9mm or .40S&W?

[Bama61]

I sold my Ruger P95 for two reasons. It was really to big for me to conceal it and I wanted a larger caliber.

I intended to get a S&W Sigma in .40 but changed my mind. Then I thought that a 9mm would be a lot cheaper to shoot and started thinking about just getting that. But, I have .22's for just shooting and they are way cheaper than 9mm, so I started leaning towards a bigger caliber again.

How much more does the .40S&W ammo cost over the 9mm? How much more recoil does it have? And, Is there enough difference in the two to warrent the extra cost and recoil of the .40?

Thanks!

Bama61

 

[kirby]

To me, the shooting is about the same. But, I'm comparing to a .22
As for price. In bulk I find:
Fiocchi 9mm - $119.97 for 1000
Fiocchi 40SW - $169.97 for 1000

These are good prices for Fiocchi is less expensive than a lot of others. But I'd say a baseline for not crappy ammunition is 18-20 cents for 40SW and 12-15 cents for 9mm. This accounts for either shipping or for local sales tax.

 

[WT]

Check www.ammoman.com for pricing. Generally 9mm is less expensive in comparable loadings.

.40 cal recoil is a little more snappy than 9mm.

Terminal performance is about equal.

 

[MS .45]

I tend to shoot the 9mm better than the .40. To me, recoil of the .40 is a little snappy and more dificult for quick follow-ups. The .40 is a good round and I have friends that swear by it, it is just not for me.

 

[Biker]

I have Glocks in both calibers and truthfully can feel little difference in recoil.
I prefer the .40 because I like bigger bullets.
YMMV.
Biker

 

[gudel]

Get both. 9mm for plink-o-fun, 40 for business. while you're at it, get a 45 too. 40 recoil is negligible in my P2000.

 

[innerpiece9]

If youre going to get a .40...... you would be much better off looking at something in .357sig Hands Down!

But if its 9 or 40... Go with the 9mm.. On Target preformance is about the same, while handeling in something like the sigma might take you a bit longer to grow accustomed. (I own a p95 aswell, just got done shooting a Sigma in 9 and .40)

I would also recommend you take a peek at the Taurus PT111 and 24/7 Millenium Pro line of pistols.
I got a Stainless PT111 MilPro last Fall, over 2,000 rds thru her with NO malfunctions!
the lil MilPros cone in everything from .32 to .45..... and a very attractive price!

my .02
ip9

 

[PlasticPistolPacker]

9mm. Cheao and easy to shoot. If you're looking to .40 over the 9 might as well just get .45ACP

 

[ARTiger]

Another brand to consider is CZ. They offer either caliber in a well made, accurate package.

Looking at data on Cor Bon's site (SD ammo specialist) the main difference in a hopped up 9mm +p load vs. the 40 S&W is velocity/bullet size. They both achieve about the same energy (around 450-480 ft/lbs). The 9's do it with a fast 90-125 grain bullet moving about 200 fps faster than the 40 S&W's which are about 40 grains heavier.