9mm vs. .40SW vs. .357Sig

[twoblink]

First, this is not a 9mm vs 45ACP debate.. so please, put down the flamethrowers people

I have a .40SW, and I like it, but the recoil is a bit more "stout" compared to the 9mm.

Am I really gaining all that much, for the extra recoil, or no? I don't mean numbers, (I can download them from Winchester's website as well.. and I have) but I mean in terms of real street, real world, beat cop, type of numbers, am I gaining all that much going .40SW vs. a 9mm?

As for .357Sig, I like the round a lot, and probably will swap to it later on, when it becomes cost effective (barrel swap!!) am I'm wondering if I'm gaining all that much from swapping from a .40 to a 357Sig..

 

[George Hill]

Not really. Stay with what you have and get used to it.

 

[Pheonix]

As I have never had the chance to play (prolly a poor choice of words) with a .40, how would you compare the recoil to a 9mm? (120%, 115%?)

 

[10-Ring]

Using quality defensive ammo, I don't think you're gaining much to justify sticking w/ a caliber you're not happy with. That was basically the reason I sold off my 40's. I'm very satisfied w/ 9mm & 45 acp (for those times I wanna go BIG ).
As for the 357 sig. I really enjoy shooting that round. Nice flash, big boom, accurate & an attention grabber! I agree, get yourself a barrel when it becomes cost affective

 

[TheMariner]

I love teh .40 and consider the kick worth the extra metal.... I don't have the money to go buy a pre-ban mags for a gun capable of using them... So I settled with the .40S&W caliber for the P99... 10rounds without too much weight...

In the beginning, it was alot of kick. But just today I belted out 10rds (165gr WIN) in just under three seconds with all of them landing inside the 7ring of a human COM target and five landed inside the 8ring; three landed inside teh 9ring...

I'd say if a tiny guy like me can handle going that fast, just about any guy can.... You'll get used to the recoil... soon you won't even notice.

The .40 is a fine round that will do you well, especially if the high capacity ban never lifts or if carrying 14 rounds of 9mm is too heavily or bad balance for you.

 

[stans]

As good as the .40 S&W may be, if you cannot handle it as well as a 9mm, then you are doing yourself a disservice by trying to make it your primary defensive weapon. Stick with what works best for you and forget the rest.

 

[BerettaNut92]

I'm more into personal preference when it comes to 9mm, 40SW, 357Sig, 45ACP, 38Sp...because they all suck compared to a 12ga or .223.

I stick with the 9mm because...well, it's easy to shoot, it's fun to shoot, and I shoot it alot. I do good with it. Same reason other guys like their .40s and .45s.

 

[Island Beretta]

Whilst I know and see (e.g. impact on steel) the effect of the .40 I stick with the 9mm for personal defense. For me (you may be different) the 9mm allows faster firing, quicker shot to shot transitions and less kick. In my environment where you are usually attacked by at least 3 gunmen, this speed is essential!! A good hollowpoint will carry you far. IMHO, I think the Corbon 115gr. +P is one of the best available..

Our police force carries 9mm Brownings and quite often they are able to outshoot these gunmen. These gunmen incidentally carries .40 and .45 caliber weapons that police and civilians are generally not allowed to carry.
Another one of those strange things

 

[mete]

From all the research I have done there isn't any difference in actual street use between the 357sig,40 and 45 while the 9mm is not as good . My own observations with 4 legged things is that the 40 and 45 are the same and are noticebly better than the 9mm. However bullet placement is the most important thing .For self defense use premium ammo and pick the gun and cartridge you shoot best with.

 

[rebbryan]

http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs10.htm
skip past the shotgun info

 

[Marko Kloos]

I am not too fond of the .40S&W caliber, although I do like the .357SIG.

That said, I prefer the 9mm over those two calibers. The practical increase in terminal ballistics is marginal, and it is bought at the expense of added recoil, more wear on the weapon, less controlability, and significantly higher ammunition cost.

 

[Chipperman]

Use what you shoot best.
An "A" zone hit with a 9mm is better than a "B" or "C" zone hit with a .40

 

[Abner]

Like the others have said, stick with what you feel the most comfortable with. I don't think that you are loosing much going from the 40 to the 9. I have a Sig229 in .40 that was my carry/home defense pistol for a year until I bought my Sig225 9mm. The 225 is much easier to shoot faster, easier to hold onto with sweaty hands (ok, the grip is thinner) and ammo is much cheaper. So, I now use the 225. I am loosing about 140 ft-lbs of energy between my .40 and 9 defensive loads but am glad for the increased controllability.

 

[Scoob]

I have all three. The 9mm is more controllable. The .40/357sig are more powerful. You can't go wrong with any of them, just need more practice to master the .40/357sig. Between the .40 and the 357sig I see them as one in the same, but it's all opinion. The 357sig make big energy numbers because it shoots a lighter smaller bullet. The .40's energy is lower because it is a bigger heavier bullet. It's up to you whether you want more energy or more size/mass/momentum. The power is the same, just two different ways of useing it. The 357sig can shoot heavier bullets and the .40 can shoot lighter bullets and both do well with them. The 357 throws light bullets better while it doesn't match the .40 with heavier bullets. The 9mm may still be better than both in the real world when controllabilty comes in to play.

This is the OPINION that I have after doing lots of research to decide what I wanted to carry. After all this I came to the conclusion that the 155gr .40's have the best ballistics followed by the 125gr 357sig and 124-127gr 9mm. Controllabilty is (not suprisingly) the exact opposite, 9mm, 357sig, .40.

In the end I carry my 9mm the most, but make your own decision based on your opinions and practice. I'll admit that all that time spent "studying" would probably be better spent practicing