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I am getting my first handgun for CCW and was just wondering what everyone would suggest to get and why. Either .40 or 9mm? I have shot my share of guns throughout the years though not a 9mm. I went and shot 3 .40's side by side a couple of months ago to narrow my decision on a gun, shot the Glock 22, HK USP and Sig P229. I've decided to go with the Sig P229 out of those, but am also considering an XD and Steyr M40. So what caliber do you recommend and what are the pro's and cons and why you suggest it?

Thanks,
Ronnie

I "had" an XD9 (actually it's still in the safe, but my wife says it's hers now) and fired .40s when I was researching what I was going to buy. I liked the 9mm better.

Just personal preference. When I finally replace the XD9 it will be with an XD45c.

For those of you without a sense of humor, run this THEN look at the picture;

txinvestigator wrote:

LOL!

I'll try to be helpful now, sorry.

I prefer 9 over .40 actually. I find 9 more accurate, cheaper, easier and more plentful to get, and with modern ammo it is potent.

If I am going for capacity I want the extra couple of rounds 9 gives me over .40. If I want a bigger, harder hitting round I'll give up some capacity and go with the .45.

Buy the SIG!

Seriously, I have a 229 in .40 and I love it. However, I have had that pistol since 93' or 94'. I have since decided that after shooting all of them for several years that I prefer the 9mm and .45 better. The 9mm is defintely more controlable and for CC that's important, as I know that I can almost surgically place my rounds on target. The .45 just requires less rounds to do the job, period.

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.

My first vote is for .45 ACP. Something about "like looking down the wrong end of a drain barrel..." A 1911 Government is quite concealable, with the proper holster (for most people, at least), and a 1911 Officer just disappears until you want it.

My second vote is for 9mm, with quality defensive ammo (Golden Saber, Gold Dot, Hydrashok, XTP, etc) for carry and WWB FMJ for practice. It's a lot cheaper than .40, and more controllable.

I frankly have little use for .40 S&W, although it is an excellent cartridge. It just has no allure for me.

txinvestigator wrote:



For those of you without a sense of humor, run this THEN look at the picture;

I needed that after the day I had. Thanks for posting it TXI.

Thanks. I'm going to try to get to the range and give a box of 9mm a try before I make my decision :p

I can't recommend highly enough that you try out a Beretta PX4 in .40S&W. It shoots like a 9 and you get that little extra "punch".

I have shot several 9mm handguns, probably put around 3000 rounds through a particular sig (don't remember what model) that belonged to an ex-girlfriend. I have owned a .40S&W and put several thousand rounds through it with putting many thousand more rounds through .40S&W pistols that belonged to friends. I now own a number of1911s, all chambered in .45 ACP.

My advice is to choose a model that you are really interested in and put a box or two through each caliber you are considering. After doing that you can decide which gun feels better and shoots better for you. Personally given a choice between the two mentioned in the original post I would go with the .40S&W if I couldn't find some way to get another 1911 in .45 ACP.

Since no handgun is a "death ray" and mindset, tactics and shot placement are the major part of the equation, any major caliber with effective ammunition will do the job.

I voted 9mm, I carry nines and know they will do the job if I do my 90%.

Get the biggest caliber you can shoot accurately.

Any Sig is a good choice, but heavy. If you want to go for a 45acp, Sig has a P245 and the new P220 carry.

I have a P229 in 357SIG with a 40S&W barrel and a Bar-Sto 9mm conversion barrel. Shoots 3 calibers with the same magazines. I won't carry with the 9mm conversion but it is cheaper to practice with.

The Sig P229 is the most expensive pistol I own, but.

I carry a Glock33 or a Kel-Tec P11 98% of the time..........., Because, they are smaller and lighter than the P229.

Look into which 40S&W guns you can get a 9mm conversion barrel for.
If you buy a 9mm gun you can only shoot 9mm with it. If you get a 40S&W gun and a 9mm conversion you can practice cheaper.

FWIW; I have a 40S&W barrel for the Glock33(357SIG) and a 9mm conversion barrel.

You can buy 9mm under $6.oo/50
Blazer Brass 40S&W is $7.57/50 @ Wal-Mart
Blazer Brass 45acp is $9.47 @ Wal-Mart
357SIG is $14.00/50

You can't play golf with just one club, guns work the same way.........OE

I voted for .40, but that's only because I've owned and loved a .40 pistol, and have never shot much 9mm. I had no problems controlling my P94, though it was a very bulky pistol that I would never consider for CHL use. I have since seen the light and am a proud owner of a .45 ACP 1911. It's my choice in calibers and my choice in a carry firearm when I get my CHL.

I have nothing against 9mm, its just the only 9mm I've ever shot was my brother-in-law's Glock, and... my sausage hands don't like Glocks... it was easily the most uncomfortable gun I've ever shot... I'm sure it was more the gun than the caliber, but I have no other 9mm experience... What can I say?