Decisions, Decisions - 9mm or .40?

[scattershot]

Always nice to find a supply of ammo in the lean times, but have you considered reloading? During the last late great ammo famine, I was still shooting when a lot of folks weren't. Just food for thought.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Always nice to find a supply of ammo in the lean times, but have you considered reloading? During the last late great ammo famine, I was still shooting when a lot of folks weren't. Just food for thought.

If this was directed to me...... I've got two teenage boys...... I haven't had time to add any new "hobbies" of my own in the last 18 years.....LOL

Gotta run...... HS Soccer practice.... pickup!

 

[black hawk 88]

What to choose

Hi the 9mm m&p is my first gun bought i bought it in July. Very happy with purchase.

 

[PeeShooter]

Stick to the 9mm cheap ammo and I agree with others, especially if yo reload, keep the number of different calibers down; I'm at 4 bullet diameters (5 if you count my Marlin 1984 takes an oversize bullet) and 7 different sets of dies...you know, 38/357; 45LC/454 Casull kinds of stuff. I like 9's fun to shoot, economical and I just love the M&P's. In the last three months I've purchased 5 of them; and they're an easy trigger job to get a great trigger and reset.

This may stir up some discussion but I carry a 9mm in the winter after reading a study that said a 45 ACP (my usual carry) has great stopping power but when you put a heavy winter coat on the bad guy, a 9mm has a better penetrating chance driving a smaller hole through the extra clothing with the extra speed of the bullet.

 

[kwh]

Bought a used S&W M&P .40 shortly after all ammo was scarce. Ordered a Storm Lake .357 Sig conversion barrel. Now I have 2 extra calibers if another ammo shortage.

 

[Rick_A]

The 40's went out for exercise recently.

Both are capable of making one ragged hole at 15 yards but my focus was speed not precision. They are both up to the task.

20150901_102944_LLS by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

That was at seven yards.

.40 makes a good midrange outdoor load and in most hollowpoints has good performance without buying exotic and hard to find law enforcement or specialty ammo.

 

[richiecotite]

There are advantages to both calibers; it's not an either/or situation.

I generally carry an m&p9c when I strap a pistol on (or j frame in the pocket when I don't), and I think we can all agree there are 9mm loads that have been proven to be up to the task of stopping 2 legged vermin. Add in the fact that 9mm guns have less recoil and more rounds, and it makes a lot of sense to go with that.

To me, .40 is a little more versatile. Google "heavy .40 S&W glocktalk"; there's a thread on glocktalk about hit and heavy .40 handloads (not saying you should duplicate what the author of the thread does). Some of his loading a are 200 gr bullets at close to 1200 fps. That's 10mm territory. So a .40 might makes sense for someone that spends time in the woods and isn't in grizzly country.
If you ever wanted to get in comp shooting, like uspsa, it makes sense to go with a 40.

Also, there's something about the m&p in 40. I had a second gen g22 and vividly remember the snappy, excessive recoil and swore myself off 40's for the next decade. When I finally bought an m&p 40, it felt very similar to 9mm, and I was astounded. The m&p was built from the ground up to be a 40 caliber pistol, unlike the glocks which are scaled up 9mms. The 40 m&p handles recoil extremely well.

 

[McE]

Someone say 40cal Glock?

 

[KellyB]

I have a .40 M&P compact and I love it. To me, it's easy to shoot. Great control. Love the power. But to each his own. My vote is go with the .40.

 

[McE]

Love it, compared to what? Easy to shoot, compared to what? Great control, compared to what? Power, compared to what?

 

[Scopes]

I think the pistol has much more to do with it than anything. I'm a Glock fanboy, and in Sub C and Compact models the 9mm is definitely much snappier than the 40S&W. That particular design just "feels" better and gives more confidence with 40S&W, imo.

 

[41 fan]

McE
If you think the .40 recoils too hard, costs too much and is no more effective than a 9mm, then don't own one. I don't share you opinion. I enjoy shooting my sig 229 just as much as I do my 228. Using your logic, I don't see why .45 is so popular. I personally, couldn't care less what cartridge the FBI adopts.

 

[Llando88]

There are advantages to both calibers; it's not an either/or situation...

To me, .40 is a little more versatile. Google "heavy .40 S&W glocktalk"; there's a thread on glocktalk about hit and heavy .40 handloads (not saying you should duplicate what the author of the thread does). Some of his loading a are 200 gr bullets at close to 1200 fps. That's 10mm territory. So a .40 might makes sense for someone that spends time in the woods and isn't in grizzly country.
If you ever wanted to get in comp shooting, like uspsa, it makes sense to go with a 40.

Thanks. Those are the first objective reasons for a 40 I've seen.

Does anyone else have any?

No snark here, I'm genuinely curious.

 

[Clete Torres]

I like my .40s (M&P and SW40VE). Maybe it's because I have large hands and can control a larger caliber (.40 180gr really has not much more perceived recoil than a 9mm) or maybe it's because it's what I've always had other than my single-stack Makarov. Another plus: never had any trouble finding food for the .40s at any time at a reasonable tariff, even when the shelves were bare of 9mm and so many other cals.

In fact, I'm >< this close to ordering a new 40c, for $425 from the LGS.

 

[McE]

McE
If you think the .40 recoils too hard, costs too much and is no more effective than a 9mm, then don't own one. I don't share you opinion. I enjoy shooting my sig 229 just as much as I do my 228. Using your logic, I don't see why .45 is so popular. I personally, couldn't care less what cartridge the FBI adopts.

I don't "think" the .40 recoils more than the 9mm, it does.
I don't "think" the .40 costs more than the 9mm, it does.

is it your "opinion" that .40 recoils less than the 9mm?
is it your "opinion" that .40 is cheaper than the 9mm?

Enjoying shooting is a wholly different subjective criteria that has nothing at all to do with what the OP is asking for help about. I enjoy shooting my 44mag because it goes boom. Costs more, recoils more, etc, but I shoot it for enjoyment. I can handle it and I am accurate with it. But compared to a 9mm, I am slower with the 44mag.
OP asked about 9mm and 40, stated being cheap to shoot is a criteria, stated that new shooters would be learning on it. His only temptation of the 40 was that it came in at a lower price tag for the gun.
Now, am I to believe that if someone were to ask you which caliber to go with when cost of ammo is a concern, you would still tell them to go with the 40 simply because you personally enjoy it?

 

[BAM-BAM]

9mm vs 40 vs .45............. the threads that keep on giving....... and will never see agreement or consensus ........

Shall we agree to disagree ?......... and head out to family picnics!

Steak or Chicken on the "barbi"??




We're having a boil......... corn, sausage and shrimp......... see compromise can work!!! With enough beer!!!!!!!!

 

[pigbike]

Appears to me that many LE agencies are switching from 40 back to 9mm. This tells me two things. One the ammo is cheaper and two this is why the 40 cal. guns are being discounted. If no one is buying 40's anymore (as much as before), the dealers/wholesalers might want to reduce their stock.

For many agencies switching hand guns is not a low cost move. They might have to buy hundreds of them depending on the department. They wouldn't be doing this unless there was a good reason. It was not too far back that they went from 9mm to 40, and now to switch back, there is a good reason.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I vote for the 9mm for all sorts of reasons. Ammo is less costly and at least as plentiful, good defense ammo is better than it used to be, faster follow-up shots, less wear and tear on the gun, etc. Usually, the 9s and 40s are priced the same, so keep looking.

 

[xd40seg]

I just picked up a M&P 9 FS because I wanted an M&P and I didn't have a 9mm. I've been shooting mostly .40 and .45 for the last 10 years. I traded one of my .40's for the 9mm, but I'm holding on to my G23. I switched because of ammo cost mostly, but I don't feel under gunned with my M&P 9.

 

[41 fan]

McE,
Read your post #55. "that time would make you better on the 9". You're arguing with yourself. IMO, a slight increase in price and recoil would not hold anyone back.
You appear not to know that everyone here has a right to their opinion even if it differs from yours. And I doubt anyone would require your correction.
Post # 40. Very original. Haven't heard of a caliber change making a difference in court.
Post 48. My favorite. What makes the information you post any more accurate than others here?

 

[McE]

McE,
Read your post #55. "that time would make you better on the 9". You're arguing with yourself. IMO, a slight increase in price and recoil would not hold anyone back.
You appear not to know that everyone here has a right to their opinion even if it differs from yours. And I doubt anyone would require your correction.
Post # 40. Very original. Haven't heard of a caliber change making a difference in court.
Post 48. My favorite. What makes the information you post any more accurate than others here?

Alright, you don't do well with reading comprehension and your feelings are hurt. I'm sorry, I'll leave you and your opinions contrary to facts alone. For your sake, maybe you should look up what "opinion" means since you seem to throw it around a lot. Take care.

 

[41 fan]

Feelings hurt? Don't think so. I've had a difference of opinion with people more knowledgeable than you with no ill effect. My comprehension is just fine, but thanks for your concern. Once again, all of the members here are entitled to their opinions and they don't have to agree with yours. You make me think of an old saying I heard many years ago. You can reason with an intelligent person, but not a fool. So
I'll make a deal with you. I'll ignore you and you return in kind.

 

[Knochen]

Two divergent thoughts: collect guns sharing the same caliber for convenience and perhaps tactical reasons, or collect an assorment of calibers each with their own advantages and purposes. I fell into the latter camp because of available ammo - if you can't find one, chances are that you can find another. I haven't personally found a disadvantage to having to stock the required differing ammo with a fair amount of each stored in clearly market clear plastic bags. Some would say that a clear disadvantage is the need to practice with each on a regular basis. That's true with increased cost, but the argument against this concerning handling I find not to be for I have found handling of each of my 9 mm's takes a slightly different hold and stance no different than with my various calibers.

 

[327 Monkey]

About everyone I know who bought .40 sold them and got a 9mm. Close friend to me still stick to is Glock .40 and shoot like Stevie Wonder with it, I always tell him "normal.... it's a Glock"

 

[keithherrington]

I just don't see any advantage to the .40. You will quickly make up the price difference with cheap 9mm ammo, higher capacity and no difference in terminal effect if used for serious applications. 9mm is the winner.

+1. After using 45, 40 and 9 over the years I'd ignore the 40 and stick with the other two. I've done this with my M&Ps (2 M&P45s and 1 M&P9) and I've never looked back. Super happy with all of them, as is my son with his M&P9.

Keith

 

[TeaDub]

OldCop, congratulations on the new Shield. Having a slim option for carry is a very good thing.

As far as caliber, I prefer to have variety. While I carry 9 and 40 the most, 45 and 38 special occasionally get thrown into the mix as well. I was mandated to carry someone else's choice for many years. Now that I'm retired, I carry what I want.