About ready to flip a coin... (9mm vs .40)

[Corner Pocket]

For a while now I've been looking at various 9mm semiautos that are available. I've just about settled on getting the Ruger SR9, having handled a few of them at gun shows and I really like the look and feel of it. However, I've also read some stuff about the .40s from various manufacturers that are out there. I've not handled any .40s yet and have never shot one... (I have shot a couple of 9mm.)

I had mainly been leaning toward a 9mm in anticipation that my wife would occasionally do some shooting with it. But as we've talked more about it, she would likely be shooting it very little, as she simply isn't "into guns" as much as I initially had thought. So my idea of getting a 9mm (to have a bit less recoil for her to deal with) has pretty much become a moot point.

Having said that, what advice would you care to offer as to which of these two calibers is the best choice? FWIW, whatever I end up buying will probably become one of my concealed carry guns, taking its turn with a .357 wheelie and a .45 semi. Any insight, word of wisdom, note of caution, or whatever is welcomed. Thanks!

Corner Pocket

 

[bdg146]

As far as which one is "better" ballistically, probably the .40. You can push a little heavier bullet at about the same velocity with a .40 than you can with a 9mm. As far as which one is the "best" choice, either. It's been a while since I shot a .40, but I like the recoil of a 9mm better. It's all personal preference. You'll be fine with either caliber.

I'd just go with whichever caliber is available in the pistol you want the most. If it's available in 9mm and .40, then flip a coin.

 

[NGIB]

Have 4 9mm and 3 .40s and it just depends what you're looking for. If you intend to shoot a lot, the 9s ammo is much cheaper. The recoil difference between the 9mm and a .40 is generally very noticeable. My wife likes to shoot the 9s but doesn't care much for the .40s, likes the .45s better. If you search around you'll see the recoil of a .40 described as "snappy", 9mm not much, and .45s more of a "push" than a "snap" - and I agree...

 

[possum]

i own all .40 ad .45acp handguns, but with that said the 9mm is a great choic for many reasons. one ammo prices, less muzzle flip ad suchfor your wife, higher capcity mags, and did i say easier on the check book with ammo prices?

get what you like and what you think would be best for you. if you can go to a range that rents guns that would be best, if not simply handling them at the shops and shows like you described is great as well and will give you a good idea of the ones that you like.

not every gun that is good in 9mm is as good in .40. ie i like 9mm glocks but thier .40, .45 and 10mm models leave alot to be desierd in my opinon. i love .40 some of the best .40 handguns out there, are the xd line, kahr line, and h&k line.

 

[sandwich]

For a while now I've been looking at various 9mm semiautos that are available. I've just about settled on getting the Ruger SR9, having handled a few of them at gun shows and I really like the look and feel of it. However, I've also read some stuff about the .40s from various manufacturers that are out there. I've not handled any .40s yet and have never shot one... (I have shot a couple of 9mm.)

I had mainly been leaning toward a 9mm in anticipation that my wife would occasionally do some shooting with it. But as we've talked more about it, she would likely be shooting it very little, as she simply isn't "into guns" as much as I initially had thought. So my idea of getting a 9mm (to have a bit less recoil for her to deal with) has pretty much become a moot point.

Having said that, what advice would you care to offer as to which of these two calibers is the best choice? FWIW, whatever I end up buying will probably become one of my concealed carry guns, taking its turn with a .357 wheelie and a .45 semi. Any insight, word of wisdom, note of caution, or whatever is welcomed. Thanks!

Corner Pocket

If you want the SR9, then get the SR9. The 9mm and the .40 cal are both good rounds (I prefer the 9mm myself), so don't settle on a handgun you think is "ok" rather than a gun you really like just because you feel compelled to get the "better" round.

 

[Waywatcher]

Cheaper ammo + less recoil sold me on 9mm.

Either gun is going to poke a hole.

 

[tnole]

I own 3 1911's along with various other pistols. My wife favors her 38 snub nose, but she is an excellent shot with the 45's. The only problem for her, and one thing you might want to consider, she can not chamber a round because she lacks the strength to pull the slide. She can do this on my 9's somewhat, but I'm hoping my new Millennium Pro will help her. Bottom line, go with what you, and especially your wife, like. There is no wrong answer.

 

[Corner Pocket]

These are some good replies and I appreciate each one of them. It sounds like I need to try to find someone to befriend here in the San Antonio area who has a .40 that I could accompany to the range and shoot it a bit. You never know -- maybe someone in that category will happen by... Thanks again!

CP

 

[sandwich]

These are some good replies and I appreciate each one of them. It sounds like I need to try to find someone to befriend here in the San Antonio area who has a .40 that I could accompany to the range and shoot it a bit. You never know -- maybe someone in that category will happen by... Thanks again!

CP

If you have an indoor range in your area you can probably rent a gun in .40 caliber.

 

[cpirtle]

Definitely try the 40 first.

I am a fan of the 40 but I shoot a lot. I know several people new to shooting who were talked into 40's by an armchair commando and were intimidated by them after shooting.

I think almost anyone can handle a 40 but it's not a good starter caliber IMO.

9mm or 45acp are better cartridges for a beginner or casual shooter. As others have said, 9mm will allow you to do much more shooting because of the price of ammo and that alone could make it a better choice for you.

 

[CountGlockula]

Shoot the .40S&W.

Also, consider ammo costs in accordance with your budget.

Lastly, since you've just felt, held and look at the Ruger SR9 without shooting one...I'd first shoot one before laying down the $$$. Either find some THR member at your state or your local range that rents it out. Good luck!

 

[Cloudpeak]

For a first pistol, I'd go with a 9mm. You can always pick up a .40 (and a .45). Heck, you're not going to own just one pistol, are you?

For defense, modern advances have narrowed the differences in caliber performance, IMO. The 9mm is softer shooting and low cost so you can do a lot of practice. A solid hit in a SD situation with a 9mm is better than one that misses the target due to "flinching" with a harder shooting round.

I have 9, 40 and 45. My 40 XDSC is for sale on consignment. I didn't like shooting factory loads in the XD40. I reload so loaded up reduced loads in the 40 (and I also have reduced loads in 9 and 45). My 9mm is a full size M&P and my 45s are 1911 Springfields, both much nicer to shoot with factory loads for me than a 40 S&W in the XDSC.

Cloudpeak

 

[yhtomit]

I rented and shot an SR9 in late December (Coal Creek Armory, Knoxville, TN). I thought it shot quite nicely; with that small experience, I was not quite as accurate with it as with some of my other guns, but 50 rounds of plinking on a brand-new gun isn't a very fair evaluation process for accuracy I think the grip is excellent, and the placement of controls just fine. One thing I had trouble with: the stiffest magazine spring I have ever encounter, on any gun. Getting more than 6 rounds into the magazine was leaving deep impressions on my thumb; my dad and I alternated shooting mini-loads of 5 shots instead, because 5 was an easy number both to load and to keep track of in dividing our ammo.

I found it to be a great-feeling gun -- and it's a great bargain, too, IMO. Ruger makes good stuff I'm also glad to see them staying in the "modern handgun" race. (By that I mean high-cap, striker-fired, poly-frame -- not to cast aspersions on other excellent guns which lack some or all of those.)

9mm is a nice caliber, so is .40. I'll tell you one reason that *I* would choose the 9mm, and it's a reason that as I read your post might not apply to you at all: I already have a couple of guns in 9mm. If I buy one reloading die set in 9mm, it suddenly makes ammo cheaper for all all them. It also means that if I find a good case price on 9mm, I can amortize it more quickly, other factors being equal. OTOH, If I eventually collect 1000+ once-fired .40 shells (I have a few hundred right now), I'll be more inclined to get set up for reloading it, and to buy a pistol that fires it. (CZ-40 perhaps? Or an XD in .40?)

WRT recoil: .40 is a bit stouter, but your grip, stance, and [training / experience / expectations / mental state] are more important than the difference in recoil. Having shot just a few ,40s in my life, thus far my preference in the feel for common autoloader calibers' recoil goes .45 > 9mm > .40 > 357sig (if you can call that last one common).

If your wife might be shooting the same gun, even a little bit, be sure to have her try out (at least offer to) the competing calibers, too -- people react differently to different things; she might well prefer the feel of the .40, say.

timothy

 

[RP88]

9x19mm
115 gr (7.5 g) FMJ 1,180 ft/s (360 m/s) 356 ft·lbf (483 J)
124 gr (8.0 g) FMJ 1,150 ft/s (350 m/s) 364 ft·lbf (494 J)
147 gr (9.5 g) FMJ 1,000 ft/s (300 m/s) 326 ft·lbf (442 J)

.40 SW
135 gr (8.7 g) JHP 1,200 ft/s (370 m/s) 432 ft·lbf (586 J)
155 gr (10.0 g) JHP 1,140 ft/s (350 m/s) 447 ft·lbf (606 J)
165 gr (10.7 g) JHP 980 ft/s (300 m/s) 352 ft·lbf (477 J)
180 gr (12 g) JHP 1,000 ft/s (300 m/s) 400 ft·lbf (540 J)

either about 3-5 rounds more shots per mag with the 9mm or about 50-80 extra pounds of impact force per shot with the .40.

From there of course, recoil, cost, etc. then need to be considered.

the above numbers were pulled from wikipedia. Just thought I'd warn ya about that.

 

[Waywatcher]

Dont forget that 9mm +P+ is available... .40 is already maxed out on pressure

115 grains at about 1300fps
124 grains at 1250fps

 

[fletcher]

Both 9mm and .40 will "stop" the target if the shooter does his/her job. Personally, I would choose 9mm because of the cost difference in ammunition (more practice!).

 

[Chipperman]

.40 is louder, snappier, and more expensive.


I don't see any advantage to it, unless you like saying "Fotay"

9mm can be loaded to nearly the same ballistics.

 

[kwelz]

I really like both. The .40 is a bit better overall I think but the 9mm gives you a couple more rounds. I don't feel undergunned with either. Of course I prefer .45 to both of them.

 

[BobbyQuickdraw]

They both hit targets accurately and are persuasive to bad guys. If you shot and enjoy 9mm, and you want the woman friend to shoot, go with 9mm. (Lots of people who say they wont like shooting end up loving it)

I own a couple 9mms. 9mm actually has good penetration compared to a lot of rounds. In all honesty, if you hit a guy in the chest and he doesnt fall down from a 9mm, he probably wouldn't have fell down from a .40 or a .45.

For self defense purposes, just practice shooting the right targets. For fun, just practice shooting all the time.

Neither round is bad, I prefer 9mm.

 

[Zach S]

.40 is the best and worst of 9mm and 45 rolled into one caliber. You've got a .45, so why not get the 9mm and eliminate the comprimise?

BTW, I prefer 9mm. Its cheaper and more readily available. Also have a 9mm AR15, and buy enough calibers in bulk (9mm, .45, .223, and 12 gauge). If colt would have built a .40 SMG I may be singing a different tune. That pistol-cal AR is the most fun gun I have.

 

[R&J]

A good 9 mm is a must in any collection--large or small.

With today's ammos and good shot placement, the nine can handle two legged threats readily enough.

I find the nine every bit as much fun to shoot as the .45 ACP! And if ammo prices continue to climb, 9 mm may be your best alternative to keep your skills sharp.

Do the Ruger thing, if you like. Or consider the Glock 17 or 19, along with a couple of 33-round Glock magazines from Natchez. Expect flawless performance!

Good luck!

--Ray

 

[CWL]

You've never fired .40S&W and neither has your wife?

I would not recommend you buy anything without at least some practice with it beforehand.

If you feel comfortable with 9mm, it is enough gun. Your duty is to practice with it.
(Here's the secret, there is no such thing as "Best" caliber. ALL handgun cartridges are underpowered to stop determined humans, that's why it is advisable to perforate your opponent multiple times when defending yourself.)

 

[byf43]

I went through the same issues a few months ago.

9mm or .40 S&W?

I've read about the ability to put a 9mm conversion barrel in a .40 S&W Glock and have the best of both worlds.

.40 has the 'umph' to do the job.
9mm has been doing the job for over a century.
(When it comes to 'power', a HIT with a 9mm beats a MISS with a .40, especially if my family is using the pistol, should the need arise.)

I went over the 'pros' and 'cons' for two months.
The price was not in the equation. Price was the same.

I bought the 9mm Glock 19.
Why???

Ammo is less expensive. By 1/3 to 1/2, depending on what you buy.
Recoil. My wife and kids can shoot the 9mm easily, whereas the .40 has a 'sharp jab' in comparison.
For practice, I have (relatively speaking) a LOT of brass to load, plus quite a bit of factory ammo.

For defensive use, Federal 9BP or 9BPLE ammo will fill the bill.

 

[Corner Pocket]

It's really been good to read all of these responses, and again, I appreciate all of you who have sought to help me. From what I've read here (and subsequently pondered on), I think my best choice will be to get a 9mm. (Perhaps a compact model, to make it easier to carry.) One of my friends at work somewhat sneers at 9mm, and he urges me to "get a real gun -- a .40." I'll pursue renting an SR9 (or finding a friend who owns one) and go from there.

Thanks to one and all. Happy Shooting!

CP

 

[Zach S]

One of my friends at work somewhat sneers at 9mm, and he urges me to "get a real gun -- a .40."

Next time he says that, tell him a 10mm is a real gun, and you have no use for a 10mm special.