.40cal or .357SIG for Personal Defense?

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OverEasy
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#16

Post by OverEasy »

If you buy a P239, get the 40 cal.
P239s come with different mags for 40 S&W and 357SIG.

You can load 357SIG in the 40S&W mags. But you can't load 40S&W in the 357SIG mags.

Get the 40S&W and later buy a 357SIG barrel for it.

From what I remember of Wal-Mart ammo prices:
357SIG, $14/50
40S&W, $7.57/50 (Blazer Brass 180 gr)
9mm, $4.63/50 (WWB 115 gr)

http://www.barsto.com/category_main.cfm?ID=239&cco=69
$200 will get you a 9mm conversion barrel for a P239/40.

Regards, OE
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dpatterson
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#17

Post by dpatterson »

From what I have read the 357SIG caliber was designed for the penetration of vehicles, windows, etc. This is a caliber that is widely carried in Law Enforcement just for that reason.

So if you are looking for something that you could more likely control where your bullets stops you might opt for the 40Cal.

DP
Last edited by dpatterson on Fri Jul 21, 2006 12:02 am, edited 1 time in total.
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cyphur
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#18

Post by cyphur »

Great info O/E, DP. Two things I did not know.

I love this board!!

Reysc
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#19

Post by Reysc »

cyphur wrote:I am going to try to make it out to txi's range one of the next few weekends to see which feels better - the 229 or 239. I've been told lots of different stories about both so I think its about time to get some trigger time.
You had excellent feedbacks info re: 9mm/.40/357 sig. so let's leave that alone..I've got both P229 and P 238 in 40 S & W.. My carry is a G26 and sometimes the P238. My personal preference is 40 ( vs. 357 sig) because of the ammo price. I shoot a lot of 9mm's in the G26 and G17 ( range gun) and it's fun and relatively inexpensive but I love the feel and balance of the 40 in both the 229 and 238.. For carry the P238 is single stack thus easier to carry.. I would get the 238 first and 229 later ( if you're into sigs).. G26 and G19 or G17 is not a bad combination either if you're into Glocks.. I normally shoot at Target Master every Monday at 10 a.m. ( I won't make it this two coming Mondays, though) you're welcome to join me and try both guns.. ( Save you some rental fee.. :grin: )
Good Luck !! Both those guns are great !!!

Rey

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cyphur
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#20

Post by cyphur »

Reysc I appreciate the offfer but I'd have to take time off of work for that. My boss isn't much into me leaving in the middle of the day for pleasure shoots :(
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jbirds1210
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#21

Post by jbirds1210 »

Sounds like he needs a bit of sensitivity training! :grin:
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dpatterson
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#22

Post by dpatterson »

cyphur wrote:Reysc I appreciate the offfer but I'd have to take time off of work for that. My boss isn't much into me leaving in the middle of the day for pleasure shoots :(
Hate to hear that...

Mine was that way until I got him started... Now hes a Glock toting CHL'er. I get him asking me in the middle of the day if Im ready to hit the range. GOT TO LOVE IT....

DP
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cyphur
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#23

Post by cyphur »

LOL, yea "she" is a by-the-books type of lady, she's of the mindset that if its working hours, thats exactly what I should be doing - working.

If there was a range 5 minutes down the street from my work I'd shoot during lunch tho :)

barnett
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#24

Post by barnett »

i'm kinda late to this party but....my current carry gun is a Sig 239 in .357Sig. and i LOVE it. the ammo is more expensive but with the exception of my Kimber Eclipse, this is the most accurate handgun i've ever shot. did i mention it is LOUD.

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cyphur
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#25

Post by cyphur »

I had the opportunity to swing by DFW Gun Range this weekend and put a couple boxes of ammo down range. .40S&W through a P239 and .45ACP through a Kimber Ultra Carry.

I was quite suprised with the results. I was able to keep the Sig controlled enough to keep my groups within 2 inches at 5 yards for the most part, with a few fliers - however it took a good little bit of concentration to achieve that. With the Kimber, I was able to bring the weapon on target and fire off the clip without much thought and kept 1" or better groups(many of them were 1 big hole). Ended up making about a baseball sized portion of the targets head vanish. I was very pleased with the recoil of both guns, however the P239 was a bit more stout and was more of a workout to put 50 rounds down range. The Kimber was a breeze to shoot and despite the .45ACP through a 3" barrel, did not leave me wondering if I could put another few boxes through it without issues.

I had no FTF or FTE so that was reassuring, with Independance ammunition bought from DFW GR(their rental guns).

Hats off to DFW Gun Range for a pleasant experience and professionalism. Even my wife was comfortable there, which is tough to achieve. She did find out however that the confined space of the indoor range was not her cup of tea.

In Summary, while I could probably in the end shoot the Sig as well as the Kimber, I am naturally better with the Kimber and .45ACP.
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