[matsaleh]

I'm choosing between two options in the same gun: 7+1 of .45 vs 10+1 of .40. I'm leaning toward the .40, but I'd like to know what you all think.

I'm purposely leaving out the make/model to focus on the caliber/capacity question. This gun is to be my primary carry piece.

Thanks!

[Spot77]

I'd take the extra rounds in .40

I have a .380 that takes 7+1, but sometimes I second guess whether that's enough rounds or not. Strictly for home defense of course, I like the caliber, but I feel much better with my CZ loaded with 11 rounds of .40.

[Soap]

I'd be indifferent between a 1911 in 10mm or .45ACP. But choosing between .45 (which means 1911) and 10 rounds of .40 (which means a double stack), the choice for me is clear. .45 all the way.

[Spot77]

Why does 10 rounds of .40 mean double stack?

[FPrice]

I voted for the .45ACP but I think that you would be okay with either.

[George Hill]

Why can't you have 10+1 of .45 too?
Or what about 20+1 of 9MM?

[9x19]

I'd go for 10+1 of .45Glock... but it wouldn't replace my 20+1 9mm Glock 34 in the nightstand!!! :D

[matsaleh]

The choices are between two caliber offerings of the *same* gun. The .45 is offered in 7+1, the .40 in 10+1. I like the gun for its features, CCW ability, trigger, ergonimics, etc. Now I'm trying to evaluate the two caliber options, so I do not have the "luxury" of speculating about 10+1 (or more) of .45.

Thanks again!

[Spot77]

I think you'll find that most people prefer the .45 over the .40, so if the actual caliber is what's important to you, you probably have your answer as to which is more popular (I hate these kind of debates; they happen every week on every forum).

Which one do YOU shoot better? Can you notice a difference in the two?

Statistics and fps facts aside, I can't tell a big difference in shooting the two. Depends a lot on the gun too.

So with all of that to consider, do YOU feel comfortable with 8 rounds, or 11 rounds?

[Ian11]

If the handguns carries between 7-10 rounds, capacity really isn't much of a factor. I have respect for all handgun calibers 9mm and up for defense use. What's more important is how it shoots in my hands.

Try a .40 and .45 of similar makes. There's no clear cut winner except the one you can shoot better (even if you go against the majority).:eek: :neener:

[4v50 Gary]

I voted for the 45. Just use to it.

[Jeeper]

My answer is:

Which ever one that you will shoot more and become more accurate with.

[txgolfer45]

What Jeeper said!!! :D

Scott

[dude]

# or rounds is no way to make up for poor shot placement. As this is to be your primary carry piece you should invest the time and $$$ to see which one you shoot better. I never feel under guned w/8 +1 of 9mm from my p7 because the weapon works for me and I have full confidence in where my shots will go.

[txgolfer45]

I like the G23 in 10+1 for CCW. If I could afford a preban, then I would get even more!!! :D

Scott

[nemesis]

I carry mine and can't stand fat guns. I'll take fewer rounds and a skinny gun anyday. I've got another mag ready to go.

[10-Ring]

If I can walk around w/ my false sense of security when I carry my 7 shot Jetfire and feel secure w/ my 5 shot, j-frame revolver, I'm going w/ the caliber I am more proficient with...45 acp ;)

[Boats]

Low pressure "push" recoil or high pressure "snap" recoil?

I'll take the low pressure push. I don't like the .40S&W subjectively.

[Preacherman]

10+1 of .40 S&W for me. This round hits virtually as hard as the .45 ACP (most tests put it at 90%-95% of the larger round, depending on the ammo used), and the extra ammo capacity is a very-nice-to-have feature.

[New_comer]

Eenie... meenie... mynie... moe....


Either of the two is good to go! ;)











But 10+1 sounds reassuring!!! :p :neener: :evil:

[Tacblack]

I went with the 40 cal.

I was looking at a LE position and they offer SIG's in 2 guns the 45 and 40. I had to wonder 8+1 P220 or 12+1 P2340. Being LE I would have to go with 12+1.

This happens to be very close to post , thought I would add it. I would have to shot both and see if I sucked with one of them, cause if you cant hit the target:banghead:

[sm]

.45ACP -shot too many rounds over too many years.
I never cared for the .40.

[Glamdring]

Well I have to say I don't understand the question. You can have 10 rounds of 45 if that is a concern in a 1911. Or 7 rounds in a 40.

Will 3 rounds make any difference? :confused:

If your talking certain types of CC I might pick a 40 but would rather have a 9mm or J frame (for pocket or ankle carry).

[PowerSlave]

Make mine 45 :D

[WonderNine]

Hmm....I'd prefer 15+1 or 17+1 or 9mm anyday.

But given the two choices I'll go with .45. And what's wrong with 10mm? The .40 would be dead last on my list for a defensive caliber 9mm and above.

[only1asterisk]

Glock 36 vs. Glock 27?

Tough one,

David

[TheOtherOne]

I would go for 10+1 of .40 S&W because if you are ever attacked by 11 terrorist ninjas at the same time, you'll be sorry if you went with the other option.

[macd]

I have a Steyr M40 and I bought a Sigma 15 round mag and just cut a matching notch. Now a .40 with 15 rounds. I'd say I have my cake and eating it too! Nothing, I mean nothing, is a accurate as my Steyr.

[ACP]

I'm guessing you're debating between a 1911 and a Glock 23.

I vote 8+1 of .45 ACP using Wilson 8-rd. mags. Lower recoil, better trigger, no KB concerns, ammo costs the same.

[seeker_two]

.45ACP...

1. Proven caliber for 100 years.
2. Why shoot a "wannabe" caliber?
3. I own 10rd. .45ACP mags, too...:D

[Mike Irwin]

My first choice is always 6 of .357 Magnum.

If forced to pick between the two listed, I'd pick the gun that I shot best, and which fit my hand best.

Given that they're both the same, however, I'd still go with the one that felt best in my hand.

[dsk]

I suspect the 7+1 .45 is available with 8 round magazines. In that case it should be a no-brainer. For some odd reason the thought of being set upon by 11 terrorist ninjas doesn't concern me. A solitary, large nutcase does.

[cocojo]

The 45 and 8+1. Bigger hole & bigger hit.

[Chupacabra]

Tough choice for me as I like both calibers and IMO capacity really isn't an issue. Choosing the one to carry usually depends on which side of the bed I woke up on that morning! Some days I like carrying my USP, other days my .45. I feel comfortable with both.

Today I love my .45 with 8+1 (but I would feel just as comfortable with 7+1).

[Shmackey]

It makes no difference.

[taoshooter]

I got a .40S&W 10+1 double stack (P16-40 Ltd) - then found myself going right out and getting a single stack .45 7+1. I love the .40 but have to admit the .45 is more comfortable and more convenient even if it does have less rounds.

Also, I've found its much easier to find exta mags, mag carriers, etc, in stock at the local gun shops for the .45 than my double stack .40.

I think that if your accurate with the .45/7 the extra rounds of the .40/10 become less important. And I don't know about you but whatever gun is more comfortable is the one I have a habit of taking out of the range bag more often for practice.

Good luck with whatever you get!

[Sean Smith]

I'm purposely leaving out the make/model to focus on the caliber/capacity question.

That's called focusing on the wrong thing.

[spacemanspiff]

psssshaaw! you all are wrong! R - O - N - G wrong! this guy obviously needs 100+1 capacity with a calico in .22lr or maybe 50+1 with the calico in 9mm.






:D i voted for .45acp, but if its 1911, you can have reliable 8 round mags.

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

Probably a little late weighing in, but I voted for the
7 + 1 of .45 ACP!:uhoh: Why?:rolleyes: Cuz, that has
been my choice of carry for many, many year's.:D

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[OF]

I'm with Sean on this: there's not enough info to make any kind of relevant comparison. Since there is similar performing ammunition available now in both calibers, the major factors in deciding which way to go all have to do with the gun: recoil/handling, gun reliability/longevity, mag reliability, ammunition performance in whatever the barrel length is, etc.

As far as 8 vs. 11 rounds of ammo on hand, the difference is so minimal that it's pretty far down on the list of important things to consider when buying a pistol, IMO.

- Gabe

[Mike Irwin]

Hey Guys,

Please note that the original post says "two options in the same gun."

It doesn't say two different guns, so there's a lot less liklihood of there being vast differences in the ergonomics.

[OF]

Yeah but it's not just ergonomics. There's a big difference between two guns of the same type but diff. calibers. There's more to the difference between a G26 and 27, for instance, than the capacity. They handle differently and have different reliability records. The 9mm and the .40 have different reactions to barrels that short, etc. Same with, say, a Sig 229 in .357SIG or 9mm. Or a 1911 in 9mm and .45...

My point is that the capacity and caliber difference means almost nothing by itself (especially when there's only a 3-shot difference between the choices). Only when you look at the platform/ammo combination can you really evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each pistol and make a relevant recommendation.

Maybe a better example of this would be a choice between 10mm and .45. If the platform was a 1911 I'd recommend .45, but if it was Glock 20 vs. 21 I'd recommend the 10mm. So the decision is only relevant knowing the platform. Same thing if it was a G23 vs. a G19. There's more to that decision than just the capacity. I don't want to tell the guy that 8 rounds of .45 is better than 11 rounds of .40 becuase maybe it is and maybe it isn't. It depends.

Sean said that focusing on this issue without looking at the pistol itself was putting your attention on the wrong criteria and I agree.

- Gabe

[firestar]

If they are in the same gun and there is no increase in grip size, I would go for the higher capacity everytime. I like the .45 better but .40 is almost as good and with 3 extra rounds, you can miss 3 more times.:D

I would take a 13+1 9mm if the trend continued.;)

[Berg01]

I've always had a preference for the .45 ACP caliber, and I didn't care much for the .40S&W caliber until I got my CZ 75B in .40 (at a price I couldn't refuse!); with enough practice, I've gotten used to the snappier recoil, which really isn't so bad with the full length steel framed gun.

[matsaleh]

Wow! :what: Thanks for all the great feedback and suggestions. I do appreciate it.

Still, there seems to be a little confusion about the question, so please let me clarify: I didn't want to choose between two different makes or models in this case; I'm evaluating a specific model that comes in two flavors of interest to me. The gun I'm considering is the Bersa Mini FireStorm (http://www.firestorm-sgs.com/mini.htm), distributed by SGS. Looking at the specs, there are some differences in the two guns, but they seem minor to me. I have handled the .40 at a gun shop (the trigger is sweet, IMO). I have fired neither gun.

I want a reliable and reasonably powerful carry gun, but money is an issue. I've read good things about Bersa in general, and on this board have read a few favorable posts about the Mini FireStorm (yes, I know there is confusion with the same-named Llama model, but that's not what I'm interested in). I can walk out of a local gun shop with a NIB gun in this model for under $350, which is a great deal for such a package, IMO.

Thanks again!

[txgolfer45]

matsaleh,

Why not save up additional money and get something better than a Bersa or Llama. Just a thought.

Scott

[OF]

I bought my Glock 29 used but in great shape for $425. It can be done, just got to look around for a bit.

I can't offer any advice about the FireStorm...although in a compact gun I'd go with 9mm over .40

- Gabe

[dsk]

I'm just scratching my head as to how they can take a frame capable of holding ten rounds of .40, and bastardize it so that it only holds seven .45 rounds. If you can hold ten .40's you should be able to hold at least eight .45 rounds given the same amount of space.

[Dr.Rob]

No kidding, doesn't everyone have 8 rd mags for their single stack 1911's?

[355sigfan]

It depends on the guns more than the caliber. Are chosing between a Les Baer 1911 and a Smith 4006. In which case I would take the 45 acp. Actually I would take a Kimber or any medium quality 1911 over most any 10 round DA 40's. However if your talking a sig 220 vs a sig 229 then the 229 gets the nod. The calibers are preaty much identical. I would not get worked up about the 3 rounds between 7 and 10. I would rather look at the pistols that they were to be fired in.
PAT

[STEVE M]

If the choice was for me I 'd pick (and did) the 7rnds of 45. But you wanted

us to choose for you. If you are unsure about stopping power (whatever

that is) and recoil enough to ask, then I think a few extra rounds might be

more comforting so I picked 40 for you.

[Ringer]

Now that you have "exposed" the gun in question I'll give my $.02.

I own the Mini9 which is the same as the .40. I handled the the .45 while looking at the 9. I know the specs look very similar, but these guns definetly have a somewhat different feel. I would really try and get your hands on both guns side by side. I had a hard time finding them locally. I finally found them both at a gun show to handle them.

[M1911Colt .45]

Id trust solely on the .45 ACP over the .40 S&W :) :)

[txgolfer45]

.40 S&W in a Glock 23. Great combination. And I actually get 13+1 with it!

Scott

[mattw]

If you need more than 7+1 you should'a brought an extra mag.

[doofus]

Wow...way to resurrect a 3.5 year-old thread.

[mattw]

Wow I didn't even look at the date.. I just saw it at the top of the Autoloaders page.

Some people will do anything for a post count :rolleyes:

[Walkalong]

What gun. It makes a difference. I voted .45.:)

[lurkersince03]

:) Welcome to THR?

[doubleg]

Wondernine, youd throw out 115 grains before you would throw 180 or 165 at the almost the same speed? That defies logic. But you know what they say, to each his own.

[possum]

i say the 10+1 rds of .40 for the simple fact that ammo is cheaper and therefor cheaper to shoot. which allows for more trainning value for less money and allows you to get better with the weapon.

[03Shadowbob]

I didn't notice the date either. But my, how things have changed in 3 years. For $350 I'd go with a PT145 and have 10+1 rounds of .45