9mm or .40

**t1066** · October 6th, 2018, 01:42 PM

I hit The Bunker in Warminster today. They had sold out the ones that PHLJJS had seen there, but they ordered me a Red Box P229 that will be in Thursday.

**DonBiase** · October 6th, 2018, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by scruff

You "is" the man!!!

**rckeystone** · October 6th, 2018, 07:29 PM

Most of my pistols are 9mm with one M&P. 40. Last night I ordered a Leo 40 cal P229 trade in for $379. Just couldn't resist getting another Sig.

**j_h_smith** · October 6th, 2018, 07:34 PM

I guess I'm too old school. If my 9mm isn't enough gun, then I'm going to go for the 45acp. I see no reason to play with something in the middle.

**djeuch** · October 7th, 2018, 12:01 AM

Originally Posted by t1066

I just wanted to publicly thank you. I had a blast.

For those that weren't there, I have pretty much settled on a P 229 in 9mm.

Second choice would be a H&K P2000 in 9mm, and third place would go to a FNS in .40 S&W, which I found to be easier for me to shoot than the 9mm version.

I should take you out with my P2000/P2000SK in LEM!

**PHLJJS** · October 7th, 2018, 01:10 AM

Originally Posted by djeuch

I should take you out with my P2000/P2000SK in LEM!

The P2000 of mine that he shot is a LEM. He's a fan.

**American1776** · October 7th, 2018, 12:56 PM

There are a handful of 9mm loads that are excellent show stoppers. The old Federal 9bple (115 gr. +p+) is one such load. The 124 gr. Gold Dot +P is another. There are also many 9mm loads that are not so good.

In the .40 S&W, some loads approach a typical full power .357 magnum. The 165 gr. at full power (1150 ft. /second) is a real show stopper on the street. That's compared to a 357 magnum 158 gr. at 1240 ft/s. Not *that* much difference.

If I had the choice, I'd pick a 9mm pistol loaded with the very best rounds (Federal 115 gr. +P+). I'd pick a pistol that is supremely reliable (Beretta M9, Jericho 941, CZ 75, etc). And I'd pick the largest magazine it can hold, nearly flush (20 round mecgars).

That'll give you 20 rounds of top shelf 9mm loads with upwards of 90 percent one shot stop.

Just my thoughts.

**Quasar86** · October 7th, 2018, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by DonBiase

I always thought the 40 cal. was a solution in search of a problem.
Other than my 45, all my service sized auto's are 9mm.

I originally felt the same about the 40 S &W as an unnecessary solution until the last ammo shortage when 40 was the only caliber seen on the shelves. A few years later I watched some ballistics videos and learned of conversion barrels for Glocks so became convinced of their utility and built a few. Accurate, fun to shoot and what's 1 more caliber gonna hurt?

**calypsocoral** · October 15th, 2018, 09:27 PM

The Great Ammo Shortage following the Sandy Hook shooting is why I decided to put more of my eggs in .40 cal, since 9mm 115gr FMJ's were selling for close to $30/box at one point, but .40 and .45 were fully-stocked and priced to move. I also operate under the assumption that a certain political persuasion will again find itself in control of all the levers, eventually. So, as of right now, I own one 9mm (an H&K VP9) and two .40's (CZ P07 and P09) with, HOPEFULLY, a 10mm to join them in the not-too-distant future.

It takes more effort to find the right load for your model of gun and comfort level. There seems to be greater variation in loading strengths for any given bullet weight than seen in 9mm. So you really gotta try a pretty wide variety of different ammo loadings before you find what feels right in your gun. In my full-size P09, I find high-powered 165 grain defense loads, like Cor-Bon, Speer Gold Dot or Remington Golden Saber, to be very manageable.

The same is not true in my compact P07. I think it is due to the shorter grip length and the loss in leverage needed to tame the muzzle flip in stronger loads. I like the 135gr Federal Hydra-Shok "Low Recoil" rounds in the P07 for defense, though most 165gr FMJ target loads (with the exceptions of American Eagle, Remington UMC, or Speer Lawman TMJ) feel just fine.

In the end, .40S&W is kind of like the girl you never pictured myself being with, but as you discover more of her intricacies and complexities, you develop a great appreciation for her.

**Ronin** · October 16th, 2018, 12:50 PM

I have handguns in every major caliber and my go to gun is still my Sig SP2022 in .40S&W. I just plain love that gun. Despite being polymer, it handles the recoil of .40 very well, and it does so while being reliable and accurate, to boot. Always been a fan of .40 S&W.