9mm vs 40 for the girlfriend??

Mark1911

Mark1911

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How's it going all you handguns shooters out there!?

I've got a question for yah...my girlfriend has been shooting her 22 pistol for a couple of years and now its time for her to step up to center fire. We've decided on the Springfied Armories XD for her but we can't pick a caliber. I want to keep the recoil down and as managable as possable for her.

So ...should I go with the 9mm or the 40 cal. I don't own a pistol in either caliber but I've heard that the 40 is actually easier to shoot then 9mm because it isn't as snapy...what do you think? If there are any women in the crowd your opions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks everyone!
 
I've not fired an XD but I find it hard to imagine that any .40 would be less snappy than a 9mm. I will say that there is a difference between .45 and 9mm in terms of "snappiness", with the 9 being the snappier of the two. Go for the 9mm--it'll be cheaper on ammo, too!
 
My sis loves the 9mm 'cause its snappy, I can hit stuff and it holds 10rds'. The GF likes my Colt .45 'cause it puts big ass holes in stuff'...

Neither has tried a 40 but it seems like the best of both worlds.
 
Some people claim ( me included ) .40 is less snappy than 9mm when downloaded to the same PF. If you are shooting factory ammo though, 9mm will definetly be easier for her to shoot than .40.

Dave
 
My girls like their 9mm Baby Eagle better than my 1911 in 40S&W, even when the 40 is loaded down. The 9mm may be a little "snappier" but they find it easier to hang on to it. I also load down some 9mm and they are really pussycat loads.

Remember both the 9mm and 40 are high pressure cartridges. The 45ACP is a low pressure cartridge and hence, less snappy, more pushy.

If you are not going to handload the 40 down, then definately the 9mm.
 
My girlfriend loves shooting the downloaded 40SW I use in my G22 in the Kimber or STI single stack 1911s - much easier for her to shoot instead of 9mm out of a G17.
 
My Girlfriend is 106 pounds 5'5" and she is shooting IPSC Major loads in her XD, and shooting it very well. It's her first handgun and she has had it only a few weeks but is already getting lots of A's and rarely misses even though she is not super fast. She handles the recoil well and loves the feel of the gun. I have an HK Match in 9mm with the weight she has shot quite a bit and she prefers her XD. She says she doesn't feel as much recoil or as much muzzle jump on her XD as she does on my HK. Don't sell the women short. The ammo is not that much different in price either. That is a fallacy. You might save $1 per box if you are lucky and you won't save much of anything if you handload. Range brass is also easy to find in either caliber.

Plus, you can buy a .40 and for $200, get a 9mm barrel for it and shoot 9mm without any other mods. I don't think you can go up though, possibly because of grip size. Regardless I would still start with a .40 if you guys ever plan to try IPSC.
 
you need to get her to shoot both and have her decide. Everyone is different. I prefer 9mm, a friend prefers .40.

where are you located? visit a local club on a busy night, with your GF and she'll try about a gazzilion guns ;)
 
Riflman wrote:
My Girlfriend is 106 pounds 5'5" and she is shooting IPSC Major loads in her XD, and shooting it very well. It's her first handgun and she has had it only a few weeks but is already getting lots of A's and rarely misses even though she is not super fast. She handles the recoil well and loves the feel of the gun. I have an HK Match in 9mm with the weight she has shot quite a bit and she prefers her XD. She says she doesn't feel as much recoil or as much muzzle jump on her XD as she does on my HK. Don't sell the women short. The ammo is not that much different in price either. That is a fallacy. You might save $1 per box if you are lucky and you won't save much of anything if you handload. Range brass is also easy to find in either caliber.
Click to expand...

You realize there is no benifit to shooting major loads in a production gun? If she likes the feel of the xd shooting major she will absolutley love it in minor, and will be considerably faster as well.

My wife shoots IPSC using a g22 w/minor loads and loves it. Put a mag of factory ammo in it though and it's a whole different story.


Dave
 
We only have Standard and Open here, but there is talk of trying to put together a production division again. Last time there was about 7 people interested but no one commited so the idea passed.
 
Riflman Wrote:
We only have Standard and Open here, but there is talk of trying to put together a production division again. Last time there was about 7 people interested but no one commited so the idea passed.
Click to expand...

No Production? :eek: That's the bread & butter of IPSC!

Dave
 
another +1 for 9mm

So ...should I go with the 9mm or the 40 cal. I don't own a pistol in either caliber but I've heard that the 40 is actually easier to shoot then 9mm because it isn't as snapy...what do you think?
Click to expand...
.40 recoils stronger and 'snappier' no question about it...
 
OkDave said:
Riflman wrote:


You realize there is no benifit to shooting major loads in a production gun? If she likes the feel of the xd shooting major she will absolutley love it in minor, and will be considerably faster as well.

My wife shoots IPSC using a g22 w/minor loads and loves it. Put a mag of factory ammo in it though and it's a whole different story.


Dave
Click to expand...

x2

Factory 40SW compared to downloaded 40SW can feel like polar opposites in terms of power (especially in a tupperware gun).
 
I don't think that the caliber is really the issue. In terms of economics the 9mm ammo will be cheaper than the 40 S&W.
Unfortunately, there is not a lot of opportunity to try different pistols in Canada - unless there is a range that rents or friends/acquaintances at your club will provide/share.
The most important factor is how the gun would feel in her hand. Recoil can be managed for most calibers.
Personally, I find a good exercise is to grip the pistol. Close your eyes, raise the pistol to shoulder height (strong side - that she would shoot from). Then open your eyes to aim naturally, if you can see the sight picture, and her hand does not pronate - then there is a good chance that the pistol will work for you.
Just my .02.
 
Hi Mark

I would go for the 9mm.My wife shot my CZ75 9mm loved it then she shot my G22 .40cal she said it hurt her wrist and has never shot it again. The 9mm is a great round, Pleasure to shoot,stays on target and is very cheap to shoot.
Hope this helps and have a great time in whatevre you choose.:)
 
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