.9mm, .40s&w, .45acp
- Thread starter Brad5192
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onthecount
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You're going to get a ton of opinions on this one. I had a Glock model 22, in .40 cal. To me the .40 seemed to be the perfect medium between the 9mm and .45.
If rd. ct. and control are your thing, try .22lr. If you believe in the importance of big leaks, go with the 500Magnum. 
In other words, everything is a compromise of some sort. Just make sure you can shoot whatever you're carrying. My normal carry gun is a 40s&w.
In other words, everything is a compromise of some sort. Just make sure you can shoot whatever you're carrying. My normal carry gun is a 40s&w.
earlthegoat2
Member
First off, I am going to answer my own way for my own reason just as everyone after me will too. Here is my reason:
I would get the Glock 19 in 9mm because it fits my hand the best. I like 9mm because I have other pistols chambered for it and I like those as well. I have a Browning Hi Power, had a P7, and I have a Steyr S9 on layaway.
The 9mm is just it for me. I think the stopping power thing and all that hot air is a big myth and as long as I shoot where I am supposed to the end result is going to be the same whether it is 9mm, 40 or 45. There are a hunderd anecdotal stories about different calibers not producing one shot stops and there are a hundred examples of people falling dead to a 9mm, 40, or 45 as well. They are all the same. Use good quality hollow points and practice a lot. That is better advice than what caliber to get.
I would get the Glock 19 in 9mm because it fits my hand the best. I like 9mm because I have other pistols chambered for it and I like those as well. I have a Browning Hi Power, had a P7, and I have a Steyr S9 on layaway.
The 9mm is just it for me. I think the stopping power thing and all that hot air is a big myth and as long as I shoot where I am supposed to the end result is going to be the same whether it is 9mm, 40 or 45. There are a hunderd anecdotal stories about different calibers not producing one shot stops and there are a hundred examples of people falling dead to a 9mm, 40, or 45 as well. They are all the same. Use good quality hollow points and practice a lot. That is better advice than what caliber to get.
Highcaliber
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Ahhh... Caliber Wars
The Lone Haranguer
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9mm in a G19. Glock's .45 models are excessively thick, making for less comfortable concealment. The slimmer G36 is OK but has some design oddities I don't care for. And I dislike the recoil characteristics of the .40.
Wildbillz
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If it were me? I would get a G23 in 40 S&W (Or a G22 if you like the full size gun). I would give a lot of concideration to getting a Barsto (or other quality make) drop in replacement barrel for it. This would let you shoot cast lead bullets and the brass would not have any issues for reloading. I would also concider a conversion barrel for 357Sig (Maybe). Then I would keep my eyes on Gunbroker for a G19 topend for sale and get that. The G19/17 topend would give you the abbilty to fire 9mm with the same frame as the 40 S&W. With that setup you could fire eather of the more commen ammos on the market. Find a holster you like and your G2G. Given time and the money I might get one of the 22lr conversions for it also. Reloading equipment/ componants, Mags, ammo and training.
But thats just me. Your milage may vary.
Wild Bill
But thats just me. Your milage may vary.
Wild Bill
I don't own a Glock but if I were to get one it would probably be a G-23. I shot my neighbors & liked the way it shot & handled. Just for the record I'm not disrespecting 9mm or .45. I already own 2 .40's & subcompact 9mm. I really like the size of the G-19/23-The 19 might be something to consider also as 9mm practice ammunition is about 5 dollars cheaper a box than .40.
postalnut25
Member
If you get the G22 or G23, you can just get a Lone Wolf 40-9 conversion barrel instead of a new top end. I think they are right at $100. You can find them on MidwayUSA or at lonewolfdist.com
pacerdude
Member
I guess I am biased towards the 40 s&w because I own a pistol in that caliber, and dont own a pistol in 9mm or .45acp (I hope to acquire both caliber pistols one day in addition to the .40.)
Anyway, I would go with either a G23 in .40 or a G19 in 9mm, but I have smaller hands so the medium sized models fit my hand better than the G17/22 models.
They are very reliable guns, and I think you would be pleased with either one.
Anyway, I would go with either a G23 in .40 or a G19 in 9mm, but I have smaller hands so the medium sized models fit my hand better than the G17/22 models.
They are very reliable guns, and I think you would be pleased with either one.
mljdeckard
Member
I carried a G-22 for years, but I recently shot a 17 for the first time in a long time, and I was reminded that it is one of the definitive design/cartridge combinations, it just works.
Shadow 7D
Member
What ever I darn well feel like with what ever fits in it (and by that I mean the Correct caliber)
It's all the same, it all goes bang when you pull the trigger....
It's all the same, it all goes bang when you pull the trigger....
I'm migrating to fewer calibers with age. .40 and .45 might be "better" than 9mm, but they do say "shot placement". Not sure who "they" are, but they do have a point.
I generally find 9mm more enjoyable to shoot so I end up shooting more thereby tending to have better shot placement. .40's in the small plastic autos that I carry are a bit hammering - 9mm's are fine. .45's belong in 1911's and the ones I like are more expensive than I'm willing to pay.
I do tend to like the concept behind .40's, but am not sure if it'll matter all that much with good 9mm PD rounds.
For the best Glock, I'd go with a Walther PPS in 9mm.
I generally find 9mm more enjoyable to shoot so I end up shooting more thereby tending to have better shot placement. .40's in the small plastic autos that I carry are a bit hammering - 9mm's are fine. .45's belong in 1911's and the ones I like are more expensive than I'm willing to pay.
I do tend to like the concept behind .40's, but am not sure if it'll matter all that much with good 9mm PD rounds.
For the best Glock, I'd go with a Walther PPS in 9mm.
Hangingrock
Member
Let’s see the 9mmLuger, 40S&W, and the 45ACP. Since I’ve never utilized the 40-S&W I’d have a choice to make between the other two. That said I use both and have done so extensively. I’ll admit to the fact that I own more of one than the other and that being the 45ACP. I’ve spent years and years punching holes in paper.
That said what ever meets your parameters is more important than my opinion. Advice from the multitudes cost nothing and is usually worth the same.
That said what ever meets your parameters is more important than my opinion. Advice from the multitudes cost nothing and is usually worth the same.
Big Mike
Member
9mm, it was originally designed around this caliber, Glock 17 or 19; take your pick.
I've been unfortunate enough to have a few real life experiences with both the 9mm and the .45 round. I can tell you that from those experiences, I choose the .45 over the 9mm every time. Not meaning to start any caliber wars, it's just my choice. I've never had to put a .40 into action so I can't comment from experience on that one.
Good luck!
Sarge
Good luck!
Sarge
For what it's worth, I use .40 S&W because:
• It's as powerful a caliber as I can handle well enough for self-defense (might be a tad more challenging than .45 ACP), which for me means rapid aimed fire while tracking targets.
• It fits pistols of the same frame and grip size as 9mm, which helps because other members of my family have small hands (they won't train and can't shoot it like I can, but then again they can't seem to shoot 9mm any better anyway).
• The ammo doesn't cost much more than 9mm where I live, and is more affordable than .45 ACP--not that this matters all that much to me, but since the difference in terminal effectiveness between these three calibers is not great, I'm not very willing to pay much for it.
• I was able to find more loads that satisfied my requirements for terminal ballistics, and for me this all ultimately comes down to the performance of individual loads rather than caliber, per se.
Truth be told, any of these calibers would be a good choice if self-defense is your goal, at least as far as handguns go. .40 S&W is pretty ideal in ways that fit my preferences, needs, and abilities, but that's just me. Anybody who shoots 9mm noticeably better should probably go with that because it will make them more effective overall (and they'll gain some capacity and save some money, too). Those who would feel more comfortable or confident with the largest rounds (size does have its advantages) may decide that .45 ACP is for them despite lower capacity and greater cost, and that would be a good choice, as well, especially since some people can shoot it better than .40 S&W (although in many cases I suspect it's probably the result of the fact that they're using larger, heavier pistols). Are you starting to get a better feeling of what's best for you?
• It's as powerful a caliber as I can handle well enough for self-defense (might be a tad more challenging than .45 ACP), which for me means rapid aimed fire while tracking targets.
• It fits pistols of the same frame and grip size as 9mm, which helps because other members of my family have small hands (they won't train and can't shoot it like I can, but then again they can't seem to shoot 9mm any better anyway).
• The ammo doesn't cost much more than 9mm where I live, and is more affordable than .45 ACP--not that this matters all that much to me, but since the difference in terminal effectiveness between these three calibers is not great, I'm not very willing to pay much for it.
• I was able to find more loads that satisfied my requirements for terminal ballistics, and for me this all ultimately comes down to the performance of individual loads rather than caliber, per se.
Truth be told, any of these calibers would be a good choice if self-defense is your goal, at least as far as handguns go. .40 S&W is pretty ideal in ways that fit my preferences, needs, and abilities, but that's just me. Anybody who shoots 9mm noticeably better should probably go with that because it will make them more effective overall (and they'll gain some capacity and save some money, too). Those who would feel more comfortable or confident with the largest rounds (size does have its advantages) may decide that .45 ACP is for them despite lower capacity and greater cost, and that would be a good choice, as well, especially since some people can shoot it better than .40 S&W (although in many cases I suspect it's probably the result of the fact that they're using larger, heavier pistols). Are you starting to get a better feeling of what's best for you?
I'm partial to the 26 (9mm) and 27 (40)
They are the easiest to conceal.
You can add a Pierce pinky extension on the magazine for a full grip, but have the option of removal for concealment.
My shot times for 1st to 2nd shot are nearly identical for the 27 and 23, when I put the magazine pinky rest on the 27. The "baby" Glocks shoot well for me.
Between the 26 and 27? That alone is a thread topic.
If you don't shoot much or often you may think the 40 has a "snappy" recoil, but some loads kick more than others. The 26 with +P+ v. the 27 with typical ammo have comparable shot to shot times in my hands.
If you are more interested in a range gun / HD piece than concealment then you likely will prefer the 19/23.
If you want a 45 the 30SF is concealable, but it is thicker than the 26/27. I carry the 26/27 IWB "appendix" carry; the 30 gets strong side IWB (about 3:00) in a Blade-Tech UCH.
I strongly advise shooting them (if possible) prior to purchase. Buy the caliber that shoots the most accurately and offers quick accurate follow up shots. I think accurate shot placement and quick follow up shots is paramount, assuming 9mm caliber and up.
If you consider a B27 target about 6 yards away, I would rather have a 9mm with a good +P hollow point that puts both shots in the 10 ring in under half a second (.46 for example) versus a bigger bore that puts one in the 10 and the other out in the 8. I'm not advocating the 9mm; I'm advocating selecting a pistol based on more than caliber alone. If you can put the shots on target just as quick and accurate with a 40 as a 9 then go for the bigger bore.
They are the easiest to conceal.
You can add a Pierce pinky extension on the magazine for a full grip, but have the option of removal for concealment.
My shot times for 1st to 2nd shot are nearly identical for the 27 and 23, when I put the magazine pinky rest on the 27. The "baby" Glocks shoot well for me.
Between the 26 and 27? That alone is a thread topic.
If you don't shoot much or often you may think the 40 has a "snappy" recoil, but some loads kick more than others. The 26 with +P+ v. the 27 with typical ammo have comparable shot to shot times in my hands.
If you are more interested in a range gun / HD piece than concealment then you likely will prefer the 19/23.
If you want a 45 the 30SF is concealable, but it is thicker than the 26/27. I carry the 26/27 IWB "appendix" carry; the 30 gets strong side IWB (about 3:00) in a Blade-Tech UCH.
I strongly advise shooting them (if possible) prior to purchase. Buy the caliber that shoots the most accurately and offers quick accurate follow up shots. I think accurate shot placement and quick follow up shots is paramount, assuming 9mm caliber and up.
If you consider a B27 target about 6 yards away, I would rather have a 9mm with a good +P hollow point that puts both shots in the 10 ring in under half a second (.46 for example) versus a bigger bore that puts one in the 10 and the other out in the 8. I'm not advocating the 9mm; I'm advocating selecting a pistol based on more than caliber alone. If you can put the shots on target just as quick and accurate with a 40 as a 9 then go for the bigger bore.
md7
Member
Glocks 23 and 17. Someday i will own a .45 ACP. maybe not in the Glock, and then again, maybe so. the Glock platform has worked quite well for me.
Snowdog
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- Dec 24, 2002
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- 4,606
I like and use all three. All three are easily enough to serve a defensive role.
I honestly believe trying to figure which one is "best" is pointless. It has been asked many many many times with the same results. You know that old saying from Edmund Burke that begins with "Those who don't know history..."? Well, that's why we have a search function.
I honestly believe trying to figure which one is "best" is pointless. It has been asked many many many times with the same results. You know that old saying from Edmund Burke that begins with "Those who don't know history..."? Well, that's why we have a search function.
sohcgt2
Member
My choice is .40sw in a full size G22. the gun and 2 spare mags gives the user 46 rounds in an easy to carry platform. IMO The 9mm even with +p+ ammo is underpowered. The .45acp is my favorite round, but the G21 is bulkier and difficult to conceal except for very large people. I tip the scales at 235lbs and my G21 is no dream to carry, plus the high capacity mags only hold 13 rds. While I like the .45 better, its bulk and reduced round count make it less desireable to carry around all day.
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