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RubenZ wrote:The price, and availability, the .40 has no real advantage in a defense sense over the 9.

I'd go with the 9mm and or a .45. Theres no need for a in between :)

I've been wondering what the defensive advantage is of a .40 over a 9mm. I notice that the .40 has a lot more punch to it than the nine when I shoot them side by side. Anyone know the advantages, disadvantages?

I'm starting to like the 9mm a lot more all the time. Cheaper ammo and I can shoot better with it. With the .40, I shoot about as well as with a .45 and can't tell a lot of difference in recoil. So you might have a valid point... 9 or .45...

LedJedi wrote:

Theodore Roosevelt wrote:Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far

It seems to me that would put a .45 in your hands :) He didn't say "speak softly and carry a medium sized stick."

LedJedi wrote:

austin wrote:With the hi-cap .45 1911 style pistols on the market, magazine capacity is a moot point in calibers. 14+1 in .45 is a very potent argument.

I demand a recount. .45 is the way to go.

Though i don't like the 1911. Try a Taurus 92 :) purdy, functional and reliable.

How many rounds does that Taurus hold? I like the XD for 13+1.

AV8R wrote:I think the .40 is a fine compromise between power and round capacity. I wouldn't hesitate to carry one. The downsides, as I see them, are gun longevity and ammo cost and availability.

The high-pressure loads, .357 Sig and .40, are hard on guns. The 9s and .45s regularly go 100K rounds and more. I haven't heard of anyone doing nearly that with a .40 or a .357 Sig. The cost for .40 seems to be around 1/3 higher than 9mm. If things get really tight, 9mm will be obtainable after .40 supplies dry up.

Given equal $ to spend on practice, I think that the person who practices with the 9mm will be more lethal at the end of the day.

I'm starting to think this way also. I shoot better with the 9 than the .40 for one thing. I do like the added punch, but I'm having second thoughts about carrying one. The 9 is versatile, holds more rounds and can be more easily hidden. Cost of use is cheaper and ammo is readily available. I've been thinking about buying another 9mm (or three) and put the .40 on ice.

Hmmm, 17+1. Maybe that's why I wanted one. I'll get one eventually, but I'll probably wait for a used one at the gunshow. I'm starting to be partial to the .40...so who knows.

I bought a .40 XD this year. I only bought it because it was a good deal, on sale at Bass Pro in Grapevine the day after Thanksgiving. That and they did not have the .45. I chose the .40 over the nine. I do like the extra capacity in the nine, but I like the extra punch of the .40. In the XD you can change out the barrel to shoot 9mm. I think you can also change it to .357 sig. You cannot, however change the 9mm to anything else. The .40 is also more fun to shoot in my opinion. You can feel the extra power.

I'm interested in getting a Beretta PX4 and will probably get a 9mm because of the extra capacity. My XD .40 is 12+1. PX4 in nine is 15+1, I believe, as well as the XD 9.

The truth is, either one will do the job. I'd go with what I felt more comfortable with in the end. I don't have my CHL yet, but will probably carry my .38 spcl titanium a lot, just for comfort and concealability if anything else.