Trying to Decide Between 9mm and .40

[RPCVYemen]

Shoot 'em both and see which you like better.

I sot 45 ACP, 357 Magnum, 357 SIG, 9mm, 44 spec, and 45 LC.

I ended up with one handgun in 9mm, and one in 45 LC. Both are fun and adequate for any SD situation I would meet.

Mike

 

[trayzor]

I already had 9MM's and my current purchase was a P239 in 9MM. Same calibers and ammo for all. Personally, I didn't want to deal with another caliber pistol in addition to the 9's, .357 and 38SPL. Just a personal choice for now, but subject to change without notice.

I won't get into the "What's the best stopping round" discussion. I've always been a believer in a "Shot between the eyes" will probably stop anyone. David thought so too, when he placed a shot in Goliath's forehead.

 

[Norinco982lover]

I was at this crossroads last week as well. Got a deal on a XD9SC and went with it. It uses the same ammo as my CZ-75b so I'm happy.

~Norinco

 

[jc650]

double post

 

[jc650]

I had a similar dilemma a few months ago about whether I wanted a G26 or 27. After checking out ammo prices and doing some research I decided to go with the G26. I shoot mine alot at the range and also ccw it. The nice thing about my neck of the woods is most of the local PD's carry .40's so lots of citizens buy .40's too, leaving me lots of 9mm ammo at the wally world.

 

[inSight-NEO]

Before you buy...shoot them both. I think the .40 is supposed to have quite a bit more "snap" to it vs the 9mm. The 9mm is supposed to be an easy shooting caliber. Plus, certain manufacturers do the .40 thing better than they do the 9mm or vice versa. Research this and then find certain models of your choosing and again, shoot them.

Speaking from a strictly HD perspective, Id go with the .40 over the 9mm. Sure, you give up a bit of capacity, but make up for it in power. But, just for "plinking" Id go with the 9mm. Essentially, you will save money on ammo when going this way.

Both are good calibers....just decide what you want most out of a handgun and go from there.

 

[jad0110]

I think the .40 is supposed to have quite a bit more "snap" to it vs the 9mm.

Some people find this to be true, and others don't. I personally don't like the way .40 shoots in my hands, and the results show on paper with ginormous groups.

I always though .40 combined 9mm snap and .45 push. It's not that the recoil was painful, it wasn't. I just find .40 harder to control than .357 Magnum from my 686.

So if you can rent them, that would seem to be the best option. Rent some other guns too. I personnaly do not like XDs or Glocks, but I acknowledge that they are fine guns, just not for me.

9mm ammo is cheaper, so that may be a consideration. Yes, .40 is a bigger bullet, but by a whole whopping .05" in diameter, approximately. So unless you shoot the .40 better and don't mind paying extra for the ammo (and you don't mind the recoil), I'd stick to 9mm.

 

[PAPACHUCK]

I've sold all my .40's and now have just 9mm's and .45's.

I trust the high quality 9mm's , and I shoot my 9mm guns well. That works for me.

And I love the .45 ACP.

 

[cerberus65]

I went 9mm for the cost of ammo. Then I shot my brother's 1911 and that put both my feet on the slippery path towards .45 ACP. Back in the summer I rented a .40 and a .45 and shot them side by side. I still like my 9mm but I love my .45 (a new to me 1911).

 

[Mello]

Kerouac32
... mainly for range use. i should mention also that my gun shop has a .40 in stock and no 9mm's, but they are ordered. im just afraid that the guns may be on back order and they may not come. they say they are in the shipment but they don't know how many and when the shipment will come in. it's kind of frustrating.

For your purposes, the 9mm seems like it suits best.

If you get a greater indication that the 9mm will not be available the in stock 40 should be a close second choice.

I feel the 40 gives you more options in bullets. 135gr, 150gr, 155gr, 165gr, 175gr, 180gr and 200gr. The 9mm seems to be limited to 90gr, 115gr, 124gr and 147gr.

 

[golden]

Try both

I like both. I have BERETTA'S in both calibers.

I would strongly recommend you go to a range and try both, if possible.

The 9 m.m. is adequate for defense, has less recoil, is generally more accurate and has cheaper ammo. It is also less fatiguing to shoot.

The 40 caliber in the 155 and 165 grain loads brings the power level up to the .357 magnum range.

It also increases recoil, how much depends on the gun used. My duty gun is an H&K 2000 in .40 caliber. It works great and recoil is not too bad.
In my GLOCK 22, the recoil was severe enough for me to stop shooting it. In my own BERETTA 96, recoil is not a problem.

It is like a car, test drive if you can.

Good luck,
Jim

 

[Travis Bickle]

With modern HP design and the availability of +p and +p+ loadings in 9mm there is no meaningful difference in the performance of .40 and 9mm.

This is true, but not all pistols can use +p and +p+ HPs. Here's what Chuck Hawks has to say about it:

Table Of 9mm Pistols.

(Note: just because your pistol appears in Class 3, say, doesn't mean it is unreliable: it may indeed feed hollowpoints. But you must fire at least 200 rounds of your chosen JHP carry load to determine if your pistol will feed them properly. I have placed pistols in each category according to reputation and experience. These are only meant as guidelines - your pistol may feed JHP rounds better - or worse - than this table indicates)

First Class pistols are ultra-reliable and high-quality new guns than can feed any hollowpoint and tolerate +P loads with no problems: SIG/Sauer P220 series. Czech CZ75 and CZ85. Walther P5, P5C, and P88. Heckler and Koch USP and P7 series. All Glocks. All Ruger 9mm pistols. Taurus PT-99, PT-92 and PT-92C. Steyr GB. Beretta 92 series. Browning BDM and Hi-Power (if it says "Portugal" on the slide). All Smith & Wessons with a four-digit model number (e.g. 5906, 3913, 6904, 5903) and the Smith & Wesson 900 series. Star M28, M30, M31, and all Firestars, Megastars, and Ultrastars.

Second Class pistols are high quality guns that may not feed all hollowpoints reliably. Remington 115 gr. hollowpoints are recommended for these guns: Smith & Wessons with two or three digit model numbers (e.g. 659, 39-2, 469, 59, 39). Heckler and Koch VP70 and P9S. Beretta "Brigadier" M1951 and the Egyptian copy, the Interarms "Helwan." Colt M2000 "All-American" (now discontinued, for good reason), Colt Series 70 Government Model, Series 70 Commander. Astra A-70, A-75 and A-100. AMT "On Duty." Daewoo. Bersa 'Thunder 9'. EAA Witness, and all other CZ-75 copies (e.g. Tanfoglio, Tanarmi, Springfield Armory P9). Taurus PT-908. Walther P4. Star BK, BKM, Model B and 'Super.' Browning Hi-Powers without the word "Portugal" on the slide. Llama Model 82. IMI "Jericho" and "Kareen."

Third Class pistols should generally be loaded with ball for best reliability - experiment with your gun extensively before carrying JHP: Walther P38, P4 or P1. Luger. Llama. Maverick. MKS Model JS. Intratec CAT-9, DC-9, KG-9, etc. SWD Cobray Model 11/9 and similar models. Scarab Scorpion. Kimel AP-9. Bryco Jennings Model 59. All KBI Hungarian pistols (e.g. GKK, PJ9C, P9HK and other "FEG" products). "Norinco" or "Sportarms" Chinese Tokarev pistols. Lahti. Radom. MAB P15 and Model 1950.

link

Unless he's going to get a first class pistol, I'd go with the .40.

 

[Ben86]

Personally I don't see the .40 offering much of a stopping power advantage over the 9mm.

Plus, considering the cheaper ammo, greater controllability and capacity of the 9mm and to me the choice is obvious.

But, to each his own. The important thing is that you are confident and skillful with your chosen caliber.

 

[ndh87]

I had a .40 and a 9mm. Only had the .40 for a few months before i sold it to help me get a .44 revolver. still have the 9mm though. That one isnt going anywhere

 

[BSavage]

Before buying, try both the XD and M&P. The M&P controls recoil better. As for 9mm or .40 S&W, read "Handgun Wounding Factors and Effectiveness" by Special Agent Urey W. Patrick of the Firearms Training Unit, FBI Academy, Quantico, Virginia, July 1989. They give the .45 ACP top honors. The FBI's hostage rescue team now carries The Para-Ord .45 ACP. If your buying a handgun for concealed carry - buy one for shooting and not for carrying. The only reason to carry a handgun is to have it available if your ever need to use it. Its a lot easier to shoot a 40 oz. handgun than a 28 oz. handgun. I've carried since 1961. A S&W Mod 10 .38 at first as it was department issue. Then for the 21 years as a department head, I carried a custom Colt 1911 Series 70 in .45 ACP. Even after 26 hours in the field, I'd have to press my elbow against the butt to be assured that it was still there. I now carry a M&P.40 since we advocate double action only. As a instructor, I still qualify with the 1911 and a S&W 686P .357

Ammo cost: To practice enough to be really good, you need to reload. Only perfect practice makes perfect - most people just burn up ammo and learn how it do it the wrong way. It cost just about the same if you reload 9mm or .40 S&W. I pick up enough 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP brass at the range to keep shooting forever. I just wish there was more .38 Super Comp! Get used wheel weights from gas stations - casting is where you really save. jacketed bullets run up the cost. Reloading is fun too! Take a reloading course from a NRA Instructor.

Becoming proficient: Get proper instruction, Crimson-trace laser grips, get professional custom work on your handgun, combat sights, dry fire much, read and study much, get a Beamhit laser trainer, join a gun club and the NRA!

B Savage
NRA pistol and reloading instructor
Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission instructor.

 

[jbauch357]

I am finding it hard to believe that I'm the only person that has suggested picking up the .40 and getting the 9mm conversion barrel for it. Why decide on one or the other when you can have both for $100 more?

 

[cliffy]

Last week, a guy shot a .40 next to my head

Loud, yet he had a laser so I assumed he was adept. Wrong! He busted a target lightbulb ten feet below the backstop, hit a backstop wheel at its base, so how low can you go? At least he created a new range rule: NO more Laser sights! They are too distracting to other shooters on the line when they waver all over the place. Next month, I shall become an NRA Range Safety Officer. I shall continue making shooting a safe sport. cliffy

 

[Inspector3711]

I'm with jbauch357.. Only one other thought... Save a little extra and buy the XDm... Worth every penny! Get it in .40 and if you want to later you can buy a 9mm barrel and mags. Me, I'm happy with the .40. No 9 conversions needed here.

My XDm-40 puts holes inside of holes, and I like some kick... Lets me know I'm alive.

 

[johnnylaw53]

May just be me but if it going to be just a range weapon why get either seems some suggest if it is a range weapon only go with the 9mm when what you need is a .22. For range,SD, HD the 9mm is fine don't let people tell you the 9mm isn't good for SD. I only been around several shootings from .22 to .45 while i do think the .22 was a fluke all the others did what thier user intended them to do. With the right rounds belive me the bg won't know if it was a 9mm or .40.

be safe

 

[mrt949]

try both what is better for you makes the difference in the long run.

 

[thebaldguy]

I say go with the 9MM; the ammo is much cheaper, it can hold a few more rounds, and is easier to shoot due to the lesser recoil.

Of course, after you buy the 9MM you have to go out and get one in 40 S&W anyway...lol

 

[golden]

Caliber conversion

Several posters have suggested getting an extra barrel for a .40 caliber to 9m.m. caliber conversion.

I think this is incorrect. The different diameters of the cases mean you need a new slide, springs and possibly a new ejector to convert a .40 to 9m.m. along with the mags.

This conversion is easy when going from .40 caliber to .357 SIG, which both use the same diameter case head.

Jim

 

[GVFlyer]

It depends on whether you intend to poke holes in paper or people. The lower recoil and cost of ammo make the 9mm the ideal choice for the range. The greater effectiveness of the .40 S&W makes it the better choice for self defense. (How many police departments and federal agencies have gone from .40 S&W to 9mm? How about the other way round?)

 

[jocko]

9MM

ALLTHE WAY, One thing I love to shoot, and I do not reload anymore, and 9mm is still the lowest price round out there .

it will also do the job, and all my guns are 9mm, ..

That being said the 40 cal is an awesome round, most 9mm can be made into the same size for the 40 cal, so that is a plus. Again ammo is costly and as most all have reported it is a testy caliber in the ultra lite semi's to shoot to.

So my vote is 9mm

I have carried for 46 years and so far have only poked holes in paper, I don't consider myself in the same lineof defense as a LEO, so enjoyment is a priority also forme and the 9mm is more enjoyable to shoot any day of the week for me. Right now it does seem the 40 cal is the LEO of choice but that will change also given time.. Either way both will do the job. My 24/7 carry is a kahr pM9 and the kahr PM40 is a bugger to shoot alot and I have 18,350 rounds through my PM9, not sure I could afford the additional cost of the 40 cal, nor the over all punishment of shooting a ultra compact 40 cal. pocket rocket..

 

[Redneck with a 40]

I started out with the .40, my first handgun was in .40 and I learned to master it, recoil is not really a big deal to me, in a full size gun. I like the round overall. I reload, so ammo cost is a non factor for me.