Concealed carry handguns play a vital role in personal defense for millions of individuals. The decision to carry a firearm for self-protection is a serious one, and choosing the right caliber is perhaps one of the most critical aspects of that decision. The caliber choice directly impacts factors like stopping power, recoil, capacity, and overall shootability. As the market evolves, new cartridges and weapon platforms emerge, offering different approaches to personal defense. Two of the most popular contenders, particularly for concealed carry, are the widely-accepted 9mm Luger and the upstart 30 Super Carry. This article aims to provide a comprehensive comparison of these two calibers, exploring their ballistic performance, handling characteristics, gun platforms, ammunition availability, and ultimately, what makes each a viable choice for the concealed carrier.
A Look Back at the Legends and the Newcomers
The 9mm Luger, also known as the 9x19mm, boasts a long and established history. Born in the early 20th century, this cartridge has been a staple in military, law enforcement, and civilian circles for over a century. Its longevity is a testament to its effectiveness and versatility. The 9mm’s relatively balanced combination of stopping power, manageable recoil, and compact dimensions led to its adoption by armies across the globe and a civilian market hungry for reliable and concealable personal defense tools. The 9mm’s widespread popularity also means a massive selection of firearms chambered for it, and a vast array of ammunition choices, from target loads to premium self-defense rounds. This cartridge has proven to be a solid foundation for personal defense, and it continues to dominate the concealed carry landscape.
In contrast, the 30 Super Carry (30SC) is the newcomer, introduced more recently by Federal Ammunition. The design goals of the 30SC were ambitious: to offer performance that rivals the 9mm Luger from a cartridge designed for smaller pistols, while also improving the potential for higher magazine capacity within a given frame size. The aim was to deliver more energy with manageable recoil, thereby providing the shooter with enhanced capacity. This push by Federal seeks to leverage advances in ammunition technology, the 30 Super Carry attempts to optimize performance by making the most of both bullet design and energy expenditure. The initial reception has been mixed, as with any new cartridge. It’s still growing, with a few prominent manufacturers embracing the round.
Examining the Ballistics
When evaluating these two calibers, understanding their ballistic performance is paramount. We’ll explore bullet weight, velocity, energy transfer, and potential terminal performance to offer insights for the discerning shooter.
Bullet weight is a key factor, influencing both velocity and the potential for energy transfer. 9mm ammunition typically utilizes a range of bullet weights, from lighter 115-grain rounds to heavier 147-grain options. This provides significant flexibility for the user. The 30 Super Carry, on the other hand, typically offers bullet weights in the 100-grain to 115-grain range. The 30SC cartridges are narrower, so bullet weights are often kept lower to maintain similar dimensions to a 9mm bullet in diameter.
Velocity is directly impacted by bullet weight and the powder charge used. Generally, 9mm rounds, with their diverse weight profiles, can achieve velocities varying from around 1,100 feet per second (fps) to over 1,200 fps depending on the load. The 30 Super Carry, in its design, aims to leverage its higher velocity. It typically boasts higher velocities for its bullets, with some loads exceeding 1,200 or even 1,300 fps.
The energy delivered by a bullet upon impact is often measured in foot-pounds. A higher energy transfer typically translates to greater potential for stopping power, though this is a complex consideration. While energy is important, it is not the only factor determining performance in a self-defense situation. Both the 9mm and 30 Super Carry can achieve considerable energy levels. Depending on bullet weight and load, a 9mm can generate around 300 to 500 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle. The 30 Super Carry, with its focus on velocity, often achieves similar energy levels to a 9mm, sometimes even slightly surpassing it depending on the specific loads. The 30SC can deliver substantial energy, ensuring that it can effectively deal with threats.
Terminal ballistics, involving the way a bullet behaves upon impact, are perhaps the most critical consideration. Factors like penetration depth and expansion determine how the bullet transfers energy into a target and the size of the wound cavity it creates. 9mm ammunition, when designed for self-defense, is readily available in various configurations of jacketed hollow points (JHPs) and other expanding designs. These bullets are built to expand upon impact, transferring energy and increasing the chance of stopping a threat, while also ensuring adequate penetration through barriers or clothing. The 30 Super Carry also uses expanding bullet designs for self-defense loads, and with the higher velocity, these bullets are designed to expand and offer a large wound cavity and effective penetration.
Recoil Management and Handling
The feel of a firearm in hand, and the subsequent recoil experienced when firing, is a critical component of the concealed carry experience. Recoil, the rearward impulse generated when a firearm is discharged, can influence both accuracy and the shooter’s ability to deliver follow-up shots.
The 9mm, in the context of concealed carry, can exhibit recoil characteristics that vary depending on the firearm’s size and design. Generally, the 9mm produces a manageable recoil, making it comfortable for a majority of shooters. This is one of the main reasons the 9mm has become so popular in the concealed carry world. However, in smaller, lighter handguns, the 9mm’s recoil can be more pronounced, requiring more practice to maintain consistent accuracy.
The 30 Super Carry, designed with a smaller cartridge case, often aims for a softer recoil impulse. The initial thought was that 30SC might offer a flatter recoil curve that made it easier for shooters to keep the gun on target. This goal is, at least partly, achievable. Since the cartridge has less powder, there is theoretically less force pushing the slide backward. The lower recoil makes it easier for the shooter to maintain control, engage multiple threats, and place shots quickly.
Capacity and Concealed Carry Considerations
Concealed carry handguns often prioritize balance between size and capacity. The ability to carry a handgun that holds more rounds can be a significant advantage in a self-defense scenario.
The 9mm offers a wide range of magazine options. With its vast popularity, manufacturers have created both standard-capacity and high-capacity magazines for many 9mm handguns. Many modern concealed carry pistols offer magazines with capacities ranging from ten to fifteen rounds, and sometimes more.
The 30 Super Carry, with its slightly smaller dimensions, has the potential to offer increased capacity within the same frame size. Some handguns chambered for the 30SC can hold more rounds than their 9mm counterparts, providing a potential advantage in a defensive situation.
The availability of magazines is crucial for both calibers. 9mm magazines are ubiquitous, readily available in many gun shops, and online retailers. Finding a replacement magazine is rarely an issue. 30 Super Carry magazines are becoming increasingly available. The 30SC, being a newer cartridge, may have slightly fewer magazine options, but the supply is growing as adoption of the cartridge increases.
Firearm Selection: Handguns for Each Cartridge
The types of handguns available for each caliber play a crucial role in making your concealed carry decision.
The 9mm is supported by a massive selection of handguns, ranging from compact pocket pistols to full-size service pistols. The market includes pistols with a plethora of features, including polymer frames, steel frames, alloy frames, striker-fired actions, hammer-fired actions, and more. The 9mm offers the advantage of choice for the user.
The 30 Super Carry’s adoption is growing, meaning its platform selection is expanding. Initial offerings feature handguns designed to be compact and concealable. The 30SC has been adopted by popular manufacturers, like Smith & Wesson, with handguns like the M&P Shield Plus chambered in the round, proving its viability.
Ammunition in the Real World: Availability and Cost
The ability to find and afford ammunition is a practical concern for any gun owner.
9mm ammunition is one of the most readily available calibers. Ammunition for it can be easily found both at local gun stores and online. Many manufacturers make 9mm ammo. The price of 9mm ammunition is competitive, as production volumes are high.
30 Super Carry ammunition is more limited than 9mm, but the market is steadily expanding. More companies have begun manufacturing the 30SC. The price of 30SC ammunition can be slightly higher than 9mm. However, as the cartridge becomes more widely adopted, the price is likely to become more competitive.
Summarizing the Pros and Cons
Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each caliber is the ultimate objective for making an informed decision.
The 9mm benefits from its proven track record, wide ammunition availability, and the extensive selection of firearms chambered for it. Its potential downsides include slightly more recoil in smaller firearms and capacity limitations in some designs.
The 30 Super Carry shines through its potential for higher capacity, manageable recoil in smaller pistols, and similar or potentially even better terminal performance than the 9mm. Its potential downsides are its limited presence on the market and the fact that ammunition is slightly harder to find.
Final Thoughts
In the end, the choice between the 30 Super Carry and the 9mm is a personal one. Both calibers offer significant advantages for concealed carry. The 9mm represents a proven standard, offering a broad range of options and readily available ammunition. The 30 Super Carry provides an interesting alternative, promising enhanced capacity with comparable performance. Ultimately, choosing the best concealed carry caliber comes down to individual needs, preferences, and the specific firearm you choose. Consider factors like your shooting experience, physical strength, and the situations you are most likely to face. Try both calibers if possible, and make a well-informed decision that empowers you to defend yourself. The correct selection ensures you are adequately prepared for the unexpected.
