40 S&W vs 45 ACP

[N6ATF]

If you decide Sig isn't the only possible manufacturer for you and take 8200rpm's suggestion...

RENT a Glock (or any other gun you want) first at a range that properly maintains its rental stock. If you don't absolutely hate it and shoot like crap like I did, then you can put it into your consideration pool. I got a used H&K USP .45 for $566 and while it is also a polymer gun, I love it.

[aplinker]

I would recommend 9mm over .40. With Sigs you'll be limited to single-stack (8 rounds) with .45 and 10rds with .40 and 9mm. 9mm is cheaper and the incremental increase in "stopping power" is, of course, overcome by training.

As has been suggested, .40 is a snappier recoil. I actually very much prefer the feel of .45 to .40 -- I feel it's much easier to shoot lots of .45 than .40, and 9mm more than either of those. I'm accustomed to shooting .460S&W, so I'm used to severe recoil, but I feel less recoil is better, especially if you're older and less acclimated to handling it.

Although, with a Sig p226 or p229 in .40 you can get a replacement barrel for 9mm and/or .357Sig and shoot all 3 out of the same gun (you'll need a 9mm mag for 9mm, too... .357Sig uses the same as .40)

I like the feel and balance of the P229 (P228 maybe even slightly better, if you can find a ppt).

[CSDGuy]

I have both .40 S&W and .45 ACP handguns. I like both calibers. My advice is simple: Go to a range that rents both and try both in as many platforms as you can. Personally, I also like shooting .45 ACP +P. Kind of feels like an upsized .40 S&W.

In my case, I'm not that recoil sensitive. Pretty much anything under .44 Mag won't bother me too much. I've shot several different calibers in several different platforms. Two of my favorites so far is the GLOCK 23 and the Sig P229. I'm also quite partial to the 1911 types. A Sig P226 or P229, Beretta 92F (with good magazines), or GLOCK 17/19 in 9mm would also be cool with me.

Try a bunch of different handguns and see what YOU like. However, if you're going to stick with Sigs, a P226 or P229 in a .40 S&W setup allows you some options. You can get conversion barrels and some 9mm mags and essentially you'd be getting 2 more guns for the price of less than half the cost of one new pistol.

As to the cost of ammo, recoil and such, 9mm and .40 S&W will be a little less than .45 ACP. In the same basic platform, a .40 will have a somewhat snappier recoil. 9mm kind of pops like a more powerful .22. The .45 recoil is more like a steady shove. None of them, to me, are uncomfortable to shoot.
So... Go try some handguns out and make up your own mind!

[The SoCal Gunner]

Depending on how elderly you are, I would also recommend a 9mm or at most a .40s&w.

9mm is much cheaper to shoot and will be easier on the hands. Recoil is less than the other options so you will be back on target much quicker. Buy some quality self-defense ammo and you have a gun that is lighter to carry and easier to shoot.

But from the 2 you listed, I'd go .40s&w even though the majority of my guns are in .45acp. I am able to shoot much longer with the .40s&w and my hands don't get shaky after a prolonged shooting session. This is from a guy who was just old enough to begin buying handguns only a few years ago.

Either way, you should definitely get enough shooting time in with the gun you choose to use for self-defense.

[RideIcon]

45>9>40