9mm v .40cal

[BROKENSPROKET]

I can highly recommend the .40 caliber Taurus PT 740 Slim.

I've carried .380, 9mm, .357 Mag, and .45 handguns...but this particular pistol has become my EDC because it really carries nicely due to it's compact and slim design; and because .40 S&W seems to be the preferential round for law enforcement officers.

Mine has never failed to function properly and is extremely accurate at self-defense ranges.

Lifetime warranty and extra magazine, too.

Are you a Taurus Rep?

 

[Shotgun]

Caliber debates are largely a waste of time in my opinion. The best caliber is, primarily, whatever you as an individual shoot the best; by "best" I mean quickly and accurately. A good hit with a .22 is more effective than a poorly-placed .45 or a miss with an RPG-7. J. B. Hickok demonstrated this in many a gunfight using cap 'n ball revolvers that on a ballistics chart are far inferior to a .380 ACP.

At any given time I'll carry and I shoot .380, 9mm, .40, .38 SP +P or +P+, .357 magnum, or a 10mm. With the exception of the .380 all of the other rounds are similarly comfortable to me. I'd lump .45 ACP in there too, although I sold my .45. Any differences that I feel in shooting these various calibers are negligible. The particular load makes more difference than the caliber in my opinion. I feel much more difference between shooting a standard velocity .40 and some of the hotter .40 loads like the Magtech Guardian Gold, than the difference I feel when comparing a standard velocity .40 and a standard velocity .45 ACP. That shouldn't be very surprising considering the muzzle energy of the standard velocity .40 and .45 ACP loads fall pretty much within the same range, but you'd have to shoot .45 ACP +P to achieve a muzzle energy similar to the hotter .40's. Only the little .380 feels different because the Kel-Tec P3AT is a frickin' 8-ounce gun with some sharp edges at inconvenient spots. But it is reliable and surprisingly accurate. Shooting 50 rounds through it at a single session does chew up the hand a bit, but to borrow a line (and slightly change the meaning) from Clint Smith: A gun should be comforting, not comfortable.

Of the calibers listed above, I carry .40 a majority of the time. I wouldn't feel under-armed carrying any of them. The difference in the firearms-- in terms of comfort, ammo on board, and mode of carry-- determines what caliber I'm carrying, not the caliber itself.

 

[Lurchiron]

I prefer the 240 grain hollow points, but I tip my hat to you Sir. Launched some over the weekend and the tree used as a target will never be the same.

I run 210gr. Win. Silver-tips at 1350/75 fps. I average 95% retained lead-weight on the 4 deer I've taken with them. Max expansion was 1.350 in. mushroom...Damn round looked like a mini UFO w/talons.

But if you like those awesome photo-ops; try the 180gr. They leave a Rreeally long muzzle flash. Remember to pad your forehead, they'll bounce your barrel...

 

[Archangel]

Here's my take on .40 when compared to 9mm...

.40 is about 10% more powerful, 10% more expensive, and causes a 10% reduction in capacity. Add to that it's unpleasant to shoot and, to me, you have a round with more cons than pros, 3-1.

I detest .40 S&W and will never own any gun chambered for it, ever. If someone gives me one I will promptly sell or trade it.

Pretty much. I own no more .40s and never will. If you feel the need to go bigger than 9mm, get a .45ACP.

Another reason I dislike .40? Google the term: KABOOM and you will find that most of these take place on .40S&W platform guns.

Look at the Federal Cartridge website. The 40S&W is 20fps faster, and has 20 more foot-pounds of energy. That's it. But you get a lot more recoil and muzzle flash / blast than you do with a 9mm.

The 9mm kills folks just as dead if you ever have to use it. I doubt they will notice that wee difference in power.

 

[MilProGuy]

Are you a Taurus Rep?

No...just a big fan of the brand.

 

[Yetiman]

I can't tell you much about the Taurus,

I have an LC9 and I am pretty happy with it.

I am mostly as 1911 guy. My 9mm guns were a Hi Power and an HK P7.
When concealed carry was looking like it was going to be reality in Wi, I wanted something to carry that wasn't modified and wasn't single action which ruled out every pistol I owned except the HK P7, and even that is pretty much a single action with a squeeze cocker.

I was looking for something cheaper and lighter to carry than the P7 too. I bought a Ruger LC9, and I a,m pretty darn happy with it. It is pretty accurate, and I really enjoy shooting it. It is very light weight and comfortable to carry, and conceals very well.

In an IWB holster it dissapears, and in a Fobus paddle holster I nearly forget I am wearing it.

I would buy another if something happened to it.

Some people complain about the recoil, but my favorite pistol to shoot in a Colt Officers model .45 which I am very used to and have many thousand rounds through. The LC9 is nearly as much fun.

 

[BROKENSPROKET]

No...just a big fan of the brand.

Born in April-May? jk.

This is pretty convincing.

Taurus 740 Slim Wins Golden Bullseye Award

MIAMI - The Taurus 740 SLIM has won the 2011 Golden Bullseye Award for "Handgun of the Year" by American Rifleman, a 125-year-old flagship publication of the National Rifle Association. The award will be presented at an invitation-only breakfast during the 2011 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, April 29-May 1, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. "This much-coveted award, now in its ninth year, is a symbol of excellence, innovation and quality in firearms, accessories and related equipment. Our congratulations to the winners," said Joe H. Graham, Executive Director of NRA Publications. The 740 SLIM's compact design and meager weight of 19 ounces make it a must-have for those who prefer concealment carry. Offering potent .40-caliber firepower with 6+1 shot capacity, the SLIM is sure to provide top-quality performance. Available in matte stainless or blue finish, this handsome gun features a 3.2-inch barrel, a newly designed trigger safety and a lightweight Polymer frame. The SLIM sports a crisp single action/double action trigger pull and a finger indexing Taurus Memory Pad™ along the frame. Like all Taurus firearms, the unique onboard Taurus Security System® allows users to securely lock the gun using an inconspicuous key-lock. Leave it to Taurus to make the most heralded concealed carry semi-autos in company history even better. "It is a tremendous honor to receive such a coveted award," said Bob Morrison, President and CEO of Taurus International. "Everyone put in a great deal of effort designing the SLIM to meet our customer's needs and we are proud to be recognized by such an established magazine as American Rifleman." Beginning as a small tool manufacturer in Porto Alegre, Brazil more than sixty years ago, Forjas Taurus, S.A. has become a diversified, international company celebrating its resounding success as one of the world's leading small arms manufacturers. In 1941, the company produced its first revolver, and in 1984 changed the industry forever by offering customers an unqualified LIFETIME REPAIR POLICY™, posting record growth every year since. Taurus brand firearms manufactured by Forjas Taurus are imported into the U.S. and serviced by Taurus International Manufacturing, Inc. For additional information about Taurus, visit www.taurususa.com. High-resolution images are available at www.taurusdownloads.com.

http://www.taurususa.com/news-detail.cfm?newsID=39

 

[Cobra469]

I have an LC9 that I carry as a BUG to my OC firearm. It is alright in my opinion. I don't prefer it as sometimes when I rack the slide it sticks about 1/4" from fully forward. This will leave it out of battery and frustrate me. I sent it to Ruger and their response was "rack it with a vengeance" not exactly what I wanted to hear. But when I am shooting it I have never had a failure. So I rack it, check that it is all the way forward, and then put the safety on. Tough part is to remember to turn the safety off when drawing. So use to my Glock 19 and S&W Sigma that only has internal safeties. If your ever in Milwaukee let me know you are more than welcome to give mine a try and see how it fits you.

 

[mja1000]

Are you trying to find a better pocket gun to replace the LCP because of how much it sucks to shoot? If so I'd suggest looking at the Sig 238. Depending on your pockets and what pocket you carry it in something like an LC9 maybe to too big.

I'm carrying a Diamondback DB9 as a BUG. same size as the RugerLCP but in 9mm. Strips down like a Glock. It's a snappy shooter...you wouldn't want to have to shoot it all day, but it sure does disappear on me. almost forget it's there.

www.diamondbackfirearms.com

 

[Steeler-gal]

Looking the the Ruger LC9 and the Taurus PT709 & PT740 Slim.

The Ruger is lighter to carry but the Taurus may handle recoil better. I know I would rather shoot 500 rounds through my XD45 than 6 rounds though a .380 LCP.

The 9mm's are 7+1 and the .40 cal is 6+1. I think I want to go with a .40 since I already have two .45ACP hanguns.

From what I read, 9mm ammo is cheaper but .40 cal is more powerful round.

What are your thoughts.

Get one of each. Then you can just decided day-to-day which you want to carry. :banana: :monkey :lol:
If I may recommend though go with the SR9c. The grip on the LC9 is too small.

 

[davegran]

Ymmv

I had an opportunity to fire a .40, two .45's, and a 9mm back-to-back in the space of a few minutes and compared to the other guns, the .40 was much louder and the recoil had a high velocity snap to it. I didn't like it. Very punishing...to the shooter.
Your mileage may vary.
Discontinue use if any of the following occurs:
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See doctor for erections lasting longer than 4 hours. This product is meant for educational purposes only. Void where prohibited. Some assembly required.Batteries not included. Contents may settle during shipment. Use only as directed. No other warranty expressed or implied. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Apply only to affected area. May be too intense for some viewers. Do not stamp. For recreational use only. Do not disturb. All models over 18 years of age. No user-serviceable parts inside. Freshest if eaten before date on carton. Subject to change without notice. Times approximate. Simulated picture. No postage necessary if mailed in the United States. Breaking seal constitutes acceptance of agreement. For off-road use only. As seen on TV. One size fits all. Contains a substantial amount of non-tobacco ingredients. Colors may, in time, fade. We have sent the forms which seem to be right for you. Slippery when wet. :monkey

 

[Deathss]

Born in April-May? jk.

This is pretty convincing.

http://www.taurususa.com/news-detail.cfm?newsID=39

My wife picked out the PT740 slim for her Birthday present. So far it has 400 rounds through it without any malfunctions. Very nice conceal piece for the money.

 

[BROKENSPROKET]

I had an opportunity to fire a .40, two .45's, and a 9mm back-to-back in the space of a few minutes and compared to the other guns, the .40 was much louder and the recoil had a high velocity snap to it. I didn't like it. Very punishing...to the shooter.
Your mileage may vary.
Discontinue use if any of the following occurs:
Itching
Vertigo
Dizziness
Tingling in extremities
Loss of balance or coordination
Slurred speech
Temporary blindness
Profuse sweating
Heart palpitations
See doctor for erections lasting longer than 4 hours. This product is meant for educational purposes only. Void where prohibited. Some assembly required.Batteries not included. Contents may settle during shipment. Use only as directed. No other warranty expressed or implied. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Apply only to affected area. May be too intense for some viewers. Do not stamp. For recreational use only. Do not disturb. All models over 18 years of age. No user-serviceable parts inside. Freshest if eaten before date on carton. Subject to change without notice. Times approximate. Simulated picture. No postage necessary if mailed in the United States. Breaking seal constitutes acceptance of agreement. For off-road use only. As seen on TV. One size fits all. Contains a substantial amount of non-tobacco ingredients. Colors may, in time, fade. We have sent the forms which seem to be right for you. Slippery when wet. :monkey

Man, did that crack me up.

 

[Zeus]

Top 3 things to win a gunfight-
1. Have a gun
2. Have a gun that works
3. Hit areas of the target that matter.

I suggest you handle/shoot as many guns as possible and then choose a quality firearm that feels comfortable to you and you shoot well. Caliber doesn't mean much. If you hit vital areas with good shot placement then you are doing it right.
If I had to choose between getting shot by a 45 ACP in the leg or a .22 LR in the spinal cord or head, guess which one I would choose. Secondly, the cheaper the ammo, the more you will probably shoot, the more comfortable and accurate you will be, that simple. Also less $$ spent on ammo gives you more $$ for training, much more important than what caliber gun. Also if a gun has a lot of recoil and is uncomfortable to shoot, you wont shoot it much. That's not a good thing. A Walther P22 is plenty deadly in the right hands. The only reason there are more larger calibers is because the skill required to shoot that accurately under stress is very difficult to achieve so bigger guns are used to neutralize the threat to allow an easier follow up shot to the vital areas. This is where the term, "knockdown power" is derived from. Knock the threat down and then follow up with an easier more accurate shot if necessary. IMO the 357 SIG is one of the best all around auto cartridges available. It penetrates barriers, usually stops the threat in one shot without over penetrating the target and feeds reliably. I realize that is not one of your options listed but just throwing it out there. How about a range day with some friends and shoot as many different guns as possible to see what you prefer. Just my $.02

 

[Zeus]

lolwut? Care to test this crazy theory?

sent from my phone, excuse my grammar/spelling errors

Actually the HiPoint would be more lethal I would think, when it flies apart and frags everything within 5 yards (j/k) The Hipoint is a perfectly serviceable firearm, I just wouldn't take it to any beauty pagents

 

[SovereignAxe]

I have an LC9 that I carry as a BUG to my OC firearm. It is alright in my opinion. I don't prefer it as sometimes when I rack the slide it sticks about 1/4" from fully forward. This will leave it out of battery and frustrate me. I sent it to Ruger and their response was "rack it with a vengeance" not exactly what I wanted to hear. But when I am shooting it I have never had a failure. So I rack it, check that it is all the way forward, and then put the safety on. Tough part is to remember to turn the safety off when drawing. So use to my Glock 19 and S&W Sigma that only has internal safeties. If your ever in Milwaukee let me know you are more than welcome to give mine a try and see how it fits you.

Cobra, I think this may be the new norm. It seems like pistol springs have gotten much stronger than in some of the older firearms I've handled (even accounting for wear and age) with the intent to increase reliability. And in my mind it's worked. My Walther has the same issue. The spring on the extractor is so strong that slamming the slide home on a chambered round will put a pretty deep scratch on the rim of the brass. Letting it fall gingerly, round chambered or not, will cause it to stop short of full forward-my guess because the extractor is so strong it gets stuck on the rim.

Same goes for the mag spring. That thing has the strongest mag spring of any pistol I've ever loaded. I guess using a beast of a spring to shove the cartridge where it needs to go with a purpose is more reliable than than using a weak spring to suggest it go in a certain direction, and hope that it will comply.

Considering the only time it happens (the slide issue) is when the gun is unloaded AND when I lightly release the slide, I can totally live with it. During reloading the slide will only be going forward with a press of the slide stop, so that's not going to be a problem.

Remember, the gun is having to deal with tens of thousands of pressure every time you fire it, so whatever you do to it with your hands is going to have no effect. So rack that slide with a purpose!

 

[davegran]

Cobra, I think this may be the new norm. It seems like pistol springs have gotten much stronger than in some of the older firearms I've handled (even accounting for wear and age) with the intent to increase reliability. And in my mind it's worked. My Walther has the same issue. The spring on the extractor is so strong that slamming the slide home on a chambered round will put a pretty deep scratch on the rim of the brass. Letting it fall gingerly, round chambered or not, will cause it to stop short of full forward-my guess because the extractor is so strong it gets stuck on the rim.

....

You should never close the slide on a chambered round. The extractor is designed so that the cartridge that is loading slips into position from underneath. You'll eventually damage the extractor. Most semi-automatics are this way and say so in the manual. Just sayin'.

 

[SovereignAxe]

You should never close the slide on a chambered round. The extractor is designed so that the cartridge that is loading slips into position from underneath. You'll eventually damage the extractor. Most semi-automatics are this way and say so in the manual. Just sayin'.

Yeah, that's why I don't do it any more.

well...I take that back. I stopped doing it when I realized it was mauling the rims of my brass lol

 

[Brass Magnet]

You should never close the slide on a chambered round. The extractor is designed so that the cartridge that is loading slips into position from underneath. You'll eventually damage the extractor. Most semi-automatics are this way and say so in the manual. Just sayin'.

That's not necessarily true. In some designs it's quite impossible for the extractor to latch onto the case rim without being forced over it.

There's another good reason not to let a bolt slam shut on a chambered round though.

When there isn't a cartridge being stripped from the magazine to slow the bolt down on firearms that have floating firing pins, there may new enough momentum for the firing pin to set off the primer.

Ever notice little dents on the primer of a round that's been chambered and ejected without firing? Yup, that's the stuff.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk

 

[davegran]

Originally Posted by davegran You should never close the slide on a chambered round. The extractor is designed so that the cartridge that is loading slips into position from underneath. You'll eventually damage the extractor. Most semi-automatics are this way and say so in the manual. Just sayin'.

That's not necessarily true. In some designs it's quite impossible for the extractor to latch onto the case rim without being forced over it....

I did say, "most" not all; but what designs were you thinking of where the extractor is designed to be forced over the end of the cartridge?