Currently I have a 9mm Sig Sauer P320 Compact. I am looking for another handgun, perhaps the same type as I have now but probably in another caliber. I am looking for suggestions to the other calibers relative to my current 9mm. Things I am mainly looking at are cost and anything significant in performance that may set a caliber apart from the others. Thank you.
9mm, .357 Sig, .40 or 45 ACP?
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I think the 9mm is a pretty versatile caliber. There are bullet weights from 50 grains to 150 grains, with many brands of effective self defense ammunition. Guns as small as the Rohrbaugh R9 and Kahr PM9 can be made to fire the cartridge, and the 9mm carbine is a pretty effective firearm too.
It is an all-around great cartridge.
It is an all-around great cartridge.
I voted .40 S&W because I like that stubby little cartridge and I shoot my Glock 23 very well. I like the .45 ACP for it's long term proven record and the 9mm with premium ammunition will serve you well. Thing is, there are no magic bullets or perfect guns.
" ... anything significant in performance that may set a caliber apart from the others ... " is one factor that keeps gun magazines and gun forums alive and has fueled caliber and ammunition debates for decades.
It all boils down to what you want to pay and then within that framework what you think is best for you.
" ... anything significant in performance that may set a caliber apart from the others ... " is one factor that keeps gun magazines and gun forums alive and has fueled caliber and ammunition debates for decades.
It all boils down to what you want to pay and then within that framework what you think is best for you.
My last 6 pistols in the past 2 years have been 4 9's and 2 45's.
I like 9, because I can buy SS polished once fired brass for 26/1k. They use less powder, and 124g of my lead for every bullet cast.
If you're going to deviate from the 9 and 45 go 10mm...
I like 9, because I can buy SS polished once fired brass for 26/1k. They use less powder, and 124g of my lead for every bullet cast.
If you're going to deviate from the 9 and 45 go 10mm...
Hangingrock
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I've gotten to the point in life that an accumulator of handguns I am not. What I have is strictly for the purpose of self-defense as opposed to dedicated bullseye or what ever game may have been envisioned at one time in the past. Thus there are two weapons of the same manufacture a full size and compact model both set up the same. It maybe as boring as hell but it is purpose driven.
Lord Teapot
Member
i like my 9mms. currently own 4, and would not hesitate to buy four more.
Whatever one you like.
The conversation of caliber for handgun use has been debated forever. To boil it down, whatever caliber you are the most accurate with under pressure. Hitting your target is much more important than what caliber you shoot with a pistol. Putting multiple rounds center mass will be much better than a single shot center mass. Whatever you shoot the best is the caliber that works the best for you.
The conversation of caliber for handgun use has been debated forever. To boil it down, whatever caliber you are the most accurate with under pressure. Hitting your target is much more important than what caliber you shoot with a pistol. Putting multiple rounds center mass will be much better than a single shot center mass. Whatever you shoot the best is the caliber that works the best for you.
bannockburn
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I have more pistols in 9mm. than any other caliber. However for me variety is the spice of life and I do so enjoy having 1911s to shoot, so I voted for .45ACP.
Ironicaintit
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You could get another 9mm and not have to stock ammo in another caliber.
But then again, you already have a 9mm.
So, I voted for the .45, as no collection is complete without at least 1.
But then again, you already have a 9mm.
So, I voted for the .45, as no collection is complete without at least 1.
wally
Member
You pays your money and takes your chances. Keeping everything 9mm lets you just store one caliber ammo. But if another crazy wave hits, 9mm will be gone first. .40S&W was the easiest pistol ammo to find around here during the recent craziness, but it generally costs more than 9mm.
For my sub compact carry guns I have one in .40S&W for carry and one in 9mm for practice. The ammo savings rather quickly pays for the 9mm pistol (at 50 rounds a week it adds up fast!), so if you are thinking along these lines I'd vote .40S&W.
With a .40S&W you can buy an .357 SIG barrel and easily add a third caliber. It of course works in reverse, but your selection of guns in .357 SIG is smaller than your aftermarket selection of .357 SIG barrels.
For my sub compact carry guns I have one in .40S&W for carry and one in 9mm for practice. The ammo savings rather quickly pays for the 9mm pistol (at 50 rounds a week it adds up fast!), so if you are thinking along these lines I'd vote .40S&W.
With a .40S&W you can buy an .357 SIG barrel and easily add a third caliber. It of course works in reverse, but your selection of guns in .357 SIG is smaller than your aftermarket selection of .357 SIG barrels.
Furncliff
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9mm in a CZ, if you like that sig there are several CZ's that might interest you.
Corpral_Agarn
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If you want something that is common and drastically different, go 45.
Perhaps not the cheapest but then you have both, I mean the 45 acp has been ending peoples very souls since its adoption by the military
.357 Sig is a great round so long as you don't mind extra noise and muzzle flash.
When I go backpacking I usually take the .357 Sig. Its lightweight and powerful.
Its also my choice for shooting long distances. Its flatter shooting than most pistol rounds and so far, incredibly accurate.
I would rather have a .357 Sig over a 40 but a barrel swap gets you both. And 40 is more common and cheaper.
I don't recommend 40 or 357 Sig to new shooters because of recoil snap and muzzle blast.
Perhaps not the cheapest but then you have both, I mean the 45 acp has been ending peoples very souls since its adoption by the military
.357 Sig is a great round so long as you don't mind extra noise and muzzle flash.
When I go backpacking I usually take the .357 Sig. Its lightweight and powerful.
Its also my choice for shooting long distances. Its flatter shooting than most pistol rounds and so far, incredibly accurate.
I would rather have a .357 Sig over a 40 but a barrel swap gets you both. And 40 is more common and cheaper.
I don't recommend 40 or 357 Sig to new shooters because of recoil snap and muzzle blast.
Plan2Live
Member
Go with whatever turns your crank. I'm content with 9, 40 and .38/.357 for my pistol calibers. I personally am not enamoured with 45 or 357 Sig or dare I say it......10mm.
Corpral_Agarn
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Blasphemy! Heretic!
george burns
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I noticed that in the past few years, the 40 is slowly losing favor with civilians and Police/Military. It won't disappear, but it sure went from hero to zero much faster than expected. I have 5 decades of experience with carrying handguns, and have seen many things come and go. The 38 special was the go to gun when I started, and if anyone would have said that most people would not be carrying a 38 back then, you would have called them nuts.
But it's happening again, and unless something happens to stimulate the sale of the 40 caliber, it is destined to take a back seat to the 9mm and 45 in a few years. Many gun makers just don't push, or even make 40's anymore. I don't see why the sudden shift since nothing changed, it was always an overpowered round with a bit more recoil, like the 357 sig, or the 380. But that never stopped people before.
I can say the shooting a Glock 19 vs a Glock 23, the 19 is much easier to shoot accurately for most people.
Now you can argue either way, but it really is true.
But it's happening again, and unless something happens to stimulate the sale of the 40 caliber, it is destined to take a back seat to the 9mm and 45 in a few years. Many gun makers just don't push, or even make 40's anymore. I don't see why the sudden shift since nothing changed, it was always an overpowered round with a bit more recoil, like the 357 sig, or the 380. But that never stopped people before.
I can say the shooting a Glock 19 vs a Glock 23, the 19 is much easier to shoot accurately for most people.
Now you can argue either way, but it really is true.
Ed Ames
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To me this is somewhat of a meaningless question without more context.
However...as a general rule I think it goes like this:
If you live in a state with 10rd magazine limits, .45, or .40 should top your list for mid-to-large frame pistols, with 9mm for subcompacts.
If you live in a state with 15rd limits, .40 should top your list, with 9mm and .45 getting model-specific consideration.
If you are in a state without magazine capacity limits, 9mm, .40, and .45 are all in the running.
I wouldn't go down the .357sig road on my own funds.
However, all of that is assuming a self defense focus. If you are an outdoorsy type I would push the 10mm or even something hotter.
However...as a general rule I think it goes like this:
If you live in a state with 10rd magazine limits, .45, or .40 should top your list for mid-to-large frame pistols, with 9mm for subcompacts.
If you live in a state with 15rd limits, .40 should top your list, with 9mm and .45 getting model-specific consideration.
If you are in a state without magazine capacity limits, 9mm, .40, and .45 are all in the running.
I wouldn't go down the .357sig road on my own funds.
However, all of that is assuming a self defense focus. If you are an outdoorsy type I would push the 10mm or even something hotter.
vaalpens
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If you only shoot factory ammo, the 9mm is probably the way to go, unless you want to be prepared for the next shortage, then 40S&W is probably the way to go.
If you reload, then you probably want to try a new caliber. Then I would say go for 40S&W (brass is plenty) and you can alway add a 357sig barrel when the time is ripe and you are ready to try a new caliber.
Everybody probably needs a 45ACP, but if the need is more to get the 1911 vs getting the 45ACP, then you can even look at getting a 9mm 1911.
So basically it is about what you needs are that will determine if you want to stick with 9mm or expand your caliber horizon.
I went from 9mm,
to 40S&W (ammo shortage)
to 357sig (bitten by the reloading bug and it is a great caliber to shoot)
If you reload, then you probably want to try a new caliber. Then I would say go for 40S&W (brass is plenty) and you can alway add a 357sig barrel when the time is ripe and you are ready to try a new caliber.
Everybody probably needs a 45ACP, but if the need is more to get the 1911 vs getting the 45ACP, then you can even look at getting a 9mm 1911.
So basically it is about what you needs are that will determine if you want to stick with 9mm or expand your caliber horizon.
I went from 9mm,
to 40S&W (ammo shortage)
to 357sig (bitten by the reloading bug and it is a great caliber to shoot)
baseball2013
Member
9mm will be the most economical choice. I own 6 9mm, 5 45acp, a 40 with a .357 Sig barrel and a 10mm. They are all a lot of fun to shoot but .357 Sig and 10mm are pretty pricey when you can find them in my area.
Reloading has made it possible for me to shoot a lot more. Currently I am only set up to reload for 9mm and 45. 10mm will probably be the next pistol round although I have very little brass.
Reloading has made it possible for me to shoot a lot more. Currently I am only set up to reload for 9mm and 45. 10mm will probably be the next pistol round although I have very little brass.
All the other cartridges in your poll are more expensive than 9x19 and offer nothing significant in performance. So that would argue for sticking with 9x19. There may be other reasons to get a gun in a different chambering, but neither cost nor performance are one.
There seem to be some pretty big, unsubstantiated assumptions behind this and the rest of your post.
CoalTrain49
Member
No significant difference in performance with any of the cartridges you mentioned.
357 Sig is 9 mm caliber.
Stick with 9 mm Para. No reason to buy more expensive ammo unless you just want to experiment. 40 S&W and 357 Sig has no good reason to live. 45 ACP is interesting and there are plenty of guns chambered for it because it's real popular. Some people ditch their 9's when they discover 45 ACP. Never heard of anyone ditching their 45 ACP for something else. That's all I shoot.
357 Sig is 9 mm caliber.
Stick with 9 mm Para. No reason to buy more expensive ammo unless you just want to experiment. 40 S&W and 357 Sig has no good reason to live. 45 ACP is interesting and there are plenty of guns chambered for it because it's real popular. Some people ditch their 9's when they discover 45 ACP. Never heard of anyone ditching their 45 ACP for something else. That's all I shoot.
Bobson
Member
Generic plinking? No collection is complete without a 10" custom revolver in .454 Casull.
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