9mm or .40 caliber?

2505 Views 17 Replies 12 Participants Last post by Snake-eater 1, Dec 30, 2004

Paladin

Discussion Starter · Dec 29, 2004

Tomorrow I'm heading out to buy a new XD Service bi-tone with the promotional package of 3 high cap mags and the holster. I've held both and they feel damned good in my hand. The question is, what caliber?

This will be my first handgun purchase. I want to use it for target shooting and IDPA/USPSA competitions. I'm not interested in being a super level competitor or gamer but do want a gun that will work well in the stock/production classes for me.

Other primary goals are:

1. Having fun! I want something that isn't going to be a PITA every time I fire it.
2. Reliable, consistent performance.
3. Reasonable cost for ammo. For me, both of these qualify although the 9mm is about 20% less expensive. I'm not interested in reloading at this point in time.
4. It would be great if it could be used in the higer competition classes should I desire.
5. "Stopping power" is not much of an issue for me. I hope to God I never need to use it for self defense but if I do, I believe a quality JHP in either caliber will work fine.

I've been able to rent similar sized Glocks in both calibers (G17 and G23). I really haven't noticed much difference in either recoil or muzzle flip.

You folks have a wealth of knowledge. What are your receommendations?

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Forsaken

· #2 · Dec 29, 2004

Paladin said:
Tomorrow I'm heading out to buy a new XD Service bi-tone with the promotional package of 3 high cap mags and the holster. I've held both and they feel damned good in my hand. The question is, what caliber?

This will be my first handgun purchase. I want to use it for target shooting and IDPA/USPSA competitions. I'm not interested in being a super level competitor or gamer but do want a gun that will work well in the stock/production classes for me.

Other primary goals are:

1. Having fun! I want something that isn't going to be a PITA every time I fire it.
2. Reliable, consistent performance.
3. Reasonable cost for ammo. For me, both of these qualify although the 9mm is about 20% less expensive. I'm not interested in reloading at this point in time.
4. It would be great if it could be used in the higer competition classes should I desire.
5. "Stopping power" is not much of an issue for me. I hope to God I never need to use it for self defense but if I do, I believe a quality JHP in either caliber will work fine.

I've been able to rent similar sized Glocks in both calibers (G17 and G23). I really haven't noticed much difference in either recoil or muzzle flip.

You folks have a wealth of knowledge. What are your receommendations?

IMO buy the 9 it's cheeper to shoot and more simple to control plus allot of people say a 9 is more accurate then a 40 and I would be one of them

KoG

· #3 · Dec 29, 2004

Forsaken said:
IMO buy the 9 it's cheeper to shoot and more simple to control plus allot of people say a 9 is more accurate then a 40 and I would be one of them

On the other side you can buy the .40 and get a 357 and/or 9mm conversion barrel. If you jsut want the one caliber, the 9 should be your best bet.

dmcblaster

· #4 · Dec 29, 2004

How much are those conversion barrels? A guy at my local gun shop said it would prob cost damn near as much as a new gun. I dont see why it would though.

Paladin

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 29, 2004

I've checked on the conversion barrels and found three that range from $150 to $200. This is an advantage for the 40 but not one that I am likely to use.

rotnguns

· #6 · Dec 29, 2004

I chose the Bi-tone and the Tactical XD's both in 9 mm because I like to shoot alot and 9mm ammo is much cheaper and easier to find. I reload too, but when I can buy 100 rounds of winchester white box for 10.96 at Walmart, it's not worth my time to try and beat that price by handloading. I'm sure you will enjoy your XD, in 9 or in 40!

TCD

· #7 · Dec 29, 2004

I'd look at the 9mm then....

I have a .40 and I'm glad I got it, but I'd like to get a 9mm in the future

f4tweet

· #8 · Dec 29, 2004

When I re-entered pistol shooting in 1991 after a 20 year absense, I chose a 9mm. I would do the same again, and I would recommend it to you.

Brickboy240

· #9 · Dec 29, 2004

You'd probably do better with the 9mm version. I bought mine in 40SW. Why? Because I owned nothing in 40SW and over time, it looks to be that the 40SW is here to stay and the bugs are being worked out of it. Also, at the time, it was ten rounds, period and I'd rahter have 10rds of 40SW than 9mm for defensive purposes, which is what I mainly bought the pistol for.

I already own one hell of a 9mm in my Belgian Hi-Power, so if I am wanting to shoot cheap and accurate, Ill grab it. Sorry, but no XD is going to out-shoot my lightly modded Belgian Beauty on a good or bad day - it has a trigger similar to a good 1911!

That said, the XD-40 is a quality piece and fairly accurate and very reliable...I like it. The 40SW recoil does not bother me, because I come from shooting my two 1911s in 45acp mostly and the 40 seems only slightly more of a kicker than the 9mm. I'll bet the 9mm XDs are very pleasant to shoot.

-brickboy240

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C.H.Luke

· #10 · Dec 29, 2004

Haven't checked the fine print in the IDPA rule book but a .40 with a 9mm bbl. is probably going to be "illeagal".

If you don't get the conv. bbl. go with the 9mm for economy, not reloading and most of the 9mm guys at last few IDPA Champ. used Winchester "White Box" 9.

Paladin

Discussion Starter · #11 · Dec 29, 2004

Thanks folks. Based on your input, which mirrored my own internal debate, I pick up my new XD-9 bi-tone on Tuesday (had to order it.) I'm looking forward to joining the XD ranks!

mullanman

· #12 · Dec 29, 2004

As you a new shooter, go with the 9mm. AS your skills progress, youmay want to check out other firearm platforms and calibers.

9mm is cheap, WWB makes Power factor for IDPA (ESP) and is fine for production in USPSA. The 9 is easier to control than the .40. Don't do anything to the gun initially, get used to it and maybe after 10K rounds you can start experimenting with different sights, grip tapes, barrels, guide rods, etc. The XD out of the box is better than the Glock, I think anyway.

Check out www.brianenos.com for shooting tips and instruction.

Get a good belt and holster + mag carriers. Wilderness tactical belt or the like. Holsters, Search this sight for feedback, plenty of info.

Start with DRY fire practice, NO ammo or mags anywhere close to you....Get used to drawing the gun and focusing on the sites and the Point of Aim. Dry fire for 15-20 minutes a day. Soon your draw with be reflexive and quick.

My 0.2$$$

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Paladin

Discussion Starter · #13 · Dec 29, 2004

BTW, the out-the-door price including 6% sales tax for the whole package was $525

Snake-eater 1

· #14 · Dec 29, 2004

C.H.Luke said:
Haven't checked the fine print in the IDPA rule book but a .40 with a 9mm bbl. is probably going to be "illeagal".

.

Nope, it's perfectly fine. With a Glock, if you put a .357 barrel in a G22 (.40 S&W), it would be moved from SSP to ESP. However, any XD is already in ESP, so it wouldn't matter. Anyway, caliber conversions are acceptable in IDPA.

C.H.Luke

· #15 · Dec 30, 2004

"Heavy barrels and/or barrel sleeves (factory or aftermarket)"

A moot point perhaps but it could be argued that a conversion bbl. falls under the "heavy bbl." clause.

snertley

· #16 · Dec 30, 2004

No one would ever know, besides the heavy barrel rule is intended to keep people from putting heavy bull barrels in their 1911's and running them without the barrel bushing. :? The conversion would not be any larger diameter than the stock .40 barrel.

C.H.Luke

· #17 · Dec 30, 2004

"The conversion would not be any larger diameter than the stock .40 barrel."

That's just it isn't it?

Bbl. would be thicker with a 9mm bore therefore heavier.

Snake-eater 1

· #18 · Dec 30, 2004

C.H.Luke said:
"The conversion would not be any larger diameter than the stock .40 barrel."

That's just it isn't it?

Bbl. would be thicker with a 9mm bore therefore heavier.

The OUTSIDE diameter is the same, that's what's important in this case.

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