+ 1 for 9mm
Cheaper ammo for target practice and good hollow points or hydroshock makes it a good home defense weapon.

quote:

Originally posted by modraker:
I am thinking of purchasing a Sigma.

I always look at the purpose to which the gun will be put. As the SIGMA is, first and foremost, a defense weapon, I voted for the .40 S&W caliber.

Now, I realize there are those who say the 9mm is "just as good" as a .40 or .45 or whatever.

For defense purposes, I do not know anyone who says the 9mm is better.

Thus, the .40 is the better choice. Almost any off-the-shelf .40 ammo you buy at any Wal-mart or gun shop will do well for defense. To do well for defense for 9mm, you need LE only +P+ or at least some form of premium +P.

Thus, I say that if ammo cost is a problem, get a 22 pistol for practice and go with the .40 for defense.

Have to agree with Shawn, 40 is the choice. As the owner of a 1st generation 9F and a 40VE and recently having sold my 9VE,all 3 guns are close in trouble-free operation and average accuracy, but what other high-cap 40 is out there comparable in price to the 40VE? Ruger is close in price to the 9VE, but I haven't found a comparable 40 for the money to the 40VE. I bought a mint 40VE used for $200. If you're going to depend on a Sigma if the SHTF, the 40 will leave a slightly more impressive platform. If you like to shoot all day with cheap ammo, the 9VE is the choice. 9 will easily stop a threat, slightly easier with a 40 and game over with a 45.

22s may be fine for plinking on a budget. However if you have a weapon for home defense you should practice with it. Having to deal with a maniac hopped up PCP coming through your front door in the dead of night is not the time to become accustom to your weapon.

Hi, I vote for the .40 cal. I bought a 40 this past weekend and did consider what you guys said about the 9mm being more affordable to shoot. I already own a couple of other 9's so i went with the 40 for CC and knock down.

Actually, I had no intention of buying a gun but you guys know what happens sometimes when you find yourself holding something you like. Really, I felt like the Sigma was an excellent value and I got a rebate to boot.

Good luck with your choice.

147 gr 9mm should be just as effective as 40 cal.

quote:

Originally posted by pennyjd:
147 gr 9mm should be just as effective as 40 cal.

Well... Either one is going to hurt. Either
one can kill you with one shot.. If planted
in the right place.
But.. The .40 does have quite a bit more power.
Being I'm likely to tangle with four leg
animals, the extra horsepower can come in handy.
Also, the shape of the nose is different in most
cases. The blunt flat nose of the .40 is more
damaging, leaves a cleaner larger hole, and is
more likely to bleed out faster.
If you go by the Taylor scale, which I happen
to think is "fairly" accurate, there is a good
bit of difference between a 147 grain 9mm, and a
180 grain .40.
Here is an online Taylor scale calculator for
those that want to play "what if"...
http://www.handloads.com/calc/quick.asp
I compared a 147 grain 9mm, which I plugged in
.3550 as the "cal in inches", which I think is
right.. I placed the velocity at 950 fps,
which I think is about average for a stock
load and 147 grain.
I placed the .40 at 985 fps, and a dia of .40
inches.
The results?

Energy 9mm -294 .40S&W -387
Momentum 9mm -19 .40S&W -25
Taylor KO 9mm -7 .40S&W -10

A 230 grain .45ACP will do:
Energy -356
Momentum -27
Taylor KO -12

So it's even mo better. Wait till you
try some rounds like .357 mag, .44 mag, etc..
Makes a 9mm look fairly puny.. .40 too
though.. :/
But saying all that, you can kill someone
with a .22 fairly easy. I don't feel at all
defenseless with my .22 rifle. They can do
surprising damage despite the puny size and
horsepower.