9mm OR 40 S&W ?????

[desertclassic]

From your Personal Experience, if you were obtaining a CCW, what would you get?

I have carried a Glock 26, Glock 42, Sig P938, and presently carry a Sig P238.

I am am looking for something that has more power than the 380 and more rounds.

There are a million things out there, and I have owned or still own some big handguns that are not feasible to daily carry.

I thank you you for your input. Jim

 

[rhino 2]

From your Personal Experience, if you were obtaining a CCW, what would you get?

I have carried a Glock 26, Glock 42, Sig P938, and presently carry a Sig P238.

I am am looking for something that has more power than the 380 and more rounds.

There are a million things out there, and I have owned or still own some big handguns that are not feasible to daily carry.

I thank you you for your input. Jim

Drag racers have a saying.....And it fits with guns [There are other fits but i'll leave that for the jungle]....;;;

There is no substitute for Cubic Inches....

 

[olddawg]

I have from a 22 to a gov.I carry most of time 9mm.Its small and better to carry.With that said It depends were im going in the truck Ill carry the gov.loaded with 410 and 45lc.

 

[MDO]

I have always told everyone I council that the best CCW is the 1 you have with you.

If you can not shoot it well or don't carry it, it's useless. I have carried a Sig P238 for 5 years, shoot it well & am comfortable with it. If you use the proper ammo, the .380 acp is acceptable, to me.

You have to find what you will carry, shoot well and are comfortable with. No one can answer that for you. You also need to practice alot. My wife & I take several pistols to the range, but practice with our CCW last.

 

[ol' school]

I have always told everyone I council that the best CCW is the 1 you have with you.

If you can not shoot it well or don't carry it, it's useless. I have carried a Sig P238 for 5 years, shoot it well & am comfortable with it. If you use the proper ammo, the .380 acp is acceptable, to me.

You have to find what you will carry, shoot well and are comfortable with. No one can answer that for you. You also need to practice alot. My wife & I take several pistols to the range, but practice with our CCW last.

Very good advice!

 

[TonkaDriver]

I am currently trying to decide between a S&W M&P Shield 45 ACP or a Springfield Armory XDS 45 ACP. Whichever one I chose will be outfitted with a Crimson Trace Laser Grip. I have one on my Glock 30 and love it.

Kurt

​

 

[RDinGA]

9MM M&P Shield in the summer

with 2 extra mags and every other round is a hollow point.

My wife carries a Taurus Spectrum, with the extended mag, chambered in .380 ACP again every other round a hollow point.

In the winter, when it gets cold enough in Georgia to require a jacket, I normally carry my old government issued Colt 1911, of course chambered in .45 ACP.

Both the Shield and the Colt are single stack so I always carry at least 2 extra mags with me. I may NEVER need them, but IF I do I have them!

 

[desertclassic]

Thanks for the comments. I have carried for a number of years and am very confident in what I carry.

I am looking at 2 hand guns. Sig 365, 9mm and Beretta Px4 Storm subcompact, 40 S&W. Anyone have these handguns and comments.

 

[Texan]

Have carried a Sig 229 for sometime now. .40 cal single stack, 1 in the pipe. Crimson laser grips. I carried a S&W 9mm for years but like, as somebody put it, the bigger cubic inches the better I feel.

Have been doing a lot of off hand practice at the club lately. Haven't got the muscle memory down yet but getting better. One of our members is an x-Seal and he's working with us once a week. Good training. The .40 is great for that in my opinion.

8~\o

 

[Barney Biker]

Sig P365 with me all the time.

Barney

 

[520fd]

I carry a Glock 23. 40 S&W. It's a mid size pistol. If you have a good holster, you will never feel it. I use a Milt Sparks IWB holster. Highly recommend it.

 

[TrainingWheels]

My understanding is that the FBI went to the 40 Cal some years ago. They then decided to switch to the 9mm. While the FBI used it, it became quite popular. (My wife and I each carried one.) Since the FBI dropped them, they have diminished in popularity. I know when I traded them (S&W's for Kimbers) the store wasn't giving much for 40 cal's because they were no longer as popular. Of course, we were trading at the time so who know's where the truth was:xzqxz: They are both great carry guns but I like the 9mm's better. Of course I'd better, I have 3 of them now

 

[desertclassic]

Thanks for all the insight, I finally picked up my new carry weapon. Sig 365xl, 12 round mag. Of everything that I put in my hand this was it, I tried everything and started weeding them out. When I get a few more rounds behind me, this will be my go to carry.

 

[CrystalPistol]

I've carried for over 40 years now, guess I always will now. Used to be a smaller revolver of .38 Spec. or .357 Mag as choice. Used a couple different Charter Arms 5 shot revolvers (.38 too) for off duty or BUGs then. From 1978 to 1988I carried a S&W Model 64 BB SS .38 Spec +P on duty. I still have my Ruger SP101 2.25 with bobbed hammer, SA only, .357 Mag (or .38s I rekon?) with spring kit & new sights, I like it. I used to carry it on my ankle as a BUG when on duty on midnights, etc. Heavy enough that recoil is some tamed. Also have a Colt .38 Det Special with +Ps from 1973 "nearby".

In 1988 I stopped carrying a revolver on duty, switched to a pistol, a Sig P226 in 9mm w 15X mags. Sweet. Retired carrying a Sig P229R in .357 Sig w 12X mags. I recently acquired a P320X Compact in 9mm with Romeo1 RDS & 15X mags too, if it had not the RDS, might would carry it, but then … I'm still learning this one.

For my carry, I generally use either the P229R DAK or P226 (have a lot of hours & rounds experience with both) but I have a Ruger LC9 9mm that fits really well in my right front jean pocket, I almost always have it even when in my basement or yard (before I had the LC9, I would carry the P226 or SP101 some place on me then, it was after taking a PT job after retirement from LE that I bought the LC9 to carry at work). My main carry guns have fresh night sights or tru-glos with tritium, the SP101 has big-dot front sight with tritium too.

Was a time we carried SS S&W 1076 10mms on duty, call it a long .40, … and I near hated that gun. A few years with my Sig P226 had ruined me by then.

If I could only choose to carry one, if I had to choose just one for all my carry, right now, it'd be my Sig P229R … and an extra mag in my pocket. My O-lite fits it too (though I don't keep it attached). It'd be cumbersome, but I'd manage much as I used to.

Anything else I have is in a safe place.

Should SHTF ... you'll be pleased to have even a .22 or .25 I think.

 

[desertclassic]

I've carried for over 40 years now, guess I always will now. Used to be a smaller revolver of .38 Spec. or .357 Mag as choice. Used a couple different Charter Arms 5 shot revolvers (.38 too) for off duty or BUGs then. From 1978 to 1988I carried a S&W Model 64 BB SS .38 Spec +P on duty. I still have my Ruger SP101 2.25 with bobbed hammer, SA only, .357 Mag (or .38s I rekon?) with spring kit & new sights, I like it. I used to carry it on my ankle as a BUG when on duty on midnights, etc. Heavy enough that recoil is some tamed. Also have a Colt .38 Det Special with +Ps from 1973 "nearby".

In 1988 I stopped carrying a revolver on duty, switched to a pistol, a Sig P226 in 9mm w 15X mags. Sweet. Retired carrying a Sig P229R in .357 Sig w 12X mags. I recently acquired a P320X Compact in 9mm with Romeo1 RDS & 15X mags too, if it had not the RDS, might would carry it, but then … I'm still learning this one.

For my carry, I generally use either the P229R DAK or P226 (have a lot of hours & rounds experience with both) but I have a Ruger LC9 9mm that fits really well in my right front jean pocket, I almost always have it even when in my basement or yard (before I had the LC9, I would carry the P226 or SP101 some place on me then, it was after taking a PT job after retirement from LE that I bought the LC9 to carry at work). My main carry guns have fresh night sights or tru-glos with tritium, the SP101 has big-dot front sight with tritium too.

Was a time we carried SS S&W 1076 10mms on duty, call it a long .40, … and I near hated that gun. A few years with my Sig P226 had ruined me by then.

If I could only choose to carry one, if I had to choose just one for all my carry, right now, it'd be my Sig P229R … and an extra mag in my pocket. My O-lite fits it too (though I don't keep it attached). It'd be cumbersome, but I'd manage much as I used to.

Anything else I have is in a safe place.

Should SHTF ... you'll be pleased to have even a .22 or .25 I think.

Thanks for the comments. I carried a 38 and m79 launcher when I was flying around in Vietnam, and the rest of my 40 yr career was a 45. I had a zillion different things for my personal use and agree that anything is better than nothing. I was looking for something with a little more push and rounds than the sig p238. That little weapon is always hidden well and dead on. After I get comfortable with the sig p365xl I will post + and - Be safe out there.

 

[consitter]

After many years of carrying larger calibers, in November I decided to go with 9mm. I bought both my wife and myself a Glock 43X that carries 10+1 for our personal carry locally.

3 days ago I bought a Glock 19X that holds 19+1 for travel purposes, as we will be on the road often.

The reason I did this is because I want to start training regularly, and training with any other carry caliber was just too expensive. Proof in the pudding...We’ve put about 1000 rounds through our weapons in the last 3 weeks.

And I’m having a blast (pun intended).

 

[Burnerboy]

I live just ten minutes away from the Smith & Wesson gun making company.... I used to work there, back in the early 80"s, making the barrels and triggers

(Aaaaa good memories :xzqxz

Until I want to plumbing school, and started studying, the heating/Air conditioning business....

Ronnie

 

[CrystalPistol]

… etc … and agree that anything is better than nothing … etc …

In 1982 they had a "World's Fair" in Knoxville, Tn. We were traveling to see the WF with another couple. I had a bad case of #2 and I had to go really bad and so we stopped at a rest area in the wee morning hours. Place was virtually deserted. I went into the men's room, no one else was in there, I selected a stall and entered it and latched it's door and got all arranged. I had a nickel plated Chart Arms 5 shot .38 Spec revolver that I removed from my side and laid in the crotch of my jeans.

Two or three fellows (I only ever saw two, but I thought I heard three voices) came into the rest room, yelling profanities, generally being butt-holes, and I could hear them kicking open what I thought must be "shut" stall doors. They kicked mine, it didn't open, they yelled threats, taunts, etc. and it seems to my recollection that they were short of beer money or something.

My right hand was securely holding the revolver's grip (for secure control) but the revolver was not pointed in their direction, and I kept my seat, and with my other hand I reached forward and unlatched the door. They kicked the door again, it opened just enough (I think it hit my foot maybe) that one saw the nickel of the revolver I guess and then he let out a shout, and they all skee-daddled. When I finished my business, I returned to the car, both wives were asleep and my buddy was reading a map, they never noticed the wanna be thugs.

One other time, I and my wife and a buddy & his GF were stopped in the parking lot of The Texas Inn in Lynchburg, about 1980 I guess. My wife had gone in to pick up a phoned in order, my buddy & his GF were in the back seat, we were in my '67 Chevelle SS 2dr ht. I wasn't wearing that holster & nickel CA 5 shot revolver, the holster was tucked into the seat beside me. Some guy walked over and opened the passenger door, I reached to secure that revolver, he saw it and quickly backed up and gently shut the car door as he apologized. I don't know if he mistook the car, intended harm or theft, or if he was just drunk, but he did a smooth job of backing out of a potentially bad deal.

So, I guess I owe that little Charter Arms 5 shot .38 .... a "Thank You" …. or two?.

 

[RedOregon]

...every other round is a hollow point.

Out of curiosity... why? Why would you want FMJ or anything else for self defense? Not being smartass at all, seriously trying to expand my thinking.

 

[CrystalPistol]

...every other round is a hollow point.

Out of curiosity... why? Why would you want FMJ or anything else for self defense?

True, but I also wondered why the "every other round" deal?

 

[desertclassic]

a comparison of my sig p238, 380 6 round mag and my sig p365XL, 9m 13 round mag. 238 is a lot easier to conceal, but the 365 has a lot more punch and doubles the amount of ammo.

So far very happy with the 365, I always loved the 238.

 

[Diablo]

My EDC is a 9mm...Either M&P Shield or a SCCY CPX...that said I own handguns from .22 LR (1), .32 (1), .380 (4), 9mm (3), and .45 (1)...Don't get me started on long guns :wink:

 

[Oldlog42]

Right now because of ammo my pick is 9MM

 

[Fearless]

May I offer my 2 cents first off if you plan to carry or do practice odd body position presentation of your weapon and be familiar with close up and personal. Be sure it hits where you point it if things are going south you have no time to aim. Practice one hand jam clearings in other words training. As for the caliber be it a 380 9mm or 40 or 45 use premium self defence Ammo and keep it fresh and keep your best friend clean and ready. And most of all I pray we all grow old and end up with a relative cleaning the holster dust out of the barrel when they inherit it.

I NEVER ever want one of those events to come to me but by all of my senses I can and will do my best to be the one interviewed after it. The other will be the one viewed in a box. And I carry a 9MM Kahr sweet little single stack carry piece. I have been known to carry a 45 XD 13rd. Mag in the Winter. We live just 2 miles off I-80 one of the largest drug trafficking highway's in our great nation. Carry always Be aware of your surroundings at all times if you know what I mean. Fred

 

[Sweeney]

True, but I also wondered why the "every other round" deal?

I can't speak to the intention of the original poster but having worked in a gun store for a number years I can say this with confidence, some people will alternate the type of .380 ammunition because the .380 HP doesn't provide as much penetration as the FMJ. The thought process is penetrate then expansion, penetrate, expansion, etc. etc.

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

My personal choice for every day carry is the S&W MP shield,reason being the second i held it in my hand it felt natural.And the 9 mm is a very common rd to get.Now i own two 1911's and i love to shoot them but not to carry,IMO opinion if you dont like the gun you wont shoot it as much.

 

[desertclassic]

I can't speak to the intention of the original poster but having worked in a gun store for a number years I can say this with confidence, some people will alternate the type of .380 ammunition because the .380 HP doesn't provide as much penetration as the FMJ. The thought process is penetrate then expansion, penetrate, expansion, etc. etc.

This is my post. I was debating what to upgrade my 380 carry to. I am a combat veteran and getting along in years and not as fast as I once was. I just want to make sure I have enough punch and enough rounds if I ever need to pull the weapon out for use. I love my sig p238, 380, dead on with instinct shooting and I usually practice 1 hand. I can hook that rear sight on anything and it is loaded or unjammed in 1 swift move. Just not enough rounds 7, but has a good punch.

I purchased a Sig p365xl, 9mm, 13 round is standard and I have purchased 15 round mags. I still haven’t made this my carry, I just need a little more time on the range. Everything here in NM is closed due to virus, all gun stores and ranges were listed as non essential by the governor.

 

[peteg59]

I carry a Colt Mustang Plus-II in .380, x7.

Very similar looking to your Sig P238, and capacity.

When I first got it I tried to load the mag FMJ, Hollow point, FMJ...but after the second mag through it, the gun started not liking the hollow point ammo for some reason. It loves the FMJ & so I let it have what it likes. The FMJ will undoubtedly stop someone, but won't have the same effect as the HP's on human flesh.

Not sure I'd really ever need more than 7 rounds during an incident, but every one is different in how they unfold and ultimately end.

Good luck with your new handgun, and hope you never need to use it in real life...:clapping:

 

[Sweeney]

I purchased a Sig p365xl, 9mm, 13 round is standard and I have purchased 15 round mags. I still haven’t made this my carry, I just need a little more time on the range. Everything here in NM is closed due to virus, all gun stores and ranges were listed as non essential by the governor.

I've been considering the P365...how do you like yours? Started carrying it full-time yet? FWIW - my daily carry is the Glock 42 and if I'm feeling fancy I carry my "We the People" P238. I don't carry it much as it's a collectors item (IMHO) and don't want it all scuffed up.

 

[seniorsgt]

My personal choice for every day carry is the S&W MP shield,reason being the second i held it in my hand it felt natural.And the 9 mm is a very common rd to get.Now i own two 1911's and i love to shoot them but not to carry,IMO opinion if you dont like the gun you wont shoot it as much.

Same here picked up the S&W M&P 2.0 in 40cal with the green lazer I new that was my new carry gun. When I shoot at my home range its the last gun I shot for a session. somedays I take a swift 100yd walk and then shoot. Trust me its a whole lot different with your pulse beating in your ears. shoot a lot or no matter what you wont be comfortable.