Sub Compact 9 or .40 - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

tjg4 · 06-20-2008, 09:13 AM

I know my signature says that I am getting the sub compact 9 next week, but really the only motivation for doing so is cost of ammo. Is this a bad judgement call? Can we discuss the pros and cons between the two calibers? I may get the .40 depending on the discussion here.

**digitalexplr** · 06-20-2008, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjg4

I know my signature says that I am getting the sub compact 9 next week, but really the only motivation for doing so is cost of ammo. Is this a bad judgement call? Can we discuss the pros and cons between the two calibers? I may get the .40 depending on the discussion here.

You need never feel under-gunned with a 9sc. Don't get caught up in the, "bigger is always better debate."

9mm is an excellent duty and self-defense caliber as has been proved over decades of use.

If possible shoot both the 9 & 40 and see which you do best with. There is also nothing wrong with the 40. However, some folks just don't like the snappy recoil of the 40.

Keep in mind the only weapon worth carrying is one that you can use reliably and hit what you are shooting at. A .22 short that hits it's target is more effective than a .44mag that misses.

The 9sc is highly accurate, being capable of 4" groups at 25 yards. Considering that your average SD incounter is going to be 11 feet or less, that is more accuracy than you will ever need, IF you practice enough to be proficient with the weapon.

Both the 9sc and 40sc will serve you well. Get the one that you handle the best. After all, one day your life may depend on how well you can place rounds on target.

**XDONBOARD** · 06-20-2008, 09:36 AM

I would suggest doing a search on the topic. Has been covered countless times. I have both. .40 is snappier, 9mm is cheaper. I trust my life with both.

tjg4 · 06-20-2008, 09:48 AM

[quote=digitalexplr;1160971]
Keep in mind the only weapon worth carrying is one that you can use reliably and hit what you are shooting at. A .22 short that hits it's target is more effective than a .44mag that misses.
[quote]

That's a really good point. Thanks!!

nickb · 06-20-2008, 09:54 AM

Unless your target was a bear.....

**jtaliani** · 06-20-2008, 10:15 AM

I would go with the 9. While .40SCs are controllable, sight acquisition and follow up shots are typically quicker with a 9. When you pair that with higher capacity and cheaper ammo, it makes the 9 more appealing to most. You can't go wrong either way but that's my .02.

KarolinaKid · 06-20-2008, 10:21 AM

I'd go with the 9mm. Ammo is more affordable and is sold anywhere and everywhere. With the right self defense load, it can be extremely potent and from what I have heard the recoil on the .40 is a bit more snappy or less comfortable than the 9mm. Technically shot placement will be more important than caliber anyway.

Shock & Awe · 06-20-2008, 10:22 AM

I also say go with the 9mm. Cheaper ammo means more practice. I have the 9sc and follow up shots are a breeze because of the light recoil. With the .40 the snappy recoil makes you reaquire your target after every shot making follow up shots much slower.

tjg4 · 06-20-2008, 10:27 AM

This is kind of what I was thinking. This has been very helpful thanks to all who have answered. Here is a question, Karolina mentions load. How is the sc rated for a +P or +P+ ammo?

Puppy · 06-20-2008, 10:27 AM

Didn't I just read that you can get barrels, (and I think different mags), which convert a .40 to a 9 mm? I seem to recall also that you can convert to a .45 the same way.

But you have to start with the .40. You can't turn a 9 into a .40, or so I seem to recall.

06-20-2008, 09:13 AM	#1
tjg4 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 508	Sub Compact 9 or .40 I know my signature says that I am getting the sub compact 9 next week, but really the only motivation for doing so is cost of ammo. Is this a bad judgement call? Can we discuss the pros and cons between the two calibers? I may get the .40 depending on the discussion here. __________________ Live for something, or die for nothing - Rambo Gun control is holding it with both hands! The only thing better than an XD is having TWO XD's. XD9 Sub Compact Black Beretta 92FS

06-20-2008, 09:36 AM	#3
XDONBOARD XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 3,493	I would suggest doing a search on the topic. Has been covered countless times. I have both. .40 is snappier, 9mm is cheaper. I trust my life with both. __________________ Michael XD-45 compact XD-40 sub-compact XD-9 sub-compact I'd rather have my XD and not need it, then need it and not have it.... I hereby certify that the person described hereon has been granted the privilege of carrying a concealed weapon in compliance with Arizona revised statute 13-3112.

06-20-2008, 09:48 AM	#4
tjg4 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 508	[quote=digitalexplr;1160971] Keep in mind the only weapon worth carrying is one that you can use reliably and hit what you are shooting at. A .22 short that hits it's target is more effective than a .44mag that misses. [quote] That's a really good point. Thanks!! __________________ Live for something, or die for nothing - Rambo Gun control is holding it with both hands! The only thing better than an XD is having TWO XD's. XD9 Sub Compact Black Beretta 92FS

06-20-2008, 09:54 AM	#5
nickb XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,082	Unless your target was a bear..... __________________ No PM sent..... But the average human can travel 21 feet in just one second.

06-20-2008, 10:15 AM	#6
jtaliani XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 266	I would go with the 9. While .40SCs are controllable, sight acquisition and follow up shots are typically quicker with a 9. When you pair that with higher capacity and cheaper ammo, it makes the 9 more appealing to most. You can't go wrong either way but that's my .02. __________________ http://mp-pistol.com/boards/ Nug is Gun spelled backwards.

06-20-2008, 10:21 AM	#7
KarolinaKid XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: TN (In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina...) Posts: 1,030	I'd go with the 9mm. Ammo is more affordable and is sold anywhere and everywhere. With the right self defense load, it can be extremely potent and from what I have heard the recoil on the .40 is a bit more snappy or less comfortable than the 9mm. Technically shot placement will be more important than caliber anyway. __________________ The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it. - Sir George Bernard Shaw

06-20-2008, 10:22 AM	#8
Shock & Awe XDTalk Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 35	I also say go with the 9mm. Cheaper ammo means more practice. I have the 9sc and follow up shots are a breeze because of the light recoil. With the .40 the snappy recoil makes you reaquire your target after every shot making follow up shots much slower.

06-20-2008, 10:27 AM	#9
tjg4 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 508	This is kind of what I was thinking. This has been very helpful thanks to all who have answered. Here is a question, Karolina mentions load. How is the sc rated for a +P or +P+ ammo? __________________ Live for something, or die for nothing - Rambo Gun control is holding it with both hands! The only thing better than an XD is having TWO XD's. XD9 Sub Compact Black Beretta 92FS

06-20-2008, 10:27 AM	#10
Puppy XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 341	Didn't I just read that you can get barrels, (and I think different mags), which convert a .40 to a 9 mm? I seem to recall also that you can convert to a .45 the same way. But you have to start with the .40. You can't turn a 9 into a .40, or so I seem to recall.

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