[genesis]

Hi Guys,

I'm in the market for a CC weapon. There are just a ton of really fine guns available from so many manufactures. I don't want your opinion/recommendation on what gun to buy as we all tend to favor what ever we already have. I do want your opinion on the following.

Defensively speaking, in a worst case scenario (isn't every case where you have to use a weapon a worst case scenario) which would you favor? A weapon with 16 rounds of 40S&W or a weapon with 18 rounds of 9mm. A little more horse power vs a little more capacity. Would you rather have those 2 extra rounds or that extra horse power. Think about it. I reload, so ammo cost isn't a problem. Neither is the snappier recoil of the 40S&W.

Thanks for your input guys,

Don <><

[Gone_South]

I prefer the .40 but I have nothing against 9mm. I just have more experience shooting .40 than I do the 9mm.

[trip286]

I carry 7 rounds of .45 (plus a reload)
I used to carry 6 rounds of .357 magnum (with NO reload).

Even though I was a SAW gunner in the Marine Corps, and burned a LOT of ammo in firefights, I simply don't feel that capacity is king in the civilian world.

Both those rounds are fine self defense rounds. And the capacity for both models you're looking at is high enough that I don't see a clear advantage of one over the other.

You reload, so cost isn't a huge deciding factor.

You seem familiar with both, so recoil characteristics doesn't seem to be a deciding factor.

Close your eyes, spin around 5 times, and point your finger. Whichever one your pointing at when you open you're eyes, take it home.

[genesis]

Originally Posted by trip286

You seem familiar with both, so recoil characteristics doesn't seem to be a deciding factor. Close your eyes, spin around 5 times, and point your finger. Whichever one your pointing at when you open you're eyes, take it home.

Hey Trip, I like your style From one Marine to another, Semper Fi !

Don <><

[Donn]

Originally Posted by trip286

Even though I was a SAW gunner in the Marine Corps, and burned a LOT of ammo in firefights, I simply don't feel that capacity is king in the civilian world.

What Trip said. If you need 16-18 rounds, it's not personal protection, it's a fire fight. If that's the case, you're in a bad spot, no matter what you're carrying. Biggest advantage of a hi-cap mag? You don't need a spare mag. Biggest disadvantages? A grip like a brick and it gets heavy humping all day, even a polymer frame pistol.

[danf_fl]

I carry the .45

7 rounds (+1) well placed shots are better than 16 or 32 rounds of .40S&W wild shots.

(practice, practice, practice)

Magazines are the weak point of semi-autos. If you rely on having only one mag, that is the same as relying on none.

[connectegr]

Get what you can carry comfortably, anywhere and anytime. For personal protection, the objective is to avoid a firefight and to get away to safety. If a heavy 45, 40 S&W, or 9mm results in the gun staying in the glovebox or at home, choose something else. 5 rounds of 22mag, in your pocket is better personal protection, than a 45 under the car seat. When you pull your gun it's not about how scary it looks, it's about whether you will pull the trigger. At 7 to 10 yards, muzzle velocity and impact of even a 22 LR will work.

Personally 7 rounds in my Kimber Ultra and a spare magazine, is easier to carry than my 13 round Sig Sauer 40 S&W. And the Seecamp 32 in my back pocket is even more practical.

[marc29th]

99% of self-defence shootings are 3 rounds or less. So 16 or 18 doesn't really matter.

[levelcross]

Within the OP, 16-40's or 18-9's being the only choices, it comes down to which I am more accurate with. For me is would be the 40 under 25' anything over that I would choose the 9. Just me and my shooting style being the basis of my opinion. In real life I would rather have the 7+1 .45 and a extra mag or 3 as this is what I shoot the best.

[phildenton]

Ive noticed lately that both have been being loaded down a bit. Many on an equal level. 9mm is cheaper per round, whivh affords one to train more and be more proficient l. Both are good rounds, and it would be a tough choice indeed. I might go with the 9 if it was me in that position.