Calibers, pick 2 of 3 (9mm, 40s&w, 45acp)

[Hanzo581]

So I know this thread can't be used as a definitive example, but do you think given the lack in popularity we'll ever see .40 go the way of the dodo? I mean, outside of a niche caliber?

 

[bassjam]

So I know this thread can't be used as a definitive example, but do you think given the lack in popularity we'll ever see .40 go the way of the dodo? I mean, outside of a niche caliber?

I doubt it will in my lifetime, and you still see a very large selection of .40S&W handguns in the gun shops. Although I admit, when I bought my first .40 in 2003 or so, I thought it was destined to become more popular and therefore figured ammo prices would eventually get closer to 9mm levels. That obviously hasn't happened and is partially the reason I got rid of it.

 

[TeaDub]

I own and really enjoy all three. If forced to give up one? The 40 would probably get axed.

Interestingly enough, if I had to choose to keep only one, I'd likely choose the 40. Thankfully, I get to keep all three.

 

[Ca survivor]

most of my guns are in .40 S&W, my carry guns are .40s or .45ACP

 

[jrmiddleton425]

I own handguns in all three calibers. The one I could get rid of without losing any sleep at night, is the Glock 23. Not a huge fan of the 1911. I have one to fool around with.

I'd never forgive myself if I sold my CZ-75, or for that matter my Glock 30. Ergo, my two choices in the poll.

 

[simonp]

Like many others I find the .40 too snappy too shoot well & too expensive to buy in comparison to 9mm.

I've always owned and shot 9mm & 45acp

 

[John Joseph]

.45 ACP period. A fella doesn't need anything else. Spend the extra $$ on ammo if you must.

 

[TomJ]

I own and have a use for all three. Since we can only pick two I went with the 40 and 45. I like the 9, but I reload and the flexibility of the 40 allows it to match the ballistics of the 9 if you use lighter weight bullets, but the 9 can't do what the 40 does as you have the option to go with heavier bullets. The snappiness of the 40 depends in large part on the gun and the round you're shooting. I was at the range over the weekend shooting 135 grain 40's that I reloaded and the recoil was not bad.

 

[Barry the Bear]

No need for 9mm, its not a favorite of mine at all it doesnt do anything for me that the other two dont and perhaps the most important reason for my distaste of it is its european heritage, that doesnt make it bad per se, but I see no reason to doubt JMB and his peer's inventions.

 

[Diliimar]

Bought 2 shields today one in 9mm and the other in .45

 

[TEAM101]

Why are so many LE agency's and Federal
government agencies going back to the 9mm ?

Largely because 9mm is cheaper. The .40 and .45 overshadowed the 9mm for at least 10 years in LE circles, it wasn't until the economy tanked, state and federal budgets were slashed, and metal/ammo prices spiked that agencies began shifting back to the 9mm.

I'm not a .40 S&W fan, much preferring the 10mm and .45acp for social work, but I predict the 9mm will again fall short in real world shootings and, if economically feasible, we'll see a new flavor of the day emerge.

 

[strambo]

.40 S&W is a great cartridge, it isn't going anywhere! Objectively speaking, it provides close to the dia. of .45 ACP and via higher operating pressure and modern HPs near the same or exactly the same terminal performance in a smaller gun with higher capacity.

That said, I voted 9mm and .45 since I got to pick 2. I don't own any .40s, rather have a 9mm for higher capacity and faster follow up shots, but nothing wrong with 'em.

 

[hdwhit]

9mm - most center-fire popular cartridge in the world. I get free brass from people who don't reload. It's an easy and cheap cartridge to reload and it's fun to shoot.

45 ACP - inherited a 1911 from my grandfather so the decision was thrust upon me.

 

[Zerodefect]

.40 rules. So I picked .40 and .45. And the .40 is a barrel swap away from .357sig if you like the idea of a really hot 9mm.

 

[Danoobie]

I have absolutely zero experience with the 40S&W thus the 45ACP and the 9mm-Luger.

Yep, that's me.

 

[Jeff H]

I have all 3 and I really like having my Shield in 40. Great shooting gun in something bigger and harder hitting than 9mm (I've had mine since before there was a 45 version). So 40 is definitely one choice. Hard to say which other I would choose. Probably 9mm because it is so cheap.

 

[jeff-10]

Every post like this turns into a .40 bashing thread. Personally I prefer the .40 first and the 9mm Luger right behind. No interest at all in the 45 ACP. My obligatory 1911 is in 10mm.

 

[Spats McGee]

If I had to choose, 9mm and .45. I've got very limited experience with .40, but I have nothing against it. I'm even beginning to think about adding one to my stable.

 

[ColeK]

I will take two 1911A1's .45 APC, one for each hand, with 3 mags for each.

 

[jmr40]

9mm and 10mm. The best loads 9mm equals anything you can do with 45. No reason to handicap myself with more recoil and limited capacity. The best 40 loads beat 9mm and 45 by a narrow margin, but the best 10mm loads beat 9mm and 45 by a wide margin. I don't dislike 40, but it ain't a 10mm.

I feel 9mm is more than adequate for any human threat. I don't handgun hunt and the best 10mm loads from Double Tap and Buffalo bore come close enough to 44 magnum loads to do anything I need to do with a handgun on 4 legged predators.

 

[TomJ]

There are absolute steals on 40 cal pistols right now, so that's something to consider. Handloading makes the ammo pretty cheap. Case in point, Sportsmansguide has the FNS40 full size, a fantastic pistol....for $342 shipped.

I just picked one up yesterday from the Georgia Gun Store for $330. It came with night sights and 3 magazines. I was at the range with it today, and it's fantastic. The recoil was not bad at all with 180 grain HST's. It's accurate and functioned perfectly. You're right that it's a steal at these prices.

 

[LoonWulf]

I own all three, all in full size guns....not much point to owning a compact here in hawaii.
I run my .45 more than either my 9 or 40, i also run everything from sedate goof off loads to supers from it so that one would be the one id keep if this were an "only 1" question.

The .40 offers a distinct step up in power from the 9, but for shooting at two legged critters im not sure how much of an improvement it would be loaded with equal quality ammo. Running hot 165s you can tell its not a 9 but i dont find it uncomfortable.

The 9s cheap to shoot has an Excellent selection of ammo on most store shelves, and is more controllable than the other two.

I chose the .45 and 9 as keepers...but honestly if you handed me either a 9 or .40 and said this is all you get, id probably chose the .40

This is all from the view point of someone who is just getting into shooting pistols.

 

[JohnnyFlake]

9mm and .45acp for me, however, I prefer the .45acp. I own two 9mm guns, and I own seven .45acp handguns! I also have a JR .45acp Carbine, which uses Glock 13 Round mags, what a gem!

BTW, I would have picked the 10mm over the 9mm if it were listed. I have two of them as well. The .45acp will always be my first pick!

 

[dropkick]

My 3 favorite centerfire rounds are 9mm, 45ACP, and .357.
Out of the three calibers I shoot more 9mm than any other, but .357 (though limited to revolvers*) is probably my overall favorite.



*I know they now make semi-autos that shoot .357, but I'm ignoring their existence as I believe using a round designed for use in revolvers in a semi-auto is a bad idea, and also somewhat dangerous, as the bullets aren't crimped into the brass and are apt to move in the magazine due to the force of recoil, and you end up with more space in the case, which changes the pressure, changes in head space which can cause feeding problems, and messes with accuracy, or you might even have a bullet fall out.

 

[Sauer Grapes]

.40 and .45. Nuff said.