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.40 cal vs 9mm
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Vulcan Bob
Member
IMHO there is little difference between the two. The only advantage of the 9mm over the .40 S&W is a few more rounds stuffed into a semi auto pistol if you are into that sort of thing. I have a 17 shot S&W M&P-9 that I feel quite comfortable with, in case of zombie attack you know.
Faulkner
Member
To generalize, about 30 years ago there was an influx of high capacity 9mm pistols in the American market. Gun magazines of the day dubbed them the "Wonder Nine's". Almost immediately there was a great debate of which carry theory was best, the big and slow .45 ACP round in pistols with 7 or 8 round magazines, or the smaller and faster 9mm round in pistols with at least twice the ammo capacity.
Pistols, as well as 9mm and .45 ACP ammo, have evolved and developed greatly in the past 30 years. A big part of that developement was impacted by the Clinton era gun laws and the effect on limiting magazines to 10 rounds. Since magazines were limited to 10 rounds during this period, the 9mm pistols took on a different persona, they became more compact while a gun that could hold near 10 rounds of .45 ACP were naturally larger.
Enter the .40 S&W. (For the sake of the story, I'm going to totally ignore it's development from the 10mm). The .40 S&W round was short enough that it could be used on 9mm sized frames, hence a smaller handgun. Yet the .40 S&W would get you about 85% of the ballistic ability of the .45 ACP. In summary, not quite .45 performance on a smaller 9mm framed handgun, the great compromise.
Personally, I own 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP handguns, and my favorite round is the .40.
Knightrider03m
Member
The 9mm cost less (ammo), carry more rounds, and have better recoil.
The .40, is just 12% bigger than the 9mm.
I use and carry 9mm all they long.
The .40, is just 12% bigger than the 9mm.
I use and carry 9mm all they long.
Super Trucker
Member
A 9mm needs to have +P+ to be similar to a .40.
Why buy a 6 cylinder and soup it up when you can buy an 8 cylinder from the start?
As far as recoil goes my 105# 5'3" wife couldn't tell the difference between a 9mm and a .40, both fired from the same size XD.
So recoil is a personal thing. So she has the .40 now.
She doesn't like to fire my 340sc 12oz J-Frame with .357mag just for a reference.
Its all personal preference.
My preference is that any handgun defense round should start with .4
Why buy a 6 cylinder and soup it up when you can buy an 8 cylinder from the start?
As far as recoil goes my 105# 5'3" wife couldn't tell the difference between a 9mm and a .40, both fired from the same size XD.
So recoil is a personal thing. So she has the .40 now.
She doesn't like to fire my 340sc 12oz J-Frame with .357mag just for a reference.
Its all personal preference.
My preference is that any handgun defense round should start with .4
flop-shank
US Veteran
My opinion is that the .40 is better than the .45 and 9 because it's newer and as Evan Marshall says (paraphrasing) "there are no bad loads". It runs at higher velocities than the .45, so expansion will be less problematic from compact pistols and the .40 can work in smaller frames and yield more capacity.
The 9mm needs the best modern ammo to hang with it's .40-something big brothers. It is however, the king of round count.
Really the 9, .40 and .45 are all great calibers and one should work as well as the next with the best modern loads.
The 9mm needs the best modern ammo to hang with it's .40-something big brothers. It is however, the king of round count.
Really the 9, .40 and .45 are all great calibers and one should work as well as the next with the best modern loads.
wheelgun28
Member
Well I am made to believe that the 40, is so powerful and over whelming. That just shouting at the bad guy that you have a 40 he will fall over near dead. Also that if you fire a 40 and miss, but get close say a few inches, it will create a fatal wound and drop the bad guy dead on the spot. 
Seriously, the 40 is ok. I dont love it, it my least favorite round. Id rather shoot 9s or 45s. 40 has an odd funny recoil kinda like a rubber band snapping against your hand. Maybe I need to try 40 in a metal gun rather than plastic?
If you are mainly shooting paper, the 9 is a much better choice, for cost alone. It will still be a good defensive round with modern ammo.
As for price of ammo, in target rounds. Around here 50box of 9mm is still $9.99. 4tay is about about $14.99 for 50.
Try then both, see what you like best...
Seriously, the 40 is ok. I dont love it, it my least favorite round. Id rather shoot 9s or 45s. 40 has an odd funny recoil kinda like a rubber band snapping against your hand. Maybe I need to try 40 in a metal gun rather than plastic?
If you are mainly shooting paper, the 9 is a much better choice, for cost alone. It will still be a good defensive round with modern ammo.
As for price of ammo, in target rounds. Around here 50box of 9mm is still $9.99. 4tay is about about $14.99 for 50.
Try then both, see what you like best...
USAF385
US Veteran
TrueAlso that if you fire a 40 and miss, but get close say a few inches, it will create a fatal wound and drop the bad guy dead on the spot.
Around here they're charging $14 for 50 9mm and $17 for 50 .40.I'm a big time .40 fan. I love it, swear by it, carry it, shoot it often, and stock pile it. However, it definitely has a different feel than 9mm or .45 as far as recoil. Much more snap. It's the only drawback, but once you're used to it you don't notice. I shoot my .40 better than any auto loader.
Knightrider03m
Member
Well I am made to believe that the 40, is so powerful and over whelming. That just shouting at the bad guy that you have a 40 he will fall over near dead. Also that if you fire a 40 and miss, but get close say a few inches, it will create a fatal wound and drop the bad guy dead on the spot.
Seriously, the 40 is ok. I dont love it, it my least favorite round. Id rather shoot 9s or 45s. 40 has an odd funny recoil kinda like a rubber band snapping against your hand. Maybe I need to try 40 in a metal gun rather than plastic?
If you are mainly shooting paper, the 9 is a much better choice, for cost alone. It will still be a good defensive round with modern ammo.
As for price of ammo, in target rounds. Around here 50box of 9mm is still $9.99. 4tay is about about $14.99 for 50.
Try then both, see what you like best...
I've shot the .40 out of a metal gun and it still sucks lol
The best gun that I've found that can take the .40 is the M&P40FS
Dragon88
Member
40 S&W has a ballistic advantage over 9mm and more "stopping power". However, in just about every other aspect (price, compactness, recoil, availability) 9mm wins. It really depends on what you are looking for.
Me personally? If I had to bet my life on it? Well my daily carry conceal is a 45 ACP. If I couldn't have that, between these options, it would be a 40 then a 9mm.
Finally, shot placement wins out over all. You can stop a threat with a 22 if you place the shot right.
Me personally? If I had to bet my life on it? Well my daily carry conceal is a 45 ACP. If I couldn't have that, between these options, it would be a 40 then a 9mm.
Finally, shot placement wins out over all. You can stop a threat with a 22 if you place the shot right.
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.40 caliber has diameter of .40 and 9mm has diameter of .355. The .40 uses bullets as low as 135 grain and as high as 200 grain. The 9mm generally likes bullets between 115 and 147 grain best, although there are exceptions. The .40 is thought to be a more effective "stopper" in loads traditionally available to the public, whereas the 9mm does not really get into the exceptional stopping power percentages unless you have the +P+ law enforcement only loads. Some might argue with this, but everyone has an opinion on this topic. If you are comfortable with a 38 special revolver, the 9mm is for you. If you like .45s and .357 Magnums, you will probably prefer the .40 S&W.
Personal opinion will be effected by the type gun you shoot, the way the gun feels in your hands, your ability to control the recoil and a few other things.
I have a Glock and a S&W in 9mm. I would rather shoot the S&W.
I have a Glock and a S&W in .40. I would rather shoot the Glock.
I have a Colt and S&W in .45. I would rather shoot the Colt.
For self defense, I feel more confident with the .40 followed closely by the .45 but would not hesistate to use the 9mm if need be.
True enough, the 9mm is cheaper to purchase, cheaper to shoot, somewhat easier to carry and has more capacity. I find it fun to shoot but then I like to shoot my S&W .22 as well.
Just as correct is the fact that those defending the 9mm are those that pretty much only owns a single handgun and that being a 9mm. Never offer to swap them a larger gun even because you will be out a larger caliber and they will then be on the flip side of the 9mm.
I have a Glock and a S&W in 9mm. I would rather shoot the S&W.
I have a Glock and a S&W in .40. I would rather shoot the Glock.
I have a Colt and S&W in .45. I would rather shoot the Colt.
For self defense, I feel more confident with the .40 followed closely by the .45 but would not hesistate to use the 9mm if need be.
True enough, the 9mm is cheaper to purchase, cheaper to shoot, somewhat easier to carry and has more capacity. I find it fun to shoot but then I like to shoot my S&W .22 as well.
Just as correct is the fact that those defending the 9mm are those that pretty much only owns a single handgun and that being a 9mm. Never offer to swap them a larger gun even because you will be out a larger caliber and they will then be on the flip side of the 9mm.
scooter123
Member
From what I've seen recently, the 9mm has lost it's cost advantage over the 40 caliber. After a full year of being totally devoid of 9mm of any description, the one local Walmart that has been able to keep some handgun ammunition in stock just recently started getting in some 9mm. Fiocci FMJ, at 16.97 per box of 50. That aint cheap. Until the recent price hike, Federal FMJ in the 40 S&W was 13.97 per box of 50, now I think it's also 16.97 however it was out of stock and the saleperson didn't know the new price.
Currently, the most widely used caliber in Law Enforcement is the 40 caliber and sales volume is a huge determanent for price. At one time, the cheapest major caliber that could be found was the 38 spl. and it's because at that time it was the caliber carried in almost every Cops revolver. When the Police forces moved to the semi auto, it was initially into the 9mm for it's greater capacity and similarity in recoil to the 38 spl. So, for a great many years the most widely sold ammunition was the 9mm Parabellum and it became very inexpensive. Now, due to reported failures of the 9mm in terms of stopping power, police forces have taken up the 40 caliber. If NATO ever decide to take up the 40 caliber, it will rapidly become the least expensive ammo you can shoot, until then 9mm and 40 will be very similar in cost.
As for stopping power, the 9mm, 40 caliber, and 45 ACP are all moderate power handgun calibers. This means that none offer true 1 shot stopping power without optimum shot placement. IMO, one is better served by picking one caliber and learning how to master it. I also think that in large part the caliber debate has largely devolved into a mechanism largely used to generate new sales in both ammunition and handguns.
That said, I happen to favor the 40 caliber. For basically the same reason why I prefer a 22 ounce hammer over a 16 ounce hammer, I get a heavier hit with a bit less apparent effort. Due to the local shortage of 9mm in my area for the past year, I am really liking my choice even more.
Currently, the most widely used caliber in Law Enforcement is the 40 caliber and sales volume is a huge determanent for price. At one time, the cheapest major caliber that could be found was the 38 spl. and it's because at that time it was the caliber carried in almost every Cops revolver. When the Police forces moved to the semi auto, it was initially into the 9mm for it's greater capacity and similarity in recoil to the 38 spl. So, for a great many years the most widely sold ammunition was the 9mm Parabellum and it became very inexpensive. Now, due to reported failures of the 9mm in terms of stopping power, police forces have taken up the 40 caliber. If NATO ever decide to take up the 40 caliber, it will rapidly become the least expensive ammo you can shoot, until then 9mm and 40 will be very similar in cost.
As for stopping power, the 9mm, 40 caliber, and 45 ACP are all moderate power handgun calibers. This means that none offer true 1 shot stopping power without optimum shot placement. IMO, one is better served by picking one caliber and learning how to master it. I also think that in large part the caliber debate has largely devolved into a mechanism largely used to generate new sales in both ammunition and handguns.
That said, I happen to favor the 40 caliber. For basically the same reason why I prefer a 22 ounce hammer over a 16 ounce hammer, I get a heavier hit with a bit less apparent effort. Due to the local shortage of 9mm in my area for the past year, I am really liking my choice even more.
nitesite
Member
I had a guy today tell me that the GLOCK34 I was carrying on duty in uniform was a poor choice, "because after people are hit with a 9mm they just tend to walk away from you".
How funny. I thought a 124-gr Gold Dot at 1300-fps was nearly into .357-Magnum territory.
I'm going to have to completely re-think this whole 9mm thing before I wake up and go to work. I do have a Glock22 which I do not like to shoot as much as the 34.
Decisions... decisions.
How funny. I thought a 124-gr Gold Dot at 1300-fps was nearly into .357-Magnum territory.
I'm going to have to completely re-think this whole 9mm thing before I wake up and go to work. I do have a Glock22 which I do not like to shoot as much as the 34.
Decisions... decisions.
Knightrider03m
Member
I work with a guy that calls them rubber bullets. All that I do is just shake my head at him lol
handgunner356
Member
There are three critical factors in handgun bullet performance, bullet placement, bullet placement and bullet placement. The best gun for self-defense is the one you have with you when you need it.
I believe that there is enough difference in the two rounds that I choose the .40 over the 9mm.
sigp220.45
US Veteran
The .40 has been killing people for about 130 years now, they just used to call it a .38/40 - .40 caliber 180 grain bullet at 950 fps out of a handgun.
It used to have a great reputation as a "hard shooter" and was greatly favored by lawmen in the southwest.
Somehow if you make it work in a shorter case and then load a whole hatful of them into a fast shooting pistol it becomes "Short & Weak".
It used to have a great reputation as a "hard shooter" and was greatly favored by lawmen in the southwest.
Somehow if you make it work in a shorter case and then load a whole hatful of them into a fast shooting pistol it becomes "Short & Weak".
"Stopping power" is a myth. Entertainment has created unrealistic expectations.
Pick whichever you shoot the best and can afford to practice with the most. Shot placement is far more important than minor differences in diameter.
Pick whichever you shoot the best and can afford to practice with the most. Shot placement is far more important than minor differences in diameter.
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