40, 9MM or 380

[Russ]

I think it depends on what you feel comfortable carrying. If it were me I would carry a .45. However, since I have to wear dress pants and shirt to work I carry a Kel-Tec .380. It is very light and fits in my pocket. However, I think this is a minimal round for self defence. I would not volunteer to get shot by one but if you can carry a larger caliber and easily conceal it, I would go for the biggest bullet you can get. I personally like the .40 cal. I like 9mm's as well. Given the choice, I would go for the bigger bullet. More weight, bigger hole, etc.

Depends on what you have to do to keep the weapon concealed. In most states, you have to keep that thing out of sight or you are in violation of your CC permit. I never felt inadequate with the .380 but if I actually had to use it I might have. I have a Kahr Arms MK40 which lends itself to concealed carry. However, this if not a light gun and believe me, weight matters when carrying all day.

I guess I would carry a .22 is that is all I had access to. They will kill no doubt, However, if you shoot someone with a weak caliber, they may be able to kill or hurt you before they drop. When in a life of death situation, I would not go less than the .380 and preferably a larger caliber if I could conceal it and bear the weight.

I used to think weight didn't matter too much until I started carrying full time. A few ounces makes a difference.

Choose the weapon you like the best. Consider the caliber and the weight of the gun and how easy it is to conceal. Just make sure you can shoot whatever you carry with accuracy and you know it will do what you want.

I said I would have a .45 if I could carry it and keep it concealed given what I have to wear to work. My real preference would be a 12 ga. shotgun. That way, I know I can rarely miss and the person coming at me won't be getting up any time soon.

If you like the .40 XD, they by all means get it. As they say, different strokes for different folks!. Good luck on your choice.

 

[BigSlick]

Two good options come to mind given the constraints of your poll :

Sig or Glock. 229, 239 or G23, 32 etc..

Both cheap, multiple calibers available inexpensively and any will get the job done.

Personally I carry a Lightweight Commander in 45 ACP. I have carried others (and do still when the situation warrants), but for reliability, feel, suitability to purpose and effectiveness it's hard to beat.

Better yet, take an afternoon, take your woman to a local range and rent a few until you find what feels best.

You will probably find something that you both like and can buy two of them

But seriously, get a 45 ACP

BigSlick

 

[RUBZERK]

Well i have not shot a xd-40 yet, But from what i read on the net. I think its what i want.

I have the 9mm, but i want a larger cal gun for carry.
I mainly carry on weekends when im out & about with the wife. Besides now that hot weather is here, the nut cases come out, I need to get on the ball.

But as i read more & more, My eyes like the walther p99 40 cal.

 

[Too Many Choices!?]

.40 hands down...

This is to be a concealed carry weapon, correct? You want it small, correct? Small means little barrel, correct? Little barrel means 9mm, gets no velocity to do damage upon impact. See where this is going? My smallets gun(Taurus PT-145 sub-compact) shoots the biggest bullet for this reason, but .45 was not an option so i said .40. I love my Glock 23, chambered in .40 but since it is a mid-sized frame gun ,and I am a small-framed man, I can't carry it like I would like to(24/7). It does get called to duty at night or if I can wear a wind breaker though...

PS I would not trust 9mm coming out of any barrel length short of 5-6"(preferably 9"+ or so) , but maybe that's just me I think the numbers speak for themselves...9mm needs nine inches of barrel to be effective, .40 needs 4", and .45 only needs 4" also

 

[355sigfan]

There is no appreciable difference in terminal performance from the 40sw and 9mm regardless of barrel length. The overall difference is about .05 caliber equal penetration and about 40 footpounds or so big deal. I used to like the 40sw then the 357sig. But I learned the 9mm is fine.
Pat

 

[RUBZERK]

the end result

Well, i guess its time to put an end to this poll because i went with the SA XD-40 4" with SS slide.

 

[Pietro Beretta]

For some people... Higher capicity doesnt matter.

If they Live in California, you can only have 10 rounds anyway.....
I just wish SA would make a 10round magazine for the .40 XD SC.

Its only 9 rounds, or 12 rounds. That extra bullet would make me feel... that much safer

 

[RUBZERK]

If your really good, you only need 1

 

[browningguy]

I voted for the .40, that's my main carry gun (Browning High Powers). But I do have a EAA Witness P in 9mm that I carry occassionally. 33 rounds of 9mm or 21 rounds of 40 (I only carry one spare mag), sometimes it seems like a toss up.

 

[1911.45]

40S&W is, without doubt, IMO, the obvious choice of these calibers, unless the pistol choices were limited to a pocket gun like a Kahr PM9 or PM40, then I would choose the PM9 and load with 9mm+P.

For target/practice purposes, 9mm is fine. For target purposes, .22 is fine. But for a defensive round, 40 S&W is a more potent round, IMO, than 9mm. While 40S&W factory loads are a little more expensive than 9mm, you're worth it. There is plenty of data to support law enforcements switch to 40S&W and 45ACP; it is just a more potent round.

Forget the 380; there is just no point unless someone gave you a pistol or you already owned something in 380.

I carry a Glock 23 when I want or anticipate a need for high round capacity, but otherwise I carry a Wilson Combat CQB Compact in 45ACP.

For the very best target/practice/competition/defensive pistol, get a 1911 in 45 caliber. Unless deep concealment is essential, such as pocket, ankle, belly, or similar carry, a 1911 conceals easily carried IWB.

 

[355sigfan]

I agree on the 1911 I love my CQB and Kimber Custom. But as to the 9mm vs the 40 there is not much difference. The 40 expands about .03 caliber larger with the same penetration with the best loads. For this you pay with much more recoil and less capacity and more expensive ammo. Plus the KB risk factor. I dropped the 40 and 357 sig the 9mm is fine. If you want more jump up to the 45 acp.
Pat

 

[Golddog]

A lot of .380 pistols are blowbacks, giving them substantial recoil. Since there are 9's close in size to .380's today, it seems silly to go with the less effective round.

Since 9's are cheaper to shoot, you'll practice more than with a .40. A lot more practice is worth a lot more than a slight increase in power.

 

[Pietro Beretta]

If they Live in California, you can only have 10 rounds anyway.....
I just wish SA would make a 10round magazine for the .40 XD SC.

Its only 9 rounds, or 12 rounds. That extra bullet would make me feel... that much safer

Well I found a Factory Magazine for the SA XD SC .40 that holds 10 rounds.
I called them up to make sure it was a 10 round magazine for the .40 SA XD SC model, and indeed it is..

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/...gid=&mscssid=H3K1GFNJ1UE49K6797PR4E5GXT12AW5D

 

[pezo]

I vote for the .38 super.

 

[asleepinTucson]

My employer dictates what rounds and firearms we carry on and off duty. The selection is 9mm or 38 special. So a glock 19 on duty, glock 26 off duty or my S&W model 36. With +p ammo offerings I'm ok with these two allowed loads, although I would prefer they let me carry .40 or.45

 

[straycat999]

I'm waiting on the gunshop to get in its shipment for my XD 40. I like the option of a conversion 9mm barrel down the road, if I do a lot of target shooting.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

9mm.

More ammo, easier to buy, cheaper to shoot, and I think it's all that's needed in a social setting.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

I tend to get most designs in 9mm, if available. Ballistically, the .380 is definitely inferior to either 9mm or .40. Add to that the fact that a majority of the .380s are straight blowback and you get a gun/cartridge combination that is less effective and slightly more difficult to shoot. Ammo is a bit more expensive as well. 9 vs .40 is a bit more problematic. From the stats I've seen .40 should have a slight edge, 9mm wins out, of course, on firepower (capacity). The edge is there, but it's not overwhelming, so boils down to what you like better. I usually buy 9mm b/c I want to shoot the gun alot and ammunition is much cheaper than .40.

 

[buddyRoland]

40SW is good but 9mm's For me

I love the 40sw but shoot the 9mm better and the ammo is cheaper. I also carry Corbon +Ps and Hydra-Shoks for personal defense.

 

[double0757]

.40 S&W

Money no option .40 cal. Good penetration and consistent expantion, and bigger hole than .9mm or 380. Accurate as a .9mm with little less capacity.

Double "O"

 

[355sigfan]

Money no option .40 cal. Good penetration and consistent expantion, and bigger hole than .9mm or 380. Accurate as a .9mm with little less capacity.

Double "O"
END QUOTE

The truth. The 40 is usually less accurate in simular pistols from a mechanical rest (eliminates human error) Groups usually range from 20 to 50% larger. Not sure if its a rifling twist issue or what. As for penetration and expansion the 40 only beats the 9mm by about .03 to .05 caliber if the best loads are compared with equal penetration. For this advantage you gain a fair amount of extra recoil, weapon wear and tear, and more expensive ammunition. I used to be a big 40 fan but now I am not.
Pat

 

[Too Many Choices!?]

355, Not to be a jerk or anything but,

Please explain this,"extra wear and tear", that a .40 will have over a 9mm and please show any citations on the .40 being less accurate from a mechanical rest ...
Are you saying that .40 cal weapons use 9mm slides, springs, or other parts? Because I always asssumed that a firearm was designed with the specific caliber that it was going to fire in mind ...
Please let me know why my Glock 23 in .40 S&W will wear out before a Glock 17 in 9mm assuming both were designed with it's own cartrige in mind ?

 

[GunGoBoom]

I personally don't have much use for .380 or 10mm kurz. [.40 s&w]
Of the choices here, I'd say go with 9mm.
If you get a chance to fondle/shoot a .45, don't pass it up.
My favorite auto calibers are, in order.
10mm, .45 acp, 357SIG, 9mm.
I'll let you guys shoot the rest.

+1, Cept mine are 9mm, .45 acp, 10mm, .45 super, and .38 super, in order. Never had a .357 sig, but they don't appeal to me.

 

[355sigfan]

Please explain this,"extra wear and tear", that a .40 will have over a 9mm and please show any citations on the .40 being less accurate from a mechanical rest ...
Are you saying that .40 cal weapons use 9mm slides, springs, or other parts? Because I always asssumed that a firearm was designed with the specific caliber that it was going to fire in mind ...
Please let me know why my Glock 23 in .40 S&W will wear out before a Glock 17 in 9mm assuming both were designed with it's own cartrige in mind ?
END QUOTE

Ok first for the wear and tear. Most 40's are simply rebarrled 9mm's. Glocks even use the same recoil spring for their 40's and 9mm models. Nearly all 40's are identical in dimensions to their 9mm parents. The 40 is also a high pressure cartridge with high slide velocities. It beats guns up faster. For example Glocks in 9mm like the 17 have gone 180000 rounds and are still ticking. 40's have quite at 5000 or 6000 rounds. Some go longer but there is a disturbing trend for 40's to have a much shorter service life.

Then there is reliability. According to a DOJ report I read and have 85 % of the 9mm and 45 acp guns passed their reliability and safety standards. Only 60% of the 40's and 357 sigs passed.

As for accuracy read some of the comparisons in Gun Tests and the other gun magazines. You will usually see the 40's grouping large. In my own personal experience most 40's seem to shoot anywhere from 20 to 50% larger groups. Did you ever notice how no 40's are use in competition where accuracy matters more than speed like bulleye. 45's and 9mm's dominate this game no one serious uses a 40sw.

Your GLock 23 is nearly identical to the Glock 19 in 9mm except the barrel has a larger diameter hole and over all weight is a fracton more.

The ballistic advantage claimed by the 40sw is slight. The best 40 loads penetrate about 12 to 14 inches and expand from .65 to .75 caliber. The best 9mm's penetrate from 12 to 14 inches as well and expand from .60 to .70 caliber.
Pat

 

[halvey]

I think it depends on what you feel comfortable carrying. If it were me I would carry a .45. However, since I have to wear dress pants and shirt to work I carry a Kel-Tec .380. ….. I used to think weight didn't matter too much until I started carrying full time. A few ounces makes a difference.

Russ nailed it. You need to figure out what you can carry ALL THE TIME. If it's just for shooting paper, well then whatever you like is fine.