Upsides, down sides-

9mm uses a smaller, higher velecity bullet than the .40, but in terms of kientic energy applied to the target, the differences are small BUT statistically detectable. With expanding bullets of modern design, the playing field is leveled somewhat, but the .40 is still a better "stopper".

On the other hand, .40 is more expensive, harder to find, and more boisterous. You can buy more training ammo for 9mm. Which means you are going to be more confident to hit your target every time. Accessories that are picky about caliber, like magazines, are also more readily available, but there are few that are bore-specific between the two.

Personally, I think "stopping power" is about the most over blown thing in the world. In a defensive situation, I'm more concerned with putting the bullet where it needs to be to turn them off, RIGHT NOW!! I'd pick the 9mm just becuase I can get more bang for my training dollar.

But that is also from someone who used to break 13 necco wafers per magazine with his Hi-Power at the distance of the bedroom. On the range of course. :P

This one is a very hot topic for most handgun users.
First let me clarify that I'm a Glock user, used to EDC a G17 and a G26 as back up. Relied on them during two gunfights in 97 and 00. The main reason why I use Glock is because they work for me, I don't even like their aesthetics or finishing, but they are a fine tool. With this I'm telling that even though I'm a heavy user I'm not a Glock maniac.
Talking about the 40, I still have several reserves with this caliber. It pushed most of the pistols to it's limits, remember that a great majority of the 40 caliber pistols are built on 9mm platforms, and the pressure generated by the 40 is huge. Also I have witness, not been told, at least five incidents with Glock pistols chambered for the 40S&W round.
So my suggestion, if it worth for anything is to keep with 9mm or 45acp and also consider other handguns, the world does not begin and ends with Glock. Again, nothing against them, just being realistic.
Regards

Vince - I handload as well. I was in no way saying using handloads were illegal, or that there was legal precedent. What I was saying was that there would "likely" be problems in court. It just adds ammunition (pun intended) to anti-gun lawyers, whether they be defense or prosecution. Remember, I live in MA, not UT. The anti-gun climate here is much different. That climate was the sole basis of my statement. For crying out loud, someone here was just charged with possession of a crossbow, which turned out to be a standard compund bow. You may not be convicted for someone else's stupidity, but it just might cause you problems.

When I took my CCW class (in Utah), the instructor addressed this specifically. He said that if the situation comes up where you have to defend yourself, you should first call the police and then call your attorney because you will be sued. If you killed the threat, he'll immediately have all kinds of shirttail relatives looking to make a buck at your expense for unjustly killing their innocent relative. If you do not kill him, he'll have ambulance chasers lining up to sue you.

The instructor pointed out that an attorney will take the approach that "you made these bullets and loaded these cartridges specifically to kill this man," using it to try to make a case for premeditation.

Also, if a factory load over penetrates and harms an innocent bystander, the ammo company can come in and take some of that liability. If your handload does the same, guess you get all the liability.

I handload, but I went down to Gallenson's and bought a couple boxes of factory self defense ammo. I fired one box to make sure my gun likes it, I use the other box for CCW, and I used to use my handloads for practice (but I can now buy ammo so cheap that I do little reloading for my 9mm anymore).

Again, I don't think there is anything illegal about using handloads for CCW, but in the unfortunate event that you actually have to defend yourself, seems like there is much more protection and legal wiggle room if you use factory ammo.

Fair enough, what might be legal in one locale could well cause problems in another. But what I am looking for is an actual case where it has happened. We all know that anyone, anywhere , is capable of being sued for anything. It is a risk we run by merely walking out the door. I simply think that, absent an actual case, we are on pretty firm ground using legal handloads no matter where we live. Of course, that could change tomorrow, so I understand your reluctance to use them. To each his own.

Your point about reliability is well taken--it pays to be careful. I have honestly had the same amount of feeding problems with my own stuff as I have had with store-bought ammo--practically zero (unless you count .22 LR which I obviously don't reload.) I agree that if you are not going to pay attention to detail while loading you are far better off using factory stuff.

Regards, Vince

"You may laugh, boy...just don't come crying to me when you fill a druggie full of nines and he just walks up and breaks your [wimpy] little Glock over your head!"

With two placed in the heart and one in the head he is not going to notice the difference between 9mm or .40

Problem is that druggies have no heart and no brain. If they had a brain they would have not started doing that crap. And if they had a heart they wouldnt do it to their families.

I like that!!

There is a drug boat harboured in the Rhine near me. It helps people beat or cope with their habit. Seeing these people on the streets (they are allowed off during the daytime) its shocking to see how devastating drugs are to these otherwise very normal people.

Massad Ayoob used to have a case he mentioned, don't remember the details any more. Google him, you should find his website. He'd know if anyone would- he makes his living now from being an expert witness in court as he does from training these days.

I think it may have been Ayoob who first came out with the warning, but I think I first encountered it a few years ago in Jan Libourel's column in Guns and Ammo. But I don't recall either man ever citing a specific case. I just went to http://www.ayoob.com/ and all I can find there is merchandise, books, and seminars.

When I hike I carry my 29-8 Mountain Gun featuring my own cast RCBS 250 grain Keith bullet. Let Mr. Prosecutor make of that what he wants. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Regards, Vince