.40 over 9mm

NU9MM · May 30, 2019

I know the 9mm is probably thy most popular caliber out there and the advancements in the ammo is fabulous. But just curious how many still prefer the S&W .40 over the 9mm and why. Thank you in advance.

No_Regerts · May 30, 2019

I still prefer .40. As a hunter and reloader, I use oddball cartridges and find most of the vanilla stuff boring. Also as a hunter, I don't hunt dangerous animals with something "adequate with propper shot placement". I like a little more margin of error and bigger bullets going just as fast as smaller bullets are never not better. Recoil is negligibly greater and capacity is a round or two less, yet double what a 1911 provides.

v0lcom13sn0w · May 30, 2019

for me, its really a wash but it depends what im doin. the capacity capabilities of a 9mm is nice. 40 makes a bigger hole though. i get the whole "bullet technology" argument for 9mm but 40 ammo has the same bullets available so....

. TBH, i like 40 more because it flips my buddies dualling tree better than 9mm and doesnt flip it and flip it back like my 45 does LOL. with my glock 23, i can shoot 9mm,40 and 357sig with just a barrel (and 9mm mag) change if i wanted.

:s0093:

41mag · May 30, 2019

While I shot matches with .40 for decades, never really cared for it. Finally quit reloading that caliber. Now I 've been saving 10mm for later, and begin to enjoy it.

NU9MM · May 30, 2019

v0lcom13sn0w said:
for me, its really a wash but it depends what im doin. the capacity capabilities of a 9mm is nice. 40 makes a bigger hole though. i get the whole "bullet technology" argument for 9mm but 40 ammo has the same bullets available so..... TBH, i like 40 more because it flips my buddies dualling tree better than 9mm and doesnt flip it and flip it back like my 45 does LOL. with my glock 23, i can shoot 9mm,40 and 357sig with just a barrel (and 9mm mag) change if i wanted.

I had a Gen 4 22 but traded it for my current M&P FS 9mm. The Glock just really seemed blocky in my hand. But I do like the .40

308 · May 30, 2019

I like 9mm because I can shoot a lot without getting a subconscious flinch.

v0lcom13sn0w · May 30, 2019

NU9MM said:
I had a Gen 4 22 but traded it for my current M&P FS 9mm. The Glock just really seemed blocky in my hand. But I do like the .40

m&ps are great! i carry a shield 9mm daily. used to carry my glock 23 for years. just wanted to change it up.

NU9MM · May 30, 2019

v0lcom13sn0w said:
m&ps are great! i carry a shield 9mm daily. used to carry my glock 23 for years. just wanted to change it up.

I've really been debating in getting a M&P .40.

NU9MM · May 30, 2019

308 said:
I like 9mm because I can shoot a lot without getting a subconscious flinch.

I have recoil anticipation and push low and left

oremike · May 30, 2019

When I was looking for a drop in the pocket semi-auto for when I ride dual sport motorcycles in the way back country the scenario I played through my head was I've fallen and can't get up. No cell service so my buddy's got to go get help and that might be a while. I figured I might look like a target of opportunity for either Cougars or Crack-heads. What I wanted was enough impact to break a charge and just wasn't convinced that 9mm would do that 100% of the time. My first choice was the 45 acp but with some research I found the 40 S&W would get to 1200 fps with a 155gr Speer Gold Dot. That's what I carry.

uberguy · May 30, 2019

I like both; especially like that with my M&P 40, it's easy to swap in a 9mm or 357 SIG, so it's versatile. Glocks and SIGs too I suppose.

BATTERY · May 30, 2019

Woah. A .40 vs 9MM thread. This feels like 2009 again!

.40 is great. 45 ACP Great, 357sig great. I just don't own those calibers anymore.

I own guns that come in handgun caliber. I own several. I don't shoot as much as some. 5000 to 6000 a year. It's cheaper to shoot and you can carry more ammo.

As for ballistics. I'm not an expert. Either are any of our FUDD friends. I feel well armed with a 9mm. Unless there is a bear.

The only handgun I own that isn't 9MM is my 10mm. Because of bears. Duh!!!

308 · May 30, 2019

NU9MM said:
I have recoil anticipation and push low and left

Common issue and can be solved by a proper grip. My wifey and I took lessons from the shop at the following link and problem solved.
It's in Gresham.
Welcome to Advanced Firearms Training llc in Gresham

Caveman Jim · May 30, 2019

I like a 40S&W over a 9mm nowadays due to knock down power, years ago I didn't care one way or another....

DB is Here · May 30, 2019

Have both, carry 9mm, just more accurate with it.

TTSX · May 30, 2019

So here's my take: I shoot mostly 9mm and am perfectly comfortable defending myself with one. However; if I had to pick which round I'd rather be sending downrange, I want a heavy hitter. When shoot steel, the 9mm makes an audible contact but the 40 moves my target with a lot more authority. Screw gel tests, it's obvious to me the 40 hits harder. Then I look at kinetic energy and find that velocity is worth the square of itself while mass is worth itself alone. So that brought me to the .357 Sig. Hits steel "right now" and with a good bit of energy. I don't worry about expansion because they're traveling fast enough I don't have to. Finally, I will note that if I were to get my carry gun in 9mm, I'd only gain one round and that's the final nail in my decision coffin. So for me, I chose 40 case and 9mm bullet. But again, if I had to choose, I'd rather defend myself with a 40 over a 9, but shoot 9 in volume for cost

coop44 · May 31, 2019

The capacity issue only speaks to me of a lack of confidence in abilities. Practice. Inability to deal well with recoil? Life is uncomfortable, deal with it snowflake. Ballistic gel tests? Thank God we haven't been attacked by the ballistic gel zombies. Face it, people die rather easily. We stand upright exposing all of our squishy bits. A pointy stick or a round lead ball works well enough.

The authority of a 40 or 45 works for me. What works for you, works for you.

CHLChris · May 31, 2019

This is not the OP's question, exactly, but I prefer .40 guns, even though I don't always prefer to shoot that. All of my 9mm Glocks are actually converted from their 40 or 357 counterparts. My bedside gun is a G22 (in 9mm), and a couple carry guns are a G32 and G27, both converted to 9mm.

A .40 gun gives options where a 9mm gun only offers 9mm.

Now, my Sub2000 is in 40 because I have reloaded a 40 round to get a 155gr XTP to over 1500fps. That's a 800ft-pound screamer that could NEVER happen from a 9mm.

Goosebrown · May 31, 2019

40 always recoiled odd to me. I went from 9mm to 40 for a couple years and then went back

Nicer to shoot and better follow on shot. I have a wife and kids. I'd rather they hit twice if necessary

orygun · May 31, 2019

I didn't pick .40 specifically, it found me. I had a Kahr 9mm and really didn't like the ten mile long trigger pull. My son in law gave me a Shield 40 to try out. I suppose I would have liked the gun if it was 9mm, but I also like big bullet holes. I heard that the 40 is snappy in recoil, but I can't tell.
What I ended up with is the best shooting small(ish) gun I've ever shot.