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I told myself "I'm not gonna do it, I'm not gonna do it." But guess what, I'm gonna go ahead and do it. So here's my take on the caliber wars:
9mm: Mid-sized pistol round, not the ideal solution for stopping someone/something.
.40S&W: slightly larger pistol round, not the ideal solution for stopping someone/something.
.45ACP: Even bigger pistol round, not the ideal solution for stopping someone/something.

There are plenty of graves out there because the corpse they hold was shot with a 9mm. Same goes for a .45ACP, but the problem is that a handgun is not really up to the task and a rifle is will always be better at stopping and/or killing folks than a handgun. If I am in a fight for my life you can bet that I will want a rifle with a rifle cartridge instead of something that uses a handgun cartridge. In my opinion, choose what you want and don't buy into all the Internet Commando nonsense that you see. I usually carry a .45ACP, although I have been known to carry a .40S&W and a 9mm and I really don't feel under gunned with any of them. And for the record shot placement is always critical, especially with handguns.

Seems I may be in the minority, but I love my 23. I actually like the snappiness of the round. Don't get me wrong, I love my .45's, but I just prefer the .40. I do not own any 9mm's though I have been thinking of picking up a G19.

68Charger wrote:I don't think anyone has ever had the experience to even say how effective any caliber is when used.

I have at work, especially in regards to dogs.

And BAD17 claimed to have seen how poor the 9mm performs, I was curious as to what capacity.

By the way, if you guys want to read caliber discussions until your eyes bleed, check out the discussions over on the "Caliber Corner" in GlockTalk. Those folks get downright religious about their favorite caliber ( http://glocktalk.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=31" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; )

Sorry, didn't mean to start a caliber war but glad I did with all the great discussion on personal preferences it is interesting to say the least. But, again, and let's just look at 9mm for a minute, what about the 9mm with the Winchester Ranger (old talon) type of round vs say a .40 or .45 in just hollow point. Wouldn't that make a difference in our caliber war discussions? "LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE" Sorry, just couldn't help myself?

Gigag04

In the military.

HarleyDave wrote:Sorry, didn't mean to start a caliber war but glad I did with all the great discussion on personal preferences it is interesting to say the least. But, again, and let's just look at 9mm for a minute, what about the 9mm with the Winchester Ranger (old talon) type of round vs say a .40 or .45 in just hollow point. Wouldn't that make a difference in our caliber war discussions? "LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE" Sorry, just couldn't help myself?

I tested Winchester Bonded PDX1 (the newest in the line of "talon" JHPs) in both 9mm and .40 out of short (3-inch) barrels last year and both performed very well, but .40 obviously had the edge.

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Gigag04- It may only be 2mm of back strap difference but that makes a world of difference and allows people with short fingers and medium hands to reach the trigger. The new gen 4 Glocks go up or down 2mm with each back strap change and it also makes a huge difference. Granted the slide is wider and heavier and the grip width is wider still on the SF models but like you said yourself a small lady you know can shoot it. I don't know a girl who can hold and shoot a non SF model Glock in model 20 or 21. She would have to have really big hands for a lady! I couldn't come anywhere close to holding a non SF model 20 or 21 with any great comfort and I have medium hands and long skinny fingers.

It is more of an in-between grip I guess in the SF models. Plus I find it easier to shoot mild loads in 10mm then .40 S&W out of my fathers Glock 22. That is because the weight of the slide really does help soak up recoil. I also assume that had an effect on your qualifying scores going from the .40 to the .45acp. Not only is the .45acp less “snappy’ but the 21sf weighs 3-4 oz more then a Glock 22.

As for the 9mm not being enough. Come on guys, 2 rounds to the chest of .35.5 caliber bullit is enough! One will probably do the job the majority of the time.

austinrealtor wrote:
I tested Winchester Bonded PDX1 (the newest in the line of "talon" JHPs) in both 9mm and .40 out of short (3-inch) barrels last year and both performed very well, but .40 obviously had the edge.

viewtopic.php?f=23&t=32400&hilit=+milk+jug" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I never get bored of reading that post either. So much fun data to stare at

Don't forget to read http://www.theboxotruth.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; either. I'm SO jealous of those guys. I want to retire to some remote property so that I can just shoot guns at stuff, write about it, and make other people jealous about the cool things I play with

After reading all the various opinions on this topic I figured I would throw my OPINION into the ring. There are so many .40 firearms on the market becasue it has plenty of stopping power for daily concealed carry. Thats it. The only reason to carry something smaller is becasue...its smaller and lighter. The only reason to carry something bigger is because.....well.....its bigger.

I don't have a 40 but I did consider getting one for one simple reason....that was about the only ammunition that didn't disappear from the shelves a year or so ago!

I have owned more pistols in .40 than any other caliber. While I like the 9mm and love the .45, the .40 just fits my needs better than the other two. I do have smallish hands which is part of it, but also enjoy the higher round count over the 45 and power upgrade over the 9mm. That said, I carry a .380 more than anything else.

Kevinf2349 wrote:I don't have a 40 but I did consider getting one for one simple reason....that was about the only ammunition that didn't disappear from the shelves a year or so ago!

Good point.

SpringerFan wrote:I have owned more pistols in .40 than any other caliber. While I like the 9mm and love the .45, the .40 just fits my needs better than the other two. I do have smallish hands which is part of it, but also enjoy the higher round count over the 45 and power upgrade over the 9mm. That said, I carry a .380 more than anything else.

The old joke used to be that guys talked about their .45s or large-frame .357s, but actually carried snub-nose .38s

I guess the new version is guys talk about their .40s but actually carry pocket .380s

Takes one to know one

austinrealtor wrote:

SpringerFan wrote:I have owned more pistols in .40 than any other caliber. While I like the 9mm and love the .45, the .40 just fits my needs better than the other two. I do have smallish hands which is part of it, but also enjoy the higher round count over the 45 and power upgrade over the 9mm. That said, I carry a .380 more than anything else.

The old joke used to be that guys talked about their .45s or large-frame .357s, but actually carried snub-nose .38s

I guess the new version is guys talk about their .40s but actually carry pocket .380s

Takes one to know one

I'd carry a can of silly string before I'd carry a .380. It would be my hope that the BG would be distracted laughing, rather than furiously angry because you tried to punch tiny holes in his body but they were stopped by his thick hoodie jacket.

Just sayin.

I'll stick with my Glock 23.