Some advice? 9 vs 40

[cmjames2150]

I have always been a Glock guy, but recently gave my 19 to my wife and bought a TSW 4003. Its a nice gun, but I find myself missing my Glock. I am wondering if I should go with a 17 or 22 with 9mm barrel. I've had quite a few 9mm, but liked the .40 when I shot it. Anyone have any suggestions on 9 vs 40? Maybe pros and cons? Looking to get one in the next couple weeks if anyone is going to be getting rid of one. Thanks

 

[David Rose]

A shot timer, a target, and a calculator will tell you everything you need to know. Any suggestion based on "I feel" this way or that way won't help. There are thousands of drills you can choose from. Pick one, shoot it with both. Performance is all that counts. Consider getting some training if you haven't yet that will improve you. And you are the biggest variable in this equation.

 

[Panama]

You can not get this kind of muzzle velocity and energy with a 9mm.
Just depends on what you want to do with it.
But ammunition from Underwood Ammo makes that 40S&W a serious weapon.

 

[Roadie]

James Yeager says .40s suck, so clearly you must go with 9mm

 

[perry]

If you like the 9mm and trust it with your life, then go with the G17 and spend the $250-ish you would have spent on a conversion to buy a case of ammo.

 

[palerider0485]

they both will work for self defence.

 

[pokersamurai]

I'd get whatever caliber you shoot better.

Between the two calibers you listed, I like the 9mm better. I personally don't see the point of the .40 caliber round. I either want a handgun that holds a lot of easy to shoot, low recoil rounds (9mm); or one that shoots the biggest, heaviest practical round I can get (.45).

 

[chickenman]

Like Achmed the Suicide Bomber once said "location, location, location!!!" Its all about the placement of the round. Sorry just two cents.

 

[Roadie]

Whenever the "caliber wars" discussions come up, people invariably talk about comparing the different characteristics of a single shot fired from each caliber..

My thought is always...
"If I am firing, it will will NOT just be a SINGLE shot.."

 

[in625shooter]

Since your Wife has your old 9mm I would go with a 9mm also. Ammo interchangability etc. There is nothing wrong with a 9mm. Unless you like other calibers (the 40) and cost is not a concern. JMHO

 

[gregkl]

No one is going to ask what his intended purpose for the pistol is before doling out your wisdom?

 

[WestSider]

I'd get whatever caliber you shoot better.

Between the two calibers you listed, I like the 9mm better. I personally don't see the point of the .40 caliber round. I either want a handgun that holds a lot of easy to shoot, low recoil rounds (9mm); or one that shoots the biggest, heaviest practical round I can get (.45).

I completely agree with this, never jumped on the .40 bandwagon, I primarily use and carry 9mm but if I wanted something bigger I would go straight to the .45.

 

[Roadie]

No one is going to ask what his intended purpose for the pistol is before doling out your wisdom?

Excellent point..

 

[David Rose]

No one is going to ask what his intended purpose for the pistol is before doling out your wisdom?

What purpose other than fun and deffence do 9 and 40 fill?

 

[David Rose]

Whenever the "caliber wars" discussions come up, people invariably talk about comparing the different characteristics of a single shot fired from each caliber..

My thought is always...
"If I am firing, it will will NOT just be a SINGLE shot.."

I should have stipulated choose a drill that involves firing more than one round.

 

[gregkl]

What purpose other than fun and deffence do 9 and 40 fill?

Action pistol, IDPA, USPSA, collecting, defense, LE, military.

BTW, you have a nice looking family. Have you taken your older one to the range yet?

 

[VERT]

9mm cost less per round. 9mm is easier for most people to shoot.

.40 S&W IMO is an impressive round.

The 9mm conversion barrels work pretty darn good in the Glocks. I would not bet my life on them but they are great for the range. As far as cost for the gun. I would not bet against finding a Glock 22 trade in and new conversion barrel for less then a Glock 17. There seem to be a lot of .40s hitting the market right now.

 

[Leo]

I had 9mm and .45 pistols for years before the .40 S&W ever came out. When it did I was not too impressed, especially since the brass was so bulged and reloading was iffy. All of the early .40's I ever saw were glocks, and the early ones really did a poor job supporting the chambers. So the problem was not really an engineering problem with the .40 round. I still never paid much attention to the .40.

Several years ago, I got a deal I couln't pass up on a Para Ordinance 16.40 Limited. I figured I would play with it and at worst case, I could easily sell it for what I had in it. Guess what? I still have it, I have 1/2 a dozen favorite loads for different purposes, and have more pistols chambered in the .40. It is not a 9mm, it is not a .45, but it is a very good, dependable, versatile round that can do many things. I would never talk someone out of a .40 S&W caliber if they wanted more muzzle energy in a semi automatic pistol. The only down side is that the ammo costs more, and the recoil may be a little harder to handle for a beginning shooter, esp. with a compact pistol.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[10-32]

James Yeager says .40s suck, so clearly you must go with 9mm

He also says this - (Jump to 1:24)

[ame]http://youtu.be/SnQCU-OZaNc[/ame]

 

[David Rose]

Action pistol, IDPA, USPSA, collecting, defense, LE, military.

BTW, you have a nice looking family. Have you taken your older one to the range yet?

The little guy is 3. He's done some air soft but he's not a big fan of loud noises. I think I need to tell the wife I need a surpressor (for the children).