5 rounds of .40 or 6 of 9mm for CC?

[ArchAngelCD]

I feel totally safe with my 5 round snub loaded with Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 135 gr .38 +P rounds.
http://www.speer-ammo.com/products/short_brl.aspx

I do understand those who set the minimum at 6 and even those who want at least 10. I'm fine with 5 well placed rounds, especially when those rounds were developed specifically for a 2" barrel. As long as I do my job, the ammo will do the rest.

 

[fastbolt]

You are an expert ex-mil shooter who trained Jack Bauer.

I thought I'd add a rambling thought about the TV character reference.

While I don't watch the show very often, I've channel surfed through it upon occasion, and had to watch an entire episode when the rest of the guys at the cigar lounge wanted to watch it one night.

Every time I've seen the lead character, Jack, face some armed, dangerous evil opponents, while being armed with a pistol ... my first and foremost thought was, "Uh-oh. Damn. The hero is only armed with a handgun in that situation."

 

[possum]

it's kinda like having a kahr k-40 as apposed to having a k-9, i voted for the 5rds of .40 for one i love .40 and all my handguns are in .40 but also I believe if you are gonna be limited to capacity you should have the better of the man stoppers, even if that sacrifices one rd of the lesser. it's just like a 1911 single stack you loos capacity compared to other guns out there in the double stack configuration b ut in return you are getting better man stoppers. this could go either way but i would say the .40 all the way.

 

[Monkeybear]

I am looking to get a CCW this Feb. I have, after much looking, decided on a MK9 or MK40. I have not yet held a CS9 so that may change.

I had already decided on which one I wanted to carry before I made this thread but I wanted to see what other people thought. The poll is pretty much tied.

I had decided on .40sw. If its more expensive Ill just have to pay more for bullets. If it kicks more Ill just have to start strength training(already started) and Ill have to shoot enough that I feel comfortable shooting the .40. What it all comes down to for me is that in the end; I may only get one shot. The chance that I may only get to shoot once means that I want that single shot to count as much as possible. That means lots of training and as big and fast a bullet as I can carry. Thats the .40sw.

 

[moonshot]

9mm

You're trying to decide between 9mm and .40sw. Been there, done that.

If you are truly equally accurate with both calibers, go with more rounds. In reality, no matter how well one can control a given caliber, one can control a lighter recoiling caliber better. Your second shot will be faster and/or straighter. This also favors the 9mm over the .40sw.

This does assume top-shelf JHP in both calibers.

moonshot

 

[RNB65]

I thinking it probably wouldn't make much difference in a gunfight. But in a small, compact gun, the lighter recoil of the 9mm is going to make the gun a little more controllable and will also tend to encourage more frequent practice. I'll go with the 9.

 

[10-Ring]

I prefer the 9mm because I can shoot it faster & can put more rounds on target per mag than the 40 cal.

 

[M.Kalashnikov]

*beep* I'm Jack Bauer every one DOWN *beep*

 

[tanksoldier]

Problem with your question is, all things CAN'T be equal. In the exact same gun, .40 will generally be perceived to be "snappier" or have greater muzzle flip than a 9mm.

In order to have the exact same perceived recoil the .40 would have to be heavier or have some other change from the 9mm version.

Having said all that I'd rather have 6 of 9mm than 5 of .40.

If I felt I needed to sacrifice capacity for power I'd carry a .357 like a 2 or 3 inch Taurus M605, or equivelent, and be done with it.

In the end this isnt even about the guns. Pretend that they are both exactly the same and Im John Rambo/Jack Bauer. What I am interest in are ballistics. Basically all other things equal which would you rather have.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I am looking to get a CCW this Feb. I have, after much looking, decided on a MK9 or MK40. I have not yet held a CS9 so that may change.

I was on the Kahr site and noticed the MK9 has a capacity of 6+1 or 7+1 rounds and the MK40 has a capacity of either 5+1 or 6+1 so you left off a round for each in your first post. Actually 2 rounds if you want to count the chambered round. A 7 round capacity is totally different than a 5 round capacity. The MK40 comes with both the 5 and 6 round mags.

I had decided on .40sw. If its more expensive Ill just have to pay more for bullets. If it kicks more Ill just have to start strength training(already started) and Ill have to shoot enough that I feel comfortable shooting the .40. What it all comes down to for me is that in the end; I may only get one shot. The chance that I may only get to shoot once means that I want that single shot to count as much as possible. That means lots of training and as big and fast a bullet as I can carry. Thats the .40sw.

Well, in that case I have to disagree with you. If you feel you want a big bullet for a big hole then buy a Kahr PM4543 in .45 cal. It's just as small as the MK40 and holds 5 rounds just like you originally willing to except only the .45 makes a really big hole. http://www.kahr.com/pistols_PM4543.html

If you're looking at the S&W CS9 you should consider the CS45 instead. The CS45 holds 6+1 rounds of .45, it's only .25" longer than the CS9 and weighs only 3 onces more than the CS9. The CS45 is the same weight as the MK40 but packs a bigger punch. http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...ted=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=15712

MK9 = $792 or Retail
MK40 = $792 Retail
PM4543 = $819 Retail
CS9 = $782 Retail
CS45 = $830 Reatil

If you really want the biggest bullet you can carry like you said in your post then buy the S&W CS45.

 

[Monkeybear]

A 7 round capacity is totally different than a 5 round capacity. The MK40 comes with both the 5 and 6 round mags.

Either way, its still a round less in .40 when compared to the 9mm. Also I dont see the point in adding an extended mag to whats supposed to just about be a pocket pistol. Anything bigger than the MK9/MK40 starts being too much bigger.

If you really want the biggest bullet you can carry like you said in your post then buy the S&W CS45

I want the biggest bullet in the smallest package. Play the a little bit bigger game and youll end up with a full size Glock 10mm.

Anyways I think I mentioned it on another thread, guy at the gunstore put a .40sw HK P2000SK V3 in my hands. All bets are off, no more MK40 for me. I think Im going to get a HK for CC. However you do make a good point. I still need to check out the CS45, just cant find one in a store to look at.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

I'd take the 5 rounds of 40 S&W every time. The 40 hits harder, bigger bullet, better track record on the street. If the difference was 10 rounds of 9mm versus 5 rounds of 40, then that would be a different story. Everyone knows you need 15 rounds of 9mm to put a bad guy down, but 1 round of 40 S&W and they are done.

 

[barbart]

Dance the Mozambique -???

This site needs a glossary! What does Dance the Mozambique mean?

 

[AustinMike]

Rather than get wrapped up in round count, pick the one you can shoot the best and the one you are more likely to be able to carry and conceal daily. Shooting a super tiny .40 with defense rounds might change your mind about that caliber in a compact package. I've got higher capacity and more potent caliber guns, but my daily carry is almost always a scandium J-frame. Why? Because it's small, light, easy to conceal - basically removes any excuses not to carry. It fits my lifestyle and 5 rounds of 38 +P is better than no rounds of anything else.

 

[Monkeybear]

Rather than get wrapped up in round count, pick the one you can shoot the best and the one you are more likely to be able to carry and conceal daily.

The whole point of the debate is to decide which is better
6 of 9mm
or
5 of .40sw

What you said was great advice, but I had hoped to avoid "buying advice" for this thread. It was a question I had asked myself and decided for myself. Im getting a HK P2000SK V3 in .40sw. I only made this thread so that I could see what other people think. Give everyone an academic discussion, as opposed to a "which should I get" thread.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

never mind!

 

[RyanM]

Isn't it 5+1 for the Kahr MK40 and 6+1 for the Kahr MK9?

My recommendation would be the PM9 for a polymer-framed gun, or MK40 if getting an all-steel one. I've heard that PM40s are much less reliable than PM9s.

If it were me trying to decide between those two, I'd get the MK40, but that's only because my primary carry is also .40 caliber, and I reload .40. Wouldn't need to get more dies and components and junk. On the other hand, if it were my first gun or primary carry (if I were limited to pocket carry only or something), I'd probably get the PM9 because of the lighter weight and cheaper ammo.

In such a small gun, I'd say the 9mm's lower weight is enough of a benefit that it's really a tie, but the extra round isn't a big deal. And if comparing the MK9 and MK40, I'd absolutely rather have an MK40. And for bigger double stack guns, my preference will always be .40 S&W, over both 9mm and .45 ACP.

 

[Phil DeGraves]

"Anyways I think I mentioned it on another thread, guy at the gunstore put a .40sw HK P2000SK V3 in my hands. All bets are off,..."

Gee. Looking at one in a gunstore is a good way to decide.

When I looked at one, I thought, "this is pretty nice." When I actually got to shoot it, I was less than impressed.

 

[Monkeybear]

Gee. Looking at one in a gunstore is a good way to decide.

What can I say, it fits in my hand and its the only one that has what I want, that I know of. I also mentioned that I was looking for a range that rented them out but the only range that rents guns in Houston, that I know of, dosnt have them.

I have bought and paid for 10 guns with out being able to shoot them first. Have you never paid for a gun that you had no first hand expierence with other than handling it in a gunstore? I think for many people, such as those who dont know very many other shooters and those that dont live near ranges that rent kinda have to buy their guns based off their impressions while at the gunstore. I would even venture to say thats why some people go to the gunstore.

 

[Phil DeGraves]

Have you never paid for a gun that you had no first hand expierence with other than handling it in a gunstore?
Yes, I have and have been sorry most of the time.

 

[fattsgalore]

I know you want a answer but my answer is. I won't carry anything with less then ten, period. I'd take 5 rounds of .45 though.

 

[Monkeybear]

Yes, I have and have been sorry most of the time.

If I knew a range that rented them or had a friend that owned one then I could shoot it before I bought it. That would be awesome, however I do not own one and I only know two people with firearms besides myself. They own one pistol each. I would hate to be limited to the small selection they have at Top Gun, and my friends Baby Eage 9mm and G26, so I guess I just have to buy based off what I see in the Gunshop. Im more picky about grip ergonomics than anything else. I have strong enough hands and fingers that recoil and trigger pull dont really affect me too much.