Still OK to me, ...

[bluealtered]

I guess I just can't help it. Over the years I have had at least six .40s&w pistols, so I must still like the caliber or else I'm just nuts. Yes I know at the moment it's on the "I would rather have a 9mm list" and yes I know the 9 has gotten better than it used to be.

On the other hand some things really are in the bigger is better camp. I have also always loved my 10mm pistols as well, but now I'm in my mid 70's and just a skinny old man who has broken his fingers and wrists and the 10mm is playing hell with my hands, so I'm back to the .40. And to add to that every time I see the news they are telling about some body being shot two or three times with a 9 and driving themselves to the hospital, Really?

I picked up a S&W SD40VE the other day and it's shoots pretty good so far. The take down lever sucks but that is just a $10 fix so it's no big deal. For under $400 I just had to try it. If your looking for a new pistol, take a look, and be sure to read the reviews first, they might impress you.

 

[perazziguy]

A certain segment of the population seems to think holding a pistol sideways is the way to go. Plus, I don't think bullet selection is a priority. On a more serious note, check out the Apex Tactical spring kit for the SD-VE series. I put the kit in my SD9VE. It helped the trigger a bunch.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I've been a .40 fan for years but still like a 9mm. Every once in a while I think about going back to a .45 but that's about it. Often wondered about a 10mm. The next time I find myself in front of a pistol counter I will probably ask to hold one of those SD's.

 

[joshb]

Try a Beretta Storm in 40 if you get the chance. I have Sigs, Colts, Glocks, etc. and the Beretta is my favorite shooter.

 

[Fast14riot]

I'm also a fan of the 40. Here in CA, our new pistol selection is from the stone age, Glock gen 3 and older only, if its on a list, but I got a Springfield XD 40 tactical. Strictly a beater gun, keeping it stock and it shoots well enough. Also have a Hi-Power in 40. Thats a nice gun.

 

[std7mag]

If the "bigger is better", why not a 45 ACP?

I got rid of my 40 S&W and haven't looked back!

Latest aquisitions are an H&K VP9 and a Walther PPQ M2 in 45ACP.

 

[D-4297]

After seeing all the punishment tests they ran the Glock's through , I was convinced . Bought a G 22 , 40cal , and a drop-in 9mm barrel . Since 9mm ammo is so prevalent , you never know when you might need to convert to a 9mm . I load all my own , both .40 & 9mm. , and I own a Glock because it works... Every time !

 

[Louisiana Shooter]

9's are OK with the newer ammo and I'll use one if it's what I'm limited to in a given situation......BUT the same improvements in ammo are also available in the bigger bored pistols.........like someone already mentioned, too many driving/walking away after being hit with a 9.

I shoot and carry a 40 nearly all the time. Sig P226. I'm going to kick it up a notch to the 1911 45 soon though.

I like bigger holes if I need to make 'em. With the new slugs, over penetration won't be an issue.

 

[FNSafari]

IMHO, there isn't anything a 40 S&W won't do that a 9mm willl. I just don't trust the new breed of "wonder 9mm bullets". No need to switch just because the other lemmings are running off the cliffs.

 

[joshb]

If the "bigger is better", why not a 45 ACP?

I got rid of my 40 S&W and haven't looked back!

Latest aquisitions are an H&K VP9 and a Walther PPQ M2 in 45ACP.

I’ll take all your old brass !

 

[JMayo]

I'm going to a 30 super asap .... Lol !

Actually i don't see how anyone carries a mid size like a p228 regularly. I like mine but it's too big to cover and I'm not leaving it in a vehicle.
I carry a shield 40 or rossi 38 "Sometimes" ....
I'm feeling the need/desire to carry more but the laws in NC are so anti carry. Businesses & their signs ....

 

[boltfluter]

My personal favorite is my Springfield XDS in .40 cal. A great shooter and ultra reliable. I carry it daily when walking my dogs, as there are many bears where we walk. Makes for a little excitement on the daily walks. 4 friends own all calibers of this pistol and no one has had a misfire or jam yet!! Ultra reliable. I would buy another one with no reservations.

Paul

 

[rebel]

I don't want to be shot by anything. If I shoot you 5 times and you drive yourself to the hospital, I'll give up my CCW and start carrying a shotgun. Never owned a 40. Good round though.

 

[Rsadams]

I guess I just can't help it. Over the years I have had at least six .40s&w pistols, so I must still like the caliber or else I'm just nuts. Yes I know at the moment it's on the "I would rather have a 9mm list" and yes I know the 9 has gotten better than it used to be.

On the other hand some things really are in the bigger is better camp. I have also always loved my 10mm pistols as well, but now I'm in my mid 70's and just a skinny old man who has broken his fingers and wrists and the 10mm is playing hell with my hands, so I'm back to the .40. And to add to that every time I see the news they are telling about some body being shot two or three times with a 9 and driving themselves to the hospital, Really?

I picked up a S&W SD40VE the other day and it's shoots pretty good so far. The take down lever sucks but that is just a $10 fix so it's no big deal. For under $400 I just had to try it. If your looking for a new pistol, take a look, and be sure to read the reviews first, they might impress you.

Then they weren't shot correctly.... Once again shot placement is key in any situation.... When I was in law enforcement there was a guy that tryed to run over cops as they tried to stop him...He took a slug to the torso and drove a block before crashing into a light pole and dieing.... The 12ga slug is about as powerful a round there is , period... If you don't hit an artery , the heart and lungs , spine or brain you are not going to get instant results all the time and is why you hear of the 2-3 shots thing.... I promise you a 9mm hollow point in the correct place will stop a person in their tracks.... All police are trained to double tap everytime so there's going to be at least two shots.... You have seen enough police videos to see most of the time it's a mag dump... We all know there's no accuracy in a mag dump.... There's also a reason law enforcement went from 9mm to .40 then back to 9mm....

All that being said and I could go on and on , what ever handgun you are comfortable with and fits you and you can shoot well in whatever caliber is absolutely the correct one.... NOBODY in a gun fight has EVER said damn I wish I had a smaller gun... But a .22 deringer is a whole lot better than nothing... It will also kill very easy if the shot placement is correct.... You can keep somebody off you with a pump up bb rifle if you can pump it up fast enough... I spend the time to teach everyone I take out to train that you are not a police officer just because you have a CHL , you are not trying to make an arrest normally... If you can run away then I promise you that is your best bet... The 9mm vs .40 vs .45 debate is long dead... I carry a hi cap gun because I learned many moons ago that bad guys come in twos and threes , if not a T/C contender in 30.06 would be what your looking for...

Let me add this also... No matter what you carry the ammo you put in it is extremely important.... Just like any other products you buy you can't listen to the manufacturer.... If you own a bow you know exactly what I mean.... You need to test it in any way you can... If you have ballistic gel great... If not shooting into wood , a wet phone book , mud , clothes etc etc etc to see exactly what that bullet does out of your gun is sooo important.... There's a major manufacturer who's hollow points will not expand in my opinion at least I have never really got them to perform even in mud they just peel back one side.... With a few brands and a little testing I think alot of people will be shocked at what they carry and how it actually performs.... Using a perfect medium in a perfect testing environment will have great results.... Try it in a environment that's not ideal and watch what happens... When is any time your about to die ideal conditions....

 

[Bill K]

Check further into "those hit with a 9mm and driving to the hospital". What bullet were they hit with i.e. FMJ and where on the body ? superficial wound in the arm/leg ? Hell a 22rf round in the center mass, lung, heart head can kill a person easy. Any caliber, .22rf, 9, .40, 357, etc, etc will do the job, if the shooter hits the correct spot.

 

[darkangel_r2]

Handgun Self-Defense Ammunition - Ballistic Testing Data

Lucky Gunner tests more than 110 different 9mm, 45 ACP, 40 S&W and 380 ACP handgun self-defense ammunition loads in ballistic gel with analysis and video.

www.luckygunner.com

Sig Sauer P365 vs Glock G30 Gen4 size comparison | Handgun Hero

Compare the dimensions and specs of Sig Sauer P365 and Glock G30 Gen4

www.handgunhero.com

http://gundata.org/images/fbi-handgun-ballistics.pdf

It depends on the purpose of the gun. For a small CC pistol with short springs and maybe a pinky hanging off its a good idea in my opinion to have a cartridge you can control under realistic conditions (one hand with a bowl of pudding in your pants). My suggestion is to use the chambering with the largest expanded diameter that meets the fbi penetration criteria that you can control under those conditions. If several cartridges are close take the one with higher capacity.

Make sure the round reliably expands. 147 and 150 grain 9mm hollow points offer reliable and large expansion and relatively low recoil while meeting fbi penetration standards. They can also fit in really tiny guns. Good balance for ccw.

Full size pistols with more mass and longer springs can handle more energy and stay on target. Same suggestion here though. How big can you control with one hand at close range? If you get a pistol you can only shoot well with both hands on it with a proper firing stance you are asking for problems in my opinion. If you can one hand a 45 acp with 230 hollow points then do that as wounding is improved and capacity isn't as bad in a full size 45acp.

edited because I remembered I found several reports that talked about handgun wounding and what their conclusions were.

 

[1shot]

Not to derail this thread but I have several cases of Winchester FMJ ammo that I would like to move. PM me for details.

Lloyd