Originally Posted by DC2.2GSR
(Post 1898328)
I know we're like two pages past it by this point, but just a note about caliber choice...
All defensive handgun calibers will kill people. With modern designs the diameter of the bullet isn't as important, but it still plays a huge factor in how much damage you're going to do to soft tissue. With that said, there's nothing out there that has "stopping power" and nothing will stop someone in one shot unless they mentally submit (sometimes involuntarily) or unless you disrupt their CNS.
.40S&W is not weak by any means and is not a lesser alternative that anyone has chosen because they can't handle a .45ACP or whatever. .40 is a caliber that people choose when they want a definite performance gain over 9mm, but when the particular gun they've chosen is not offered in .45ACP. 9/40 guns are almost always on one frame and .45s are on a totally different one, usually a larger one.
With M&Ps as an example (but it still applies to most other model lines as well) when someone is choosing between a 9C and a 40C and a 45C, they're all considered by S&W to be "compacts", but the 45C is a 4" barrel model with a wider overall width and a taller grip, but the 9C, the 40C and even the 357C are all 3.5" barrel guns with a much smaller grip. They are the identical guns aside from the barrels and the magazines. When someone has decided that the smaller gun is the one they want, there are only three calibers offered. The .45ACP is not even an option.
I'm assuming we all know the generally accepted recommendations for all around best performing loads of each caliber (124 gr. +P 9mm - 165 gr. .40S&W). In 9mm, with any bullet design or load, you get a smaller bullet and substantially less muzzle energy (the mythical "stopping power"), but you get two extra rounds to carry along (12+1 in the compact). In .40S&W you get a larger bullet and substantially more muzzle energy than the 9mm, and with equal muzzle velocity, and you only sacrifice two rounds (10+1 for the 40C) due to the size of the round. Now, throw in the fact that some guns aren't rated for use with +P ammunition and the gap between the performance of 9mm and .40 becomes even greater because you have to use a standard load.
As for the .357Sig, well that's an obvious clear winner in terms of muzzle velocity and energy, but you have a smaller diameter bullet. Smaller hole and less contact with soft tissue is offset by the fact that it delivers a bigger punch. The problem with .357Sig though is price and availability. First, not every manufacturer offers a gun with it as an option. Next you have to consider availability. I have never seen a single box of .357Sig in a Walmart and I've only once seen a handful of boxes at Cabelas. In fact, not too long ago I posted in this thread about seeing my first box ever 'in the wild'. I know some of you buy online or wherever and say not to buy at Walmart, etc. but the WM shelves are a good indicator of what's available elsewhere. Right now there are (as of 2 hrs. ago) at least 2500 rounds of .40S&W on the shelf at the Walmart down the road. 9mm is down around 500 rounds and there were only two 50rd boxes of .45ACP. It's more plentiful than any other caliber and I believe it's because so many law enforcement agencies have totally abandoned 9mm in favor of .40S&W so the production has been ramped up. You could say it's because no one wants it because of whatever reason, but regardless - it's there for me to buy. When you do eventually find .357Sig it's significantly higher priced than anything else on the shelf.
.40S&W is now easier to find than any other caliber (especially .357Sig), offers greater performance than the 9mm, offers a good compromise in price between 9mm and .357Sig, and is the largest round available in smaller framed guns. Why not choose the round that offers the best of each aspect?
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