dhughe2

What are the advantages/disadvantages to a 9mm v. a .40 caliber?

Jeff in TD

The 40 S&W typically fires a 180 grain bullet at about 1000 fps or a 155 at about 1150. The 9mm parabellum might typcially fire a 124 grain bullet at around 1150.

As far as disadvantages, in many guns offered in both chamberings, the 40 S&W offering may hold a couple fewer rounds.

Lary Ellis (Top)

Advantage goes to the .40, better 1 shot knockdown capability, a more capable combat round. 9mm has cheaper ammo for plinking.

Jeff in TD

Yeah, I guess if I wasn't clear, there's about a 15% or so power advantage to the 40, and the larger bore. In this area, anyway, the majority of police agencies use the 40.

To me, there isn't enough difference in felt recoil, or in ammo cost, for either to be a factor, so I prefer the 40.

PDW Power

As mentioned in the previous post.

There are advantages for both. If your looking for a Personal Defense Weapon .40 cal. If your looking for a plinker 9mm. If it's your first handgun 9mm.

dhughe2

Yeah it's just a second handgun, neither are carried for any reason, just for fun. a great deal on a 9mm from a co-worker

Fronty Owner

a 9mm slug in the fridge is just as deadly as a .40 in the fridge.

.40 has a bit more power.
9mm has a bit more capacity.
9mm is lighter.
9mm is cheaper.
.40 is technically bigger (does .02" matter?)

Personally, I carry a 9mm loaded with +P.
My next pistol, Im considering a XD40.

If you have the money, take a look at the .357Sig. Its impressive on paper, but only comes from Sig Arms.

PDW Power

I'm just added the XD45 to my collection. XD's are nice.

annabelle

.40 has better stopping power, as stated. 9mm tends to over penetrate.

cbtumedic

As a street medic i can tell you this, a 9mm will kill you just as dead as a .40 will with a well placed shot. I like my .45, but am looking at getting a 9mm for plinking around as it's much cheaper to shoot (and i just really want one.)

annabelle

"Well placed" are the operative words. Get a .45 for self defense. 230 grs trumps both the .40 & 9mm. I have all three. I carry the .45.

TriSum

I agree, 9mm for target. .40 if you can't get a .45

My cop buddy is a weapons instructor for Surefire, he told me to be careful with carrying a 9mm, it may not hit and stop (in the person you want), but just keep going and hit something else, (innocent bystander). Where as a .40 / .45 will most likely hit and stop (or fall out the back side).

If anyone is interested in taking any of their classes let me know and I'll see if I can get you a deal. http://www.surefireinstitute.com/

David

Rednecktastic

I've heard from a pretty good fire arms instructor (guy that did my CHL and instructs police etc owns a firing range) that the .40 is pretty close in ballistics power to the .45. I think he showed us a video on it too, velocity and mass thing.

I own a Dan Wesson 1911 .45, .357sig/40S&W SigP229 and a .380 Kel Tech... And a .22 !

I wish I had bought a 9mm by now because the extra cost in ammo I've shot out of those guns at higher cost would have paid for a nice Hi Power 9mm by now. As far as hand guns go that's my next purchase if you could tell, beligum made and assembled of course.

I say you should get on the 9mm if it's a good make and in good shape.

TriSum

Could be on the .40 to 9mm, we were mainly talking about .45 to 9mm, being that I had a 9mm and was looking at getting something else to carry. I ended up getting an XD45. Love it !!

I would purchase another 9mm in a minute if it's a good deal.

Good luck !!

Rednecktastic

I've got one of those, great ballistics on paper as you said. Many govt agencies going towards that which is where I got mine. Some states I think are changing over to them. Tx DPS is going to the Sig made gun I believe 228 or 229. I have a 229, I trust that gun more than anything I own or anyone I've ever met.

But you can get the .357 sig in other makes. I've shot that round out of an XD. My friend bought it on sale at gander mtn on sale for $300 right after SA starting putting their name on that gun. The ammo is probably double the cost of 9mm though.

My brother has a Croatian .45 pre XD he got for a good deal a while back. Good guns IMO.