I just turned 60 this month. Man, where did the time go??? It has only been in the past ten years or less that I have accepted "plastic" guns as viable defense options. I didn't know anything about them and didn't want to! Ignorance is bliss. I was firmly in the revolver camp and even aluminum framed revolvers were iffy as far as I was concerned. The .38/.357 was the go to caliber for me. It was sufficient for any of my perceived needs, was cheap and was readily available.

In the last ten years I've owned several polymer pistols (although I still prefer metal) with the majority being 9mm. I currently own a Ruger LCP Max for pocket carry, a Sig P365 for pocket/IWB carry (my primary firearm), a recently acquired Ruger Security Six and a 1976 vintage Browning Hi Power.

Now, I know that there have been many advances in bullet designs and as far as I am concerned, the 9mm is plenty adequate for self-defense from two legged predators. But I know that there are many who believe that the 36 caliber (9mm, .38 Special, and .357) are at the lower end of what is acceptable for self-defense. Personally, I often opted for a .357 knowing that I could shoot .38, .38 +P or .357. I'm not trying to start a caliber war or debate the effacy of any particular caliber for self-defense.

Here's my question: For the average guy on the street who lives paycheck to paycheck and who wants a handgun for self-protection and plinking, has the .40 S&W (and maybe the .45 ACP) become more relevant due to ammo prices? The price of .38/.357 is almost cost prohibitive, reaching "big bore" prices. So that would push me away from a revolver if I were so inclined and towards an auto. If I bought into the premise that you need something with a little more umphh than a 9mm, wouldn't the .40 S&W be a more logical choice based on availability, power, and price? From that perspective, it would seem to me that the .40 S&W becomes more relevant than ever before. Your thoughts?

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otis

40 S&W guns are cheap right now, but the ammo is still significantly more expensive than 9 mm. 45 ACP is also more spendy.

I believe that the issue today isn't the efficacy of an individual round, but the number in the mob that may face you. This is where the 15-20 round fullsize 9mm pistol comes in.

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Release the Kraken

Yeah, I like the .40, it seems like a nice compromise, but the ammo isn't cheap. The 9mm is the way to go for sure if price is a consideration. Being a reloader helps but not with actual carry ammo. I prefer things that start with a 4 but 9mm is just so cheap comparatively.

I really need to get back in a reloading mood as I've pretty much run out of 38/357, 40, 44 and 45 range fodder.

If I needed a centerfire handgun for personal defense and ammo prices (and, for that matter, gun prices) were a concern, I’d opt for a 9mm.

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Mark Lathem

At this point in time, I'd have a hard time recommending 40 S&W to a new shooter. 9mm is just so much more prevalent. That doesn't mean it's a bad choice or that I'd be selling mine, just that I think the popularity is waning.

.38 Special / .357 Mag is great because because the versatility. For a new shooter you can start training with 148 grain wadcutters and move up from there. FWIW I just looked at SGammo website and cheapest 40 S&W is $.33 vs $.38 for 38 Special. Not a huge difference in my book. 40 S&W is still 50% more than 9mm.

I am a 38Spl/357Mag guy for sure, but I like 9mm too. I had been thinking about getting SW40 or a 45acp a few months ago before realizing I am pretty set already for self-defense handguns.

I am good for self-defense ammo and periodically look for deals on range ammo when I am getting low. I just bought another 357 Mag (Model 19-9) in December for Christmas, so I have been shooting more 357 Mag than usual lately.

My old agency, Cal D O C, changed over from revolvers to .40 cal due almost 100% to the ammunition costs. With (at the time) over 25,000 cops you go thru a lot of ammo. The .38 Special became a lot more expensive than .40 cal due to various market forces.

The first thing I would consider is " How much is My life worth "?
Then I would look for ammo.

Just finished loading 100 rounds of 38 special 148 grain wad cutters. Since I bought most of the components prior to 2020, I loaded them for 0.16 per round.

A M&P in 40 S&W can easily become a 357 SIG (just a barrel swap) & a 9mm with a conversion barrel and 9mm mags...

Makes even more ammo choices your personal perview!

Cheers!

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Sit Reloader Sentiret

New ammunition prices are largely irrelevant if you reload.

Good question and is that "average guy" go to Thunder Mountain, Gunsite Academy or other Professional Training? Or will they fire five shots and say, that is good to go in my book.

What background does "average guy" have? For the last 40 years the military and Law Enforcement has gone to 9mm in either Glock, Beretta and others. For most people 9mm is the best choice but as a cop I had been to a lot of homes and people have .22s and .25s for Home Protection.

As long as you can actually get the components. Brownells recently had a "no hazmat charges sale" and they had almost NO powder of any kind available.

Per the original question; I don't think that "average guy" is going to get his first handgun and start reloading on the next pay check.

My thought is a 10 shot .22 LR revolver. A .22 is a good plinking cartridge and the chances of the average guy seeing someone that will walk into 10 .22 LRs is slim and none. Larry

.......In reply all I can say is pick what you can afford and be happy.......45acp won it's reputation with BALL AMMO......40 was cool for about 25 years......Then the leo 'Little people" couldn't handle the recoil. So they adopted the 9.

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S&W Accumulator

The .40 S&W, or short and weak, is about 3/64",three sixty fourths inch larger in dia than the 9mm. Draw the two circles on paper and if you're a bit older you might need reading glasses to see the difference. If you actually believe that because the forty "starts with a 4" that it is a big knockem down round compared to the 9mm then go ahead and spend your money on the mighty .40 ammo.

The reason that the 9MM is now King of the Hill is because of a plethora of reasons. First off, any place selling ammo will have 9mm in stock and it's been around successfully for over 100 years. Secondly, for it's size it is probably one of the most potent and efficient handgun calibers ever designed. It also comes in many many grain weights suited for different length barrels, pistol sizes and situations. Because if its relatively small size, you can buy many different 9mm micro pistols that will hold 11, 12, 13, 15, 18 etc. and come in a gazillion configurations with your choice of accessories. The 9mm round is also very controllable and even recoil sensitive people usually have no issues shooting and controlling it. Last but certainly not least, it is incredibly affordable - even in today's economy and rip off ammo price era. You can buy 9mm FMJ practice ammo for about $11 a box of 50 and a really superb box of 50 SD JHP rounds for around $35.

The 9mm has pretty much taken over most of the older carry ammo calibers like the .38 Special and the only exception might be the .380acp which has been become popular once again. Probably because so many women have started carrying concealed. Yes, there are still some carrying a .45acp, a 40S&W, a .357, etc. however I know very few people in my life that carry anything other than a 9mm or a .380acp. While revolvers are still a viable option in the SD carry arena, they are limited to half the rounds of a micro pistol weighing in at less weight, easier to reload, flatter and smaller with almost everybody who shoots them being able to reload them so much faster.

While other calibers are potent and effective as well, some such as the .357 magnum, 44 magnum, .38 Super, 357 Sig, 10mm etc. might be a bit overkill in largely populated areas as their penetration is sometimes too much. They are also extremely expensive and harder to find in the configuration you want.

While I also reload (for target shooting and practice only), I would never advise or suggest anyone to carry their reloads for SD purposes. No matter how much a box or two of SD factory ammo will set you back, it is worth lessoning liability at least in the ammo aspect.

So IMHO that is why the 9mm is King and .380 is probably Queen. All the rest are just players now days and I do suspect some will wain even more in the coming years. .

More than half of the handguns sold are 9mm. It's popular because ammo is cheap, ammo is cheap because it's popular. One of those self-reinforcing trends. It will continue.

I like to conceal carry either a 3953 or 4053. I use more 9mm rounds when training than .40S&W at the range.

I train mostly with point-of-aim at 7 yards using a 6" paper plate, 3X5 card, 3" Post-it, or 1.5X2 neon Post-it. I favor POA training because I'm focused on self-defense, and do not want legal trouble after the event.

I like both pistols, and ammo cost is a consideration but not enough to exclude my 4053 as a carry choice.

The .40 is still relevant to me only because I can load for it and still have lots of components for it on hand. In todays market my Glock 22 and sw99 are near worthless, so why sell them?

If I were starting over today, I’d go with 9.

Which M&P model is suitable for this conversion???

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otis

I hear ya. I'm starting to think this whole self-loading pistol thing is starting to catch on.

I carried a 380 for years as my EDC.
Never felt 'under gunned' in any way.
The only reason I switched to 9 mm was what I called the "380 tax".
Hated paying more for a smaller version of the 9,and yes I understand the reason but it still bothered me.

I carry what I can shoot well with ...
If you can't shoot the gun accurately and with a fast follow up shot ...
Why carry it !
The cost of the ammo is the last thing you think about in a gunfight...
You want it to stop ... and Only Hits Count !
Choose your gun and ammo based on how well you can shoot with it ...
Not cost .
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

I hear you gwpercle. If however you want to get a meaningful amount of practice and training cost does become an issue, maybe a significant issue, for a significant number of people. If you shoot half a box once a year, not so much.

Both the full sized and compact M&P 40s (1.0 most easily) can be utilized.

Cheers!

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Sit Reloader Sentiret

I am a big round guy. I am NOT recoil sensitive.

The timer proves that I can place accurate rounds on target faster with the 9 than with the .40 or the .45. Since we now have 9mm hollow points that function at standard velocity, why not?

I have an abiding love for old school shiny blue Smith revolvers. Is my woods walkin' carry gun a .357 or a .41, yes. Is my EDC a 5 shot .38, again yes. But the pistols I keep loaded for home defense, carry when forced out of my rural comfort zone and spend most of my range time with are 9s with double digit round count.

I’m partly of the mindset “If I’m going to pay big bore prices for .38/.357, why not get a big bore?”. On the other hand, if I’m going to pay $1.50 or more per round, does it matter if it’s .357. .44 or .45? Just buy .357! It just bothers me to pay big bore prices for what used to be one of the cheapest and most readily available rounds. I guess that’s a sign that I’m getting old!

Like Birdhunter6, my .357 revolver will be my woods/camp gun and my 9mm will be my concrete jungle firearm.

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otis

Totally agree with this. 9mm ammo is cheap, more firearms are made for this round than any other (with the widest variety). I would definitely recommend 9mm for the average paycheck to paycheck Joe, and have. Saying that I don't personally own one since I reload.

9mm will be the king of the hilltop for the foreseeable future...

Focusing on the OP's original question:

"Here's my question: For the average guy on the street who lives paycheck to paycheck and who wants a handgun for self-protection and plinking, has the .40 S&W (and maybe the .45 ACP) become more relevant due to ammo prices? The price of .38/.357 is almost cost prohibitive, reaching "big bore" prices. So that would push me away from a revolver if I were so inclined and towards an auto. If I bought into the premise that you need something with a little more umphh than a 9mm, wouldn't the .40 S&W be a more logical choice based on availability, power, and price? From that perspective, it would seem to me that the .40 S&W becomes more relevant than ever before. Your thoughts?"

For the first time gun buyer (which very few of us are) I would recommend a polymer 380 or 9mm. As much as I enjoy my revolvers, a quality S&W would cost 2-3 polymer 9s, and the OP cites an owner living paycheck to paycheck. More so because of ammunition supply versus ammunition demand, 9mm has become the 38 Special wadcutter load. I have no argument with the 40 (I have 2), it's just that ammo costs could prevent the purchase of life essentials in order to practice.

Under normal situations (if such an animal still exists) I'd recommend the purchase of the selected pistol, a few boxes of SD ammo, several boxes of range ammo, then a reloader to make your practice ammo and replicate the SD ammo. However, that Dillon Square Deal B that I bought in '89 for $198 is now selling for between $700-1000!

I would still recommend that the first time owner get a polymer 380 or 9mm. My preferred target 9s are Sigs and S&W pistols, but I also shoot Glocks. Get the pistol, save the brass, and eventually reload. My advice for the paycheck to paycheck first time gun owner is to join the GSSF ($35), get the coupon, and look at either a: G42 (380 for $340), a G43 (9mm for $380) or any of the Gen5 9mms for $425 (non-MOS) and start your adventure. I know that entry Sig p365s can be had for about $500, as can some Shield Plus pistols. Either would be a sound start.

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Judge control not gun control!

Among the adequate the best ammo for self defense is the one you will practice with the most. For me that’s 9mm.

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