What is the best self defense handgun in .45 ACP or .40 S&W?

Question

I mean what kind. Glock, Taurus, ect.

Answer 1

No matter which pistol one compares the two cartridges in, the .40 S&W (nicknamed the "Short & Weak" by real professionals) will NEVER match the veteran .45ACP in ANY criteria of self defense.

Rather than deal with amateur opinions, I have found that the professionals, both commercial and independent, have given a slight edge to the H-K, from tests run by evaluators from such sources as Guns & Ammo, American Handgunner, and Gun Tests magazines.
In such tests, the H-K USP models had fewer malfunctions and NO (0) failures when tested against, not only the Sig-Sauer, but Beretta, Springfield, and S&W models, as well.
The Glock has a slight edge in the economy department , especially with so many used units available on the market. It is the simplest to operate and maintain, As well.

I've run nearly 5,000 rounds through my H-K USP .45ACP, including Hydra-Shok, Cor-Bon, and several equivilent custom handloads, with 0 stoppages EVER, and it's tolerances haven't measureably changed since I first aquired it.
The only negative factors I've dealt with carrying the USP is it's larger size, but I'm a larger guy and LIKE the more impressive size, and the limited availability of carry systems, but I carry concealed in my own unorthodox manner, anyway.
It's mainly personal choice, anyway, so go for it!

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

The best defensive handgun is still the .357 Magnum with a 4" barrel and loaded with 125 grain semi-jacketed hollow point .357 Mag. ammo. This is the best manstopper yet, period.

The better of the two caliber choices you are asking about is the .45 acp as the .40 S & W was built to emulate the performance of the .45 acp and the jury is still out as to whether or not it has.

The best handgun for self defense is a very personal choice. Some swear by the Colt 1911 and its clones. Others love the Glock. Yet others prefer the Sig or H & K USP.

I'm a Glock man myself and prefer the Model 20 in .10mm, but that's me. Too many people find the .10mm too intense. Glock is a good choice as it offers more calibers n configuration than any other modern semi-loader. With the Glock you get the Forties, the Forty-fives including the fairly new .45 GAP for shooters with smaller hands. AND if you do prefer a smaller frame in a full size .45 acp Glock just developed the Model 21 SF (short frame). This one should appeal to shooters with smaller hands but is still a full size service model .45 acp.

So there you have it. Pick the one that fits your hand better in the caliber that appeals to you.

Best.

H

Answer 4

Want an honest answer? Either.

It has been shown time and time again that with modern JHP bullet design the wound channel differences between 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP are very minimal. Basically it comes down to what you shoot best. I've shot a lot of .40 S&W and it's snappy recoil takes a while to get use to. .45 ACP, to me anyway, has more of a push type recoil that is easier for a lot of people to handle.

9mm is a viable choice also, cannot beat the capacity of modern 9mm. It would take two 8 round mags with one in the chamber in a 1911 to match one mag for a Glock 17, this coming from a diehard 1911 fan.

Whichever you buy, shoot it a lot, shoot it well.

Which brand? Of those two I'd go with Glock. Taurus is pretty hit or miss sometimes. That said check out a G21 before purchasing and make sure it's comfortable that grip is super wide. They do have a G21SF that is supposed to be thinner but I haven't messed with one yet.

Answer 5

For the past three years since acquiring my concealed carry permit I have carried a Sig 40 cal. I just bought a Rock Island .45 acp and am thinking about carrying it some of the time. I'm confident in a crisis situation either one will due the job. I would not want to face either with a competent shooter behind it.

Answer 6

Why do people call the .40 S&W short & weak, that is such a dumb statement. The .40 S&W shoots a 180 gr. bullet at well over 1000 feet per second and some ammo at over 1,100 fps. and then the same people will say how much they love their 9mm's, seriously...Now I'm not knocking the 9mm, but the .40 has more power than the 9mm and that is a fact, so if the .40 is short & weak then that must make the 9mm puny & frail. I myself carry a gen 4 Glock 30 loaded with 230 gr. Speer Gold Dots.

Answer 7

To be honest the answer what ever "brand " you can afford, like, and that you are comfortable and efficient with......You will hear people say this brand or that brand is the best or better than that .....But what it comes down to is what works 4 you, not the next guy.........I can say that the 45 and 357 are the best 4 home defense, balistically they are by far superior than a 40. or any other caliber.The only thing that works better is the trusty shot gun......Just keep in mind that price don't mean that it is a better gun....It only takes one shot to stop an intruder in your house and it will not matter if it bullet comes out of a 400 dollar pistol or 4,000 dollar pistol it will still solve the problem if need be........I personally have an 8 shot 357 that I only payed 400 dollars 4 and I have shot enough deer that the gun has already payed 4 itself....And my wife can shoot it just fine, so if she "needs" to use it she can, and to me that is a major plus, with 5 kids in my house.....just things to think about.....Good luck....

Answer 8

I like my Springfield XDs. One in .45 and one in 9mm. Really it all depends on what feels best in your hands. If you like how a firearm feels in your hand and the sights are easy on your eye, you will shoot straight and like it. My best advise is to go to a gun shop, take a look at a multitude of firearms and see what fits best. Take a look at the Springfield Armory XD, Taurus, Beretta, Smith & Wesson (revolvers only), Ruger, Heckler & Koch, Kahr Arms, Glock.
I chose my XDs (over Glocks) and Beretta (over S&W) for grip feel, comfort, safety and looks.

Not sure if this is your first gun or not so forgive me if it is:

If this is for in home defense, learn what ammo does what and practice up on a range. A firearm is no help if you do not practice often. If this is for conceal carry, do all the above, get a good holster (depending on the make and model Black Hawk CQC holster with the Surpa lock or a Fobus holster), get the required training and stick to it.
Good Luck, God Bless and happy shooting

Answer 9

Well, it depends on what you are used to and what you can hold. Ballistically speaking the 45 is the better self defense weapon. However, I came up through the ranks when 9mm was the weapon of agency choice, so I am inclined to stick with a 9mm. It is just habit. The bottom line isn't so much what you are shooting, as to how well you shoot it. Two rounds center chest with just about any gun will do the job, but a miss with a cannon is still a miss. So get what you can comfortably handle and practice with it until it is an extension of your hand.

Answer 10

can't go wrong with either one. i prefer .45, but thats just me. .45 is a bigger bullet, but slower moving, while the .40 is a lighter, faster bullet, so energy isn't all that different. .45 will definitely make a bigger hole. if u can, shoot both and see which you're more comfortable with. gun weight has a big influence on recoil, regardless of caliber. and like a few others have said, caliber isn't anywhere near as important as shooting well, so practice with whatever you decide to buy