9mm vs 40S&W

[surveyor47]

Every time I hear about cops shooting someone 21+ times, I think 9mm. My wifes hospital had a gangbanger come in with "18 bullets and 20 holes- 9mm". The guy not only lived, but the primary threats to his life were his buddies, who were hunting him in local hospitals, a literal threat to doctors and nurses.

I have zero experience with gunshot wounds on people and pray that I never have that experience. I have shot plenty of game and have observed that hydrostatic shock does not take effect until a bullet is doing about 1800 fps- well above typical handgun velocity. I have observed 54 cal 400 grain bullets at 1300 fps hit deer in the chest with no apparent immediate effect (unless bone is hit), bleeding out as they run. If a 54 doesnt have "stopping power", I dont see how a 357 or 44 Magnum at similar velocity will have "stopping power". I think it is all about the time that it takes for shock to take effect. All things being equal, that should take less time with a bigger bullet.

If you want to experience "snappy recoil", try out a 41 or 44 Magnum and then shoot a 40 S&W in comparison. I dont think you will find the 40 "snappy" any more.

I really dont see the 9mm as a viable caliber for police, who go into harms way on our behalf. I think that the 40 S&W is a good minimum for that purpose.

 

[Mule88]

I like my calibers to start with a "4"

 

[MTKTM]

Moot point after all, As i was digging through the tote box that had all the 9mm and 40 cal SW99's in the very bottom of the box was the sole as in one and only SW99 in 45acp. That is what came home with me. Was sold on the 40S&W until i just happened to come across the only 45 in the box. Thank you everyone for your replies!

Regards,
Trey

That's funny!! Well, congratulations, you probably came out better that way in any event. The 45ACP is an excellent round.

 

[dakasat]

I've been issued pistols in most of the popular law enforcement calibers in my career. 9, .357 sig, .40 and .45. Go with the round that you shoot the best. I highly recommend the 127 +p+ 9mm load from Winchester.But, if you go with the .40, Winchester sells 165 grain SXT or Ranger T loads too. They, in my opinion, are superior to the 180's. Consider the price of practice ammo too. In my area, the 9 is much cheaper than the .40. I'm probably in the minority on this, but both cartridges will serve you well with good quality ammo!
And, now that I see yor latest post, that settles it then! 230 grain winchester Ranger T's are what we are issued at my Department...and I am ver happy about that!

 

[tazcollins]

Clint Smith stated that the three most important components of stopping power are, bullet placement, bullet placement, and bullet placement. All calibers have worked and all have failed. I've owned both and prefer the 9mm. I can place holes faster and more accurately with it. Double taps are a breeze. For defense I use the issued NYPD load which is the Speer 124 grain 9mm plus P Gold Dot. They do a pretty good job with it. I had an officer (ex marine) qualify with a Glock 23 and he shot a 236 out of 250. Holes everwhere. Then I gave him a Glock 19 and he shot a perfect 250. Enough said. TC

 

[oamaam]

Clint Smith stated that the three most important components of stopping power are, bullet placement, bullet placement, and bullet placement. All calibers have worked and all have failed. I've owned both and prefer the 9mm. I can place holes faster and more accurately with it. Double taps are a breeze. For defense I use the issued NYPD load which is the Speer 124 grain 9mm plus P Gold Dot. They do a pretty good job with it. I had an officer (ex marine) qualify with a Glock 23 and he shot a 236 out of 250. Holes everwhere. Then I gave him a Glock 19 and he shot a perfect 250. Enough said. TC

FYI there is no such thing as an "ex marine" its former MARINE.

Why do you think that you can place bullets on the target faster with a 9mm? Maybe psychologically your afraid of the 40 kickback or something else along the those lines?

I love the 40 and where I get my bullets is fairly cheap as in the 9mm is 2.00 cheaper than the 40's , I either shoot the Fiochi 185 grain, or the Federal 185 grain which is 13.00 a box.

40 is the way to go IMHO

 

[tazcollins]

FYI there is no such thing as an "ex marine" its former MARINE.

Why do you think that you can place bullets on the target faster with a 9mm? Maybe psychologically your afraid of the 40 kickback or something else along the those lines?

I love the 40 and where I get my bullets is fairly cheap as in the 9mm is 2.00 cheaper than the 40's , I either shoot the Fiochi 185 grain, or the Federal 185 grain which is 13.00 a box.

40 is the way to go IMHO

I don't think I can, I can, and anyone else can. Afraid? Don't think so. Have owned and shot them all and carried them professionally since 1973. You must be an ex marine! TC

 

[bitstream]

I chose .40 myself after doing my research. After reading/studying a lot of stuff, I realized how often I kept coming across the fact that the .40 is the #1 choice of law enforcement and federal agencies. It occurred to me that they have people a lot smarter than me to make their choice of caliber plus the resources to do studies, etc. If they choose the .40 over the 9mm, then that's good enough for me. I presume their experts know a lot more than me and that they wouldn't choose the "lesser" round.