Full size or compact?

[el.dustino]

Man you guys are helpful, thanks for all the feedback!

Since I liked the feel of the full at the range the other day, the fact that I'll probably never conceal/carry, and will use it primarily at the range, I've decided on the full size.

Funny though, this conversation has me rethinking the whole 9mm vs .40.

=)

[el.dustino]

The only real reason to go compact is for carry. I'm in complete agreement.

If you're going to shoot a lot, the price of ammo for 9mm vs. 40S&W is pretty different. You could shoot about 30-40% more/yr of 9mm at the same cost. Shot placement is way more important than any concept of better round (and arguably, modern expanding 9mm and 40 are very similar). Just something to think about. A lot of people I think buy based on a false sense they're getting something much more powerful. .45acp is a step up from both, but both 9mm and 40 are a wash.

Really, they guy at Turner's told me a box of .40's are only a few dollars more. No?

[el.dustino]

Personally, I don't like 40sw, and would rather have a 9mm or 45acp caliber. Get the 40cal if you already have a few guns. But its preference.

Stainless slides usually looks good/better when compared to their blued-variants. IMO

USPc or P2000 if you have small/medium hands.

my $0.02

What is it you don't like about the .40 but do like about the 9mm?

[C_1]

Well..
1) The 40sw is, for lack of a better explanation, a little snappier. Follow up shots and every second/minute is crucial.
2) 9mm ammo is cheaper; so you get more range time for practice. Shot placement very important.
3) With good name brand 9mm JHPs, the performance is similar or good enough (40sw= slow & weak).
4) And if I wanted something a little bigger, I would go with a 45acp chambered pistol.

I suggest you get the 40cal if you already have a 9mm or 45acp. But its preference.

[Nose Nuggets]

i have a full size USP in 9mm and its FANTASTIC!

i even have one of these for it;

http://www.crossbreedholsters.com/beltslide.html

and they are all they are cracked up to be.

[dexter9659]

I am a big fan of the .40. Just remember to practice correctly and you can shoot anything with great accuracy. Speed comes with practice, not caliber; though I spose one could pull the trigger as fast as they can and hit everything but their target.

[aplinker]

Really, they guy at Turner's told me a box of .40's are only a few dollars more. No?

First off, for whatever reason, the Turner's drones always seem to tout the .40. It just doesn't make enough sense from a practical standpoint, IMHO. It's a very marginal step up from .40 (almost a wash statistically). It also has more snap (quick impulse recoil) vs. 9mm.

Yes, it's "only" a few dollars more per box. When a box of 100 9mm is $19 and .40 is $27... That means you can have a free range trip with your 9mm for every two you go on. How much do you plan on shooting?

Bottom line, I think the tiny margin of improvement with .40 is FAR more than overcome with the additional training that can be had because you get to shoot 50% more.

[dexter9659]

Yes, it's "only" a few dollars more per box. When a box of 100 9mm is $19 and .40 is $27... That means you can have a free range trip with your 9mm for every two you go on. How much do you plan on shooting?

Wow a box of .40 costs that much now?! Nuts to that. Get a 9mm and then with the money you save get a reloader.

[aplinker]

Wow a box of .40 costs that much now?! Nuts to that. Get a 9mm and then with the money you save get a reloader.

Sadly, yes... the spread has opened up, too.

Reloading is, of course, a great way to go.

I'm not a hater of the .40 by any stretch - I own .40 guns. I just feel for people who are only going to have one (or are starting their addiction) that the cost savings and being able to shoot a lot more far outweighs the tiny ballistic improvement. For whatever reason gun shop commandos always push people to .40. I suppose for the guy who buys a gun and 2 boxes of ammo - and that's it forever - it's just fine.

[Vin496]

Yes, it's "only" a few dollars more per box. When a box of 100 9mm is $19 and .40 is $27... That means you can have a free range trip with your 9mm for every two you go on. How much do you plan on shooting?

Bottom line, I think the tiny margin of improvement with .40 is FAR more than overcome with the additional training that can be had because you get to shoot 50% more.

People always use this as an example, that you can "practice" more with a 9mm, but this isn't a factor to everyone.

I personally like the .40 round more than 9mm, and the price difference is ammo cost makes 0 difference to me. Not being a snob, just it isn't a factor. I shoot just as much .40 as I would if I was using 9mm.

Time is more the factor for range usage as opposed to ammo count, to me.

Bottom line is get something your comfortable with and enjoy shooting and practice.