.40 S&W vs 9mm...Sound?!!?

Question

What is the sound difference between the 2 guns. Also...I want to look into a career in law enforcement and in a bad moment I might have to use one of those 2 guns with no ear protection of course. How much could I fire a gun of those 2 calibers before I get hearing damage. Help Please.

Basicly....If im a cop
and i get in a gun fight
I cant whip our ear muffs

Answer 1

If I absolutely had to shoot one of those calibers without hearing protection, I'd rather it be the 40sw, the 9mm has a much sharper explosion, where the 40sw is closer to a boom, like a 45acp. but not as loud as a 45acp.

Answer 2

Hi Bianca. Both are loud but too many factors are involved to get you a straight answer. First, always practice with hearing protection. I've been a COP since the Sixties and have never been involved in a gun fight in the line of duty, so you may be worrying about nothing. But you are right, you can't whip out the ear muffs.

I have hearing loss from the bad old days when officers never wore hearing protection because we thought we were 'immuned.' LOL! But it is not severe (what did you say...).

Seriously, the .40 S & W is probably louder with standard ammo, but the .9mm 115 to 127 grain +P+ is just as loud if not louder. Like I said, if law enforcement is your chosen career, then I wish you the very best and advice you not to be concerned about your gun going 'bang' when you need it. Be worried about it NOT going bang when you need it.

Best.

H

P. S.

On duty I've carried a .38 Snubbie, a .357 Magnum, a .10mm (currently) and a .357 Sig. All are loud, but not impossibly so.

H

Answer 3

From a former "Cop" the noise isn't even an issue to concern yourself with right now. Wear ear protection at ALL times. You are putting the perverbial "cart before the horse". This is an issue when and if it should happen ,after you graduate, from the academy. Meanwhile,by your logic, all range training would be done without hearing protection , to simulate a real confrontation on the street with an armed assailant.
Let me assure you that when and if you get to the academy, this will not be the case. ALL Trainee's as well as Instructors will be wearing hearing protection at all times..No exceptions .
To answer your other question you can sustain hearing loss and damage if you subject your hearing to just (1) round fired from a firearm without ear protection....Caliber, makes no difference..In closing let me say from personal experience, that if you do get into an armed confrontation, the last thing you will be or should be thinking about will be ear protection....

NOTE## Check with the department you intend to join and find out what handgun is their issue weapon. I suggest you buy one of the same caliber ,if not one just like you will be issued. The practice will give you an edge over the other recruits/trainees........

Answer 4

No difference to a ear..... Both will make aloud bang and hurt them. Hearing loss is a real thing. Play a Ipod to loud and long & it will do the same thing. I hurt my ears a bit 2 months ago cranking up the car stereo. I could tell I lost a bit of high end sensitivity I had. I vowed never to do that again. I expect many Iraqi Vets will have serious hearing los as I rarely see any with ear protection at all. Think a 9mm is loud? Try firing a m16 in a house or a humvee?
The effects of one shootout would be minor. Unless the barrel was real close to your head? The basic answer here is; it's better to give up up the sonar tech level hearing, if it means winning a gun fight.

Answer 5

When you are in a gun fight you are so pumped up that the sound will be the last of your worries.When I was in the ARMY in Kosavo and we were taking enemy fire and returning the fire hearing protection was the last thing on my mind.You just get so worked up that it doesnt bother you.I was shooting machine guns.I dont think that a 9mm or a 40 will do damage to your ears in a gun fight.Or maybee it does when i got out of the ARMY they really checked out my hearing on the phyical but I passed it.

Answer 6

You need to under stand that no two manufactures are equal in any respect.
I’ve seen some short barrel 40 S&W that were very quiet compared to another short barrel 40 S&W of a different manufacture.
Caliber and ammo brands have some affect on noise level.
But the style and design of the weapon and the way it was manufactured play the major role.

For example.
I have a Ruger GP100 6 inch 357 magnum, my buddy has S&W model 19 6 inch 357 magnum.
I can shoot my Ruger with out ear protection 100 times with no ill affect.
But I cant shoot that S&W 6 times with out wonting ear plugs and muffs at the same time, it hurts.
That’s using the very same ammo.
Both weapons are in perfect condition, it’s just how they were manufactured.

I would advise staying with the 40 S&W ( to me a much better man stopper) just try several models and makes to see just how quiet of one you can find.


D58.


Hunting with Rifle, Pistol, Muzzle loader and Bow for over 3 decades.
Reloading Rifle, Pistol and shotgun for over 3 decades.

Answer 7

40 s&w because of sound and stopping power.

Always use hearing protection unless in a position that doesn't allow it.

Hopefully you never have to pull that trigger out on the feild.

good luck.

Answer 8

It makes no difference. If you are a cop, you will be packing what the department issues, or what they require you to buy.

On the upside, if you are in a shooting situation, auditory exclusion will probably be kicked in and you probably won't hear the gunshot.

Doc

Answer 9

basically if you get in a fire fight and have to shoot without hearing protection then you probably won't suffer permanent hearing loss. I would rather have some hearing loss than be dead