Preferred caliber: 9mm or 40 for personal defense?

[ugaarguy]

Purely based on velocity, bullet weight, and resultant kinetic energy I like the 40 S&W; higher velocity than a 45 if you need to shoot thru thick clothing, your couch that the BG ducked behind, etc; a heavier but slightly slower bullet than a 9mm to avoid over penetration while still carrying equivalent energy to a comprable 45 ACP load. I think it's the perfect blend of velocity, weight, and initial bullet diameter. It helps that I shoot my 40 cal Glock well.
Outside of what I said above carry what you shoot best; I've been looking at 9mm myself for the savings on practice ammo.

 

[13.45]

this is a very individual and subjective choice. test-fire each model in consideration, and choose the one that feels / works / shoots best for you

 

[Mr.black]

i own a rugger 9mm with 2 15rd clips and it stays in my dresser till i need it or i want to go shoot it and i can't really use it in my room i would not have that much time to get it(room to small)so that is why i have a knife with a 6in blade under my pollow i feel sorry for the person that braeks in to my house. not really

 

[distra]

Which ever one you can shoot the best and feel comfortable with. The BG is not going to look at your pistol and say "I'll take a 9mm, but not a .40 bullet!" and run away. Most don't want to be shot with a .22, but those who don't care will go down just as easy with a 9mm as with a .40. Don't forget it's shot placement that really counts. I personally carry a .45 because I am the most accurate with that caliber, but I don't feel "under gunned" carrying my .40, 9mm, or even my .380. Just my $0.02

 

[stevelyn]

With premium defense ammo being what is today caliber isn't as much of an issue as it once was.
From what I can see from the gelatin blocks, getting shot with any of them is going to f*** up your medical records.

 

[LoadAmmo]

I notice that nobody has discussed vehicle and/or wall penetration.

What round is superior for badguy vehicle window penetration, badguy vehicle door penetration and possible in-doors house wall (sheetrock w/insulation) penetration?

Would 9mm, .40SW or .45 FMJ be superior? Or would they balance out?

Would 9mm, .40SW or .45 HP be superior? Or would they balance out?

That's what I would like to hear discussed.

 

[Vex]

LoadAmmo,

Check this out. http://www.theboxotruth.com/

This guy did some "informal" testing on such materials.

 

[LoadAmmo]

Thanks Vex.

 

[ShootingEnthusiatist]

It Came Down to Ammo Price...

Hey Chuck123! I too had the same dilemna when I recently purchased my first Glock, the 19. I've read a lot about both the 9mm and the .40. The deciding factor for me was the price of ammo. I wanted to be able to drop a box or two of ammo each week at the range so I went with the 9mm. The ammo is more researched and widely available (been around awhile).

From what I understand they share the same frame. The .40 is just supposed to be the perfect in-between weapon (9mm - .45). If you don't mind the increased ammo price then go for it!

BTW - I carry and recommend Corbon JHP 115gr. +P ammo to get the extra 'bang' one looks for in a defensive handgun.

 

[SFvet]

WOW!. The .357 Sig is to the .45 like the .357mag is........ I think the 357 Sig is definatly a round to be reckond with.

 

[StrikeEagle]

I think the 357 Sig is definatly a round to be reckond with.

I look at the round from time to time, but can never get past the high price of ammo. And the .357 Sig isn't very reloader-friendly, either.

Pretty expensive proposition if you intend to do much shooting with it.

StrikeEagle