40sw or 9mm - Page 3

TBT · June 7, 2009, 01:43 PM

Neither am I. I've not seen anything that definitively tells us that there is much difference in any of the calibers. Its a pick-em. Shoot what you are comfortable with and what you are into and know that most any choice you make, along with proper training and ammunition, will do the job as well as any other.

robmkivseries70 · June 7, 2009, 03:40 PM

I'm going to have the same practice platform in 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. I choked on my BHP trigger the other day at the range just because I spent my early years on the 1911 platform and was out of practice. I'm not knocking the BHP at all, it's one of the finest handguns out there. My finger is tuned to the trigger reset on the 1911.

Best,
Rob

paladin-34 · June 7, 2009, 10:10 PM

In WWII we won because for every plane the axis made we made 10, same for tanks, boats, Etc. That having been said the 9mm is the only major caliber, for every 40 s&w and 45acp that are sold, 4x 9mm are sold. For every box of 45acp or 40 s&w that are sold 10x 9mm boxes are sold.

As far as slow but heavy projectiles lets go back to WWII once again. Before the war the Brits actually named their artillery by the wt of the projectile because their enfaces was on heavy and slow . But the Germans put an end to that with the 88mm FLAK, it shot a projectile as fast as was possible and nothing could stop it except being overwhelmed by numbers.

So, 9mm has the volume to overwhelm, and the best velocity, my P226 is 15+1 rounds. That give 5 two round bursts before I have to go defensive.

Joe

Micahweeks · June 7, 2009, 10:28 PM

For me, it depends on the platform. Both are fine options for self-defense if you can hit what you are shooting at. If the gun is a smooth, easy shooter, I typically take the .40. As long as the gun I'm shooting has easy felt recoil (like my USP or Baby Eagle for examples), then I take the extra punch in the .40. If it is a platform that is small, polymer, and full of punch, I'll take the 9mm. The .40 in a tiny gun is really going to increase my follow-up shot time, and, in my personal experience, a couple or three rapid hits from either bullet will more than do the job. So, in small, light-weight platforms, I go 9mm.

***The only exception to this is, for me, is the XDm. I love the way the 9mm feels in that platform... and who can resist 20 shots?

***

Ricky · June 7, 2009, 11:36 PM

Micahweeks;
" in my personal experience "

Do you have a lot of experience shooting people?

Dust Monkey · June 8, 2009, 12:07 AM

147gr 9mm. I have no use for a 40 cal. If I want a .400 round, its a 10mm. The 9mm will do the job just as good, or better than the 40cal, and without the snappy recoil.

DMCA · June 8, 2009, 12:36 AM

Quote:

I'm not a hunter, ballistician or wound trauma expert by any means, but I don't think that it is valid to compare hunting-grade rifles with handguns. One deals with 70 grain projectiles going 2,000 fps on up]

Good point. A .223 is travelling between 2200-2400 FPS and at those velocities, the bullet is creating a shock wave which is very damaging to the area surrounding impact. Most handgun velocities don't accomplish that but "hot" .357 magnum loads gave a good account of themselves.

I think most .40 and .45 rounds are better than comaparable 9mm, but the difference is really academic. A bigger hole off course is of no value.

Ichiro · June 8, 2009, 10:57 AM

9mm +P for me. I am not convinced that the extra power of the 40 makes it a better defensive round. Therefore, I went with higher capacity and cheaper practice.

Micahweeks · June 8, 2009, 04:37 PM

To, Ricky...

I wouldn't say a LOT, but I do have experience, not by choice, mind you. My past jobs have dictated that I be in the line of fire more than I care to be, and I am now a happily settled down school teacher in math and foreign language.

fsmitka · June 8, 2009, 04:51 PM

Remember that the .40 was developed so you can enjoy the benefits of the high cap. pistol and have the power of the .45. But, now we have Glock and Springfield with 13 round .45's. Why would you want a .40 with 13 rounds when you can get a .45 with 13 rounds? To me, question is not between the 9mm and .40, it is do you want a .45 with 13 rounds or a nine with 17.

Rayndeon · June 8, 2009, 05:38 PM

9x19mm.

It's usually cheaper than .40 S&W. There are more guns and options to choose from, including some absolutely fantastic ones, like the Sig P226, the CZ75, the Jericho 941, Glock 17, etc. The 9x19 generally has lower felt recoil and muzzle flip and lacks the snappy recoil of a .40 S&W. Also, good 9x19mm cartridges have every bit as much stopping power as a .40 S&W, and even (IMO) the veritable .45 ACP. You can also achieve rather high capacity, such as 19+1 in the CZ75 SP-01 or 20+1 in the Sig P226 Blackwater Tactical.

You can't go wrong with a nine.

June 7, 2009, 10:10 PM	#53
paladin-34 Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2006 Posts: 177	In WWII we won because for every plane the axis made we made 10, same for tanks, boats, Etc. That having been said the 9mm is the only major caliber, for every 40 s&w and 45acp that are sold, 4x 9mm are sold. For every box of 45acp or 40 s&w that are sold 10x 9mm boxes are sold. As far as slow but heavy projectiles lets go back to WWII once again. Before the war the Brits actually named their artillery by the wt of the projectile because their enfaces was on heavy and slow . But the Germans put an end to that with the 88mm FLAK, it shot a projectile as fast as was possible and nothing could stop it except being overwhelmed by numbers. So, 9mm has the volume to overwhelm, and the best velocity, my P226 is 15+1 rounds. That give 5 two round bursts before I have to go defensive. Joe __________________ New York: where we import politicians but no standard cap mag.s. 7 rounds in a 10 round mag, andy will be running for president soon.

June 7, 2009, 11:36 PM	#55
Ricky Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2008 Location: N.California Posts: 408	Experience? Micahweeks; " in my personal experience " Do you have a lot of experience shooting people?

June 8, 2009, 12:07 AM	#56
Dust Monkey Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2007 Posts: 723	147gr 9mm. I have no use for a 40 cal. If I want a .400 round, its a 10mm. The 9mm will do the job just as good, or better than the 40cal, and without the snappy recoil. __________________ Civilian Date: 14 Century 1 : a specialist in Roman or modern civil law. If you are not subject to the UCMJ, you are a Civilian. I don't care one bit what updated dictionaries say.

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June 7, 2009, 01:43 PM	#51
TBT Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2005 Location: Pittsburgh Pa Posts: 971	Neither am I. I've not seen anything that definitively tells us that there is much difference in any of the calibers. Its a pick-em. Shoot what you are comfortable with and what you are into and know that most any choice you make, along with proper training and ammunition, will do the job as well as any other.

June 7, 2009, 03:40 PM	#52
robmkivseries70 Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2005 Location: free territory Posts: 203	I'm going to have the same practice platform in 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. I choked on my BHP trigger the other day at the range just because I spent my early years on the 1911 platform and was out of practice. I'm not knocking the BHP at all, it's one of the finest handguns out there. My finger is tuned to the trigger reset on the 1911. Best, Rob

June 7, 2009, 10:28 PM	#54
Micahweeks Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2009 Location: North Mississippi Posts: 854	For me, it depends on the platform. Both are fine options for self-defense if you can hit what you are shooting at. If the gun is a smooth, easy shooter, I typically take the .40. As long as the gun I'm shooting has easy felt recoil (like my USP or Baby Eagle for examples), then I take the extra punch in the .40. If it is a platform that is small, polymer, and full of punch, I'll take the 9mm. The .40 in a tiny gun is really going to increase my follow-up shot time, and, in my personal experience, a couple or three rapid hits from either bullet will more than do the job. So, in small, light-weight platforms, I go 9mm. *The only exception to this is, for me, is the XDm. I love the way the 9mm feels in that platform... and who can resist 20 shots? *

June 8, 2009, 10:57 AM	#58
Ichiro Senior Member Join Date: July 16, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 888	9mm +P for me. I am not convinced that the extra power of the 40 makes it a better defensive round. Therefore, I went with higher capacity and cheaper practice.

June 8, 2009, 04:37 PM	#59
Micahweeks Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2009 Location: North Mississippi Posts: 854	To, Ricky... I wouldn't say a LOT, but I do have experience, not by choice, mind you. My past jobs have dictated that I be in the line of fire more than I care to be, and I am now a happily settled down school teacher in math and foreign language.

June 8, 2009, 04:51 PM	#60
fsmitka Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2006 Posts: 248	Remember that the .40 was developed so you can enjoy the benefits of the high cap. pistol and have the power of the .45. But, now we have Glock and Springfield with 13 round .45's. Why would you want a .40 with 13 rounds when you can get a .45 with 13 rounds? To me, question is not between the 9mm and .40, it is do you want a .45 with 13 rounds or a nine with 17.

June 8, 2009, 05:38 PM	#61
Rayndeon Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2008 Posts: 128	9x19mm. It's usually cheaper than .40 S&W. There are more guns and options to choose from, including some absolutely fantastic ones, like the Sig P226, the CZ75, the Jericho 941, Glock 17, etc. The 9x19 generally has lower felt recoil and muzzle flip and lacks the snappy recoil of a .40 S&W. Also, good 9x19mm cartridges have every bit as much stopping power as a .40 S&W, and even (IMO) the veritable .45 ACP. You can also achieve rather high capacity, such as 19+1 in the CZ75 SP-01 or 20+1 in the Sig P226 Blackwater Tactical. You can't go wrong with a nine.