40 vs. 9mm Ballistics

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  • ldhhumble

    Plinker
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Dec 24, 2009
    15
    1
    What is the general ballistic differences between 40 S & W and 9 mm?
    Have seen many discussions how people can shoot a 9 better than a 40
    Are there strong advantages to shooting the 40? Or, is it better just to
    stick with the 9?
     

    U.S. Patriot

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 87.5%
    7   1   0
    Jan 30, 2009
    9,815
    38
    Columbus
    You are new, so I'll give you a break. The search function is your friend. This has been discussed, and beatin to death.

    chart1-1.jpg
     

    ldhhumble

    Plinker
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Dec 24, 2009
    15
    1
    Pardon Me, I am new and can't figure forums out. I am seeking people's preferences and debates of the question of self defense with the 9 vs. the 40. I'll go to school and try to get better. Sorry I don't meet your standards.
     

    Joe Williams

    Shooter
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jun 26, 2008
    10,431
    38
    Biggest differences are subjective. Some folks like the way one caliber feels in recoil, some don't. I like 9mm and .45, not particularly fond of .40. I don't like reloading for 9mm, it takes extra work to get the accuracy I like. The small case and high pressure means very small changes make big changes in accuracy.

    .40 is more easily available at the moment, but 9mm is still easy to find, and costs less.
     

    360

    Shooter
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Feb 7, 2009
    3,626
    38
    You are new, so I'll give you a break. The search function is your friend. This has been discussed, and beatin to death.

    chart1-1.jpg

    Pardon Me, I am new and can't figure forums out. I am seeking people's preferences and debates of the question of self defense with the 9 vs. the 40. I'll go to school and try to get better. Sorry I don't meet your standards.

    He wasn't trying to be rude, and the search function here is ho-hum at best.

    But caliber wars is a regular game around here.
     

    cosermann

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    14   0   0
    Aug 15, 2008
    8,371
    113
    . . . the search function here is ho-hum at best. . .

    Tip: If one is looking for historical threads, you can do an advanced Google search and restrict the search to "ingunowners.com." That works pretty well.
     

    HICKMAN

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    22   0   0
    Jan 10, 2009
    16,762
    48
    Lawrence Co.
    They will all kill:

    9mm: little less power, lots more bullets
    .40: little more power, little more bullets
    .45: lots more power, lot less bullets

    I followed what most Law Enforcement does and shoot the .40 for my carry gun.

    Now, you also said "shoot better". Do you mean from a bench, at bad guys, at steel targets?

    A 1911 in .45 is probably more accurate, but obviously kicks a little more than a 9mm.
     

    jimbo-indy

    Expert
    Rating - 100%
    12   0   0
    Apr 3, 2008
    935
    18
    N.W. Indy
    As has been said many times (but I gladly repeat it for new members): The "best" for you is what you can shoot with accuracy. A hit with anything is better than a miss with a big magnum. Some, and I am one, think the 40 has a "sharper" recoil than the 9 and they don't shoot it as well as the 9 or 45. Others shoot it better than the others. It's all in what you shoot best. See if you can try several before deciding. My personal choice is 45 ACP but, that's just me.
    The fun is trying different things. Good luck, enjoy and welcome to the forum.
     

    Lanser

    Marksman
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Mar 23, 2009
    143
    16
    Evansville
    You are new, so I'll give you a break. The search function is your friend. This has been discussed, and beatin to death.

    chart1-1.jpg


    I just wanted to point out that there is a picture of a thermonuclear mushroom cloud superimposed over the middle of the .45's channel. :rolleyes: You can see the demarcation line, though, so you can still see what the real one looks like. It looks like it's only a little larger than the .40's. But hey, every difference counts.
     

    SKSnut

    Shooter
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jan 31, 2010
    956
    16
    Pardon Me, I am new and can't figure forums out. I am seeking people's preferences and debates of the question of self defense with the 9 vs. the 40. I'll go to school and try to get better. Sorry I don't meet your standards.

    some people think since they know it all you must too. I hate that attitude. I've asked questions before and gotten a similar response. If they hate questions so much why are they on a forum? I have often wonder this too. 9mm Self defense rounds in the +p or +P+ range have similar charactics of a .40 hope this helps.
     
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