Any benefit to .40 vs 9mm in action shooting?

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DaveC

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I have a G17 that has been my go-to pistol for a 3 years or so. I recently picked up a G22 and took it out. I think I just like the 9 better. Ammo is cheaper too.

Are there any benefits to .40 vs 9mm in IPSC or IDPA? Ive only done 3 gun and steel challenge so far but will get into one or both of these later.
 
I am told by fellow IDPA shooters that you are at a disadvantage shooting .40 due to power factor minimums and still having snappier recoil in the same classes as 9mm shooters. Add the premium of ammo if you don't reload.
 
triplepete said:
I am told by fellow IDPA shooters that you are at a disadvantage shooting .40 due to power factor minimums and still having snappier recoil in the same classes as 9mm shooters. Add the premium of ammo if you don't reload.
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That pretty much sums up the reasons for my question. The 9 is just quicker to get back on target.
 
Only advantage to .40 is it makes major (if your div has a major pf of course)

However, if you reload im told you can make some very very light feeling minor pf ammo with 165gr bullets in .40
 
Speaking strictly IPSC in Canada by non-professional shooters; best fit for those guns is the G17 in Production and G22 in Standard. (although as HIA mentions, you could custom load the G22 down and mess with springs to get it to work in production, but then it would pretty much be a G17.)

The G17 is (fairly) competitive in IPSC production division.
If you practice and practice, you can compensate for the nicer features that the people winning with CZs and Tanfoglios have and be competitive.

The G22 is hopelessly outgunned in IPSC Standard.
No matter how much money you pour into one, it will never compare with the capabilities that the STIs & SVIs that dominate the division.
 
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I just completed a holster course at my range on the weekend, which will allow me to do club level IDPA matches this summer. Another member in the course had an M&P40 (I run an M&P9). Since the mags and pistol work in either holster and mag carriers (both Range kits), we swapped. The 40 felt identical, but it was snappier and re-acquisition was "harder." Now, this was my first time shooting from a holster in an IDPA format, but that is my take on the two.

Expense was another reason I am happy I went 9MM.
 
As your caliber increases your point of impact can be farther from the A zone boarder and still touch scoring an Alpha. Essentially the A zone is larger. As noted the no shoots also grow as well.
 
If this goes any further off the rails, I may have started my first locked thread!

What a milestone!

LOL


Thanks for the replies, guys.

I will figure out what to do with my G22. I tend not to keep guns that I don't really use. I do have a fair pile of .40 ammo, and a spare slide (due to the untimely kaboom of my old G22 due to my own error) so I'm tempted to keep it just because of that. The practical side of me says I should trade it off for another G17 to keep stock. That way I can take advantage of my supply of mags.

Hmmmm......
 
It is possible to download 180s that IMHO are slightly softer shooting than 9mm, but at slightly greater cost for bullets.
All negated if you don't load or if your pistol has trouble digesting these powder puff loads.

I used an XD-40 for a few years and it was decently competitive. I could never get the 200s to run reliably with a PF of ~130 though.
 
DaveC said:
If this goes any further off the rails, I may have started my first locked thread!

What a milestone!

LOL


Thanks for the replies, guys.

I will figure out what to do with my G22. I tend not to keep guns that I don't really use. I do have a fair pile of .40 ammo, and a spare slide (due to the untimely kaboom of my old G22 due to my own error) so I'm tempted to keep it just because of that. The practical side of me says I should trade it off for another G17 to keep stock. That way I can take advantage of my supply of mags.

Hmmmm......
Click to expand...
9mm or .357sig threaded conversion barrel and make a open gun out of it
 
While you certainly can compete in either IDPA SSP or ESP with the .40cal, the 9MM striker fired guns dominate both divisions. Most of our shooters reload so cost is not that much of a factor. The .40cal can be down loaded with very soft shooting 180 gr bullets. If your hobby extends to casting the cost is not a factor. For most the 9MM is a better option for IDPA SSP and ESP.

I shoot IPSC and have tried Standard Division with the M&P .40cal, as a C Class shooter I don't shoot the Division at Major PF much different using my M&P over my Tanfanglio. The latter gun certainly is easier to manage recoil and in inherently more accurate than my M&P Pro. That said I really don't think it translates into better results at my skill level or lack there of. Shooting minor loads in Standard Division using the M&P is much easier in the wrist and fun too. I lose on my C hits but have fewer of them using the lighter loads. I have also shot a few club matches with the .40cal M&P in Production. The gun runs just fine with light loads with 180 gr lead bullets. I still prefer the 9MM though using either my CZ, Tanfoglio or M&P Pro. All three guns leave me in C class so my scores might just reflect my lack of talent but all three leave me with a smile on my face after the shoot. I wonder if I bought a STI maybe I could make Master.....(just kidding)

My advice decide how competitive you think you want to be, If you enjoy shooting both sports and have time only for the fun factor and don't intend or feel you have the raw talent to chase Eng and the boys shoot what ever you like to shoot. Most of us who dwell in B/C Class or SS/MM level depending on the sport do the same with anything we shoot. For those who shoot Glocks they can go out and pretend they are aspiring Bob Vogels and enjoy both sports.....and live the dream.

DaveC you seem to like Glocks. Why not trade up to a G 34. The gun is quite useful in SSP and ESP shooting IDPA and can be shot in USPSA in their Production Division. I know a few Master shooters who have one in large matches using the G 34.

Take Care

Bob
 
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165s and Clays, the starting load from the manual makes minor PF and then some and will cycle a G22 with stock springs reliably.
 
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