.40cal or .357SIG for Personal Defense?

[cyphur]

Looking into Sigs for my CCW, and I've narrowed it down to the P229 and the P239. I've gotten lots of great advice from folks on this forum, and its much appreciated. My next question is....what are the pros/cons of these rounds?

FPS, power delivered on target/stopping power, etc. Which did you choose/would you choose, and why? This will be my concealed weapon so stopping power without over penetration is my main concern.


Thanks a ton ladies and gents!!

[nitrogen]

Stopping power is a myth. Shot placement is more important, so try both out, and buy whichever you can shoot more reliably.

I shoot 9mm because it's small, light, cheap to practice with, and I can shoot most of it within the 9 and 10 rings.

Weight is also a concern for a carry piece, so you might want to go with whichever load is lighter (I have no idea which this would be.)

[kw5kw]

I've been really looking into this as well.

I have found that the #1 thing is: Shot Placement.

If your bullet goes where you want it to go, then even a .22 will hit your target and do it's business. You can shoot with a .50 and if you miss, then you've missed.

A 9mm is just as deadly as a .45 when it hits anything major.

A 9mm is faster than a .45 and has actually more penetrating power (going right through) while the .45 is actually a heavier and slower round, therefore, it is more likely to not penetrate all the way through which causes more trama.

Currently I own a .38/.357; two 9mm's and a .45.

One of the 9mm's and the .45 are both XD's from Springfield Armory. They shoot almost identically as to recoil and shot placement, therefore, I can practice with the 9mm more (cheaper) and carry my .45 (ACP not GAP).

Give a good look at the XD's. They're a fine shootin' weapon!

Russ

[cyphur]

I've shot the XD-9 subcompact, its a nice weapon.

[nitrogen]

I've shot the XD-9 subcompact, its a nice weapon.

That's my current carry piece. It's thick as a brick, but decently light. Recoil and muzzlesnap is a bit high for a 9mm, but definately within tolernaces for someone like myself with bad wrists.

[KBCraig]

If your bullet goes where you want it to go, then even a .22 will hit your target and do it's business. You can shoot with a .50 and if you miss, then you've missed.

I dunno... at under 20 yards, I think I'd rather be hit with a .22 than missed with a .50... if you're gonna shoot a .50 at me, then be merciful about it and hit me!



Kevin

[kw5kw]

I've shot the XD-9 subcompact, its a nice weapon.

and you can buy about 1.5 XD's for one Sig.

[Paladin]

Looking into Sigs for my CCW, and I've narrowed it down to the P229 and the P239. I've gotten lots of great advice from folks on this forum, and its much appreciated. My next question is....what are the pros/cons of these rounds?

FPS, power delivered on target/stopping power, etc. Which did you choose/would you choose, and why? This will be my concealed weapon so stopping power without over penetration is my main concern.


Thanks a ton ladies and gents!!

If your deciding between .357sig and .40cal... Both calibers are good...I'd feel fine carrying either one...ammo cost and availablity are probably the biggest factors. The .40cal wins the cost/availability contest.

[Syntax360]

Between the two, I would go with .40.

As long as you are going to have more recoil than a 9mm, you might as well make a bigger hole. All things being equal, we KNOW a bigger hole will bleed more and a bigger projectile is going to create a larger permanent would channel (even if the difference is extremely small). There are many, many, many people who will tell you that the extra velocity a .357SIG delivers will increase the round's effectiveness (ie stopping power), but those proponents only have anecdotal evidence to back up the claim.

Everyone reacts differently to being shot. None of us can say with absolutely certainty that our shot placement will be perfect. The only thing you can ABSOLUTELY count on is blood lose. Go with the .40.

I do not, however, have anything against the .357SIG. Ultimately, I wouldn't feel undergunned with either caliber, but I just think .40 makes more sense.

[cyphur]

If I buy the sig I can eventually shoot either round, so I guess I can't go wrong. Just a barrel purchase away....

For those who've shot 9mm - any concerns? I wouldn't mind carrying 9mm as I doubt I would fire only once towards a BG. It DOES make sense financially to buy a 9mm pistol and I wouldn't feel under armed. I've always heard horror stories from buddies about folks in Iraq not being stopped by 9mm, but there's so many variables I can't know about that. Guess its still just hard to break the mindset.

[Diode]

From what I have been reading lately there seems to be a move from the 9mm to the .45 that being said with moderen hollow point ammo the 9mm is a fine self defense bullet (In my humble opinion) I carry a .40 in my normal dress durring the day. On the weekends when I wear shorts I carry a Kel-Tec 9mm. I keep a XD-45 close to me around the house, I can't see anything better than 14 .45acp rounds. So it all comes back to shoot what you feel comfy with and can afford.

I do want a sig P226 in .357 but it is just becasue I don't have one.

[Paladin]

...with moderen hollow point ammo the 9mm is a fine self defense bullet (In my humble opinion)...

Absolutely. The military is stuck with FMJ 9mm, but we can carry the good stuff.

[Diode]

...with moderen hollow point ammo the 9mm is a fine self defense bullet (In my humble opinion)...

Absolutely. The military is stuck with FMJ 9mm, but we can carry the good stuff.

Too bad I can't proof read my messages.... eeek.

[WNallG30]

Cyphur, I agree to all of the above. I've got 2 9mm, 2 .45's, and a .380. I would feel safe with any one of them. You're correct about the Sig. Get either one first, and then the other barrel. I would probably go with the .40 first personally, then the .357 because like others have mentioned, its more readily available. The XD is fantastic also, but so is Glock and so is Kimber, and so is Para, and so is HK, and so is Sig, and so is Kahr. I know I left some out, but you get my point. There are so many high quality weapons out these days. It's like being lost in a candy store. It's all up to what feels good in your hand. I think I'd personally feel comfortable with pretty much any gun anyone in here carries. They all seem to be pretty knowledgeable. I don't think I've read anything from anyone who knowingly carries a crappy or inferior gun. Go with what feels good, and if that's the Sig, then the only question left is, "229 or 239?"

Will

[cyphur]

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.