9mm vs .40 vs .45 | Which Is Better For Self Defense?
Since time immemorial, the debate for the greatest defense caliber has never rested.
Up until now, the argument doesn't yield any consensus or conclusion.
Gun enthusiasts all over the world have varying opinions regarding this matter. Of course, each of
them has their own picks based on their analysis, preferences, and even personal experience.
But for those who haven't settled yet on which side to take, this video is for you.
Hello everyone. This is Bodhi from Click Clack. And today, we will be talking about
the 9mm Parabellum and the .40 Smith & Wesson, and which of them is a better choice for self-defense.
Before we start, make sure that you hit the like and subscribe buttons. It helps the channel a lot.
Now, let's get back to the video! Let's Start Some History Lessons
Now, many believe that the .40 S&W was created for the Federal Bureau of Investigation due to
the 1986 Miami shootout incident that involved a failed 9mm. However, it was not actually a 9mm
pistol that got botched during that time. Instead, it was a .38 Special revolver.
There were a lot of things that happened during the shootout. But in the aftermath,
the FBI decided that it should replace its revolvers with semi-automatic pistols. After all,
these pistols provide more rounds and offer more convenient reloads.
And since they were planning to replace their weapons, the FBI deemed that it was
a good idea to see new, alternative rounds. The 9mm caliber was one of
their first options, and they have included the hand-loaded 10mm ammo in their tests.
To cut the long story short, the FBI deemed that it wanted a 10mm round
for its sidearms. But at the same time, it desired a gun that had a slow muzzle
velocity as compared to standard ammunition. Because of this, the FBI contracted the ever
venerable Smith & Wesson to manufacture one for them. Of course, the product is the .40 S&W.
The FBI seemed to love the .40 S&W, as it used it for approximately 30 years.
It was only replaced by the 9mm in 2015. Now, To The Main Meat: 9MM vs. .40 S&W
In this analysis, many shooters would analyze the muzzle energy and terminal ballistics of each of
the calibers. You can see fluttering arguments, especially if you head to various gun forums.
Interestingly enough, a defensive and firearms instructor in a police department in Ohio had
analyzed the capabilities of the 9MM and .40 S&W rounds in real-world applications.
Here are the key takeaways:
It took roughly 2.45 9mm rounds to incapacitate a target.
It took a roughly 2.36 .40 S&W round to incapacitate a target.
Based on these results, many believe that it is a win for the .40 S&W. Honestly,
it wasn't that straightforward. After all, one should keep in
mind that there is no such thing as 2.45 or 2.36 bullets. It is always 1, 2, 3,
and so forth. Hence, you would need to round these numbers to the closest whole bullet.
And that means that both the 9mm and .40 S&W rounds will require
an average of 3 shots to incapacitate targets.
As a matter of fact, gun expert Greg Ellifritz suggested that the
difference in the incapacitating capacity of both of these pistol
rounds is already negligible. They can take down targets, especially if aimed properly.
But how about knockdown power? Well, I don't care if you get mad at me. But realistically speaking,
there's no such thing as knockdown power when it comes to handguns. That's the truth.
Fortunately, there's the Third Law of Motion of Newton. Specifically,
if you fire a gun with a bullet that has sufficient energy to tackle a person,
the resulting recoil will have enough strength to knock your targets. That's
the long explanation for the adage "for every action, there's an equal opposite reaction."
If you want to experience exceptional terminal performance, just use a rifle instead!
Kidding aside, there are factors that you need to check to decide which caliber is
best for self-defense. First One Is The Cost
The most common notion today is that shot placement is more significant
than the type caliber you use. Of course, this doesn't mean that the caliber is no
longer a deciding factor. After all, small rounds can't penetrate bones and armors.
Furthermore, such a misconception will make you believe that a BB gun is as good as a full-size
pistol as long as you hit your target in the right place. Now, does that make sense to you?
Calibers do matter. Always keep that in mind. But at the same time,
it should have equal importance as shot placement. After all,
a high-quality caliber is pretty much useless if you can't hit your target.
Here, shot placement isn't the one that shooters should worship. It is the firearm proficiency,
instead. In short, you have to practice your aim. And here,
the cost of the ammo will play a huge role.
A 9mm round costs roughly 14 cents. A .40 S&W round is about 19 cents per round.
The difference is pretty minuscule, right? It is just 5 cents. However,
the difference would eventually add up, especially if you are planning to get thousands of rounds.
You will need to pay at least $80 more for your ammo if you are using a .40 caliber.
In the aspect of cost-efficiency, it is undeniable that the 9mm gives more bang to your bucks.
You can train more without spending big. And eventually, your training will eventually improve
your accuracy and shot placement. Next Is Recoil
Keep in mind that one of the most notable aspects of a .40 S&W handgun is its recoil.
Since this particular handgun is just a compact model of the 10mm, it is a given that it has a
high breach pressure. Its breach pressure is way higher than the 9mm and .45 ACP.
It is also a heavy round, so it is natural that you feel more recoil with the .40 S&W.
However, I need to emphasize that high-pressure rounds generate a snappy recoil impulse. This
nuance is uncomfortable to many shooters. And if you are in a situation where only
one hand is available, the .40 S&W can be difficult to shoot.
Of course, you can always train your shooting skills to cope with these disadvantages. I
know some guys that can easily handle the brute force that comes with the .40 S&W.
But then again, the effort you spend training with a .40 S&W would generate
more optimal and fruitful results if you just train with a 9mm instead. After all,
the recoil and handling of 9mm are way more convenient than the .40 S&W. If you put the
same number of rounds and hours in training, you will get more speed and precision with
a 9mm. You have more control over the gun, and you don't have to worry about recoils, as well.
Furthermore, a number of gun makers utilize similar frames on their .40 S&W and 9mm. Here,
you can expect longevity problems, as 9mm frames
aren't built to handle the recoil energy that is released by a .40 caliber round.
Needless to say, 9mm pistols are more long-lasting than their .40 S&W counterparts.
Of Course, Let's Not Forget About The Magazine Capacity
Whether it is for self-defense or not,
having more rounds in the mag is way better than having it short.
Surely enough, we need to take self-defense into context. In times when you need to defend
yourself, reloading is almost impossible. Real-life shooting isn't like your typical
action movies. Each round matters. And an extra bullet can save you from danger.
With a higher magazine capacity, the need for you to reload is reduced.
Interestingly, 9mm handguns can hold more rounds than .40 S&W pistols,
assuming that both of them have the same size. Hence, in any situation,
a 9mm handgun gives you more opportunity to shoot than its .40 S&W counterpart.
The Winner Now, many of you
would defend the .40 caliber, despite the facts that I've listed here. That's alright. I am not
here to thrash the .40 S&W. In fact, the .40 is still an excellent round for self-defense.
For instance, if you have trained with a. 40 pistols,
then there's no need for you to make a switch. Despite its recoil,
the gun has enough power to deal with threats. If you are already decided to go with the .40 S&W,
then do so. Your comfort and personal preferences do matter, as well.
In the meantime, the 9mm round is a better choice if you mind the cost and accuracy of your shots.
It is a superior self-defense weapon since it also provides you with more bullets to shoot!
And that completes our list. If you want to see more informative videos like this,
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