Reloader Posted April 6, 2006 Report Share Posted April 6, 2006 I was out drooling in my local gun shop yesterday and stopped to look at the pistols. I realy liked the Beretta 96 Vertec. But my question is not what gun to buy...couldn't afford one now anyway... Here is the real question...If you were to be buying a new semi-auto pistol (regardless of brand or style of gun) today and had to pick between the 9mm Luger or .40 S&W calibers, which would you pick and why? If I had to pick right now I would have to pick the 9 simply because it is the one I have had the most experience with and know I can shoot it acurately, including follow up shots. However, if I could try out a 40 first, then pick, the decision may go either way...not sure. I would pick the 40 now except that the 40 has more recoil, and though I don't think that would be an issue with first shot accuracy or slow fire practice, I don't know how much that would affect my ability to fire quick aimed followup shots in a self defence or rapid fire contest situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoosierbuck Posted April 6, 2006 Report Share Posted April 6, 2006 Re: 9mm vs .40 S&W Personally, I could not seperate the style from the caliber decision. Lots of guys will scream about being under-gunned unless you have a 1911 .45ACP or similar. Lots of that lot do love their 1911's, and leave them at home or in the truck because they are too heavy or big to wear concealed and have on them all day every day. Some guys can and do carry a 1911 all the time, more power to 'em. For me, though, I need to have a gun that I can conceal in a suit, with coat on or off. Shoulder rig-out. Butt-pack-out. Small of back-out. Not a lot of options left for me. So my baby Glock is with me all the time. I had the .40 and found that I rarely practiced since ammo was steep, and the recoil considerable. I also found that follow-up shots in that little gun (NO, the magazine finger extension made it stick out of my clothing,) were not very quick or accurate. Sold that, have the 9mm and am very happy with it. Wish I could find a small, light, very powerful gun that was manageable and had decent magazine capacity, but until that happens, it's 9mm in the little gun. HB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Xen Posted April 6, 2006 Report Share Posted April 6, 2006 Re: 9mm vs .40 S&W i can shoot a 9mm faster, meaning fully recover after each shot faster, but i really like my .40 - 9mm ammo is cheaper... i also like they steyrs, the 9 and .40 both are great guns to shoot, the s models are fairly compact, and i rarely have any problems. i do have more ammo feed problems with the 9mm than i do the 40 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarvDog Posted April 6, 2006 Report Share Posted April 6, 2006 Re: 9mm vs .40 S&W I went with 40 and LOVE it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reloader Posted April 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2006 Re: 9mm vs .40 S&W Excelent info Hoosier...exactly the kind of reply I was looking for...examine all the options and give your personal opinion on them..thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WNY_Whitetailer Posted April 7, 2006 Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 Re: 9mm vs .40 S&W I have both a 9mm and a 40cal...I love shooting both but for some strange reason I am a better shot with the 40. Of course they are two different handguns so it may have nothing to do with the caliber. I just enjoy shooting the 40 more than the 9. The 40 also has more umphh than the 9 does...Better bad guy stopper if you hit what you are aiming at...If you can't hit it, you can't stop it....The 9 is slightly cheaper to shoot but don't let that be your guide unless you are into sending a ton of lead down range. All in all, I enjoy shooting both calibers but I find that the 40 is my go to gun first at the range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted April 7, 2006 Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 Re: 9mm vs .40 S&W Neither. I have a 9mm and two 40's and carry neither (except as a backup piece). My "constant companion"......my fight-stopper......is a 10mm. However, if I were going to buy one gun for all-around use, it'd probably be a 9mm due to the reasonable level of power and the dirt cheap ammo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted April 7, 2006 Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 Re: 9mm vs .40 S&W With all this shooting, I cant believe you guys dont reload! I have a Dillon Square Deal B, I couldnt tell you how many thousands and thousands of rounds I loaded through-out the years! Saved me the price of my re-loader tens times over or more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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