9 vs. 40

[USMCDevilDogg]

After lots of research and reviews, I've torn between the M&P 9 and the 40. Other than the obvious (caliber) is there any difference? It would be my daily carry when I leave this terrible state of California, training at the range, and home protection. All my friends said the 9mm would be the best because of the ammo price and availability. Any comments or concern on either pistol would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Dragon88]

All my friends said the 9mm would be the best because of the ammo price and availability.

You seem to have knowledgeable friends. .40 is an excellent caliber, but is more expensive to shoot if you are stuck buying factory ammo. You don't mention your prior shooting experience or gun ownership, but assuming this is your first handgun purchase, I would highly recommend an M&P9.

 

[USMCDevilDogg]

Thanx for your response. My prior experiences- Hunting and recreational fun. Now, I shot occasionally with my friends and annually with the Bereta for my military requirements. This would be my first handgun purchase but I've tons of pistols, mostly Glocks, Beretas, and other cheap pistols.

 

[Jeb21]

I would also vote for the 9mm, though either caliber should fill the roles you outlined. I have the 9mm M&P and find that it is light recoiling and easy to shoot. Seventeen round magazine capacity is also nice. I used my M&P to introduce new shooters to center fire handguns. We start with a ruger 22 then graduate to the M&p 9.

 

[Dragon88]

Thanx for your response. My prior experiences- Hunting and recreational fun. Now, I shot occasionally with my friends and annually with the Bereta for my military requirements. This would be my first handgun purchase but I've tons of pistols, mostly Glocks, Beretas, and other cheap pistols.

With the additional info, I still think the M&P9 would be a great choice for you. It is a huge step above the M9s we are issued. Ammo is (relatively) cheap, recoil is low, and 9mm is still a very capable cartridge. It's the most popular handgun cartridge in the world for a reason. It gets the job done. You will end up owning both down the road anyway, but better to start with the 9.

 

[Bicky Robby]

There are many caliber choices, but "no best" caliber magic. This debate is everlasting and usually results in everyone trying to convert everyone else to their chosen bullet size.

The best answer I can give to this question is the best caliber is you can shoot most accurately. Since the bulk of your pistol experience is in 9mm, I would suggest this is a great starting place. With modern hollow point rounds and good, repeatable shooting technique's, 9mm is a very effectivepersonal defense round. Hope this helps, Marine.

 

[Ruger Nut]

I would go with the 9mm only because the ammo is cheaper then .40 cal.But,I have seen .40 cal ammo coming down in price in the last couple of years.I'm just guessing it's because LE is using .40 cal now more then 9mm....???? Knowing this,why did LE switch from 9mm weapons to .40 cal? I'm thinking it's because the .40 cal has better/more stopping power then 9mm?

 

[The Sarge]

I carried a 9mm on duty for 13 years and never felt "under gunned". Then moved onto the larger calibers and was a big fan of the 40. Now I am back to 9mm. The 9mm is highly effective with today's premium JHP rounds and combat proven the world over. Shot placement is the key. All of the service calibers work or fail about the same. I find the 9mm is the easiest caliber for me to shoot fast with speed and accuracy. Also easiest to shoot one handed, either hand, and from awkward positions that may occur in actual combat. Bill

 

[chuck s]

If you want to carry less cartridges get .40S&W which is a "compromise" caliber between adequate 9mm and acceptable .45ACP.

I prefer biggest, not merely bigger bullets although I occasionally carry 9mm for capacity.

-- Chuck

 

[Maximumbob54]

I'm getting to be a bigger fan of the .40SW each time I get into loading for the only one I have. I know they make a dozen different barrels for the Glock that will convert the .40SW into .357 Sig or 9mm. I would assume with the popularity of the M&P that conversion barrels must be either coming or already available. But I'm a guy who likes options even if I'm not likely to use all of them. Actually, a quick Google search just showed Storm Lake is making conversion barrels already.

 

[Ruger Nut]

If you want to carry less cartridges get .40S&W which is a "compromise" caliber between adequate 9mm and acceptable .45ACP.

I prefer biggest, not merely bigger bullets although I occasionally carry 9mm for capacity.

-- Chuck

I bought a Sigma in .40 cal because it felt like it had more power then a 9mm and capable of taking "out" a bad guy if ever I had to defend myself in that kind of situation.This is my first ever .40 cal weapon. I know shot placement is the key to being successful but having that extra stopping power capability is good too.

I have several 9mm pistols and like them all. And Chuck is correct also about capacity....sometimes more rounds are better in certain situations.In my case,it's target shooting at the range.

My advice,go to a range that has rental guns and try both.Then buy what feels better to you,not what someone suggests you buy.

 

[turbo38gn]

I'm getting to be a bigger fan of the .40SW each time I get into loading for the only one I have. I know they make a dozen different barrels for the Glock that will convert the .40SW into .357 Sig or 9mm. I would assume with the popularity of the M&P that conversion barrels must be either coming or already available. But I'm a guy who likes options even if I'm not likely to use all of them. Actually, a quick Google search just showed Storm Lake is making conversion barrels already.

I have all 3 MP calibers, love my 40's, have purchased the 9mm conversion and 357 barrels... I prefer carrying the 40 for CCW, sorry but bigger is better. 40 doesn't need 17 rounds to stop the bad guys... But in the end, I been carrying my SW 1911 3" pro lately.. love that 45acp..

 

[EXERCISINGTHE2ND]

I'm a new first-time owner. I have the .40. I didn't care about saving a couple of bucks on a 100 count box. Learning how to shoot right has meant recoil isn't an issue.

One thing I didn't consider - the BANG sounds so much better when I'm standing next to a guy with a 9. So if you like the, "mine's bigger " and have the guy with the 9 feeling small, than have fun with the 40

 

[turbo38gn]

I'm a new first-time owner. I have the .40. I didn't care about saving a couple of bucks on a 100 count box. Learning how to shoot right has meant recoil isn't an issue.

One thing I didn't consider - the BANG sounds so much better when I'm standing next to a guy with a 9. So if you like the, "mine's bigger " and have the guy with the 9 feeling small, than have fun with the 40

could care less about the 9 guy feeling small... it's all about the stopping power, with great power comes greater noise.... living to hear another day means everything.

get some better ear plugs...

 

[WR Moore]

If you place your shots properly, it doesn't matter what you use.

If you don't place your shots properly, it also doesn't matter what you use.

 

[turbo38gn]

If you place your shots properly, it doesn't matter what you use.

If you don't place your shots properly, it also doesn't matter what you use.

couldn't agree more, I believe I shoot my 9,40 and 45's just as well.... heck... kick in the 38,357, but not the sig...

 

[walkin' trails]

Last sale ad I recall from Express Police Supply, a 500-round case of 9mm ball was almost half the price of a case of 40 ball. With developments in bullet expansion technology over the past few years, there ain't much difference when a bullet expands the way its supposed to. A Winchester Ranger bonded HP is supposed to be the same bullet as the Black Talon without the black paint. I like the 45 because I don't have to buy them at present, but when I'm back to having to buy or load myown practice and carry loads, I may very well go back to 9mm. Generally a 9 is easier to handle, however, I observed that trigger jerk and flinch is something that can plague any shooter who does not get out and train - train included dry fire and ball and dummy drills.

 

[sna0403]

If it comes down to it, the BG isn't gonna care what he was hit with, just that he was hit and doesn't want any more of it! Shoot every caliber you can and go with what feels comfortable to you. I carry an M&P 40 FS and a MS (4") RIA.45. but could just as easily use a 9, 357 Sig or .380. Choices are great!

 

[Silversmok3]

Unless you're bringing a nuclear detonator to the pistol range, you don't have handheld stopping power.

 

[Lost Lake]

Cost of shooting?
I bought 1000 rounds of .40 S&W for $245. That's 24.5 cents per round.
You can buy Winchester 9mm from Midway for $54 per 50 rounds, or $1.08 per round.

My point is if you shop around for your range ammo cost becomes a moot point. Guys who buy 50 or 100 packs pay a LOT more for ammo than guys who buy 1000 rounds at a time in most cases.

As for recoil, I think my full size .40 M&P shoots at least as softly as my 9c M&P. My 10 year old thinks the same, except the .40 is louder. So which is easier to shoot and control? That depends on which gun you are getting!

And if you buy a M&P .40, you can drop in a 9mm factory barrel for around $65. You can't go from 9mm to .40 though.

There's a lot more to think about that others here are touching on.