Preferred caliber: 9mm or 40 for personal defense?
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JeepDriver
Member
I own them all and have read everything I've been able to get my hands on when it comes to stoping power.
After all the reading, I've realized on thing, a pistol ain't a rifle.
Between the 38, 9, 357 Sig, 357 Mag, 40S&W and 45 ACP, they will all do thier part if you do yours. I haven't seen one peice of information that suggest one is much better then the other.
I carry a 9mm. Because I shoot it well, I have alot of trigger time with it and I like having more rounds.
After all the reading, I've realized on thing, a pistol ain't a rifle.
Between the 38, 9, 357 Sig, 357 Mag, 40S&W and 45 ACP, they will all do thier part if you do yours. I haven't seen one peice of information that suggest one is much better then the other.
I carry a 9mm. Because I shoot it well, I have alot of trigger time with it and I like having more rounds.
Manedwolf
member
I've tried small, light pistols with both 9mm and .40 S&W.
When I have, the increased recoil of the .40 in a featherweight pistol means that the muzzle is further away from where it was aimed after each shot. It has to be put back on target.
And that delay is why I like the 9mm. Lesser recoil means the gun stays where it was initially pointed, and if that happens to be on the BG, that means the followup shots would quickly get to the same place as the first.
Also, Speer has out a Short Barrel 9mm JHP Gold Dot now supposedly optimized for things like Kahrs. I'd not yet tried it, but something about it reaching its muzzle velocity quicker due to powder composition or the like.
(and I'm still trying to find some place that's not out of stock on the Kahr CW-9, that charges the reasonable $370 or so, not attempted gouging)
When I have, the increased recoil of the .40 in a featherweight pistol means that the muzzle is further away from where it was aimed after each shot. It has to be put back on target.
And that delay is why I like the 9mm. Lesser recoil means the gun stays where it was initially pointed, and if that happens to be on the BG, that means the followup shots would quickly get to the same place as the first.
Also, Speer has out a Short Barrel 9mm JHP Gold Dot now supposedly optimized for things like Kahrs. I'd not yet tried it, but something about it reaching its muzzle velocity quicker due to powder composition or the like.
(and I'm still trying to find some place that's not out of stock on the Kahr CW-9, that charges the reasonable $370 or so, not attempted gouging)
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StrikeEagle
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The top two, the 9mm cavities look really scrawny to me in comparison. I'm kind of shocked...
Hagen442
Member
9MM./VS/40/VS/45
I own guns in all the above. Our normal Personal Defense in our vehicles and home are as follows:
Under the Bed : 9mm DAK SIG & 12 GA 1100 , Wife's night stand :model 19 S&W .357.
Kitchen: Colt 1911: 45
Bathroom: 9mm :Storm
Hummer: 9 mm XD / Colt 1911 45 / M1 Carbine
Jeep: 45mm XD
Wife's Trk: XD 9mm
Wife's Benz: XD 9mm
Wife's Carry : 38 S&W Airweight
My Carry: 9mm XD or 45 XD or Colt .380
As you can see we have different calibers for different situations, should it arise.
I own guns in all the above. Our normal Personal Defense in our vehicles and home are as follows:
Under the Bed : 9mm DAK SIG & 12 GA 1100 , Wife's night stand :model 19 S&W .357.
Kitchen: Colt 1911: 45
Bathroom: 9mm :Storm
Hummer: 9 mm XD / Colt 1911 45 / M1 Carbine
Jeep: 45mm XD
Wife's Trk: XD 9mm
Wife's Benz: XD 9mm
Wife's Carry : 38 S&W Airweight
My Carry: 9mm XD or 45 XD or Colt .380
As you can see we have different calibers for different situations, should it arise.
TOADMAN
Member
Speer Gold Dot 9mm 124 gr +p short barrel ammo from a Glock 26.
I think the answer is to use what works best for you. Everyone is a little different in recoil tolerance, experience, and preference.
My preference is .45 ACP. I feel all three rounds (9mm, .40, .45) are so close with modern bullets, that I am best off using what I can control the best. I find many of the .40 loads to be way too snappy for my preference, while the .45 ACP is a pleasure to shoot.
I'd trust any of the three rounds if TSHTF, but the .45 ACP would be my first choice, with the second choice being 9mm.
My preference is .45 ACP. I feel all three rounds (9mm, .40, .45) are so close with modern bullets, that I am best off using what I can control the best. I find many of the .40 loads to be way too snappy for my preference, while the .45 ACP is a pleasure to shoot.
I'd trust any of the three rounds if TSHTF, but the .45 ACP would be my first choice, with the second choice being 9mm.
If you're going to go to 40 over 9 because it's bigger why wouldn't you just go 45 then?
I would say mag capacity, 12+1 rounds in my semi compact 229, I believe that was part of the reasoning for coming out with .40 in the first place, similar ballistics to the .45 with mag capacity closer to the 9mm.
I would say mag capacity, 12+1 rounds in my semi compact 229, I believe that was part of the reasoning for coming out with .40 in the first place, similar ballistics to the .45 with mag capacity closer to the 9mm.
I may be alone on this, but I find the 9mm to have too much muzzle flip. Lighter recoil, yes, but just too flippy for me. It ended up being kind of distracting. I prefered the 'push' of the .40.
I must point out that this was a side-by-side comparison of two CZ-75's that I rented at the range one day.
Currently I have a Sig .40, and thinking about a CZ compact. I'll probably go with the .40 because:
1. Same capacity out here in California (10 rds max)
2. Shared ammo with the Sig
3. Flip-factor of the 9mm
YMMV,
TCW
I must point out that this was a side-by-side comparison of two CZ-75's that I rented at the range one day.
Currently I have a Sig .40, and thinking about a CZ compact. I'll probably go with the .40 because:
1. Same capacity out here in California (10 rds max)
2. Shared ammo with the Sig
3. Flip-factor of the 9mm
YMMV,
TCW
Rob96
Member
When I look at that picture I don't see much. Too me, gel is a good gauge to see how the bullet will expand, that's it. Having talked to people who have seen action, and to people whose job it is to save the person that was shot, I have no qualms in carrying my 9mm pistols.
armoredman
Member
9mm. I was a 40 convert for over 13 years, nothing ever lighter. Then I got my first CZ PO1, and began exploring the whole 9mm issue again.
Everything I could find, other than my own ingrained prejudices, said 9mm was similar in terminal effectiveness to any other common self defense caliber. This is of course, keeping in mind that 44 Mag, 50AE, and 500 Mag are not quite common SD calibers!
Then I realized with the super accurate little CZ, I could put those high speed pills right where they need to go, every single time.
No problem. All my SD handguns are 9mm, now.
Everything I could find, other than my own ingrained prejudices, said 9mm was similar in terminal effectiveness to any other common self defense caliber. This is of course, keeping in mind that 44 Mag, 50AE, and 500 Mag are not quite common SD calibers!
Then I realized with the super accurate little CZ, I could put those high speed pills right where they need to go, every single time.
No problem. All my SD handguns are 9mm, now.
armoredman
Member
Doubled, oops.
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Manedwolf
member
As to those ballistics tests, I'd also wonder what brand they were. Whitebox 9mm hollowpoint is an entirely different (and weaker) animal on expansion than something like Federal HST or Gold Dot in the same grain.
The real world difference between 9mm +P, .40, and .45 is truly negligible.
9mm is easier to shoot, has a higher capacity, and is cheaper to practice with.
What with all the stories of people being shot 64 times with 9mm and leaving the hospital with nothing more than a bandaid later that same day, I think we sometimes forget just how lethal a COM hit from a 9mm +P JHP so very often is.
Make no mistake, 9mm is a superb load.
9mm is easier to shoot, has a higher capacity, and is cheaper to practice with.
What with all the stories of people being shot 64 times with 9mm and leaving the hospital with nothing more than a bandaid later that same day, I think we sometimes forget just how lethal a COM hit from a 9mm +P JHP so very often is.
Make no mistake, 9mm is a superb load.
This is exactly why I chose the .45 ACP over .40 and 9mm....
What .40 loads do you use? I ask because the ones I used felt VERY snappy/muzzle flippy. I'd definitely give the .40 another try if I found loads without a lot of muzzle flip.
To many make caliber paramount in theri self defense strategies, caliber ( within reason) falls pretty far down on the list of things that are important if you are planning to survive a lethal encounter. the most important things are 1. situational awareness, know what is going on around you at ALL times. Know where the closet cover is and where the nearest exits are. NEVER BE TAKEN BY SUPRISE. 2. Have a plan, practice developing this trait by playing the "what if" game. if your setting in a restraunt imagine "what if" a gunman came thru the door, how would you respond? 3. being prepared to switch from peaceful citizen to a ruthless oponent in fractions of a second. 4. Choose the handgun that FITS YOU, points well and is reliable. THEN choose the caliber that allows you to place fast repeat shots with the best accuracy UNDER STRESS.
chaim
Member
All 3 major auto calibers have their advantages (I suppose .357SIG may too, I just don't understand why you'd go with this over a +P or +P+ 9mm- same size and similar velocity).
.40 and 9mm can be put in smaller packages than .45ACP. .40 and 9mm are higher capacity than the .45ACP in similar sized packages. .40 and .45 have a bit more power than 9mm. Because of the higher power and larger size to start with the .40 and .45 allow more flexibility in ammo selection than the 9mm. 9mm has lower recoil, and thus faster follow up shots than .40 and .45. 9mm also has the highest capacity. .45 in short barrels loses its advantage on ammo flexibility as heavier rounds don't expand as well out of shorter barrels.
Right now I'm on a .40 and .45 kick since I like the ammo flexibility. It is nice to be able to buy whatever decent JHPs are on sale without having to stick to a couple brands/loadings (w/ 9mm some are so much better, and others so much worse, that you can't really do that). It is also reassuring to start with the larger bullet. So, I guess I'm moving the opposite direction- away from 9mm towards .45 (I've always been a .45 guy) and .40. Still, I would never feel underarmed with a 9mm (my main revolver round is a 125gr .38+P JHP) and in the smaller autos (like the Kahr PM9 sized autos) it would be preferable.
.40 and 9mm can be put in smaller packages than .45ACP. .40 and 9mm are higher capacity than the .45ACP in similar sized packages. .40 and .45 have a bit more power than 9mm. Because of the higher power and larger size to start with the .40 and .45 allow more flexibility in ammo selection than the 9mm. 9mm has lower recoil, and thus faster follow up shots than .40 and .45. 9mm also has the highest capacity. .45 in short barrels loses its advantage on ammo flexibility as heavier rounds don't expand as well out of shorter barrels.
Right now I'm on a .40 and .45 kick since I like the ammo flexibility. It is nice to be able to buy whatever decent JHPs are on sale without having to stick to a couple brands/loadings (w/ 9mm some are so much better, and others so much worse, that you can't really do that). It is also reassuring to start with the larger bullet. So, I guess I'm moving the opposite direction- away from 9mm towards .45 (I've always been a .45 guy) and .40. Still, I would never feel underarmed with a 9mm (my main revolver round is a 125gr .38+P JHP) and in the smaller autos (like the Kahr PM9 sized autos) it would be preferable.
woodswalker
Member
Over penetration
One subject to consider is blow-thru. .40 hollowpoints are less likely to punch a hole thru to BG. Most LE's are changing over to eliminate the threat to civilians down range.
Multiple CCW instructors have told me to carry the largest caliber you can. But, for concealed carry one must sacrifice something for hideability. Therefore, my carry pistol is the G23.
You should carry what you are most comfortable and most accurate with.
One subject to consider is blow-thru. .40 hollowpoints are less likely to punch a hole thru to BG. Most LE's are changing over to eliminate the threat to civilians down range.
Multiple CCW instructors have told me to carry the largest caliber you can. But, for concealed carry one must sacrifice something for hideability. Therefore, my carry pistol is the G23.
You should carry what you are most comfortable and most accurate with.
Mad Magyar
Member
I understand the dilemma. Initially with my ccw, I started with a large L-frame revolver, .357, but wound up gravitating to my autoloaders. I practice with them equally, and usually wind up with the .40. Don't get me wrong, I find no fault with any caliber larger than a 9mm, but when carrying my .45's; just didn't have the right feel in my circumstances even though they carry a "big punch".
woodswalker
Member
Comfort is #1
Do what you feel is right for you.
Comfort both physical and mental is the key!!
Do what you feel is right for you.
Comfort both physical and mental is the key!!
MCgunner
Member
The best .40 loads push 500 ft lbs, which is quite a bit better than even the +P+ nines. That said, in a small, compact auto, I like the nine. I like the nine anyway. It will do the job just fine. A few foot pounds is no biggy for me once you're over 300 or so, I mean, unless we're talking .500 Linebaugh or .454 Casull or something. But, that's hunting handguns, apples and oranges.
MCgunner
Member
Wow, crooks ain't going to have to look far to strike pay dirt at your house...
My home has been ripped off twice. All my guns are hidden and locked except for a couple of cheap decoys and my .38 in the bedroom. Crooks ain't THAT dumb, they don't break in when anyone's home.- Status
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