WHAT DO YOU PREFER 40CAL OR 9MM

[LIGHTNING-FAST]

Probley bulletts are a bit cheap for 9mm than 40cal but overall 40cal would be a better defensive weapon than the 9mm. Some think 9mm is just as good a home defensive weapon as the 40cal. mostly likely lies with the type bulitts one is using. Tom

 

[OKFC05]

a home defensive weapon ?

a shotgun is my first choice at home
second choice is whatever I'm carrying

 

[lawman90]

As much as I want to find a reason to not carry a 9mm, I just can't find one. The only reason that I use is that I love carrying my 4506 too much. But to answer your question, I prefer the 9 over a 40. You've got more ammo capacity usually, the ammo is cheaper, the gun is tamer (though I don't have trouble with 40, either), and I find 9mm to be a more accurate round compared to the 40's I own (which could also be user error). Though 10mm seems to go right for the bulls eye every time as well.

 

[Will Carry]

I have no use for a 40 cal. There is nothing wrong with the round or it's performance but I have 9mm and I have 45acp, I just don't need a 40. A 9mm is just fine for home defense. I have a CZ-75 SP-01 with 18+1 mag capactiy and trituim night sights. I pity the fool who thinks I am under armed.
That being said a 40 caliber has better ballistics than the 9mm. It is a deadlier round. I just don't think the bad guy is going to know the difference.

 

[StatesRightist]

The better caliber is the one you shoot the best. Either caliber will do the job, IF you do yours.

To follow up on OKFC...in a home defense scenario a long gun should be close at hand and your first choice. The pistol is to give you time to get to your long gun. Nod to Clint Smith.

 

[geoff40]

I like them both, but I would choose the 9mm. Less recoil means faster second shots, and dollar for dollar you can shoot a box and a half or more 9mm for the cost of 1 box of the .40 . That means more fun for you, and you being more proficient a shooter.

Shot placement is far more important than the differences between a 9mm and a .40 S&W . The number of criminals put in their graves by the 9mm should clearly show that the cartridge is an excellent choice for home defense.

 

[Shadow1006]

For me it is 10mm...Nothing like rolling your own 10mm perfection for protection!

 

[EXERCISINGTHE2ND]

I like my 40. Stupid things like the sound over my buddies 9mm. Plus, the hole in the target is much bigger (don't know why) than the 9 while being closer to the bull. Go try'em and see what you like. In the end, its all good to be a 2 Amendment participant

 

[Esteban CZ]

In my country,...
We are restricted to FMJ for self defense.
Factory .40 ammo is considerably more expensive than 9x19 of the same brand.
You can find 9x19 cartridges in almost every gun shop around the country. Can't say the same for .40SW.
There are far more pistol models available in 9x19 than in the bigger cartridge. That includes S&W autos, by the way.
No question I choose the old 9 for my serious shooting needs (when the Mossberg 500 is out of reach ).

 

[RussellD]

Either 9mm or .45. Even though I carry a S&W M&P on duty about 12 hours a day..I dont care for the cartridge...in one old man's opinion the .40 is not as accurate as the nine or .45. YMMV

 

[WoodLark]

In my opinion (worth what you paid for it), .40 cal is a solution in search of a problem. 9mm will do the job just fine.

 

[sahpec29]

Like OKFC05 my shotgun is my first choice for home defense with my second being my M&P 40FS.

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

Benelli M2 with 000 buck... 4006... or a 4013TSW... I've been a big .40 cal fan for over 10 years. I've expanded my collection significantly over the past year and a half and still don't own a 9mm. Then again, a year ago l didn't own a.45 ACP 3rd gen and now have three. Maybe a 9mm is in my future this year...

Hog

 

[mlk18]

If I want capacity (or for deep concealment) I go 9mm, if I want power I go .45acp. In my opinion the .40 is just a compromise round. It does not provide much more power than the 9mm or much more capacity than the .45acp. In my opinion the only thing it does provide is more muzzle flip and slower follow up shots.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I've owned several 40's and got rid of them. I simply shoot the 9MM or 45 better.

If I carry a full size gun then it's 45. If a compact then it's a 9. In either gun, follow up shots are quicker and more accurate.

For home defense, yes a long gun is best.

 

[kudzu3]

In my opinion (worth what you paid for it), .40 cal is a solution in search of a problem. 9mm will do the job just fine.

Couldn't have said it better. If you have a problem with the 9mm, go to the .45. Why mess around with a compromise caliber?

 

[Craig19]

I like 40 S&W, I own several 40s, and it is my current HD round. With that said, I don't plan on buying anymore 40 pistols. A box of ammo used to be about $1.00-$1.50 a box more than 9mm, now its at least $4.00 more a box, that really cuts on down I the amount I shoot my 40s.

 

[madmikeb]

For me it's .40 all the way. I actually prefer a .45 but my Glock 27 is my preferred hot weather concealment firearm. I've just got no use for a 9mm.

 

[eshap2]

Probley bulletts are a bit cheap for 9mm than 40cal but overall 40cal would be a better defensive weapon than the 9mm. Some think 9mm is just as good a home defensive weapon as the 40cal. mostly likely lies with the type bulitts one is using. Tom

I AGREE, USE THE CORRECT 9MM AMMO AND IT WILL DO A LOT OF DAMAGE

 

[DCWilson]

I completely get it that by some standards of judgment the .40 is an unnecessary round, but the market says there is a demand for it. Maybe the controlling factor in answering the question is the frame of reference, as the round is either a bigger-than-necessary alternative to the 9mm or a smaller-than-necessary alternative to the .45. I actually like the idea of the .40 and have one (a 4006). I will soon be taking possession of a match-grade 9mm (a 952). I suspect that at competition distances the 9mm will perform better for me, but in a social situation in my small house with compact rooms, I don't imagine target reacquisition would be much of a problem with either gun. I would use either one.

If I had a 9mm already, I might not see the point in upgrading to a .40; and I think that for home defense (particularly in small-lot California), a .45 or 10mm might be overkill. (I'm not completely consistent in this, as one of my HD resources is a 1917 Army loaded up with a moon clip of standard 230 gr ball ammo.) If you like bigger holes and an energy edge, go with the .40; if you appreciate less expensive ammo and think that a little excess capacity makes no real difference, then the 9mm should be your choice. It has had nearly a century of use, and it's not like experience has demonstrated that it is an inadequate round.