9mm v. 40 S&W for all around gun?

9mm Or 40 S&W

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All-around for me includes home defense, and that's where the .40 wins over the 9mm. The snappier recoil inherent in the .40 is no problem for me, even from a polymer gun. I reload both and have all the brass I'll probably ever need, so cost is very nearly a wash between them.

If I were making a recommendation for a new shooter, it'd be a 9mm.

I rarely carry either one, generally preferring a snub-nosed .38SPL over both.
 
I'l have to go against the trend and pick the .40 S&W.

There's no noticable difference in how I shoot either the 9mm, .40 or .45. I carry and own .40s that are essentially the same size as 9mms so they fit my preferred carry modes just as easily. When you look at premium ammo the price difference between 9mm and .40 is very close.

I like having a bigger, heavier bullet and even though it's a small difference it's worth it to me. Ammo availability for the .40 is about equal to the 9mm so that doesn't concern me.

I have nothing against the 9mm. If you shoot that the best and like it then that's what you should carry. The 9mm is a very potent SD round but for an all around gun, for me, it's the 40.
 
I shoot .40 right now but I have to vote for the 9mm. Simple reason being that the ammo is cheaper. The extra capacity doesn't hurt either. As for the recoil, like all things it's something you get used to. What's funny is that lately when I shoot a 9mm I'm not nearly as accurate with them as I am with .40 because I'm anticipating the recoil and when it's not there I'm like ***:cool:
 
Well, "used to" recoil or not, it slows down the time for a second shot.

I shoot a lot of 10mm, so I'm pretty comfy with recoil (beneath the big revolver cartridges, anyway). And I'm more accurate with my 10mm than my 9's, in part because the gun is more accurate and the trigger is nicer.

But that second shot comes off faster with the 9's, and the difference between the third shots is even bigger, and so on.
 
9mm

I don't own a .40 so 9mm has to be better. Well at least that's what I keep telling myself. In all actuality I love the 9mm and after 100 years or so I think it's probably put enough bad guys down to be called field tested.
 
One further thought: Anyone trying to find "one all-around" pistol ain't a reloader. So cost considerations must be based on off-the-shelf ammo.
 
To be honest, when I got my 40 I planned to sell my 9mm. I haven't sold it yet.

I wonder why. :rolleyes:
 
Ironic

Yesterday, all day long I was debating this in my own head.

I read through 8 years of old Internet material on these two calibers as I had to determine what caliber I wanted for the P2000SK.

I even went to the range last night and tried both.

In the end I am still confused and torn. But less so.

A lot of it is just ego for me.

I want the bigger bullet but of course I shoot better with the 9mm.

I want more power in my gun. But of course I'll have more confidence with the 9mm.

Here is how I view confidence: if a terrorist had my mother in a lock and I had to shoot his head I'd choose the 9mm given that I'd certainly be more accurate in the 9mm platform than the snappier .40 S&W caliber.

In reality any intelligent person knows that a .22 caliber headshot will outdo a .44 magnum to the leg.

How proficient can you become is the ultimate question?

Can you shoot a .22 cal straight through the eye? If so, then your target is brain dead that very instant and your job is done.

Human tissue is fragile and those hundredths of an inch in millimeters in the diameter of a bullet won't make that much a difference. Here on these forums we talk about this SOG knife vs. that serrated blade where a prison made POS weapon made from a toothbrush is enough to kill.
 
In reality any intelligent person knows that a .22 caliber headshot will outdo a .44 magnum to the leg.
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Not necessarily - time to do some research!

I'd suggest money well spent ('specially for newbies) would be some of Massad Ayoob's books, particularly The Gun Digest Book of Concealed Carry?

I stuck the question mark on the end since you usually get more than you expect in his books - You'd also probably do well with The Gun Digest Book of Combat Handgunnery, etc. - you just have to narrow down your field of interest.
There is a fair amount of crossover in his books.
 
basicblur said:
Not necessarily - time to do some research!

I'd suggest money well spent ('specially for newbies) would be some of Massad Ayoob's books, particularly The Gun Digest Book of Concealed Carry?

I stuck the question mark on the end since you usually get more than you expect in his books - You'd also probably do well with The Gun Digest Book of Combat Handgunnery, etc. - you just have to narrow down your field of interest.
There is a fair amount of crossover in his books.
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"Not necessarily" but most probably. Probability is what we're going after here.

And then we'd have to break that down between what would be a kill-shot rather than a wounding-shot.

In the statistical incidences of gunshot inflicted wounds, just like IED, landmines, etc., people survive losing limbs but I would suspect that the survival rate of having a bullet lodged in brain matter renders one a vegetable and anything beyond coma is just death, or the point of no recovery. Whereas grave infliction to limbs does cause a significant amount of blood loss, etc. which would indirectly lead to death over longer duration.

Regardless, I may have veered off track in this debate between 9mm vs .40 cal for all around usage. My point being that in the end marksmanship boils down to shot placement and not simply firing the largest handheld firearm that feels comfortable.
 
I would suspect that the survival rate of having a bullet lodged in brain matter renders one a vegetable...
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Well, you've been warned to do your research.

I've seen plenty of pictures of folks with big old (multiple) nails shot into their head with nail guns etc, and they came out in pretty good shape.
It doesn't take much research to see that a number of folks with bigger caibers than you're talking have survived shots to the head, and were not "vegetables".

You're also mistakenly thinking you're going to put one through the eye - during a SD encounter, it would be a lucky shot. There's also the probability that bullets ('specially small caliber as you suggest) can be deflected by the skull - not an uncommen event.

In any event, the goal should be to stop - not kill, maim, etc.
 
The OP's question pertains only to two specific calibers however and the deceptively simple "all round better". Shot placement being equal, won't often matter in the real world but adding even one more well placed shot on target seems a worthwhile trade-off to me. Again, defensive situations are but one usage. If an individual were to own (or later purchase) a carbine in 9mm that took factory Glock magazines then a G17 would hold a distinct edge in general usage over an H&K chambered for 40 S&W. Always angles the individual should weigh as an individual.

I grew up to gruesome tales of shootings gone awry and it is indeed fascinating what the human body can sometimes endure but unlike a boxer the typical bully does not react well to being punched when thinking he held the advantage. I cannot say what his reaction to being shot would be though I suspect with most encounters averaging 3 shots...
 
I am assuming I can only choose one which is a bad position to be in to start with. So assuming I can only have one, then it depends on where I am. I want the most common caliber for the area I will be operating in. In Paris I want 9mm. In certain counties around here I want .40. In other counties I want 45 gap. If I were on a camping trip with buddies who often wear dark suits, dark sunglasses and earpieces I want .357 Sig. In certain parts of Texas I want 40 Long Colt. In Alaska I want something a whole lot bigger than any I already mentioned. In Umpa Lumpa land I could get by with a .25 short. So it all depends.
 
Robbins290 said:
benatilstate said:
My vote goes to the 9mm, primary due to ammo cost.
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+1 on cost.
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Why do we have to choose? Get both!

I had G17/G26 and switched to G22/G27 and got 40-9 conversion barrels. Now I can practice with cheaper 9mm at the range and carry 40S&W. I have a M&P40 and also thinking about getting a conversion barrel for it. Best of both worlds. :D

Here's my G27 with Lone Wolf conversion barrel and Pearce +1 base extension.

attachment.php
 
Get a 9mm. My first handgun was a 9mm but then I sold it and bought a .40. My girlfriend doesn't like shooting the .40 because of the recoil and the ammo is more expensive. Sure it's less potent for self defense but between 9mm-.40S&W-.45ACP, I still haven't found a better caliber. I'm looking to go back to 9mm for the less expensive ammo and so my girlfriend can enjoy it.
 
In certain parts of Texas I want 40 Long Colt. ? 45 Long Colt?
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What, you don't have 40 Long Colts where you live? Too bad, there are sweet shooters and.......

Dang it, you caught me in a flub up. I hate it when that happens but good eye.
 
If I actually READ the OP it says "all around gun" so I vote 9mm. Nothing wrong with the 40 but I actually consider it to be an in between cartridge. 9mm is cheaper to shoot by a long shot so I like it more.

It is absolutely necessary that I ignore the OP and state that the 12g shotgun is the best "all around" gun. More ammo choices. Ammo is not under glass at Wallyworld. Better for skeet shooting, duck, turkey or deer hunting AND....wait for it...you don't have to aim in sd situations.
 
jrdolall said:
12g shotgun ... you don't have to aim in sd situations.
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Actually you do for closer SD ranges.

When I tested various 00 buckshot loads at 7-15 yards, shot patterns were around 4"-8" and you may miss human sized targets if not aimed.

Shotgun pattern at 10 yards (see 3:00 minute mark) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXz_Aftj8rE&feature=related

Back to OP.
 
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I shoot both and am proficient with both. I will say that 9mm is cheaper to shoot for practice and practice is very necessary to become proficient. In my case .40 is more available than 9mm since it seems everyone around here shoots 9mm and .45 acp.

I would have to place a vote for 9mm.
 
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