TFL newbie, should I stay 9mm or go .40 or .45?

J

JNB01

Inactive
Hello to all, great site!

I own several 9mm pistols, and am contemplating wether to stay w/ this caliber for new purchases or try something different.

My current favorite pistol is a Glock 19. When looking at .40's a G23/22 is at the top of the list, & a G21 for .45.

Also like Sigs, Beretta's & HK's!

Would like opions on going to a larger caliber pistol. It would be for HD & range use primarily.

Recoil is not a big issue. However, I'm not willing to sacrifice shootability & on target accuracy for what some deem only a slight increase in ballistic performance.

Would like pro's & con's of going to .40 or .45 in comparison to staying w/ the 9mm.

Thanks in advance, JNB01!!!
 
Welcome to TFL,
To answer your question, I think that most people here will tell you to go with the one that you shoot best. Have you shot many 40's or 45's. Are you as accurate with them as the 9? Personally I traded my last .45 in for a 9mm. Not that the recoil bothered me, but for me the 9mm is more accurate and the 9mm also allows faster follow up shots. After all what good is a bigger bullet if it doesn't go where it needs to. Anyway thats just my 2 cents but, I do have to tell you though that I'm still pretty new to pistols as most of my experience is with rifles so I could be way off base here.
Again welcome to TFL :D
 
Welcome to TFL! The 9x19mm is a fine cartridge, but there is a whole world of handgunning out there. I shoot both 45ACP and 40S&W. I can tell you that even though 45ACP is the larger of the two, the 40S&W will give you a snappier recoil. It's not a bad idea to expand your horizons and try some new stuff. If 9x19mm is all you have experience with now, I would try 45ACP next. The recoil isn't bad at all and there is a certain amount of assurance, knowing you have the ability to punch such large holes. ;) Your next decision will have to be what kind of pistol to get. The Beretta Cougar 8045 is a great choice to start with. They have the reliability of the Beretta we all know and love in a slightly shortened package. They also have a de-cocker. 1911's are also nice if you are comfortable with the operation of a SA pistol. Be sure and let us know what you decide. :)
 
Try a 10mm. A Glock 10mm, or a Witness10mm. If you want a .45acp, go with a SIG Sauer P220. If you want a .40S&W go with a P229 or a 23.
 
I used to have a 9mm and upgraded to a .40cal. I found the recoil a bit snappier than the 9mm and had a harder time with follow up shots.I've since sold that gun and tried 1911's and favor the .45cal cartridge over the others.Shoot what you feel comfortable with and try before you buy.
 
The 9mm is a good training round to get you competent to handle a real caliber like the 45 acp,40 sw,10mm or the 357 sig. The 9mm makes some sence as a combat round in its own right as it does allow slightly higher capacity and slighty quicker follow up shots. But I prefer to have a round like the 357 sig with greater barrier penitration and stopping power. As far as accuracy goes the 9mm is not more accurate than the 45 acp. Both are very accurate rounds. You may shoot your 9mm more accurately than you did a 45 you owned but that is your expierence not fact.
PAT
 
Hi Jnb,
Welcome!!! From your wish list, you seem to like Glocks!!! There is nothing wrong with that!! Personally, the logical step up from the 9mm, which is a fine cartridge, is the .45ACP. I would give the G30 a hard look. It is generally considered to be a better pistol than the G21, and although it is a tad on the bulky side, it is easily concealed. More so than the G21!!! With the Klinton magazine limit, it made no sense to me to get a full size pistol that was neutered to only 10 rounds. Hence the G30, which was designed with the Klintonian Folly in mind!!! I find it to be very accurate. Indeed, all the good things you hear about the G30 are true!!!:D


If you are bent on helping the economy, and excersising your Constitutional Rights, and you do not wish to abandon the 9mm Parabellum, might I suggest the G26!!! Mine is stone cold accurate, and disappears under a loose t-shirt. It also accepts your 15rd G19 mags!!!! :)
 
Nothing wrong with 9mm. I really don't care for 40S&W, but lots of folks swear by it. I used to be into 10mm, it's a very versatile round. I've moved on though to rounds I can shoot really cheap all day, like 9mm and 45ACP. When I want to play with power I pull out the 44 Mag.

My personal experience is that you will just end up getting one of each anyway to see if you like it or not (this is what we gun nuts call "the search for the Magic Bullet", not to be confused with "the search for the perfect pistol"). Buy 'em and try 'em, sell 'em and buy more. Then one day you can be called "gun guru":D
 
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I second denfoote's comments. I really like the Glock 26 and 30, and have been considering getting one for quite some time. I really don't see the need to go from 9mm to 40S&W, when .45 is an option. The recoil on the 40 is snappy, whereas the recoil on the .45 is smooth, and some might say, PLEASURABLE. You can't beat the .45 Glock's.

You mentioned you like Sigs, Beretta, and HK? Well, why not also look at an HK45, or Beretta's new .45?

Just some suggestions,

Chris
 
Variety is the spice of life my friend.. Time to diversify!!! :D Each caliber you mentioned has it's own unique qualities, strengths and weaknesses. Couldn't hurt to own at least one in each caliber for versatility. Don't overlook the G30 when looking for a .45 Glock and remember that no pistol collection is complete without at least ONE 1911!!! :D

Rick
 
JNB01,

Welcome aboard. I think you'll find that (with few exceptions), most guns range from pretty good to very good, and you'll find that every caliber has its fans and detractors. I think the 9mm is a fine cartridge; just isn't my cup of tea. I've settled on the .40 as my primary. But I try not to scoff at others' choices.

If you're into collecting, though, celebrate diversity! Buy 'em all!
 
JNB01, welcome to the board. Not so long ago I was a strictly a 9mm fan too, specializing in Sig pistols. I owned several. Your choice of the Glock 19 is a very good one. I had dabbled in other calibers but kept coming back to the 9mm Sigs. My experience with 45ACP had not won me over with either a Sig P220 or Colt 1911s. I still preferred the Sig 9mms. Then the unthinkable happened. I discovered Les Baer 1911s. I was so impressed with my first LB 1911 for it's accuracy and reliability that my Sigs sat gathering dust in my gun vault. To make a long story short, I now own several LB 1911s and NO 9mms. The 1911 is in my opinion the best handgun going, but some of them are DOGS. My initial exposure was with dogs. A lot of 1911s don't work right, but a good one is a real jewel. I would suggest giving the 45ACP in a 1911 a try. Just don't get some el cheapo 1911. Get a top of the line one. Good luck. Watch-Six
 
My advice would be to keep all your 9mm's and upgrade to .45 ACP. That way, you can shoot 9mm often (which is a cheaper round to shoot), and get proper shooting techniques down and hopefully transfer the ability to .45. I have handguns in all three of the mentioned cartridges, but I prefer .45 ACP and 9mm over .40. I am not knocking the .40, I am just saying FOR ME its not as enjoyable to shoot as .45 or 9mm are. ;)
 
JNB01, this is one of those questions that people debate for years......Their isn't a real answer that seems to fit everybody. Most of the important considerations have already been address above, size, weight, number of rounds, what fits your hand, perceived recoil, on and on and on it goes.

I suppose one consideration that has not been discussed but should be is the way the military and LE have gone up to now.

Briefly, the US Military increased the caliber size in adopting the .45 ACP. It continued in general use until they switched to the 9MM (a period of roughly 70years). They switched to 9mm only 15 - 20 years ago and are already returning to the .45ACP in some instances where they feel a need. The reasons that they switched to 9MM in the first place will probably never be completely clear (perhaps amoung other things it had something to do with weight and more women in the military????). One thing is virtually certain.......it was not because the 9MM was considered a more effective self defense round per se.

In the last ten years more and more LE departments are also switching to a larger caliber from .38 and or 9MM to .40 S&W and 45 ACP. Many of those who opted to go from 9MM to ,40 S&W a few years ago are switching again to .45ACP. I know of NONE (not a single one) that are moving back down. It is my understanding that the FBI is carrying 1911s chambered for .45ACP manufactured by Springfield Armory.

The controversy will continue for as long as the debate about which is the best deer rifle to carry to the woods. (It almost has already) Both sides will make good points. Both sides will have fans for numerous personal and different reasons. You will have to choose what makes you most comfortable. Certainly the direction taken by the professionals who have unlimited sums of money and time to evaluate the calibers should be taken into account when making your decision. As for me, a .45ACP might not be the best in all circumstances but it will usually help you make it through the night.

PigPen

P.S. I forgot to say that I can't find any need to own a .40 S&W (although I do own one). The weight is about the same as a .45 ACP and they don't caryy the number of rounds that a 9MM does.
 
I suck at pistol shooting.

I had a Browning Hi-Power 9mm and currently have a little Firestorm Compact 45.

The 9mm made me look like I could shoot. That was damn accurate cartridge.

The 45 is alright as far as accuracy goes, but any farther than 25 yards and I'd have better luck chucking the entire pistol at the intruder so I could grab a rifle.

Why did I keep the 45 instead? Well, not only resale of he Hi-Power, but bullet expansion. I dug a couple 9mm and couple 45's out of the tree I use as a backstop. The 9mm FMJRN was about 1 1/4" diameter, the 45 FMJRN was a huge jagged 2 1/4" diameter. That SOB will leave an exit wound that'd gaurantee that sucker ain't gettin back up, if you can hit him.

Good luck in your search.
 
Accuracy of 9mm vs .45acp.
I've shot several sub 1 inch groups(around 7/8 in.) with both cailbers at 7 yards, using a Browning Hi Power in 9mm and a Kimber Custom Target in .45acp. Considering that the .45 is almost a half inch in diameter, and the 9mm is around 1/3 inch, I think the accuracy edge goes to the .45acp. YMMV.

Can't comment on the .40 since I don't have one, except to say I prefer the lower working pressures of the .45acp. Personal thing. My high pressure stuff, with the exception of some 9mm, all go in the revolvers.
 
I had a Browning Hi-Power 9mm and currently have a little Firestorm Compact 45.

The 9mm made me look like I could shoot. That was damn accurate cartridge.

The 45 is alright as far as accuracy goes, but any farther than 25 yards and I'd have better luck chucking the entire pistol at the intruder so I could grab a rifle.
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You're comparing apples with oranges. The Browning Hi-Power is a very high quality 9mm pistol, while the Firestorm Compact is an OK .45, but nothing special. Its not the cartridge that is inaccurate IMO. The guns you are shooting are so different in quality, sight radius, and ergonomics. If you compare two guns of equal quality and sight radius, I think you will find that the .45 ACP is a little more accurate on average--both the 9mm and .45 can be extremely accurate in the right guns. My top .45 outshoots almost every 9mm out there I've tried for example.

As far as the .40 goes, I can't shoot them as well as .45's or 9mm's. The .40's get good groups in general, but the only .40 I've gotten great groups with is the CZ 75B. The other .40's I've tried (Glock, Sig Sauer, and Ruger) are good shooters, but not great shooters. There are so many variables though such as grip ergonomics, trigger pull, etc that I won't even speculate on the reasons why I shoot better with some calibers/guns than others....
 
Greeting's and Welcome To TFL,

As you can see, many opinions with lot's of
variables. Due to the uncertainty of today's
society, I would not stray too far away from
a quality 9m/m; due to the world wide
availability of the 9m/m NATO ammunition. :cool:

The .40 caliber S&W is the "odd's out loser"
during times of crisis; such as this country
is going through these day's. Why? Due to the
fact that is life span has been somewhat short;
with not enough ammunition to substain a long
and lenghty battle.:eek:

If one has plenty of surplus supplies (magazine's
and ammunition), I would highly recommend the
time tested .45ACP. Big, slow bullet with plenty
of punch.:D

So to sum up, if and when the call to arms comes;
leave all .40 caliber's at home with your ole'
lady, grab up a good semi-auto in 9m/m or .45ACP.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, Life Member N.R.A.
 
I would try the 45acp in a glock 30,i just bought mine and i can shoot it just as well as my G-26, i found the G-21 too large for my hands
 
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