9mm vs .40 ballistics for defense comparisons

[dprimm]

The time has arrived to finally purchase my first pistol. Primary purpose is self defense (home and carry). My wife and I did a comparison shoot of 9mm vs .40. (matching guns, different calibers) Our final determination is there was not a significant difference in shooting the two for either of us. There IS a difference, but not overtly significantly so. Being the research geek I am, I am trying to find ballistics comparisons between the 9 and 40. Specifically in terms of stopping power. Critical defense or other comparable ammunition. But my google searching is not turning up comparisons.

Many I know started carrying 40s long ago, before the 9 got updated ammunition. Today's ammunition may make the difference much less significant. This I do not know for sure.

So, how do the ballistics between the two compare? Where can I find it (as my google mojo does not seem to be working this week on this topic)?

Thanks
David

(Mods, if this is better in the handgun forum, please move it)

 

[BehindBlueI's]

Differences are minor to non-existent in any common self defense shooting scenario. If you need to shoot through something, such as a car door or windshield, the .40 typically holds together better and deflects less. Use of bonded ammunition can diminish this difference.

 

[SteveM4A1]

Differences are minor to non-existent in any common self defense shooting scenario. If you need to shoot through something, such as a car door or windshield, the .40 typically holds together better and deflects less. Use of bonded ammunition can diminish this difference.

Exactly.

 

[88E30M50]

One big difference between 9 and .40 is the cost of ammo. If you are new to shooting, that will translate to being able to shoot more for the same money. And, if you are new to shooting, you need to shoot more. Like anything, competence comes with practice and a 9mm can allow that practice to happen more often. If you are an experienced shooter, this holds true to a lesser degree owing to it taking less time to improve on a skill than it does to build the skill to begin with.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

One big difference between 9 and .40 is the cost of ammo. If you are new to shooting, that will translate to being able to shoot more for the same money. And, if you are new to shooting, you need to shoot more. Like anything, competence comes with practice and a 9mm can allow that practice to happen more often. If you are an experienced shooter, this holds true to a lesser degree owing to it taking less time to improve on a skill than it does to build the skill to begin with.

This is both true and an often overlooked part of the equation. If cost limits you on how much you can shoot, than you're not going to be as good as you could have been. Reloading can help alleviate the costs on any caliber and can help narrow the gap.

 

[Micah]

I never did a video before so I hope this works? This is my wife and I shooting a dueling tree. I carry a PX4 9mm. She was caring a glock 22 .40. First video she was nervous and missed a bunch but watch my shots with the 9mm. I had to double tap almost everything. The second video I bragged and bragged. I bragged so much I shot 1 handed. She kicked my tail big time lol. But watch as she hits. One shot did the truck

video one

http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums...8AC2A24-2872-0000004CCDDFF2FF_zps733e443f.mp4

Video two

8126E108-A5CB-41CC-BEAA-EA70D9729327-2872-0000004CEC588FA1_zps8b4a0112.mp4 Video by caveman3737 | Photobucket

 

[Micah]

Crap... Videos didn't work on photobucket.... Not sure how else to do it

 

[BehindBlueI's]

I never did a video before so I hope this works? This is my wife and I shooting a dueling tree. I carry a PX4 9mm. She was caring a glock 22 .40. First video she was nervous and missed a bunch but watch my shots with the 9mm. I had to double tap almost everything. The second video I bragged and bragged. I bragged so much I shot 1 handed. She kicked my tail big time lol. But watch as she hits. One shot did the truck every time.

Video one.

<a href="http://s1139.photobucket.com/albums/n558/caveman3737/?action=view&current=8126E108-A5CB-41CC-BEAA-EA70D9729327-2872-0000004CEC588FA1_zps8b4a0112.mp4" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n558/caveman3737/8126E108-A5CB-41CC-BEAA-EA70D9729327-2872-0000004CEC588FA1_zps8b4a0112.mp4" border="0" alt="Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos" /></a>

Video two

8126E108-A5CB-41CC-BEAA-EA70D9729327-2872-0000004CEC588FA1_zps8b4a0112.mp4 Video by caveman3737 | Photobucket

Second link works, first links with editing out past the .mp4", but both are the same video.

You will definitely see some difference in various calibers vs rigid targets you are trying to push (bowling pin shoots, dueling trees, etc.).

 

[dprimm]

One big difference between 9 and .40 is the cost of ammo. If you are new to shooting, that will translate to being able to shoot more for the same money. And, if you are new to shooting, you need to shoot more. Like anything, competence comes with practice and a 9mm can allow that practice to happen more often. If you are an experienced shooter, this holds true to a lesser degree owing to it taking less time to improve on a skill than it does to build the skill to begin with.

This is something we are looking at. But until I can get to reloading, I figured cost per round difference to be about 2 cents. What is a more reasonable price difference? I was wondering was reasonable prices for each are. Figured 22-25 cents for 9 and 27 for 40.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

This is something we are looking at. But until I can get to reloading, I figured cost per round difference to be about 2 cents. What is a more reasonable price difference? I was wondering was reasonable prices for each are. Figured 22-25 cents for 9 and 27 for 40.

Bulk Ammo will give you an idea of the cost difference between rounds.

 

[Micah]

Try this for the first video? The first video shows the 9 hitting. The second video I don't think the 9 hit at all lol

http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums...8AC2A24-2872-0000004CCDDFF2FF_zps733e443f.mp4

 

[bear-girl]

Another difference is the number of rounds that the magazine can hold. 9mm magazines for a same-model gun can usually hold more rounds.

 

[Stang05]

Have you looked at Brass Fetcher Ballistic Testing

 

[buckshotJ]

9s and .40s are fun plinkers.. but for knock down power I like the tried and true .45

 

[Paul30]

9s and .40s are fun plinkers.. but for knock down power I like the tried and true .45

Unless we are talking about much larger "guns", a handgun really doesn't have "knock down". Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. If it were capable of knocking down a target, it should also knock down the shooter with the same force pushing against the shooter. There are a lot of variables that determine if a target is neutralized with a bullet. Remember that old data is also in question, as new technology emerges. Newer bullets that are designed to work with higher velocities of the 9mm have been proven to be as effective, while giving the shooter more rounds in the magazine and being able to be fired from a much more compact pistol. I plink with my .45, I carry my 9mm because it is much smaller, lighter and all around more comfortable to carry all day every day.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

Have you looked at Brass Fetcher Ballistic Testing

That's a good link. I like that they test with a simulated bone as well, that's an often overlooked element in determining the capabilities of a given cartridge. It would be fascinating if they did some tests with the rod shaped ones as well to simulate the round bones in the human body. I've gotten an idea of which calibers are capable of breaking which bones, and which calibers deflect easier, but so few street thugs use quality hollow points that its mostly based on ball ammo. I'd love to have good data on bonded hollow points in various calibers.

 

[STEEL CORE]

Once witnessed an FBI test run by Federal/Speer ammo in Muncie last year. Federal HST 147 gr 9mm and 165 gr .40 test results in gelitan were almost identical.
I carry the .40, but would not be less safer with a 9mm.

 

[TheSpark]

I like 9mm because I'm able to hit the target more consistently when shooting quickly. Plus, as said earlier if you are carrying a smaller concealed carry gun you probably will have around 3 more rounds in the 9mm. The goal, at least for me, in a self defense situation that requires the use of a gun is to disable the threats. I'm confident myself that 2 or more rounds from my 9mm guns will do the trick. If you hit someone in the body somewhere that a 9mm does not disable them then most likely a .45 is not going to do the trick either.

 

[cosermann]

... My wife and I did a comparison shoot of 9mm vs .40. ... Our final determination is there was not a significant difference in shooting the two for either of us. There IS a difference, but not overtly significantly so. ...

OP, does this includes multiple rapid shots rather than single shots/plinking? (Ex. Double taps, 3-4 shots at a time, multiple targets, etc.) If so great. If not, you should also try this kind of shooting with both calibers to be sure you can maintain good groups and stay on target with the larger caliber as well as the 9.

Shot to shot recoil is cumulative (and you say there "IS" a difference), so control issues that do NOT show up in single shots, plinking, etc., MAY show up when shooting strings of multiple shots. This varies person to person.

Frankly, I've seen a number of people who really can't handle the recoil impulse of a .40 (as evidenced by more realistic defensive shooting drills) and would be far better off shooting 9mm. Something to think about and try (if you haven't already).

 

[dprimm]

Stang05, thanks for the link. There is a ton of info there to go through.

Cosermann, some plinking, some multiple rapid shots. She was learning to shoot, so no true double-taps. I and the experienced instructor with us believe she can handle either without issue. Just will take multiple rounds for each of us.