So I will be getting a sigma soon and using it for on and off duty carry. Which should I get 9 or 40 . Is there a standard for duty carry or what?
9mm or 40s&w ?
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I've owned the 40s&w for 3 years now. I have used it to back up my Glock 21sf at the house & I have carried it in the past instead of or along with my G27, when I don't particularly need to hide a gun. It has been 100% reliable. If I need to practice cheap then I shoot my .22lr Buckmark. For the money the SW40VE is the best SD handgun on the market. BUT either gun would be suitable for what you need it for, I just like the power that the 40 affords me.
I drove myself silly trying to answer the same question when I bought my Sigma. I ended up buying the .40 S&W version because I was having a tough time finding 9mm rounds at the time and...well...the LGS only had the SW40VE in stock that day. LOL I had cash in the pocket and was leaving the store with something.
I was able to try both versions before buying mine. I found that there was very little difference in terms of recoil and, for some odd reason, the 9mm version ejected the brass straight over my head as opposed to far off to the right as the .40 version did. I'm no expert, but I'm guessing that can vary between specific pistols. Not sure, but simply an observation.
As other folks have mentioned, 9mm will be slightly cheaper to practice with. $11.95/50 of 9mm vs $14.95/50 of .40 in my neck of the woods. I love shooting my SW40VE and now reload my own rounds to reduce cost (although I shoot more now...so much for that).
I was able to try both versions before buying mine. I found that there was very little difference in terms of recoil and, for some odd reason, the 9mm version ejected the brass straight over my head as opposed to far off to the right as the .40 version did. I'm no expert, but I'm guessing that can vary between specific pistols. Not sure, but simply an observation.
As other folks have mentioned, 9mm will be slightly cheaper to practice with. $11.95/50 of 9mm vs $14.95/50 of .40 in my neck of the woods. I love shooting my SW40VE and now reload my own rounds to reduce cost (although I shoot more now...so much for that).
Maximumbob54
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If I read that right, I would ask your department's armorer what is authorized and what he recommends. I bought a nearly new used SW40VE since the price was so right on a gun that I couldn't tell had ever been fired. But I also wanted a .40SW to shoot cast bullet loads with.
IMHO, if this is going to be used for duty, I would step up to a SD model or a M&P for the much better sighting options and standard rail for light attachment. The Sigma rail is unique to it and requires an adapter for most mounting options.
Looking at Hornady's ballistics chart, the 9mm throws a 115 gr XTP bullet at 1155 fps or a 125 gr at 1110 fps. The .40 throws a 155 gr XTP bullet at 1180 fps. (All data is for 4" barrels.)
So, the .40 has a larger diameter/heavier bullet, that has a slightly higher velocity than the 9mm. You are betting your life on your round....so what exactly is there to figure out here???
So, the .40 has a larger diameter/heavier bullet, that has a slightly higher velocity than the 9mm. You are betting your life on your round....so what exactly is there to figure out here???
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rlpos1
Member
Go with the 40m if your wrist can handle the recoil 
If you decide on a .40, reloading can be a great equalizer along with saving you some cash. Components are not that much more expensive when compared to a 9mm. I calculate about .02 to .03 more a round for bullets and powder cost is relative to the amount you use. When I practice with the 40, I use light to moderate powder charges in those loads. I find little difference in felt recoil between factory 9mm ammo and my .40 reloads.
Walthernut
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What kind of duty?
kraigwy
US Veteran
I'd look at my duty gun to see what caliber it is, then pick the Sigma to match.
I'm3rd
Absent Comrade
I prefer the 9mm over the .40 S&W round mainly because of it's availability, usually at a lower price than most other SD ammo almost anywhere in the US and the few other western nations that allow private citizens to own handguns. It's also very easy to reload with readily available tools and components, which in my opinion is one of it's main advantages. OK, so the 9mm isn't the latest round of the year in the field of so-called "stopping power". However it has and still does serve as the service handgun for most of the world's LE and military establishments, ours included, and I don't believe they would keep it in that role for so many decades if it often fails to do the job it is intended to do. Those are just my own opinions on the matter, yours may not be the same and if so that's perfectly OK with me.
.9mm or .40
One thought I see nobody has mentioned yet: get the .40 because (for most "major" gun companies) you can buy a .9mm conversion barrel to use in your .40 for practice/low cost/low recoil and maybe later learning tool for the kids. Lone Wolf, KKM and Storm Lake make conversion barrels that fill up the space in the slide the .40 caliber barrel leaves. All you need to do is buy the conversion barrel and the magazine for the .9mm and you are good to go. I have conversion barrels for my Glock .40's (23 and 27). Now, if you are getting a Smith & Wesson SD40 (GREAT GUN!) nobody (that I know of) makes the conversion barrel yet.
One thought I see nobody has mentioned yet: get the .40 because (for most "major" gun companies) you can buy a .9mm conversion barrel to use in your .40 for practice/low cost/low recoil and maybe later learning tool for the kids. Lone Wolf, KKM and Storm Lake make conversion barrels that fill up the space in the slide the .40 caliber barrel leaves. All you need to do is buy the conversion barrel and the magazine for the .9mm and you are good to go. I have conversion barrels for my Glock .40's (23 and 27). Now, if you are getting a Smith & Wesson SD40 (GREAT GUN!) nobody (that I know of) makes the conversion barrel yet.
Ive often thought about the 9 , should I get one? Well Im still thinking , after shooting 300 rounds of .40sw today Ive decided , NOPE!! I love the .40 , the rounds are out and they arent too bad in price , reloading is readlily available as well! The .40 is a better round , just getting it because your duty carry is a 9 isnt good enough especially since most cops only shoot when they go to the range to qualify and thats usually quarterly (swat , special ops , fire alot more) if you fire more than once a week good for you but it doesnt have to be the same round , I shot 300 .40 sw today along with 50 .44mags (I should have just shot 500 .40's !)
Snowbandit
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Just got an email from Ammoman today. The 9MM is selling for $229.00 per 1000 and .40 S&W for $329.00 per thousand. That's a dime difference every time you pull the trigger and that's going to add up fast. You're better off with the 9 MM unless you really have a need for something bigger. I've got both but the 9's get used a lot more.
DOUBLESHOT
Member
I highly recommend Ammoman. I live 20 minutes from them and because they don't have to ship it they give me a discount.
You said that this pistol would be for on/off duty. Normally I would recommend a 9mm but my use is strictly for range use, not SD. If this pistol is mainly for SD then you might consider the 40mm. Different calibers, different purposes.
dswr050
Member
I had a Sigma in .40 cal. for two years and sold it about three years ago. It was reliable but had a punishing recoil especially with +P loads. My little Kahr PM40 handles those loads much better.
GUTH_R65
Member
I am switching from .40SW back to 9MM for duty carry. The main reason is that my follow-up shots are quicker and more accurate (for me) with the 9MM. I used to subscribe to the "bigger is better" mantra but after putting a 6 inch group at 25yds with the .40 and a 3 inch group with the 9MM, the choice was made.
But, this is just me. You may have a different result, but I would rather be able to put all my bullets on target every time and I can do that with a 9MM, better than with my .40 or my .45 (all S&W, by the way). As a matter of fact, my SD9 is due in this afternoon. I can hardly wait to pick it up!
My 2CW.....stay safe out there!
But, this is just me. You may have a different result, but I would rather be able to put all my bullets on target every time and I can do that with a 9MM, better than with my .40 or my .45 (all S&W, by the way
). As a matter of fact, my SD9 is due in this afternoon. I can hardly wait to pick it up! My 2CW.....stay safe out there!
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