What are the differences?

35 year old 44 mag 5 shot. One shot and done. You dont have to hit em they stop running up in Ga.

 

this. I sold my subcompact .40 and got a .380. I needed something I can carry in my pocket and the .380 fits the bill. 2 to the chest, one to the head.

 

Bullet composition helps, too.

 

http://www.firearmstactical.com/pdf/fbi-hwfe.pdf

A bit dated, but still fairly good. Google is your friend, just watch what your source is.

Essentially the difference is minimal. Kind of a Pepsi vs Coke argument. Taste great/less filling.


My personal opinion? There are far too many rounds out there, most just for the sake of sales. Think about it... for pistols alone (off the top of my head)...
.22lr, .32, .357, .357SIG, 9mm (.35 caliber, IIRC), .38, .380 (no, not the same), .40, 10mm, .44, .454, .45 ACP, .45 GAP, .45 Colt. Throw in the +P and +P+, hollow points vs FMJ vs whatever else, different bullet weights...

I'm pretty sure people have been killed by every one of those rounds. Pick what you can shoot well.

 

I think of it like this, in 20 years will there still be a .40 round? Probably so...but at what price and what availability. I believe there will be a 9mm. I like the fact that the 9mm is a decent defense round and is inexpensive enough to practice. If I had a .40 I wouldnt be able to shoot as much and probably not make the shots and if you dont make the shots well whats the point.
My opinion.....
Rich

 

The best round is the largest one you can carry concealed comfortably, shoot well, and afford to shoot often. Unless you can meet these requirements then you either will not have your weapon with you when you need it or you won't be able to hit the side of a barn.

I carry a Kimber Ultra Carry II .45 w/ a 3" barrel. I can carry it around comfortably all day and can shoot it well - I just don't do it often enough (not due to ammo price concerns).

Another issue you'll find: availability and price of ammo - you ever try and find 5.7x28mm? You can buy .45 and 9mm damn near anywhere. .40 can be a little hard to find sometimes (I used to CC a G23).

IMHO the best thing about some .40's is that you can get conversion barrels and shoot 9mm.

 

I carry a SW M&P in 9mm and have no issues with it at all. Good defensive ammo and shot placement are all needed to stop a threat. As said earlier, even a little round like a .22 or .25 will still cause hate and discontent. Get what youre comfortable with, whats in your price range and PRACTICE. IPSIC/IDPA clubs are great for practical shooting.

 

bit more stopping power than a 9mm. Higher ammo capacity than a 45. More exspensive and harder to find than both. What do you expect when looking at something designed for the government...

 

THIS!!!! most all the police departments around here use GLOCK 22. .40 and one i know uses the GLOCK that shoots the 357 sig round.

 

9mm at certain angles will ricochet off of windshields
40s&w is a step down from 45 but faster!! plus 40 you can usually find in stock more cause everybody wants either 9 or 45

 

This! I personally have a 9mm since I am a broke-ass teacher who can't afford to buy expensive ammo and don't have room for reloading.

 

The Virginia State Police went to the .357 Sig for its barrier penetration performance i.e. car door..Again .357 sig is not readily available everywhere and can be pricey. I think that the 9mm is a suitable self defense round...I have a Glock 22 and like the .40 as well. I thinks its all up to what you can afford to comfortably shoot well!

 

40 s&w is a slower round with more weight. better "knock down capability" (whatever the hell that is) 9mm is faster and lighter, better penetration and less time in flight and because of that is inherently more accurate. but when you are shooting at 15 yards or less, who cares.

I don't know about the 40 but I've had a 9mm for a number of years now and I love it to death. I was shooting at some quarts of paint the other day with 9mm FMJ and they just went right through as expected. Then I shot one with a 9mm Remington golden saber and the thing exploded. I could only find and entrance hole and no exit hole.

my $0.02