As a reloader I have found both the 9 and 40's short powder column limit their accuracy potential. Never had one that could equal a .45acp or 10mm in that respect. May also be the reason so many competitors use a .38 super instead of a 9. Of course the difference is negligible in terms of minute of bad guy but is an issue to a bullseye shooter.
9mm, 40S&W, 45ACP
- Thread starter Guv
- Start date
Departed402
New member
9mm - Mid 20s
My work gun is a .45 (Glock 21) which I don't mind for a full size service pistol. My off-duties on the other hand are 9mm (Glock 26 an 19) more capacity makes sense for small guns IMO. Now if were I the boss I'd have a tough time choosing between Glock 17s and 21s for my guys.
While I do have own Glock 23 I have no use for .40 S&W.
My work gun is a .45 (Glock 21) which I don't mind for a full size service pistol. My off-duties on the other hand are 9mm (Glock 26 an 19) more capacity makes sense for small guns IMO. Now if were I the boss I'd have a tough time choosing between Glock 17s and 21s for my guys.
While I do have own Glock 23 I have no use for .40 S&W.
peacefulgary
New member
Almost 48 years old, and of the listed calibers I prefer the .45 ACP.
But my carry pistol is a .380 Auto. :-0
But my carry pistol is a .380 Auto. :-0
Ten page thread and still no caliber war--I'm pretty much amazed.
If I had to choose just one of the 3 it would definitely be 45ACP. I'm 60.
I carry both 45 and 40 on the rare occasions I don't carry 10. I find 40 is an acceptable smaller round shootable in a very compact carry gun when I need to do that, and my 45 is adequately compact (M&P 45c) for most other times.
40SW is a good cartridge for me for loading lots of ammo cheap for IDPA ESP division practice and I've found adequately accurate loads for it. It has been tougher to work up accurate load/bullet combinations than for 45ACP in my experience.
I like handloading both because case size is reasonable for observation and handling with fat thumbs, and both can be loaded down with virtually identical powders and charges of Solo 1000, Clays, Nitro 100 and so on.
I have never warmed up to 9mm and it doesn't fill any perceived 'need' that I have..any gun I'd like to own is available in 40, 45 or 10mm, and if isn't available in 10mm I'm probably not much interested anymore anyway.
If I had to choose just one of the 3 it would definitely be 45ACP. I'm 60.
I carry both 45 and 40 on the rare occasions I don't carry 10. I find 40 is an acceptable smaller round shootable in a very compact carry gun when I need to do that, and my 45 is adequately compact (M&P 45c) for most other times.
40SW is a good cartridge for me for loading lots of ammo cheap for IDPA ESP division practice and I've found adequately accurate loads for it. It has been tougher to work up accurate load/bullet combinations than for 45ACP in my experience.
I like handloading both because case size is reasonable for observation and handling with fat thumbs, and both can be loaded down with virtually identical powders and charges of Solo 1000, Clays, Nitro 100 and so on.
I have never warmed up to 9mm and it doesn't fill any perceived 'need' that I have..any gun I'd like to own is available in 40, 45 or 10mm, and if isn't available in 10mm I'm probably not much interested anymore anyway.
Last edited: