[Batrachian]

It's funny how history repeats itself. Earlier this century our boys had trouble stopping Moro tribesmen in the Phillipines with their .38 Colts, which led the military to adopt a .45 later on, and now our boys are having trouble knocking down Muslims in Afghanistan with their 9mm's (also a .38, sort of). Assuming there is any truth to these stories, that is.

[Frohickey]

It's funny how history repeats itself. Earlier this century our boys had trouble stopping Moro tribesmen in the Phillipines with their .38 Colts, which led the military to adopt a .45 later on, and now our boys are having trouble knocking down Muslims in Afghanistan with their 9mm's (also a .38, sort of). Assuming there is any truth to these stories, that is.

Ballistic Info on Cartridges

.38 Long Colt - Diameter 0.357 inch - typical Bullet Weight 150grains - Muzzle Velocity 770FPS - Muzzle Energy 195 ftlbs

Precision Ammunition Product List

9mm - Diameter 0.355 inch - typical Bullet Weight 115grains - Muzzle Velocity 1200FPS - Muzzle Energy 368 ftlbs

45CP - Diameter 0.452 inch - typical Bullet Weight 230grains - Muzzle Velocity 900FPS - Muzzle Energy 414 ftlbs

38 Long Colt is just underpowered... 9mm went the route of more velocity less mass... 45ACP went the route of more mass, less velocity.

I think the Army should go back to the 45Colt...in modern loadings... more mass AND more velocity.

[ASA Vet]

Earlier this century

Would that have been in 2001?

[Polybius]

It's funny how history repeats itself. Earlier this century our boys had trouble stopping Moro tribesmen in the Phillipines with their .38 Colts, which led the military to adopt a .45 later on, and now our boys are having trouble knocking down Muslims in Afghanistan with their 9mm's (also a .38, sort of). Assuming there is any truth to these stories, that is.

They are true. Everything old is new again.

[Nuke'm Glowing]

There is some truth to the story. In the Phillipines during the revolts, everyone complained about the .38's. Our local LEO's adopted the 9mm, then switched right back to the reliable .357's because they had problems knocking down the drugged out freaks. The 9mm IMHO is great at about 20-30 foot encounters, but useless beyond that against a determined enemy.