9mm vs 40 vs 45: Can’t Believe The Results

Published on June 14, 2024
Duration: 13:26

This video provides an objective comparison of 9mm Luger, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP calibers through a series of rigorous tests including lumber, sand, concrete, and ballistics gel. The host, leveraging specialized equipment like a Garmin Xero C1 Pro chronograph and digital calipers, presents data on velocity, penetration, and expansion. While .40 S&W showed competitive performance in some tests, the analysis concludes with a preference for 9mm due to its higher capacity and lower recoil, highlighting the importance of practical considerations beyond raw ballistics.

Quick Summary

Expert ballistics testing compares 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP through lumber, sand, concrete, and gel. Data shows 9mm has least recoil/flip, while .40 S&W offered competitive gel performance. Ultimately, 9mm is often preferred for higher capacity and manageable recoil.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Test Outline
  2. 00:28Round 1: Lumber & Plywood Penetration
  3. 04:31Round 2: Sand Penetration Test
  4. 06:12Recoil & Muzzle Flip Comparison
  5. 06:39Round 3: Concrete Block Penetration
  6. 09:07Round 4: Ballistics Gel Test (HST)
  7. 12:38Final Analysis & Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

How do 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP compare in penetration tests?

In lumber tests, 9mm and .40 S&W penetrated plywood, while .45 ACP penetrated less. All calibers failed to penetrate 6 inches of sand. In concrete, all three broke through but were stopped by backing material.

What were the recoil and muzzle flip differences between 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP?

The video showed 9mm having the least muzzle flip and recoil. Both .40 S&W and .45 ACP exhibited significantly more muzzle rise, impacting shooter control and follow-up shot speed.

Which caliber performed best in ballistics gel tests?

Using Federal HST ammunition, .40 S&W showed slightly better penetration and expansion characteristics compared to 9mm and .45 ACP in this specific test. All calibers retained nearly 100% of their weight.

What is the overall conclusion regarding 9mm vs .40 S&W vs .45 ACP?

While .40 S&W performed well in certain tests, the host prefers 9mm for its higher capacity and lower recoil, suggesting practical considerations often outweigh marginal ballistic advantages for many users.

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