The Best Handgun Caliber

[Talyn]

9mm VS .40 S&W

 

[Bassbob]

They both work.

 

[Annihilator]

I like them both, no preference, they both do what they were designed to do.

 

[Oaktree45]

For my money it's a 45 ACP.

 

[Talyn]

Never warmed up to the .40 S&W since I already had the 10mm.

 

[TEXASforLIFE]

To me it's distance and circumstance for that answer! I was talking to a LEO 1 day and he said he would carry a 50ae if where he worked would let him!

 

[KillerFord1977]

The best is the one on your hip at the time of need

 

[ghosttwofive]

I trained and trained with a .40 cal Glock 22, Glock 23, just never liked the almost torque-ish recoil. The .45 recoil is predictable and the 9mm recoil is negligible. The .40 cal has always been just a strange in between caliber that I couldn't quite make myself like, just my humble opinion. I completely respect the stopping power of the round.

 

[HansGruber]

Depends on the platform and the shooter.

If the shooter can control .40, and if there is minimal difference between mag capacity...then .40 is the better choice. If the 9mm version offers a lot more rounds on tap? I’m not seeing a good argument for the .40.

Of course, if the shooter can’t control the .40, there’s no benefit at all to it.

 

[TEXASforLIFE]

A good functioning gun is better than no gun at all no matter the cartridge!

 

[Bassbob]

I prefer .45 and that’s what I carry on my time. My EDC ( work) is a PC Shield .40. The two last handguns I bought were high capacity 9mm. HK and Walther.
In conclusion, my answer is yes.

 

[SATRP]

There is no doubt in my mind that the .40 S&W is superior to the 9MM in every metric.

Any law enforcement agency's decision to issue a specific handgun chambered for a specific cartridge reveals very little useful information. It's not an agency's handgun or choice of cartridge that provides useful data. It's what its cops choose to carry that provides useful data.

With little variation, law enforcement agencies issue a standardized handgun chambered for a specific cartridge. Cops are free to carry handguns chambered for cartridges from an approved list. Hence, Green Acres PD might issue Glock 17s chambered for 9MM, but its cops might choose to carry a Springfield Armory TRP chambered for .45 ACP.

 

[SATRP]

I trained and trained with a .40 cal Glock 22, Glock 23, just never liked the almost torque-ish recoil. The .45 recoil is predictable and the 9mm recoil is negligible. The .40 cal has always been just a strange in between caliber that I couldn't quite make myself like, just my humble opinion. I completely respect the stopping power of the round.

My Sig P229 .40 S&W's recoil is mild. It's easy to retain sight picture with it. It was by a huge margin the best duty handgun I carried. However, if I was able, I'd have carried a Springfield Armory TRP .45 ACP.

I've never fired a Glock 22. It is an extremely popular law enforcement handgun.

 

[TEXASforLIFE]

My Sig P229 .40 S&W's recoil is mild. It's easy to retain sight picture with it. It was by a huge margin the best duty handgun I carried. However, if I was able, I'd have carried a Springfield Armory TRP .45 ACP.

I've never fired a Glock 22. It is an extremely popular law enforcement handgun.

I have a 226 in 357sig and a g22, but I customized it.

 

[wmg1299]

As a subtle F.U. to the ATF for arbitrarily changing definitions, I think we should all agree that .223/5.56 is the best handgun caliber. Now I just need these guys to make the video, "Best Handgun Caliber: .223 or 7.62x39".

 

[Bassbob]

The recoil on the M&P Shield .40 is not bad at all.

 

[David N.]

What about the 5.7x28mm? I watched a video where a trainer stated that he was switching to this caliber, because it defeats certain types of body armor and has great capacity.

 

[HansGruber]

What about the 5.7x28mm? I watched a video where a trainer stated that he was switching to this caliber, because it defeats certain types of body armor and has great capacity.

I wouldn't. It severely lacks terminal performance, and the armor piercing rounds are of questionable legality.

 

[SATRP]

Believe me, I have nothing against the 9MM. My primary urban self-defense handgun is a Springfield Armory EMP 3 9MM. It's a superb weapon that I can slide into a front pocket of a pair of shorts. My ammo preference is 147 grain Fed HST LE standard pressure. In my opinion, it's the ultimate urban self-defense handgun.

With suitable 147 grain ammo, the 9MM is formidable.

However, no matter how it;s sliced and diced, the 9MM will never be the equal of either the .40 S&W and .45 ACP. It's immensely substantial benefit when paired with an EMP 3 is sight picture retention. When hadguns chambered for the .45 ACP become shorter and lighter, they become more difficult to retain sight picture when firing 230 grain ammo. I have experience absolutely no problem retaining sight picture when firing 147 grain ammo in my EMP 3. Sight picture retention is a huge tactical advantage.

 

[wmg1299]

The agency where I was working made the switch from issuing .40 S&W (Glock 22) to 9mm (Glock 17) a few years back. The primary reason given at the time was to streamline ammo and firearm purchases. There had always been a certain number of female or older officers who could shoot 9mm more accurately than .40 S&W. Basically, most officers could qualify with .40, but everyone could qualify with 9mm. The ballistics were considered similar enough to be negligible, but the chain of command never stated or implied that 9mm was superior.

Officers did like the additional magazine capacity, and the department liked that 9mm ammo was the more economical choice. I do not believe Admin would have made the change if they thought it would jeopardize officer safety, but budget issues will always be a major concern with any LE agency. In my experience, agencies don't adopt any firearm or ammo because it is "the best"; they adopt the equipment/technology that can safely and reliably accomplish the goal for the lowest price.