9mm vs 40

Reit38 · 03-19-2008, 05:22 PM

i've been thinking of buying either a 9mm or a 40cal pistol but not really sure which one i should go with. i will basiclly only be using it as a plink/practice gun but may some time in the future get a permit to carry. i'm leaning more towards a 9mm just for the fact that it will be cheaper to shoot. it will also probably be a S&W Sigma even though reviews on them are back and forth.

BOWHUNTERCOP · 03-19-2008, 05:32 PM

Overall I would go with the .40 S&W over the 9mm, you can buy bulk ammo for plinking/practice, that is what I do, but being a law enforcement officer off duty I carry a GLOCK 23, .40 S&W, 180gr. Winchester Suprems SXTs......Stay away from that Sigma......

jtb1967 · 03-19-2008, 06:17 PM

Don't you read the gun rags?? You're not a real man unless you carry a 1911 in 45 ACP

Either round is fine, but one big reason I like the 9mm is the cheap practice ammo as you mentioned.

Shootstuff4570 · 03-19-2008, 06:17 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: BOWHUNTERCOP

Overall I would go with the .40 S&W over the 9mm, you can buy bulk ammo for plinking/practice, that is what I do, but being a law enforcement officer off duty I carry a GLOCK 23, .40 S&W, 180gr. Winchester Suprems SXTs......Stay away from that Sigma......

how do u like the glock 23, my dad is gettin me one for my graduation gift. ive heard lots of good things about em but i like to hear more comments about em.

VAhuntr · 03-19-2008, 06:40 PM

I prefer the .40 S&W, mainly because the department I work for issues .40 Beretta's. When I'm off duty I carry a Glock 27(.40 S&W). The 9mm will be a little cheaper to practice with and is also a very effective self defense round.

deepzak · 03-19-2008, 06:59 PM

For self defense, I prefer a big slow moving round, sacrificing quanitity for quality in shots over a mid size projectile moving at high velocity with a large mag capacity. Don't get me wrong, there are some good 9MM self defense loads out there, I just prefer a bigger bullet. As far as cost of practice rounds, only the .22 rimfire will becheaper to shoot than the 9MM. Ultimately it really depends on how comfortable you are shooting the gun, it doesn't matter what gun or round you use; if your not comfortable shooting it, you won't hit squat.

biscuit jake · 03-20-2008, 07:35 AM

As far as carrying goes, I have not heard of any problems with bullet performance on the 40 but I am aware of many with the 9. So saying, I do have a 9 myself and it is fun and economical to shoot.

handloader1 · 03-20-2008, 05:06 PM

.40 S&W. Good luck.

Edcyclopedia · 03-20-2008, 05:14 PM

If it's for practice / play then a 9mm.
If it may be used in conjuction with archery, like for bear protection, go with the .40

I prefer Dirty Harry's gun...
Ruger Super Redhawk .44mag. 10" s.s. open sights, drops deer dead out to 60 yards

SJAdventures · 03-20-2008, 05:49 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: BOWHUNTERCOP

Stay away from that Sigma......

I agree with that statement. My stepson had one and it had the worse trigger I think I have ever shot. He had it less than 2 months before he sold it.