9mm, .40, or .45?

[The Raven]

I had my heart set on the Glock 23 (compact .40), but now that the deal has been dropped (tooling issues with Glock, and it was going to be a gift fro my now ex's dad), I've opened my mind to other options. I know that I want a compact, or maybe sub-compact for carry, but now I'm wondering if another caliber would be a better option. The primary function would be home defense, but I'd also like to take it to the range often. Ammo costs have me looking into getting a 9mm again, but I'd like a bit more "stopping power" for protection purposes. I know, a well placed 9mm is just as effective blah blah blah, but what are your real world experiences?

Keep in mind that this will be my only gun for the time being, so practice ammo cost is at least a minimal concern.

[Wario]

For stopping power it all comes down to the ammo.

[MotoMan]

I personally like the .40cal round, it's not as expensive as .45 ammo but still has plenty of stopping power. For a firearm to put it in the Walther P99 feels best in my hand because it has 3 changeable backstraps to perfectly fit it to your hand. For me it's all about comfort and control and aside a 1911 .45 of some sort the P99 feels best to me. Just my opinion.

[KJ94GT]

.40 S&W. I've got a glock 27 and a smith and wesson Sigma in .40 also.

[GhostTX]

From my research, the .40 is the "compromise" round. It has almost the control of a 9mm but with the almost stopping power of a .45.

Nice read:
http://www.internetarmory.com/handgunammo.htm

[BOOSTED32V]

I really do love the .40 have been using it since it came out. Nothing impressed me other than the .10mm but it was always very expensive. It wasn't until the .357 Sig came out did I buy a new caliber gun and it was the P-229. Other than that pistol the .40 is the best for me. All of my guns have always been chambered for .40 caliber and I have shot thousands of rounds, it's more powerful than a 9mm and most of the times it can be had in the same style gun as a 9mm frame and not as big framed like a .45. It really depends on your hand and what feels comfortable too you, I would find a gun that fits your hand and then go with caliber second, any well placed round will stop a perp.

[Skidmark]

I've a .40 XD service if you'd like to shoot it, not sure if that helps tho as it's not a compact.

One of the more fun guns i've shot so far is DJ's .45 Kahr subcompact. You have to hold onto that thing real tight or it's gonna try to move on yah!

[The Raven]

I've a .40 XD service if you'd like to shoot it, not sure if that helps tho as it's not a compact.

One of the more fun guns i've shot so far is DJ's .45 Kahr subcompact. You have to hold onto that thing real tight or it's gonna try to move on yah!

I've had a G19 (9mm), and and have held the G23, but never shot it. I like the glock in terms of feel, but I'm down to try out something else.

[blue302stang]

I love my kimber ultra carry, but its a little pricier than other options. I love the stopping power and feel of the .45 and the ultra carry is hard to beat in concealability for the caliber its using.

[MotoMan]

I've had a G19 (9mm), and and have held the G23, but never shot it. I like the glock in terms of feel, but I'm down to try out something else.

Bullet Trap in Plano isn't far from you, I'd head up there sometime soon. I'd fire go shoot a Sig, USP, and a Walther to see what you like best.

[bjtheman1]

Hell I like my 2 Taurus 9MM's, but I would agree my S&W .40Cal would be the better choice...I just feel more comfortable with my 9mm.

[HOOCBB]

I had my heart set on the Glock 23 (compact .40), but now that the deal has been dropped (tooling issues with Glock, and it was going to be a gift fro my now ex's dad), I've opened my mind to other options. I know that I want a compact, or maybe sub-compact for carry, but now I'm wondering if another caliber would be a better option. The primary function would be home defense, but I'd also like to take it to the range often. Ammo costs have me looking into getting a 9mm again, but I'd like a bit more "stopping power" for protection purposes. I know, a well placed 9mm is just as effective blah blah blah, but what are your real world experiences?

Keep in mind that this will be my only gun for the time being, so practice ammo cost is at least a minimal concern.

What do you mean by tooling issues with Glock? Are you referring to the unsupported chamber? The unsupported chamber is only an issue when you reloaded ammo with too much powder.

[That_Is_My_El_Camino]

I wouldn't go with anything smaller than a .40 S&W in an auto (but if you're not opposed to a revolver, there are plenty of fine concealable .357 Magnum and even a few .327 Federal Magnum revolvers I'd carry). I carry my Glock 29 almost daily and my S&W Model 60 .357 Magnum daily.

Depending on your price range, look at Smith & Wesson M&Ps, obviously Glock, Sig, Springfield, Kahr, and Taurus. If you go with a revolver, the Ruger SP101 is hard to beat for price and reliability. And with a revolver, you can practice with cheap .38 Special if you go .357 Mag or .32 Long and .32 H&R Mag if you go .327 Federal Mag.

[Duncan]

I like my Taurus 9mm. as far as "stopping power", the 19+1 staggered clip should do the trick. plus a 50 round box is $8.97

[Skidmark]

I like my Taurus 9mm. as far as "stopping power", the 19+1 staggered clip should do the trick. plus a 50 round box is $8.97

That really makes me want to pick up a 9mm, I wouldn't feel so bad blowing thru rounds at the range :rocketwhore:

[The Raven]

What do you mean by tooling issues with Glock? Are you referring to the unsupported chamber? The unsupported chamber is only an issue when you reloaded ammo with too much powder.


Apparently Glock is having problems making the compact and subcompact .40s, and there is a huge order backlog. You can get the full size fram just fine though.

[Duncan]

That really makes me want to pick up a 9mm, I wouldn't feel so bad blowing thru rounds at the range :rocketwhore:

it is nice. the best part is I have run some pretty questionable shit thru this 9mm with no misfires. I love this thing! only downfall is cleaning the damn thing.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v510/scicom/Guns/guns5.jpg

[That_Is_My_El_Camino]

That really makes me want to pick up a 9mm, I wouldn't feel so bad blowing thru rounds at the range :rocketwhore:I know Storm Lake (among others) makes a 9mm conversion barrel for all of the .40 S&W and .357 Sig Glocks, and .40/.357 mags will usually work with 9mm. The Storm Lake is about $100 for a Glock. Depending on how much/how often you shoot (would shoot), it might be worth looking into rather thab another $400-$500 for a brand new gun

$100 @ $5/box difference is 20 boxes or 1,000 rounds.Apparently Glock is having problems making the compact and subcompact .40s, and there is a huge order backlog. You can get the full size fram just fine though.
nothing wrong with a used gun, just look it over before you buy it. I'd buy every gun used if I could

[Wario]

Apparently Glock is having problems making the compact and subcompact .40s, and there is a huge order backlog. You can get the full size fram just fine though.


I have a friend with a 27 that he wants me to list on this site for him. Let me know if you want first look at. Nice gun with a few extras.

[FatassLX]

I know Storm Lake (among others) makes a 9mm conversion barrel for all of the .40 S&W and .357 Sig Glocks, and .40/.357 mags will usually work with 9mm. The Storm Lake is about $100 for a Glock. Depending on how much/how often you shoot (would shoot), it might be worth looking into rather thab another $400-$500 for a brand new gun

$100 @ $5/box difference is 20 boxes or 1,000 rounds.
nothing wrong with a used gun, just look it over before you buy it. I'd buy every gun used if I could


I'm looking at doing that also. Glockmeister has everything needed. I'm looking at a 32 and a 9mm barrel.

[lilvega]

I carry a 40 s&w but have my 357 mag for home defense. Way more stopping power its just too big of a gun to conceal.

[KJ94GT]

I have a friend with a 27 that he wants me to list on this site for him. Let me know if you want first look at. Nice gun with a few extras.

And Aaron, if you want to, you can take mine to the bullet trap in Plano and try it out before you buy. Just let me know.

[8mpg]

I know Storm Lake (among others) makes a 9mm conversion barrel for all of the .40 S&W and .357 Sig Glocks, and .40/.357 mags will usually work with 9mm. The Storm Lake is about $100 for a Glock. Depending on how much/how often you shoot (would shoot), it might be worth looking into rather thab another $400-$500 for a brand new gun

$100 @ $5/box difference is 20 boxes or 1,000 rounds.
nothing wrong with a used gun, just look it over before you buy it. I'd buy every gun used if I could

have to buy 9mm mags as well... I thought about it, but wasnt worth it. The difference on 9mm to .40 Blazer is $3/box... You are talking an easy $150 to make up...so 50 boxes

[Yale]

There's a Springfield Ultra Compact at a good price in the classifieds, BTW:http://www.dfwstangs.net/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=99895&cat=26

[HOOCBB]

Apparently Glock is having problems making the compact and subcompact .40s, and there is a huge order backlog. You can get the full size fram just fine though.

hmm, I didn't know they were having problems...I mean, they've produced these guns for so many years, it's hard to imagine having any tooling issues. The only thing that I can think of would be if they were trying to correct the unsupported chamber in the .40s, but Storm Lake and Lone Wolf corrected it with their barrels, so why would Glock have that problem?

Any word on exactly what the manufacturing problem is?

[The Raven]

I have a friend with a 27 that he wants me to list on this site for him. Let me know if you want first look at. Nice gun with a few extras.

I appreciate the heads up Nick, but I dunno how quickly I'm gonna be ready to buy, so go ahead and list it for him.

[The Raven]

And Aaron, if you want to, you can take mine to the bullet trap in Plano and try it out before you buy. Just let me know.

I'll definitely take oyu up on that Kenny, it's just a matter of finding a free weekend for both of us. I liked the feel of the 23, but I definitely want to get my hands on the sub-compact before deciding.

[The Raven]

Any word on exactly what the manufacturing problem is?

I have no idea, I'm not the one who was deling directly with glock, to my inderstanding, the ex's dad got the info from a dealer.

[Wario]

I have no idea, I'm not the one who was deling directly with glock, to my inderstanding, the ex's dad got the info from a dealer.


I was a the ft worth show a few weeks ago. You could find 27's all day long but your going to pay over 5 bills for a new one.

[The Raven]

I was a the ft worth show a few weeks ago. You could find 27's all day long but your going to pay over 5 bills for a new one.

The G23 was though a LEO, and was going to be just over $400 after tax. Since that fell through though, I'll be buying used.

[GREENMAN]

If you haven't been to the range to try a few different guns/calibers, you should. I was torn about what caliber to get, but I tried all 3 and a 1911 was what it came down to for me. .45 stopping power and a gun that can make a good shot out of most.