9mm or 40 S&W for home defense

[alpacaheat]

Currently have a full-size 40 on "home duty" but have been toying with the idea of moving to 9mm.

If you had to pick only one of these calibers for defending your castle, which would you choose?

[M&P Chris]

I voted 9mm. Not really a fan of .40.

[Hodgie]

I am a 9mm guy through and through with the right ammo selection it will offer similar of not the same ballistics as the .40 or .45acp with a higher capacity and less recoil. I got out of .40 S&W a long time ago and never looked back.

[daschnoz]

Come on heat... you've been here long enough. You should know that this thread is eligible for neg rep.


I'll save everybody else the trouble:

• Get a Glock.
• 45ACP for defense is the only way to go.
• A good shotgun is all you need.
• What's wrong with an AR-15?
• nancy in pa has some art work for sale.
• free will suggest a Hi-Point carbine.
• EM will be happy as long as you don't buy it at Dicks or F&S

[QuackXP]

I personally went with .40 because it's a more modern cartridge designed around self defense to use a hollow point vs 9mm that is a much older design built around a ball round to be Geneva Convention compliant.

This is my own personal reasons for choosing the round and I am not in any way whatsoever trying to scientifically prove that .40 is better than 9mm or disparaging anyone's choice of 9mm over .40.

[Democrat Gun Owner]

I'm all for 9mm. .40 isn't a big enough step up from 9mm with current bullet ballistic technology. If 9mm isn't enough, you gotta step up to .357 or at least .45 ACP.

Just my 2¢ in the never ending handgun caliber war.

[Bill67]

I shoot and carry both. My HD bedside gun is a 9mm. My edc generally is a 40. They each get equal range time. I think my next move is to have both guns be the same and I have decided to go to 9mm. I'll keep the M&P 40 as a range gun.

[eyecanshoot]

Either choice is good. I would have probably gone with 9mm if I didn't think .40S&W would be more effective against the bears that frequent my yard. Of course a magnum revolver would be better for stopping a bear. But realistically I'm more likely to be attacked by a human so the .40 seemed like a good compromise for capacity and power.

If I didn't have a .40S&W that my wife could handle I would rethink my choice. I occasionally test her to make sure she can still rack the slide of my hi power. The recoil spring is super stiff but it is also what makes it so manageable for her to shoot.

For me the caliber decision is based on the effectiveness against possible threats, capacity, and limitations of other users(my wife). It is a balancing act.

[MT1]

I have various firearms throughout the house so the answer is whatever I get my hands on at the time. In addition to the 9 vs .40 dilemma, this means I might reach for an AR, 12 gauge, .357, or a .45

I'm not too concerned with the caliber options. I'm confident in all of my options. I'm more concerned that the weapon is accessible, loaded, and in well maintained condition.

EDIT - For e purposes of your poll I'm opting for 9mm simply because mine holds 17 rounds

[pyld]

9mm. With modern ammunition the difference in stopping power is a wash. And because it's cheaper, you can afford more of it.

(insert stuff about a shotgun or rifle for home defense here)