9mm vs .40 S&W for CCW - Page 5

TheDoubleDeuce · February 2, 2013, 10:45 PM

mbritt00, I apologize. I'm kind of an a-hole. I offend people in person all the time because of my blunt attitude. I guess that's why I joined the military instead of becoming a school teacher. As I said, I didn't mean to offend you. Yes, this topic is discussed very often, and yes, in your words the two camps are "very entrenched".

There's no crime in being new to a forum. I just created an account this month. I suppose reading the forums for a few years and being involved in the gun community gave me a background in the types of discussions that are very common. In the future I'll try to be more accommodating and less harsh.

EDIT: Just so my post isn't completely off-subject:

Here is a link to the Box O' Truth windshield test, including 9mm and .40. As expected, similar results through the windshield as far as point-of-aim vs point-of-impact. It would be interesting to see the difference in ballistics gel penetration post-windshield, but they didn't test that. To be fair, both calibers have been criticized for over-penetration, so I'm not sure penetration is a large concern. Speer Gold Dot JHPs claim reduced deflection from windows, and effective expansion upon impact with the target, and both calibers are still going to be similar. I personally opt for 9mm because I feel the follow-up shots and increased capacity are large factors in my ability to get a vital hit.

manta49 · February 3, 2013, 01:38 PM

Edit.

mbrittb00 · February 3, 2013, 04:46 PM

It's all good.

Thanks again for all the help.

EMH · February 3, 2013, 07:40 PM

If you hit center mass with either caliber, the bad guy is going down. It's just that simple.
But the 9mm has lighter recoil, which makes it easier for follow up shots especially considering you're gonna have tons of adrenaline blasting through your veins, hence the easier follow up shot importance. Also, the 9mm pistols general carry more rounds in them. But then again, most self-defense shootings are usually over in 3~ shots.

All in all, it comes down to what the shooter is comfortable with. I can shoot a 40 and 9mm both well. Which do I prefer to shoot? Definitely a 9mm. It's not that I don't like a 40. 40 is a fine round, don't get me wrong. I just like shooting it out of metal frame guns. I really don't like it in polymer frame pistols. Just too snappy for me.

militant · February 3, 2013, 07:52 PM

Center of mass hits with either caliber do not gaurentee a drop.

Glenn E. Meyer · February 3, 2013, 08:08 PM

Folks stop bickering.

It's fairly clear now that quality 9s, 40s, 45s are equally crappy stoppers. However, 40s are snappy as are 357 Sigs.

I think I will carry my NAA 22S mini revolver - is that ok

EMH · February 3, 2013, 08:08 PM

I was being hyperbolic. My point is no bad guy is gonna no the difference if you hit him center mass with a 9mm or .40 S&W.

Dashunde · February 3, 2013, 10:02 PM

He may not know the difference, but he'd certainly feel it.

February 2, 2013, 10:45 PM	#101
TheDoubleDeuce Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2013 Posts: 115	mbritt00, I apologize. I'm kind of an a-hole. I offend people in person all the time because of my blunt attitude. I guess that's why I joined the military instead of becoming a school teacher. As I said, I didn't mean to offend you. Yes, this topic is discussed very often, and yes, in your words the two camps are "very entrenched". There's no crime in being new to a forum. I just created an account this month. I suppose reading the forums for a few years and being involved in the gun community gave me a background in the types of discussions that are very common. In the future I'll try to be more accommodating and less harsh. EDIT: Just so my post isn't completely off-subject: Here is a link to the Box O' Truth windshield test, including 9mm and .40. As expected, similar results through the windshield as far as point-of-aim vs point-of-impact. It would be interesting to see the difference in ballistics gel penetration post-windshield, but they didn't test that. To be fair, both calibers have been criticized for over-penetration, so I'm not sure penetration is a large concern. Speer Gold Dot JHPs claim reduced deflection from windows, and effective expansion upon impact with the target, and both calibers are still going to be similar. I personally opt for 9mm because I feel the follow-up shots and increased capacity are large factors in my ability to get a vital hit. Last edited by TheDoubleDeuce; February 2, 2013 at 10:56 PM.

February 3, 2013, 07:52 PM	#105
militant Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2012 Location: USA Posts: 519	Center of mass hits with either caliber do not gaurentee a drop. __________________ A hit with a .22 is better than a miss with a .44

February 3, 2013, 08:08 PM	#106
Glenn E. Meyer Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 20,064	Folks stop bickering. It's fairly clear now that quality 9s, 40s, 45s are equally crappy stoppers. However, 40s are snappy as are 357 Sigs. I think I will carry my NAA 22S mini revolver - is that ok __________________ NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. - Aux Armes, Citoyens

February 3, 2013, 01:38 PM	#102
manta49 Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2011 Location: N Ireland. UK. Posts: 1,809	Edit.

February 3, 2013, 04:46 PM	#103
mbrittb00 Member Join Date: January 30, 2013 Posts: 32	It's all good. Thanks again for all the help.

February 3, 2013, 07:40 PM	#104
EMH Member Join Date: January 30, 2013 Posts: 62	If you hit center mass with either caliber, the bad guy is going down. It's just that simple. But the 9mm has lighter recoil, which makes it easier for follow up shots especially considering you're gonna have tons of adrenaline blasting through your veins, hence the easier follow up shot importance. Also, the 9mm pistols general carry more rounds in them. But then again, most self-defense shootings are usually over in 3~ shots. All in all, it comes down to what the shooter is comfortable with. I can shoot a 40 and 9mm both well. Which do I prefer to shoot? Definitely a 9mm. It's not that I don't like a 40. 40 is a fine round, don't get me wrong. I just like shooting it out of metal frame guns. I really don't like it in polymer frame pistols. Just too snappy for me.

February 3, 2013, 08:08 PM	#107
EMH Member Join Date: January 30, 2013 Posts: 62	I was being hyperbolic. My point is no bad guy is gonna no the difference if you hit him center mass with a 9mm or .40 S&W.

February 3, 2013, 10:02 PM	#108
Dashunde Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2004 Posts: 2,018	He may not know the difference, but he'd certainly feel it.