HD: 11 rds of .40 SW or 16 rounds of 9mm?

[ZeroCool]

Ok, well I guess this can be considered a "which caliber is better" thread... but I want everyones opinion.

Quick rundown; my next gun will probably be an HD pistol. I have a pistol now, but am looking for something new. Here's the situation:

-Same pistol, different caliber.
-Your choice, 15+1 rounds of 9mm or 10+1 rounds of .40SW.


If you were to pick one, which would you pick? Please feel free to go into as much detail as you want, but please leave it limited to the question at hand (no "just get a .45acp" please :neener: ) If it helps, I dont currently own any .40's.

As always, any and all replies appreciated.

[tnieto2004]

16 of 9mm

[Black Majik]

Pick the caliber you're most comfortable shooting. With such a small difference in capactiy, and such similar ballistics it's all about shot placement.

[1KPerDay]

Why not get 14-16 of .40? ;) Sigma, Glock, Para-Ord, Taurus, Browning Pro, H&K, etc.

[MS .45]

I am on a 9mm kick for HD at the moment. I have a CZ p-01 and a Glock 26 that rotate nightstand duty. I completly trust both to do their part in a home defense situation.

[fattsgalore]

Dose HD stand for home defense? (people use abbreviations and i normally don't get them, sorry, my fault not yours) if it is, you don't need 16 rounds of 9mm or anything.
Unless you plan on having a heated shoot out in your house.
I'd suggest the 40 in hope's you'd put an assailant down and he or she stays down.(women robber's get shot too, I'm very PC)

In truth if it's a house gun it's better being a .45. not cause of all the hype or this and that but .45 has less penetration then either of those two rounds. So if you live in confined suburbia hell or an apartment complex fear of over penetration would be less of an issue.
Good luck regardless.

PS My house gun; carry piece and teddy bear is a Glock23 in .40cal if that makes you feel better. It dose to me

[razorburn]

If for HD and concealability isn't an issue, why not a bigger gun with higher capacity and/or firepower?

[Duckster]

I believe that if you hit the target the first time at the right place one round is enough. I went with the FN HP Practical .40 S&W, because it places rounds exactly where I want them. My point is go what works for you and perfect your markmanship;)
Everything else will take care of itself.

[lee n. field]

Faced that choice recently and went with .40. Partly though it was because I had ~500 rounds of it on hand after I'd gotten rid of my only .40.

That said, I doubt it matters that much. Pick something and buy it.

[03Shadowbob]

Both if possible :)
If I had to choose any gun for HD it wouldn't be a handgun, I can promise that, however with your two choices I would take my 11 rounds of .40 over my 17 rounds of 9mm.

[Alan Fud]

This reminds me of the type of threads I use to post years ago ... 5906 vs 4006 ... 92 vs 96 ... etc.

I ultimately decided on the .40 caliber.

[ArchAngelCD]

Why are there so many of these threads????

IMO, buying a gun solely because it has this many rounds of this over this many round of that is insane!!! If you are using this gun for SD or just shooting it for fun the criteria shouldn't be the number of rounds but how well you shoot the gun and how comfortable you are shooting the gun. You can have 16 rounds of anything but if you can't hit what you are shooting at, no number of rounds will help you!! There are times where the caliber makes a difference like if you are using the gun as a BUG while hunting but that is totally different than this.

Sorry if you think I'm getting on your case but really, these threads are totally insane. Choosing a pistol for the reason you are asking is not a bright thing to do.

CARRY WHAT YOU CAN SHOOT WELL, NOTHING ELSE MATTERS!! IMHO of course.:D

[tnieto2004]

THE MORE BULLETS THE BETTER!!!:neener:

[_N4Z_]

For HD I like 6 .357 magnums in one of my revolvers...... which is good medicine until I can get to the buck and slugs.... found in the shotgun. :D

[SweetWilliam]

The sound of the 870 being stoked with a #4 buckshot should be all the HD I need. I don't see the point of a handgun as primary choice for Home Defense.

[eerw]

.500 Smith

and you won't need a flashlight either!!!:D :D

[Stachie]

.40 S&W

[gudel]

why not have both (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=247859), 15+1 for each caliber, and one for each hand? (unless you're a pirate) :D

[Snarlingiron]

The sound of the 870 being stoked with a #4 buckshot should be all the HD I need.

So...you are going to rely on a sound for hd??? Just get a tape recorder, and save a lot of money. I'll take the 16 rounds of 9mm, thanks.

[Redneck with a 40]

Taurus 24/7, 15+1 in 40 S&W. I'd personally take the 40 cal, I'm a good shot with it, I will hit the target.:D

[possum]

well since you didn't tell us what model you are getting of what maker, i don't know if this will aply, but for some models you could get a +2 mag extension since it is for home defense and not gonna be a carry gun.

i look at it like this, if i am gonna have a home defense gun, and deciding on capacity for me is down to this formula i don't know why this is just the way i have always looked at it.

x= 4rds of 9mm to every three rds of 40.

so for example. so with 16 total rds of 9mm and 12rds of .40 i would go .40.

if i had a total of 16rds 9mm and 11 or less of .40 then i would stick with the 9mm.

but either way you go you need to get some good range time and practice with which ever weapon you choose, and outfit it with some good quality jhp's.

just curious what handgun are you plainning on buying?

[10-Ring]

HD, I'm fine w/ any of my handguns from 5 shot wheelgun to 8 shot 1911 to 15 round wundernine...it's all good!

[ZeroCool]

Hey guys, thanks for all of the replys. For those wondering, I already have a Mossberg 500 and a Kimber .45ACP for HD. The reason I want to change out pistols is because, lord forbid, I ever did have to use it, I dont want to be out of a $1000 dollar pistol that I could not afford to replace. While this may sound stupid to some, I am looking to find a reliable, less expensive HD pistol.

While I had the Taurus 24/7 in mind, the gun that I am really looking hard into is the Stoeger Cougar. I dig the manual safety and SA/DA for an HD gun. Plus, I have heard nothing but good and at $350, its a gun that I could afford to replace. Plus, its always fun to get a new toy :neener: . Believe me, the Kimber will not be replaced until the Cougar proves itself.

I know to practice and that shot placement counts, but considering that caliber/capacity would be the deciding factor on an otherwise identical gun I thought I would ask everyones opinion.

Of course, being in Maryland and such, I would even have to see if we can get the new Cougars here.... :banghead:

Please, keep the opinions coming... I'm very interested to hear what people have to say.

[Don Lu]

The sound of the 870 being stoked with a #4 buckshot should be all the HD I need.

I think that is over-rated any one who is high on meth/crack or has enough balls to break into your home is probably armed and probably insnt gonna be spooked by the noise, better be ready to shoot.

[ArchAngelCD]

ZeroCool,
Since you already have a Mossberg 500 why buy another gun? The Mossberg is only a $200 shotgun and nothing special to worry about losing. I would suggest using your shotgun loaded with #4 or 00 buckshot for HD. If you're worried about having "only" 5 shots remember, every time you pull the trigger with #4 buck you shoot 27 shots from a 2.75" shell. When you fire a 2.75" 00 buckshot shell you fire NINE 33 cal. rounds at once. There are also extenders available to increase your shotguns compactly to 10 rounds. (Not that I think you would ever need more than 5 rounds of buckshot for HD at one time)

[WeedWhacker]

It's hard to be subtle with a shotgun in your paws or hanging over your shoulder. A handgun can be inconspicuous when in view of the more timid and easily frightened people, especially when it is not visible.

Folks should look up some details on handgun rounds (http://anarchangel.blogspot.com/2005/03/lies-damned-lies-and-ballistics.html) to see that the differences between most major defenseive handgun calibers is marginal. Mix in cross-sectional density and the numbers get even closer.

End result: pick a caliber you are comfortable with and can afford to practice with as often as you can. My personal choice is 9mm due to the higher available capacity and easy-to-control recoil. The .40 S&W *would* be my choice based on numbers, save that I do not like the snappier recoil of the high-pressure round.

[razorburn]

Why would you need to be subtle when someone breaks into your house uninvited?

[6inch]

Of the two choices I'd pick the .40.

I own a 4006 (police turn-in) and have a geat deal of respect for the weapon. Good knock down power.

[Geno]

9MM

[SweetWilliam]

I think that is over-rated any one who is high on meth/crack or has enough balls to break into your home is probably armed and probably insnt gonna be spooked by the noise, better be ready to shoot.

So you think I should actually keep ammo in my guns then? I carry a Magnum Research .45 (decocker safety that disengages the trigger, love the "safeness/readiness" of it for a gun that rides in the car and on my hip). I was under the impression that just seeing it would scare the bad guy away. :neener:

Guess I should trade in my 10+1 .45's for 16 9mm's. Then I'll even buy some ammo to put in the thing. Do I need to practice with it or since I'll have so many bullets will I be ok?:D

My Sig p228 is rock solid, runs all day and the next, with any ammo and no cleaning. I have 13 round clips for that and load it with Corbon Power Ball ammo (100gr. 1475fps 483ft/lbs). Light and fast it will hit hard, and dump it's energy rapidly. I would put a vote in for a Sig of any caliber in your future. With the new 9mm loads I don't see what diff it makes if you hit someone with a 9 or a 40.

At least the Governor (she's a democrat!) here in Michigan signed the bill that we don't have to hide and wait for the cops when someone is in your home. That's probably still the best plan, if possible, for the criminal and civil procedings that will be comming our way if we as responsible citizen's protecting our home and family our sure to face.:cuss: :banghead:

[DMK]

Never count on getting a second shot.

Besides, statistically speaking, most gunfights end up being around three shots IIRC. So really it's more likely to be three shots of 9mm, or three shots of .40?

[jad0110]

Never count on getting a second shot.

Besides, statistically speaking, most gunfights end up being around three shots IIRC. So really it's more likely to be three shots of 9mm, or three shots of .40?

+1

Actually, depending on which numbers you look at, 80-90% of the time no shots are fired at all. And in those remaining cases, rarely does the round count go beyond 4. If you can't get it done in less than 4 rounds it is either because 1) you are missing or 2) you are badly outnumbered. Either way, hate to say it, but you are probably scewed regardless of what you are armed with.

So pick what you are the MOST confident with and will carry most of the time. Round count is pretty far down on my personal list of priorities. And though I may be extremely confident with my S&W 686+, I would never CCW it because it is too big. I am pretty confident with my 5 shot S&W 642, I feel that it would serve me well, God forbid I ever have to use it. Other than at work, it is with my 24/7/365.

Your confidence in your chosen piece is far more important than caliber or quantity, IMHO.

[Todesengel]

8 rounds of .45 would be plenty but since this aint an option i vote for the 11 rds of .40 ...too many ppl have the "i need lots of bullets so i can spread them till i hit something" mentality.
40 s&w is superior to the 9mm

[Srigs]

The 40 of course! Mine is 15 +1 rounds of 40 for my HD gun. :cool:

[daysleeprx]

I like 9mm (of the two) because I practice with it very often. :)

[shamrock404]

You asked for opinions and everyone has one. Mine is I like the 40 over the
9mm. I prefer the heavier bullets to the lighter ones. Pick the caliber and handgun that you can control the best and that is confortable for you to shoot. Have a nice day and a wondrful week.

[cslinger]

Use good quality defensive ammo and be able to hit what you are aiming for. Everything else is a wash IMHO.

I like 14 rounds of .45 myself or....
7 rounds of .38+p or....
17 rounds of 9mm or....

You get the point. Pick the gun that is more comfortable, the most reliable and the one you are likely to practice with the most.

Chris

[strat81]

While I had the Taurus 24/7 in mind, the gun that I am really looking hard into is the Stoeger Cougar. I dig the manual safety and SA/DA for an HD gun. Plus, I have heard nothing but good and at $350, its a gun that I could afford to replace.

The 24/7 has a manual external safety and is SA/DA. From what I understand, the Cougar is a traditional DA/SA. That is to say the Taurus is single action from the moment you rack the slide while the Cougar is double action first, and single action on the next shot unless you cock the hammer first. The 24/7 has no external hammer to cock (and doesn't need one, since it's SA).

The Taurus also has a transferable lifetime warranty. The rotating barrel on the Cougar looks interesting, but I wonder how many gunsmiths could work on it, if need be.

[RevolvingCylinder]

I'd take 8 rounds of 9mm Luger over 15 rounds of .40 S&W. I dislike the .40 S&W.

[S&W 910]

11 rounds of 40

just remember the 40 was created due to a long history of 9mm failures