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40 S&W vs. 9mm With Today's Quality Ammo? #6039674 11/20/15 01:31 AM
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Big Fitz Online Content OP
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I have been a 40 S&W guy for years but recently bought a Shield in 9mm for my wife. I really don't like having to keep up with 2 different calibers so am now wondering if I should just standardize on 40 which brings up my question, is there any real ballistic advantage of a 40 over a 9mm with today's quality bullet selections?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.


Originally Posted by onlysmith&wesson
I was wrong...on anything technical.

Originally Posted by Sailor
Fitz............. is right, ya know............
Re: 40 S&W vs. 9mm With Today's Quality Ammo? [Re: Big Fitz] #6039742 11/20/15 02:02 AM
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I'll always fall back on the idea that "bigger is better" (and it IS), but bullet technology has brought the 9mm light years from where it was 35 years ago. So, given the choice I'll choose .40 or .45 first, but if I had to live with a 9 I think it would work out fine.


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Re: 40 S&W vs. 9mm With Today's Quality Ammo? [Re: Big Fitz] #6039939 11/20/15 04:02 AM
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Rigged!

grin

If you load your own like most people should, it's a different question.


Pass the gravy.


Re: 40 S&W vs. 9mm With Today's Quality Ammo? [Re: Big Fitz] #6041246 11/21/15 01:01 AM
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.40 always wins when it comes to ballistics. Will the 9 work well? No doubt.


The secret to a long life is to try not to shorten it.
Re: 40 S&W vs. 9mm With Today's Quality Ammo? [Re: Big Fitz] #6041886 11/21/15 04:23 PM
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Which do you and the wife shoot better? A hit with 9 is better than a miss with anything.

Re: 40 S&W vs. 9mm With Today's Quality Ammo? [Re: Big Fitz] #6041941 11/21/15 05:11 PM
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I shoot the 40 great and have several pistols in that caliber. I honestly can't recall the last time I shot a 9mm but would assume I could shoot it as well or better due to less recoil. I will take her to the range next week and will spend some time shooting her 9mm myself. I am sure she will shoot the 9mm better since she is just learning and the recoil is a bit lighter.

Since I am introducing my wife into shooting, I wanted to keep the recoil down for her which got me thinking perhaps I should just standardize on 9mm to keep things simple.


Originally Posted by onlysmith&wesson
I was wrong...on anything technical.

Originally Posted by Sailor
Fitz............. is right, ya know............
Re: 40 S&W vs. 9mm With Today's Quality Ammo? [Re: Big Fitz] #6041947 11/21/15 05:12 PM
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BTW, to clarify my original post, I am thinking about standardizing on the 9mm rather than the 40.


Originally Posted by onlysmith&wesson
I was wrong...on anything technical.

Originally Posted by Sailor
Fitz............. is right, ya know............
Re: 40 S&W vs. 9mm With Today's Quality Ammo? [Re: Big Fitz] #6042183 11/21/15 09:04 PM
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IMO, the 9 is very easy to shoot and she should have no trouble handling it. I don't think standardizing on the 9 would be a mistake either, if that's what you want to do, but keeping a variety of calibers is no mistake either.


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Re: 40 S&W vs. 9mm With Today's Quality Ammo? [Re: Big Fitz] #6055008 11/28/15 11:17 PM
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You will like the 9mm better grin

Re: 40 S&W vs. 9mm With Today's Quality Ammo? [Re: Big Fitz] #6055020 11/28/15 11:25 PM
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9mm, 40 would be way down the list in autos...


Originally Posted by Chunky Monkey
Never been to a camping world. I prefer Dick's to be honest.
Re: 40 S&W vs. 9mm With Today's Quality Ammo? [Re: Big Fitz] #6057241 11/30/15 02:50 AM
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I took my bride to the range today starting her off on a Buckmark 22. She shot that very well so introduced her to a Springfield XDm 9mm and S&W Shield 9mm and was a bit surprised she liked the Shield better even though it has a bit snappier recoil. She shot tight groups but pushed them low. I had to work with her quite a bit on pushing the gun forward in anticipation of the recoil and she responded very well. She will be ready for CHL qualification this week. Thanks for all the input.

Note, I REALLY liked the XDm! Most accurate 9mm I've ever shot.


Originally Posted by onlysmith&wesson
I was wrong...on anything technical.

Originally Posted by Sailor
Fitz............. is right, ya know............
Re: 40 S&W vs. 9mm With Today's Quality Ammo? [Re: Big Fitz] #6059321 12/01/15 02:28 AM
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Congrats on getting the wife out to shoot....always fun!

I'm in much the same boat as you, but opposite. I have always had 9s and have two at the moment and looking to add a third, and love them. They're easy to shoot, the wife and my boys can handle them, probably the most available ammo in history as well as inexpensive relative to other calibers. Plus I always preferred the added capacity over a bigger bullet, though some differ I'm sure. I've come close to getting a 40 several times and always end up passing because of the consolidation factor you mentioned. Not saying I never would (actually have my eye on one currently), but it sure is nice having all my autos in one caliber. Plus I usually have at least one larger wheel gun in 45 or 357.

I know 20 years ago, the 9mm used to get a lot of flack, but as others have mentioned, with the advancements in available SD ammo and weights, I think the gap has closed somewhat. I have some really good friends who are/were LEO and used to carry 40s and have switched to 9mm in the last ten years or so. One in particular said he never would, but does now.

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