I shoot the 9mm, .40 SW and .45 ACP. Gun balance and practice makes more difference in managing recoil than the actual round size. All of them will get the job done with good bullets.

The only real advanatge the 9mm has is that since it is cheaper to purchase, you can possibly afford to practice more.

I own many hand guns, but not one 9mm, I like .357 .40 .41 and .45 the most...the 9mm is popular because it can hold a lot of rounds, medium recoil, and has some stopping power, but its a light bullet traveling fast....which means less energy transfered to the target, but a bigger caliber like the .45, heavy bullet moving slow, a lot more energy is taken by the target, which equals more stopping power, of course, shot placement is everything, but if I had to stake my life on one caliber, it would be a .45 ACP or .45 Long Colt .41 and .40 would be minimum round for me...

I find it humorous that Col. Cooper is quoted here in this thread because he is one of the most outspoken advocates about the stopping power of the 45 ACP. That being said Col. Cooper has also stated "a shot to the tear duct with a 22lr is better than a near miss with a 50 BMG". So I personally feel that my Kimber Pro BP TenII .45 ACP loaded with 200gr Hornady XTP's better serves me than a 9mm because I shoot it very well and handle it well. But someone who is deadly accurate with a 9mm or whatever they like should use it because they can shoot it well. Accuracy kills not near misses with horsepower.