Out of the common military, law enforcement, and civilian calibers. Which one do you think is the best one for military service.

I like the 10mm Auto for military use BECAUSE of the overpenetration, you can shoot through walls indoors and of course it will shred body armor and kill quickly.

I also like the 357 SIG and the Russian 9x21mm "Gyurza" cartridges for military use.

Of course, if you just want to throw a hefty chunk of metal at your enemies, there's no substitute for the venerable .45 ACP.

Over penetration is NOT what you want in a close in situation. You're too close to your targets, and the last thing you want are bullets coming through walls hitting YOUR guys. These are some of the problems we have with the 9mm.

I carry a .40 for most of my secondary weapon needs.

The Smith and Wesson Sigma .40 is a beautiful weapon. Simple yet deadly, the .40 caliber from everything I have read always seemed the way to go the energy the bullet carries is optimal.

Although it is not my personal favourite I have to admit that I think 9mm is the best.
WHAT?? I hear you all scream .
Yes I know it hasn't the stopping power of .45ACP, the weight reduction per round of 5.7mm,etc....
Yes there are calibers that seem to have more pros than cons (s+W .40 for example) but when you include COST and consider the logistics of introducing a new sidearm caliber to a countrys army it just seems best to stick with 9mm.
This opinion is based on a contry that uses 9mm for all its CQB firearms,and apart from the U.S. use of .45 and former eastern europeans using Makarov then those who rule most allied countrys also see that a new sidearm caliber is at the bottom of the shopping list.
If the question had been worded differently then I would say .40 S+W or 10mm.

Originally Posted by PJ24

Over penetration is NOT what you want in a close in situation. You're too close to your targets, and the last thing you want are bullets coming through walls hitting YOUR guys. These are some of the problems we have with the 9mm.

I carry a .40 for most of my secondary weapon needs.

Yeah, well, I don't think overpenetration will be a negative aspect of handgun cartridges once the Army gets all their computerized electronic satellite-based targeting IFF GPS abacus crap online.

For right now, though, I suppose you wouldn't want that sort of frienly fire. I thought soldiers would be coordinated enough to avoid emerging on opposite sides of the target. If a pistol round will go through him, what about your rifles?

Over penetration is a huge problem. I don't want my rounds going through walls and striking non-combatives. That is the main reaons why American Law Enforcement uses Jacketed Hallow Point ammunition. Because it will not over penetrate the subject. Now I also don't want over penetration on enemey targets. That negates the factor of the cartridge.

It's Hydrostatic damage that kills someone. Not a hole. If I shoot you and the round goes clean through. You could die from bleeding out in about five to ten minutes. Or if the round is stopped by you body, all of that energy has to go somewhere. The body absorbs it and it destroys tissue and blood vessels. That is what kills you in five seconds.

I believe that the .40 S&W is the best caliber on the market right now.

You can still have a good amount of ammunition carried in the service wepaon's magazine. It doesn't have the problems of the 9X19mm Parabellum. And pistols that chamber that caliber are built on a 9mm frame. So people with smaller hands can still handle the firearm without a problem.

And the .40 S&W is becoming one of the most popular calibers in America. About 70% of American Law Enforcement officer use it. Civilians are finding the caliber very good for self defense and competitive shooting. And lastly, there is one branch of the US Militray that issues it as it's standard caliber. The US Coast Guard. It is because of the fact that the USCG is now under the Department of Homeland Secuirty. And all DHS agencies are issued a .40 S&W caliber sidearm. They are either the Sig P226, Sig P229, GLOCK 22, GLOCK 23, Beretta 96FS, H&K USP, or H&K USP Compact.

The USCG uses the Sig P226. When they're state side. They use JHP (Jacketed Hallow Point) ammunition because they are federal law enforcement agents and when they are deployed overseas with the US Navy. They use the standard Full Metal Jacket Ball ammunition.

What many civilians and law enforcement departments consider training or plinking ammunition. Basicly the cheap stuff you buy a Walmart, like 100rds for $10.00 US.

Originally Posted by major liability

Yeah, well, I don't think overpenetration will be a negative aspect of handgun cartridges once the Army gets all their computerized electronic satellite-based targeting IFF GPS abacus crap online.

For right now, though, I suppose you wouldn't want that sort of frienly fire. I thought soldiers would be coordinated enough to avoid emerging on opposite sides of the target. If a pistol round will go through him, what about your rifles?

Horse's Mouth: Yes, it will be.

9mm has a tendency to go through walls, not just targets. And yes, I've seen it happen more than once. Hence my preference for the .40.

I choose the .45 ACP, thought it good really

so was I mistaken or something? please do inform me!

Hah, I guess you guys are right about the penetration being a bad thing. Please forgive my tendency to look at things from the criminal/insurgent perspective.