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Post by hairtrigger on May 17, 2006 0:04:37 GMT -5
I'm kind of lost on this one, since I'm still caught up in choosing between the .40 S&W and the 9mm.
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Post by MLB on May 17, 2006 11:07:40 GMT -5
I'm sure you've read bunches of discussions on the merits of one cartridge over another. I still assert that not only are the variations in caliber of relatively little importance, that the difference in caliber isn't that great either.
Placing the shots in a critical area far outshadows the difference in which cartridge you use in my way of thinking. Place a shot well with a .45 or a .380. Under most circumstances, it will have the desired result.
Just the same, it's interesting to compare and debate them ;D
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Post by hairtrigger on May 18, 2006 3:58:32 GMT -5
One thing just came to my mind; If the 9mm is so great, why would we ever need the .40 S&W ? Heck, We already had the 9mm for many years, not to mention the 38 super.
Makes me want to look into the .40 S&W some more.
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Post by MLB on May 18, 2006 8:44:22 GMT -5
I'd imagine we don't "need" most of the cartridges that we have available, especially rifle cartridges. As long as there's a market for them though...
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Post by TBT on Jun 5, 2007 13:09:00 GMT -5
Marketing creates a craze. Whether or not something is needed doesn't mean that it won't be successful or sought after enough to produce. The 45GAP comes to mind.
IMHO, my favorite 9mm is the Glock 19. I still love mine. It replaced my Kimber UCII on my side. Perfect size IMHO, reliable, and accurate. Big enough to shoot accurately and small enough to forget you are wearing it. That is, if you are planning on carrying. If not I'm sure there are better options.
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Post by TA on Jun 5, 2007 14:41:37 GMT -5
I personally prefer .40S&W over 9mm. I just believe it would probably do a better job. I would still carry 9mm if the weapon that best fit the situation happened to be chambered in 9mm. In that case, I would be carrying +P 124gr Gold Dots. It is a well proven defensive round.
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Post by TBT on Jun 6, 2007 11:30:33 GMT -5
I honestly don't buy into the caliber wars for the most part. For my part, I stear clear of the 40SW just because I personaly would rather have a couple more rounds and take the loss in girth. Everyone has their own call to make though. I don't think anyone is wrong.
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Post by dogman on Jun 9, 2007 15:00:33 GMT -5
the best defensive caliber is the one you can hit what you are shooting at. It does not matter what caliber it still mean target hittabilty, not what some one else likes. I lkie mt 45acp p-14 for its stoppping power and some don't.
Dogman
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Post by 5ontarget on Jun 10, 2007 19:19:35 GMT -5
I know there are many out there that disagree, but for my preference, I buy a premium brand of defensive ammo, and shoot it in my gun. If it works reliably and seems to be consistently hitting the same region of the target (providing I do my part), that is generally good enough for me. I could do my own wet pack/water jug research, but I bet my mostly informal testing isn't going to compare to the R&D that went into developing the loads.
All of that being said, I have Speer Gold dots for my 357sig, and I have switched back and forth between the gold dots and Federal Hydrashocks for my 9mm. Currently, I have Speer Gold Dots for my 9mm as well as the 357sig.
As far as choosing a caliber, If you can only have one handgun, I generally recommend 9mm. With a 9mm, you can get ammo for less than most every other caliber used for personal defense. That means more practice. More practice, generally means better shooting. Better shooting leads to better shot placement. A 9mm through a chest is better than a .44 through the wall.
I agree with many of the other posts, I don't get too hung up on caliber wars. I took a quick inventory of my calibers, and other than my .22s, almost of my handuns approximate the 9mm size...9mm, .380, 357sig, .357, 9x18. The exception is the 7.62x25.
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Post by drake2828 on Jun 16, 2007 23:57:30 GMT -5
I fully agree with dogman that it is hitting the target accurately which counts so you have to find the caliber and gun that fit you perfectly (which takes time and god-willing a patient spouse!). I carried the glock 27 for 2 years, but from the holster, I was never happy with my groupings that the .40 cal gave me. I bought a glock 26 in 9mm and it is literally the same size gun so all my holster's fit but my groupings were so much better. I also get an extra round in the magazine and the 9mm is cheaper. (100 rounds of practice ammo for 14.00 bucks a box at walmart!).
For the record I have been very happy with my carry ammo and usually shoot through a box of that once every six months. It is Federal Premium +p+ 124 grain Hydra-shok jhp.
my .02 cents
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