9mm vs 40 s&w

[Lost Lake]

9mm ww127gr. +P+

Can you shoot +P+ regularly in your gun? It will wear it out faster, but will it void the warranty?

And if you wanted more power than the 9, why didn't you just buy a .40 in the first place?

 

[jeeps]

Yes the 40sw is hard on auto,s its allready in +p range. Its hard to see why the 40sw was made its no better than the 9mm and not as good as the 45acp. Its much akin to the 16ga Stuck between a 12ga. and 20 ga. And no better than them. It is a lost cal. the only ones that win are the ammo and gun makers. They pulled the wool over alot of peoples eyes. Buyer beware!

 

[NKJ nut]

Buyer beware?

Yes the 40sw is hard on auto,s its allready in +p range. Its hard to see why the 40sw was made its no better than the 9mm and not as good as the 45acp. Its much akin to the 16ga Stuck between a 12ga. and 20 ga. And no better than them. It is a lost cal. the only ones that win are the ammo and gun makers. They pulled the wool over alot of peoples eyes. Buyer beware!

That seems like a strong statement. I don't personally care for the .40 S&W as I prefer a 9 or .45 but that doesn't mean there's anything wrong with someone using a .40. I don't see why you would make such a strong statement.

As regards the 16 ga. I've used it a lot with complete satisfaction. If bigger is better I suppose that the 12 ga. is a loser too because it is smaller than the 10 ga.

Personally, I think everyone here is smart enough to choose their own caliber for carry. What I choose doesn't mean the others are useless.

 

[mrsig]

May sound elementry but I like the 9 MM for a lot of reasons especially in a 124 or 147 +P or +P+. If the 9 is good enough for many US LEO's. most of Europe, and all NATO forces, I am not going to feel under gunned.

 

[jeeps]

Yes without starting a cal. war I use the 16ga. to in a Ithaca M37 and Stevens 311a,both on true 16ga. frames. I like the Sig 226 in 9mm,but if forty floats your boat its your choice&your money. Both are = in power,but the 9mm gets more capacity and easy to shoot fast. Most Special forces world wide prefer it and Seals. I have no use for the 40cal.

 

[neorebel]

I have to carry a Glock in .40 cal everyday at work...

For my off duty I carry a Kimber Pro Carry II, in .45,,,, I also carry a P226, S&W 5946, and Browning HP all in .9mm.

All I can say is practice your shot placement, concentrate on your front sight, and lots of shooting. I shoot with both eyes open from 15 to 7 yards. Each of these weapons will stop a person if you use good shot placement. None of them will do any good if you miss. ;0P.

I'm sure I'd be preaching to the choir to say most encounters will happen in the 7-15 yard range. I have seen a .22 kill very quickly and a .45 not do a darned thing..good shot placement and bad shot placement?

You could argue Hardball or hollowpoint as well. I use both. I like hardball in the winter for my off duty for a myriad of reasons. Personal choice.

The .40 was designed to be between the .9mm and the .45. It is an excellent round. So is the .9mm and the .45.

Ballistics asside it is all a personal choice and in the end you might have to live with that choice. So it's up to you!

I have to say I love my S&W 5946 to me it's like a revolver with lots of rounds! The trigger is so smooth I love it. I carry it a lot!

 

[crbii]

Both are = in power,but the 9mm gets more capacity and easy to shoot fast. Most Special forces world wide prefer it and Seals. I have no use for the 40cal.

They may be almost equal, but are NOT equal
The statement about easy to shoot fast is your opinion. I have shot 9mm and 40 out of the same platforms XDM and Sig2022/2340 I shoot much 40 more accuraetly and faster accurately than 9mm. I've shot probably a couple thousand more rounds of 9mm and was more accurate with 40 from the first mag. Just because you don't like 40 doesn't mean it isn't a viable option. One reason I got into 40 was during the Obama scare 9mm and 45 was scarce, but 40 was over abundant.

Gun owners need to realize that everyone is different
These caliber debate are a waste of time honestly unless someone is arguing 22lr as a good carry option.


Next could we please debate the best firearm manufacter? So people can say a glock, xd, sig, s&w is the best and only firearm to own/carry. Or we could debate the best/only trigger/fire platform (DA,SA, DS/SA, striker fired, etc.) For carry. There simply isn't just 1 right answer.

I am not a one brand or caliber Guy. I wish more people in the firearm community would be accepting of the idea that their way is not the only way. Hell I'm just happy people carry no matter what they carry.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I said this on another forum. Might as well say it here too.

There is so much fuss over guns, caliber and ammo selection that it's actually comical.

We might be better served expending that energy towards mind set, marksmanship, and tactics.

After all, those are the things that will save you. Without the above mentioned, either caliber ain't gonna help you.

 

[NKJ nut]

I said this on another forum. Might as well say it here too.

There is so much fuss over guns, caliber and ammo selection that it's actually comical.

We might be better served expending that energy towards mind set, marksmanship, and tactics.

After all, those are the things that will save you. Without the above mentioned, either caliber ain't gonna help you.

It would be more than comical; it would be hilarious if it wasn't for the fact that some people get so serious about it all. Any negative comment about their favorite gun or caliber is taken as a personal insult. It would be like saying their mother was a prostitute 40 years ago or that their mommy and daddy weren't married until 9 weeks after their baby boy was born.

Caliber wars would serve a more useful purpose if it wasn't for the fact that all of the participants already have their minds made up. And the topic will only increase their determination to stand fast behind their choice. Many will have to defend the honor of their favorite gun or load against all who would speak ill of it.

For me caliber wars are just cheap entertainment. And the risk of being hit by a stray bullet or being kicked in the shin is non-existent on the internet. But if this topic got going in a bar or poolroom I'd run before i got punched out just for being there.

Carry on

 

[Lost Lake]

A 9mm is easier to shoot than a .40 (when shot from identical guns) for one reason.

One reason only. Not the color of the bullet. Not the size of the primer.

The 9mm is easier to shoot because it is less powerful. That's the only reason.

A .22 is easier still. And a pellet gun is even more so. It's physics, any force will have an equal and opposite force. So low bullet power = soft recoil.

Jeeps is one of those guys that owns one gun, and wants reassurance that it is the best and only gun in the world.

 

[crbii]

A 9mm is easier to shoot than a .40 (when shot from identical guns) for one reason.

One reason only. Not the color of the bullet. Not the size of the primer.

The 9mm is easier to shoot because it is less powerful. That's the only reason.

A .22 is easier still. And a pellet gun is even more so. It's physics, any force will have an equal and oppositie force. So low bullet power = soft recoil.

Jeeps is one of those guyos that owns one gun, and wants reassurance that it is the best and only gun in the world.

Your last statement is so true. The one kind guys drive me nuts lol. The capacity thing is pretty much a mute point with me or at least with what I carry. If I can't hit the BG with 12 rounds I doubt I hit them with 14 or 16. I carry at least one spare may anytime I'm carrying a semi auto anyway. I have practiced may swaps vigorously. Muzzle flip and kick can vary pistol to pistol. Steel pistols generally have less muzzle than polymer for isntance. I prefer steel over polymer generally, but own polymer. My XDM is my bedside gun.

Shot placement, tactics, cover, magazine swaps, situational awareness are all higher priorities than caliber on my list. Of course I don't carry anything smaller than 380 and its usually a BUG.

 

[tomcatt51]

Then there's the issue of having something small and light enough to really carry regularly vs talking about carrying on internet forums. I have a probably not too fashionable S&W 342.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Then there's the issue of having something small and light enough to really carry regularly vs talking about carrying on internet forums. I have a probably not too fashionable S&W 342.

There is no issue. Only attitude and commitment.

Some think a five shot revolver is fine. Some don't. Others would think I'm crazy for carrying a full size 1911 all day long.

In the end, it doesn't matter because we will each live and die doing what we think is right regardless of what someone else thinks.

 

[Kanewpadle]

A 9mm is easier to shoot than a .40 (when shot from identical guns) for one reason.

One reason only. Not the color of the bullet. Not the size of the primer.

The 9mm is easier to shoot because it is less powerful. That's the only reason.

A .22 is easier still. And a pellet gun is even more so. It's physics, any force will have an equal and opposite force. So low bullet power = soft recoil.

Jeeps is one of those guys that owns one gun, and wants reassurance that it is the best and only gun in the world.

I think that should be easy to understand.

I prefer a 45. But in summer months I carry a compact 9MM. I can't conceal anything bigger because of the way I dress.

I can hit with it accurately and repeatedly. That's all I worry about.

 

[Kanewpadle]

It would be more than comical; it would be hilarious if it wasn't for the fact that some people get so serious about it all. Any negative comment about their favorite gun or caliber is taken as a personal insult. It would be like saying their mother was a prostitute 40 years ago or that their mommy and daddy weren't married until 9 weeks after their baby boy was born.

Caliber wars would serve a more useful purpose if it wasn't for the fact that all of the participants already have their minds made up. And the topic will only increase their determination to stand fast behind their choice. Many will have to defend the honor of their favorite gun or load against all who would speak ill of it.

For me caliber wars are just cheap entertainment. And the risk of being hit by a stray bullet or being kicked in the shin is non-existent on the internet. But if this topic got going in a bar or poolroom I'd run before i got punched out just for being there.

Carry on

Over the years I've met many that carried a 9MM or 40.

The reasons why some of those chose either caliber were more suspect than anything else.

Some chose the 40 because "that's what cops carry". Others chose the 9MM because "I got's to have a 9" or "more boolits is better".

Of course those reasons show that not much thinking was required. Or should I say intelligent thinking.

Thankfully we live it a country were we have lots of choices. Some of us need to make those choices intelligently and live (or die) by them.

 

[auburn2]

Most Special forces world wide prefer it and Seals.

What are you basing this on? SOCOM purchased the Mk23 because they did not "prefer" the 9mm and the seals I know prefer the HK over either the P226 or M-11. Similarly Marine special forces are issued the M-45 (again a .45 ACP).

The reason 9mm is widely issued is because it is a NATO round, where .40 is not. The reason .45s are used by most of those with a choice is because, while not NATO, it is still a U.S. round and still in the supply system. As far as I know there is no military .40 ammo, there is no NSN you would have to do a purchase order every time you needed any.

 

[Research Nerd]

Put me down for .40. I've shot both, however, I'd choose .40 in semi-auto and .357 mag in revolver.

 

[Fat B]

I've done a lot (and I mean a lot) of research into this question and discovered there is no truely right answer.

Does a few hundreths of bullet expansion matter?

Maybe

Does 20% more pistol velocity matter?

Maybe

Is there such a thing as hydrostatic shock?

Maybe

Am I really that worried about capacity?

Not really. Which is why I rarely carry extra magazines around with me. 2 shots to the body cavity and reassess.

Is shot placement paramount?

ABSOLUTELY! Like my father always said: If you shoot someone in the eye, it will take them out of the fight no matter what caliber.

So what does this all mean to me? That I am comfortable with my 9mm in a self defense situation. I have no argument that the 40 is a slightly better round but I also have my doubts that the 40 is way superior to the 9. How much better is it really? I've settle on a little but not a lot. To make an analogy that I can relate to, is a mustang with a V8 faster than the one with the V6? Short answer yes, but both beat walking anyday.

For me, who has 3 young children, a morgtage and a tight income, I practice much more with my 9mm than I will with any other round, 40 or 45. I'd rather carry a 9mm that I've practiced a lot with than a 45 that's been sitting in the safe. Maybe if I win the lottery I'll sing a different tune.

 

[gasaman]

Put me down for 5 rounds of .44sp in a 396 Mountain Lite. On rare occasions I can carry up to two HKS speedloaders with it.
Oh d**m the OP was 9 vs 40.
I also sometimes will carry a bottom feeder in the version of a Kahr MK9.

 

[Lost Lake]

I've done a lot (and I mean a lot) of research into this question and discovered there is no truely right answer.

Does a few hundreths of bullet expansion matter?

Maybe

Does 20% more pistol velocity matter?

Maybe

Is there such a thing as hydrostatic shock?

Maybe

I'd say DEFINITELY MAYBE to all of these.

Am I really that worried about capacity?

Not really. Which is why I rarely carry extra magazines around with me. 2 shots to the body cavity and reassess.

Is shot placement paramount?

ABSOLUTELY! Like my father always said: If you shoot someone in the eye, it will take them out of the fight no matter what caliber.

So what does this all mean to me? That I am comfortable with my 9mm in a self defense situation. I have no argument that the 40 is a slightly better round but I also have my doubts that the 40 is way superior to the 9. How much better is it really? I've settle on a little but not a lot. To make an analogy that I can relate to, is a mustang with a V8 faster than the one with the V6? Short answer yes, but both beat walking anyday.

For me, who has 3 young children, a morgtage and a tight income, I practice much more with my 9mm than I will with any other round, 40 or 45. I'd rather carry a 9mm that I've practiced a lot with than a 45 that's been sitting in the safe. Maybe if I win the lottery I'll sing a different tune.

I like the Mustang analogy.... Both are fast, maybe one is a touch faster, but when the idea is to get you to the grocery store, they both work pretty dang well. Does one work better? Definitely maybe....