9mm or .40 S&W

sparky660 · #1 02-24-2009, 09:02 PM

I am going to enter the world of handguns and have decided that the Walther P99 is the one for me. Which would you recommend for ammunition availability? I am set up to reload so I will go that route but want to know what is more plentiful? Which is cheaper to reload? After doing some internet surfing I feel that the 9 mm is the way to go but want an educated/experienced opinion.

The Rog Man · #2 02-24-2009, 09:57 PM

I have a Walther P99 in .40 and I LOVE it !!!
I have a 9mm aswell but i find i get cramped fingers after reloading 9mm cases for awhile.
maybe it's just me but i find 9mm a pain too reload even though it is inexpensive..
Being as I have both my preference is the .40 over the 9.
thats my .02 cents werth.

Rockymtnx · #3 02-24-2009, 10:27 PM

A couple years ago I contemplated the same question. I shot both calibers and ended up going with the 40 S&W.
One of the main reasons was it has a little more bang over the 9mm. The 40 S&W is becoming a very popular with US law enforcements and local Canadian police forces.
I picked up a Sig Sauer P226R.

sparky660 · #4 02-24-2009, 10:49 PM

Who would you recommend to purchase the gun from? I have hear mostly good things about P&D but that is about it. Any others out there? I have a brother in Calgary so a dealer in the Calgary area is also an option.

Dick284 · #5 02-25-2009, 06:32 AM

Are you ever going to shoot competatively, like in IPSC?

If that even enters into the relm, the 40 S&W might be a better fit, as I understand it can make IPSC major power factor, while the 9mm, is pretty tough to drive into that relm.

#6 02-25-2009, 07:38 AM

Another big .40 fan here

Supermag · #7 02-25-2009, 10:35 AM

Do you frequent the Canadian Gunnutz board? Their buy and sell section is HUGE.

There is a guy on there out of Vernon that I bought my .40 Glock from. My buddy has bought 3 pistols from him. VERY good service, some great prices.

Here's what he has for your Walther.

Walther P99 QA
Stock #: 44-11E

Calibre: .40S&W
Capacity: 10

New in box.

Price: $1059 +tax / S&H

How about the Smith and Wesson? Smokin' hot price.

Smith & Wesson M&P40
Stock #: 38-3E

Calibre: .40S&W
Capacity: 10

New in box.

Price: $629 +tax / S&H

Call these guys and ask for Brandon.

Del Selins Gunsmith Ltd. 250-545-6413.

Redneckalbertan · #8 02-25-2009, 10:37 AM

Don't forget about the mighty .22LR. I can't think of anything cheeper to shoot and just as much fun as the center fire guns for plinking!

sparky660 · #9 02-26-2009, 07:56 PM

Thanks for all the help folks. You have made the decision very easy. After reading the responses and PM's I have decided on the .40 S&W.

Rockymtnx · #10 02-26-2009, 10:07 PM

You won't regret it.
Now just the fun of finding a gun you like.

sparky660 · #11 02-28-2009, 05:45 PM

I am going to go and see how they feel. I have shot a glock and it felt nice but have always been drawn to the P99 walther. I will have to get a feel for it before I decide.

Ice Fishing Maniac · #12 03-02-2009, 04:29 PM

I shoot a Sprinfield XD40 40SW. LOVE IT FITS like a glove in my hand. I shoot in our local IDPA group. Its a blast.

As for ammo, 9mm would be a bit cheaper but not by much.

sparky660 · #13 03-02-2009, 04:41 PM

I have big mits so something that fits Gorilla size mits would be nice. I see that the glock has 3 different inserts so when I go to get a feel for the gun I will have to try the other inserts. Is there a place other than Wild West gun range where someone can fire different guns? It would be nice if they carried both Walther and Glock. Not to much to ask hey??!!!

The Rog Man · #14 03-02-2009, 05:03 PM

Phoenix Range on the south side used too let people shoot their house guns.
Thats where i fired many many handguns before i decided what i wanted.
my Walther came with different size inserts for the backstrap for different size hands.

AB2506 · #15 03-02-2009, 09:44 PM

I've heard very good praise for the new Springfield Armory XDm. Some very nice upgrades over the regular XD.

Springfield advertises heavily in Shooting Times and there was some good write ups a few months ago.

The XDm has backstrap inserts also. Choice of three are supplied with gun.

sparky660 · #16 03-02-2009, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AB2506

I've heard very good praise for the new Springfield Armory XDm. Some very nice upgrades over the regular XD.

Springfield advertises heavily in Shooting Times and there was some good write ups a few months ago.

The XDm has backstrap inserts also. Choice of three are supplied with gun.

Thanks alot AB2506. I thought I had it narrowed down to 2 guns. Now there is a third in the mix. I am looking at the owners manual as I type this and that XDm is a sweet looking gun. Maybe I should buy them all and make life easy.

Matt L. · #17 03-02-2009, 10:58 PM

.45LC! But then I'm a wheel-gun fan. Seriously though, test-fire both and pick the one you like the best.

roadkill · #18 03-03-2009, 06:54 AM

For me, I kinda have a hankering for that CZ 75B in stainless. It's a 9.

And I like what I read on that new Taurus, the PT 845 in the March edition of Gun world. I think the looks are pure sex as well. I got another hankering on...

Then I read on a forum somewhere that that author'd write a glowing review of Taurus, no matter how crappy the guns, so now I'm not so sure.

EDIT: Whups. I just ran and checked, just in case (the model number 845 made me wonder), and yep. The Taurus is a 45. Sorry. It's been a while since I'd read the article.

Those XDms seem to get good press in magazines and on forums, so one of those sounds like a good buy... if it's comfy to fire.

Accubond · #19 03-04-2009, 12:40 PM

The Shooting Edge has many rental guns to try. The ones that last are Glock, Sig and Kimber. The Taurus, XD and Beretta do not fair that well. They get 3 to 6 months out of them. (many thousands of rounds though!) If you can afford it, Sig P226 in .40 is probably the best choice available (they have it as a rental) Glocks flip hard in the hand due to lightweight frame. Since you will only carry this in a hard locked case from home to the range, being lightweight does not factor in. Try combatmasters.ca for ammo.

glockguy · #20 06-15-2009, 01:24 PM

After spending a ton of time at TSE, I went with the Glock 22. Amazing gun straight outta the box.

Since then I have/am adding a trigger job, Trijicon sights, new springs and a new guide rod.

Didn't really need all the upgrades, but what the hell!

As for .40 cal goes. I just did a bulk buy of 8000 rounds from BDX. If anybody wants to get in on some, send me an email with how much you are looking at.

I gaurantee it will be less expensive than anything else you can buy.

We are also going to be doing bulk buys on 9mm and 3" 12ga.

I will keep posted about this!