Deciding between two carry options

I have two handguns of similar quality. Both of which I have tried and found reliable one is a full size .40 S&W the other a compact 9mm. Both hold 12 rounds and I will either be carrying WWB 147 grain 9mm JHPs or Remington 180 grain 40 S&W JHPs.

Both weapons are DA/SA the 9 is lighter and somewhat more concealable and the 40 is nominally more accurate. Recoil is comparable between the two th e.40 is a steel framed gun that absorbs recoil and the 9 doesn't have any to speak of

I don’t see a huge difference between the two am I missing something obvious?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Treo

I have two handguns of similar quality. Both of which I have tried and found reliable one is a full size .40 S&W the other a compact 9mm. Both hold 12 rounds and I will either be carrying WWB 147 grain 9mm JHPs or Remington 180 grain 40 S&W JHPs.

Both weapons are DA/SA the 9 is lighter and somewhat more concealable and the 40 is nominally more accurate. Recoil is comparable between the two th e.40 is a steel framed gun that absorbs recoil and the 9 doesn't have any to speak of

I don’t see a huge difference between the two am I missing something obvious?

---

The difference sounds like size and weight.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by C hawk Glock

The difference sounds like size and weight.

---

Pretty much I just didn't want to give up a nominal advantage for a lighter gun and the 9 is lighter. The 40 is a brick. I'll list make and model later in the thread but I wanted responses that were unbiased by a preference for one brand over the other.

I would prefer the bigger holes, but it probably doesn't matter much.
Lighter and more concealable can be a bit nicer.

I almost always choose the gun that is lighter and thinner. I'm in the camp that shot placement is more important than caliber.

I would choose the 40 S&W. No question.

I can put more round on target faster with 9mm then I can with 40 so I personally would go with the 9mm.

Bigger holes more accurately? .40.

Can you place follow up shots as well with the .40 as well as the 9mm?

40 S&W

I should go for the 9mm.

I would go with the .40 cal.

If the size/weight every makes enough difference that you're not as inclinded to carry then go for the 9, but as long as you're fine carrying the .40 then I'd do it for no other reason than the better caliber. My opinion assumes that you can shoot one just as well as the other. Only you can answer that one. I would have thought that the 9 would be easier to shoot well and easier to carry conceal but it's all how it adds up for you.

I suspect you know what your gut is already telling you! :image035:
Gideon

9mm.

FWIW the 40 is a CZ75B and the 9 is a S&W 6906. I fire both equally well and, as stated earlier they both hold 12 rounds so I'm not giving up any rounds. I'm tending toward the Smith because it's lighter and easier to carry.

I'd carry the 40 if I could conceal it well, and the 9 as a backup if I could conceal it also. If I could only carry one, it would be the 40.

I've carried a 6906 before, but I ended up going with the XD 45, which isn't too far from your scenario since the 45 holds 13.

But I do like the 6906. It fits in the front pocket of some of my shorts, plus I've got some 15-round mags with spacers which are barely bigger than the original 12-rd mags.

Still, I like bigger calibers if everything else is equal.