40 Cal vs. 9mm

[N4KVE]

Let's us not forget, when the last big ammo scare happened, .40 was the only ammo on the shelf. At least in my area.

And what does that tell you? 40 cal is the least popular round. To me, 20 years ago, a 9 was not enough, but with time, ammo technology has greatly improved. I had a Glock 27 when they first came out, but eventually traded it in on a Glock 30, as deep down I am a 45 guy. But after 10 years I traded it for something else. I now carry a 3913, & that's it. But yes, 40 was always available because very few people were buying it. Now my local Wally World has plenty of everything. GARY

 

[TAROMAN]

Whichever one you can shoot best.
Shot placement is everything.
Missing is never good.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Regardless of what the experts say ,a too thin, ultra light, ported 40 would be my last choice for any carry.
If you want the 40, get the M&P40c. MUCH more manageable and about the same size. ( Actually shorter in overall height)

 

[Muss Muggins]

The FBI just went back to the 9 MM.

They did it because agents of smaller stature and more limited firearms skills had trouble qualifying. The .40 S&W is a little snappy for some. All other things being equal (same pistol but different calibers), the 9mm is easier to fire accurately than the .40 S&W . . .

 

[TAROMAN]

If you want the 40, get the M&P40c. MUCH more manageable and about the same size. ( Actually shorter in overall height)

Or one in 357 Sig. That ammo was also on the shelves during the great panic or panics.

 

[skjos]

This awesome article shows the performance characteristics of the current ammo offerings (thank you Lucky Gunner). .40 is pretty impressive, but I would agree in a small gun it can be brutal.

Handgun Self-Defense Ammunition - Ballistic Testing Data

Of course this does not factor in capacity, time back on target, recoil heebie-jeebies, etc.

 

[Arik]

Or one in 357 Sig. That ammo was also on the shelves during the great panic or panics.

Yea but there is a good $5 - $7 per box price difference for range ammo. I can buy 40 for $13 or 357 for $19.....at least.

 

[Big Shrek]

Get a 9mm first, then get a .40 when you become a Pistoleer.
Then move up to 10mm to the Advanced Boom Group!

 

[truckpainter1]

I have a sheild performance center in .40 I would never go back to 9mm my back on target time is about the same as the 9mm for me anyway!

 

[AlHunt]

I have been looking for a EDC gun and found the S&W PC Ported M&P Shield to my liking, what are some of the pro's and con's of these 2 calibers? I do not plan on reloading either, so I will be buying practice & SD ammo.

The 9 is your best choice, then. Factory ammo is plentiful and cheap. You'll be able to practice more.

 

[federali]

Caliber Wars

You might want to research previous threads comparing various calibers. These are generally referred to as caliber wars and should keep you busy for five lifetimes.

It all boils down to hitting your target. Shooting holes in the air generally doesn't work. With comparable ammo and with good hits, I doubt if there's much of a difference in effectiveness between the two calibers you mention.

 

[CGhelofxr]

Oh Boy! You did it now. The great caliber war of December 2015 is on.
Search the forum for past discussions, I have an SD9 and a M&P9c and looking to get a compact 45ACP (Just Because). I don't care for the .40, but it's me.
Go with what makes you comfortable, is affordable and available.

 

[Whitwabit]

In a little gun 40 sucks. In a service sized gun it's a dream. The price difference in ammunition is meaningless to me.

S&W 40c is a very soft shooting 40 ..

I shoot my 40c just as well as my Beretta PX4 subcompact in 9mm or my Tanfoglio Model TZ75 Series 88 in 9/41 either caliber .

Think accuracy from one caliber to another has little to do with recoil when practicing on a range. When practicing rapid fire or in a self defense situation it does take longer to recover the target when firing the larger caliber.

 

[bigsteve113]

I have been a fan of the .40 for over 20 years. I have carried Glock .40's at work for 21 years daily. Currently the Glock 23 and 27, and I love them both. I have both the 9mm Shield and the .40 Shield. Both shoot great. The 9mm Shield out performs the .40 in my hands so the 9mm Shield is what I've been carrying off duty. But I wouldn't feel bad either, if all I had was the .40 Shield!

 

[Backlighting]

Let's us not forget, when the last big ammo scare happened, .40 was the only ammo on the shelf. At least in my area.

Understood. Not in my area though...40 was also awol.

 

[kcode]

Coming late to the party, my opinion on the 9 vs the .40 in a Shield I chose the 9 as my EDC. Don't get me wrong on the .40 since I own three 4013's, two shorty 40's, and a full size M&P 40. I like the .40.

But disregarding the stopping power or the availability or the cost, the Shield is a small light pistol and the 9mm is much easier to control compared to the nasty .40.

 

[shouldazagged]

I read the "experts" with a grain of salt, but they will tell you that 9mm is the minimum self defense round

Some experts will tell you that. They will be wrong, said the old .38 Special guy. :;

I've owned both full-sized .40's and compact and full-sized 9mm's. In a small, light gun I would be more comfortable with a nine. My 411, and especially a G22, were excellent but brisk.

Personally I doubt there's a huge, glaring difference between 9X19 and .40 S&W for self-defense at close range. That is not an "expert" opinion, just based on some research I've read.

If I were to go back to carrying an automatic now it would be a small 9mm, or a .380 as a backup to a J-frame.

Your mileage, etc.

 

[Duelist]

Shield .40 I shot got old quick. I don't think I made it through a whole box, and I was done with it sooner than I actually quit.

I've had a pocket 9mm, full size, and compacts. I've had a full size plastic .40, and a compact. I usually carry a 3913 and/or a 642.

 

[Mahalo_.32]

I am an original 1911-45 caliber guy, I went to the G32 .357 sig about 9 years ago along with 9mm and just recently I purchased my M&P .40 and I LOVE the way this gun feels .40 feels almost like 9 out of this suckered but truth be told I am getting a .357SIG barrel in a few weeks so I will have the truth then but I am sure I will enjoy it in this frame also....

 

[Big Shrek]

Well, shoot...I just killed my own argument today...
went to the range with a pair of smaller CC pistols...
on 9mm & one .40S&W, never shot either before,
so it was a clean drill...

Star M43 (9mm) left & Star 205 (.40-S&W) right.

One would think the .40 would be snappy and less controllable...
given that they are practically the same size & weight,
but oddly enough, the plastic fantastic soaked recoil quite nicely

And my groups were substantially smaller with the .40,
that was a surprise in itself!!

Bottom line, now I gotta go find another M205 in 9mm
just so I can figure out if its the synthetic pistol soaking recoil better,
or I just got an off-day M43