think the 10 offers more options and capability.

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Cuda66

· #15 · 4 mo ago

HngnHunter said:
Should be, 2 well placed shots .32 or better. And after watching that cop empty a mag plus into a guy and he kept walking I’m leery of immediate stops except for 50 BMG.

Read the report…two hits, period.

And there will always be outliers, such as the cop that fired 14 rounds of .45, most of them center mass, and multiple head shots before the assailant was stopped…but events like that are on the far right end of the bell curve, and are very rare—rarer still for non-LEO self defense shootings.

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gunsmoke92

· #16 · 4 mo ago

Cuda66 said:
Read the report…two hits, period.

So two shots in the butt will do it?

Cuda66

· #17 · 4 mo ago

gunsmoke92 said:
So two shots in the butt will do it?

90% + chance…maybe better, since we’re talking about two shots to the pelvis; lots of major blood vessels, bones that are critical for movement and remaining upright…major muscles that do the same…

Yeah, I’d say one to each cheek would be a fight stopper.

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HngnHunter

· #18 · 4 mo ago

Cuda66 said:
Read the report…two hits, period.

And there will always be outliers, such as the cop that fired 14 rounds of .45, most of them center mass, and multiple head shots before the assailant was stopped…but events like that are on the far right end of the bell curve, and are very rare—rarer still for non-LEO self defense shootings.

From his report:
I also believe the data for the .25, .32 and .44 magnum should be viewed with suspicion. I simply don't have enough data (in comparison to the other calibers) to draw an accurate comparison. I reported the data I have, but I really don't believe that a .32 ACP incapacitates people at a higher rate than the .45 ACP!

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YosemiteCedar

· #19 · 4 mo ago

Alferd said:
I'll choose 10 mm. I have lots of options in bullet weight, I have more velocity if I want it, I can go slow and heavy if I want to "downgrade" to that , and I have more capacity over the .45.

Nothing wrong with .45 at all. I believe I have 4 guns that shoot it, including 1 PCC.

But I think the 10 offers more options and capability.

That's a very good point, 10mm is incredibly versatile.

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Mike51392

· #20 · 4 mo ago

I'll take 9mm over both

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