.40 or 9mm?

[govnor]

I bought a .40 XD this year. I only bought it because it was a good deal, on sale at Bass Pro in Grapevine the day after Thanksgiving. That and they did not have the .45. I chose the .40 over the nine. I do like the extra capacity in the nine, but I like the extra punch of the .40. In the XD you can change out the barrel to shoot 9mm. I think you can also change it to .357 sig. You cannot, however change the 9mm to anything else. The .40 is also more fun to shoot in my opinion. You can feel the extra power.

I'm interested in getting a Beretta PX4 and will probably get a 9mm because of the extra capacity. My XD .40 is 12+1. PX4 in nine is 15+1, I believe, as well as the XD 9.

The truth is, either one will do the job. I'd go with what I felt more comfortable with in the end. I don't have my CHL yet, but will probably carry my .38 spcl titanium a lot, just for comfort and concealability if anything else.

[longtooth]

The PX4 in 9mm is 17 + 1. My wife & Mother both have one. They like them.
First time the wife picked one up she said OOOO I like this. She got one for last Christmas & when Mom shot it she said, OOOOO I want one too.
Mom has bigger hands than Wife & the different backstraps make them both happy.
One of the men in our Church has one & I remember someone on the board besides us. It was the recomendations from here that really sold me on them.

[govnor]

Hmmm, 17+1. Maybe that's why I wanted one. I'll get one eventually, but I'll probably wait for a used one at the gunshow. I'm starting to be partial to the .40...so who knows.

[a1huntingsupply]

Get the biggest caliber you can shoot accurately.

I agree with OverEasy on this one. Get the biggest caliber you can shoot accurately.

I like the XD40, that’s what I carry and practice with. It’s a little on the bulky side but it’s reliable and accurate. That’s what matters the most to me.

[Zero_G]

I went with a .40 Glock after discussing the experience of several smaller police departments in Indiana. When they carried 9mm they had numerous instances of BGs taking several rounds before going down. That incidence decreased greatly when the departments went to the .40. I'd have preferred the .45, but the grip is just a bit too big for my wife.

Not scientific, but that was my reasoning.

Keith

[TX Rancher]

Ah…the old 9 vs 40 vs 45 discussion…which one really is the death ray????

I look at it from the standpoint that each has proven itself to be an effective pistol caliber. The 9 and the 45 have very long established records while the 40 is still relatively new.

Pick whichever one you want for whatever reason you want, no mater which you pick, you picked a good one. Then practice, practice, and practice some more

In my case, economics has helped make the decision for me between 9 and 40. I can buy, and therefore shoot, a lot more 9mm then 40cal, so I tend to gravitate to the 9. With modern day loads and bullet designs 9mm is a good performer, and in general you can carry more in the weapon, and more on your belt. For those reasons the G19 tends to get used a lot and the G23 spends most of it's time in the safe.

Oh, and for what it’s worth, the 45 is the death ray

[stevie_d_64]

I prefer the .45, but it's hard to conceal without wearing a mumuu.

Given the choice between the 9mm & .40, I would go with the 9mm. Ammo is cheaper, and you should always carry hollow points anyway.

I went to MumuuMart the other day and just couldn't find a thing!

Caliber choice for someone new to the carry community is really still a matter of choice, what you feel works for you...If you can control it, and your accuracy is good with it, then obviously you use it...

I grew into the .40, only after I decided I was going to do it till I got sick of it, or loved it...Bought a SigPro2340 and shot it till I got sick of it...Tried a Glock 23, and it became one with the hand and mind...Concealability, function, and not having a single Failure to Feed or Fire in almost 8 years and a few thousand rounds...I can't throw rocks at it...

I don't know why the Sig didn't work out...It doesn't mean I can't carry it, it just feels a bit off to me...But I'm weird that way...

As for a .45 platform...I'll carry one, and I have one that'll work just fine...Matter of fact it shoots so nice, I would place it above the Sig for a carry weapon...

9mm's are great...And in my opinion your target is just as got with a 9mm as anything else out there...My wife carries a 9mm Taurus PT24/7...That is one smooth shooting firearm...It'll get the job done...

It does look like you've gone through and sampled some really good firearms...Thats shows good sense on your part...I believe you'll find something soon that'll work for you...

BTW, I saw in your post you tried that G22...That is only a slightly larger and heavier Glock than its slightly compact little brother the G23...

If .40 is your choice, I believe you'll find something that is extremely workable, and has lots of accessories to support any manufacturer you choose...

Let us know what you end up with...half the fun is the journey you're taking right now...Good luck!

BTW, "Wife-Unit" likes a .45 over .40...Strange girl!

[CWOOD]

Just get SOMETHING and shoot it a lot. NOW!

Remember, this will not be you " Final Answer". Over the years, your tastes, goals, needs, and skills will change. You WILL get another weapon so this is not an irrevokable decision.

All of the weapons and calibers you mentioned (and many you did not) will serve your needs very well. So get something and don't worry about it. If you maintain your pistol well, you will find that Sig, Glock, Colt, Kimber, etc, etc, will maintain their value well and you can trade later (or preferably just ADD to the collection).

Over the years my primary self defense handgun has been a Ruger Security-Six .357 (bought new and still have and love it), Star PD (45 ACP), Colt MarkIV 1911, AMT .45 Backup, Glock 30 (current and favorite for 5 years). When asked, I recommend to someone starting out in the search for a Self Defense handgun to go with a 9mm becaue of the ease of shooting and less expense and availability of ammunition to encourage LOTS of practice. I got two of my daughters a Ruger KP95DC and a Glock 17. The other doesn't want one....yet.

[KooLLaiD]

Picked this up on the 4th. Won't be able to use it for at least 3-4 weeks though. just had surgery the 5th
Came with 2 14rd Mags, 3 changeable backstraps, and gun lock. .40 cal btw :wiggle:

[longtooth]

You will like it as long as you can afford to feed it.

[KooLLaiD]

You will like it as long as you can afford to feed it.

Reds said .40 is only about $2 more a box than 9mm. so It shouldn't be too bad.

[AV8R]

I think the .40 is a fine compromise between power and round capacity. I wouldn't hesitate to carry one. The downsides, as I see them, are gun longevity and ammo cost and availability.

The high-pressure loads, .357 Sig and .40, are hard on guns. The 9s and .45s regularly go 100K rounds and more. I haven't heard of anyone doing nearly that with a .40 or a .357 Sig. The cost for .40 seems to be around 1/3 higher than 9mm. If things get really tight, 9mm will be obtainable after .40 supplies dry up.

Given equal $ to spend on practice, I think that the person who practices with the 9mm will be more lethal at the end of the day.

[govnor]

I think the .40 is a fine compromise between power and round capacity. I wouldn't hesitate to carry one. The downsides, as I see them, are gun longevity and ammo cost and availability.

The high-pressure loads, .357 Sig and .40, are hard on guns. The 9s and .45s regularly go 100K rounds and more. I haven't heard of anyone doing nearly that with a .40 or a .357 Sig. The cost for .40 seems to be around 1/3 higher than 9mm. If things get really tight, 9mm will be obtainable after .40 supplies dry up.

Given equal $ to spend on practice, I think that the person who practices with the 9mm will be more lethal at the end of the day.

I'm starting to think this way also. I shoot better with the 9 than the .40 for one thing. I do like the added punch, but I'm having second thoughts about carrying one. The 9 is versatile, holds more rounds and can be more easily hidden. Cost of use is cheaper and ammo is readily available. I've been thinking about buying another 9mm (or three) and put the .40 on ice.

[chewy555]

I have only shot a few 9mm or 40 handguns, but to me I was able to control the 40's better then the 9mm.
If the option for a 45 acp was in the poll, that is what I would have voted for, but since it is not, I voted for 40.
I am looking at getting a Glock 27 in 40s&w. From what I have heard it should be easy to control. But I think that before I buy it I am going to go to the range and try both the 27 and 26. Just to make sure that I get the one that I can control the best. Since that I know that both will do the job as long as I do my job and put the rounds where they need to be.

[NcongruNt]

You will like it as long as you can afford to feed it.

Reds said .40 is only about $2 more a box than 9mm. so It shouldn't be too bad.

I hope you're not buying your ammo from them! You could go eslewhere and get almost twice as much for the same price.