40 or 9mm?

B

Bill Marsh

Joined
Mar 26, 2002
Messages
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For a long time I have carried a 9mm. GLocks in several models. I practice and am a fair shot. My idea is a well-placed shot from a "9" is better than a spray from a larger caliber.

The police just opened a new range and a few citizens might be able to get to use it. Along with opening the new range, our PD went to 40s for their new service weapons, some of the "old-timers" still carry 9mm.

I am wondering if upgrading to a 40 is a good idea for a daily carry piece. A well-placed 40 should trump a well-plced 9?

Opinions?
 
Theoretically.

Honestly, there's probably a lot more difference between FMJ in the service handgun calibers than there is between well-designed HPs.

9mm is easy to control, inexpensive, and accurate. Be sure you practice enough with your carry ammo that you're good with it, and be sure to choose carry ammo that your piece likes.

And be happy. :)

John
 
I own a Glock 22 (.40 caliber). Its got a kick to it, but its pretty accurate. Except for pure accuracy, anything the 9mm can do, the .40 can do better.

Bob
 
I'd go 40. I'm not sure I'd hock the house to make the swap, but the 40 is better.



munk
 
I like the 40, because if though it's not as accurate, it has a wee bit more knockdown power, which makes up for the accuracy. I carried a 9 when I was doing bodyguard work, but always had a small wish in the back of my head for something with a little more knockdown power. I have a 45 Sig now as my main handgun.

Is 40 Cal ammo more readily available now? I haven't kept up with it.
 
It's an old saw that ".22s have killed more people than any other caliber". I assume that they're talking civilians. Even if true would that make the .22 the most deadly caliber? Of course not.


I would go with Robert Ruark's advice and "Use Enough Gun".

There was an elephant hunter who used a .308 and his success caused quite a few deaths among those who thought they could do likewise and would up with a pissed-off pachyderm instead of a trophy.

LOL when I saw the title I though the decision was between a 9mm and 40mm.

Given the choice:
.38 special against a charging Moro?
9mm against an angel-duster?
12GA slug gun against King Kong?

I became uninvolved with firearms before the 10mm/.40 were popular.

<old guy rambles on>

Once I had a Polish Radom 9mm and got a great bargain on a box on ammo. I went out to a dump and popped a 55gal steel drum. Wow! Shake hands with Godzilla. It tore a foot long hole in the drum and left my hand numb! No more fireing of that and the next day I went to the Hawthorne Library and looked up the headstamp. German mfg proof round for sub-machine guns. Lucky the Radom was a John Browning design, what?

All other considerations being equal, go with the .40.

OT: Hey, Bill, should I quit bugging you?
 
All defensive handgun calibers are wimpy (compared to rifles and shotguns).

The terminal ballistics differences between modern JHP loads in 9mm and .40 are miniscule. The differences in how well most people can shoot the same gun in either caliber are not. Most can handle 9mm better. If they can shoot the .40 well, they can shoot the 9mm better (quicker hits with the same level of accuracy). As was noted, it's a lot cheaper to practice with 9mm as well.
 
I'll go for more weight, and greater frontal diameter every time; 40.



munk
 
Doesn't caliber choice have EVERYTHING to do with how much time you have to practice?

I do not have time to practice regularly. Accordingly, I am a poor shot with anything over 9mm. I'm even marginal with a 9mm, but accurate with .380 or below.

So, I'd rather hit my target with a few .380 shots than miss with a higher caliber.

Also, won't some types of ammo enhance a caliber's effectiveness?

What do the rest of you think?
 
40 or 9mm
Click to expand...
yep, i'd take the 40mm over a 9mm anyday, much more stopping power, tho the recoil is a bit rough. ammo's a bit dear tho (being pedantic since you did not specify .40 cal, one must assume you meant 40mm :p )
 
I normally carry a 9mm, and every once in awhile I carry a .45acp. I don't own a .40 and probably never will because I don't think it offers any significant advantage over the 9mm. The nine has and been around for a long time and proven itself around the world. I see no reason to suddenly give up on it, a BG will never be able to tell the difference between a well-placed 9 and a well-placed 40.

If you want to upgrade, pick up a Hi-Power in 9mm. ;)
 
What rhino said. It's pretty silly to use terms that make it sound like the user will instantaneously dump a bad guy aggressor on his can if he uses *any* reasonable handgun caliber.

Compare that lightest of rifle calibers, the .223, to any duty caliber handgun (9x19mm- .45 ACP). The .223 or even the Russian 5.45x39mm, as derided as they are by many, are still over twice as powerful as the .45 ACP espoused by many of the .223's detractors. Handguns small enough to conceal well and firing controllable rounds are not magic wands. Repeated shots from any of these platforms is to be expected to stop any determined threat.

So, the question is, is the additional power of the .40 S&W over the 9x19mm valuable enough to warrant the additional recoil and cost of the rounds, and the investment of replacing your current handguns?

Once upon a time, I would have adamantly said "Yes!" Now, with more experience with both firearms and life, I don't think it is. If you *really* want to try it, you might be able to make a fairly inexpensive trade for a .40 with one of your 9s.

In any case, good luck, have fun, and be safe.

John
 
I'll take reliable, controlable and well trained over caliber every time. I double tap out of years of training (giving it and competing) anyway...a double in the torso is going to get anyone's attention right now. I'm comfortable carrying my 9...the target won't be.

The only magic bullet is the one passing thru the brain stem.
 
I'm comfortable carrying my 9...the target won't be.
>>>>>>>>>> Nasty

Rusty was comfortable carrying his 380. I just brought home a 22 mag.
It's all relative to person and skill, but the 40 is still better than a Nine.



munk
 
munk said:
It's all relative to person and skill, but the 40 is still better than a Nine.

munk
Click to expand...

And the Ford is still better than a Chevy. :p

<Ducks head and sprints for the door>
 
munk said:
Rusty was comfortable carrying his 380. I just brought home a 22 mag. It's all relative to person and skill, but the 40 is still better than a Nine.



munk
Click to expand...

I carry a KelTec 380 with Corbons in the summer when wearing shorts, or just traveling light. While it does not have the stopping power of a nine or a forty, it is better than nothing.

I am considering a 40. Gotta check and see ammo costs. I would not carry any gun unless I spend some serious practice time with it. That means many rounds on a regular basis.

I hope the hell I never need it, but these are nervous times.
 
I hope the hell I never need it, but these are nervous times.>> Bill Marsh


Yeah, where men are men and sheep are nervous....



munk
 
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