Posted: 4/13/2009 7:36:07 PM EDT
| Which model should I get for home defense and range shooting. Will the 9mm do everything needed in a defense weapon? The extra capacity doesn't really seem to be a factor since you still have 15+1 rounds with the .40. Which is more reliable? I do wish they would hurry with the Glock 17 RTF (I actually like the frame texture). How do u add a poll? |
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Home defense = get the .40S&W. I know its fashionable to say "with modern ammo the 9mm is as good as a .40, blah blah blah", but I just don't believe this enough to bet my life on it. I've been shooting a .40 pretty much since the round was invented, I can handle it just fine, and the extra punch is comforting. Remember, a 9mm needs to expand to be a reliable stopper, wheras a .40 will make a big hole regardless. The only reason to choose 9mm as a defense round is if its for someone who cannot handle the recoil of .40 in a light plastic gun (which is most non-shooters, actually).
For range fun, though, the 9mm is nicer (less recoil, cheaper ammo). Nicer still is the Advantage Arms .22 conversion. You could do what I did: get a .40 for personal defense, a drop-in 9mm conversion barrel for range shooting, and a .22 conversion for introducing new shooters/cheap plinking. Best of all worlds  .
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| I just picked up my Glock 17 today (14 day wait in Hawaii after you buy) and I love it. I think the 9mm is fine, Just get some Federal 147 or 124 grain Hydra Shock (I use 147gr) ammo for HD or Carry and you will be set.. The ammo cost alot but is worth it and for range use shoot cheap FMJ.. you can have the best of both worlds with 9mm if you have the right ammo.. You cannot go wrong with a Glock 17 and you will be able to train with what you will use for home defense rather then going from .40 to 9mm every time you go to the range.. |
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Not a big .40 fan. I say 17 all the way. Big +1 - If you really feel the need for something bigger then a 9mm then go all out with a G20 or 21SF To directly answer your questions... Quoted:
Which model should I get for home defense and range shooting. G17 Will the 9mm do everything needed in a defense weapon? Yes The extra capacity doesn't really seem to be a factor since you still have 15+1 rounds with the .40. True Which is more reliable? Not that there's a huge difference but I would say the G17 which is the orginal and overall the most reliable Glock ever. I do wish they would hurry with the Glock 17 RTF (I actually like the frame texture). if that's important to you be patient, I'm sure it's coming |
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Quoted:
Home defense = get the .40S&W. I know its fashionable to say "with modern ammo the 9mm is as good as a .40, blah blah blah", but I just don't believe this enough to bet my life on it. I've been shooting a .40 pretty much since the round was invented, I can handle it just fine, and the extra punch is comforting. Remember, a 9mm needs to expand to be a reliable stopper, wheras a .40 will make a big hole regardless. The only reason to choose 9mm as a defense round is if its for someone who cannot handle the recoil of .40 in a light plastic gun (which is most non-shooters, actually). For range fun, though, the 9mm is nicer (less recoil, cheaper ammo). Nicer still is the Advantage Arms .22 conversion. You could do what I did: get a .40 for personal defense, a drop-in 9mm conversion barrel for range shooting, and a .22 conversion for introducing new shooters/cheap plinking. Best of all worlds .^^^This^^^ |
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Both will serve you well. I went with 9mm due to costs of ammo but you could always get the conversion as others have stated. As far as defensive ammunition read this Best choice for defense ammo and choose from one of the recommended loads in the caliber you choose, you'll notice Hydrashocks are crap compared to modern bullets(they were crap when the y first came out IMO). It is an old, outdated design which is still, for some reason, manufactured and sold and I've seen many fail to expand with my own eyes.
124grn +P Gold dots here. |
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... For range fun, though, the 9mm is nicer (less recoil, cheaper ammo). Nicer still is the Advantage Arms .22 conversion. You could do what I did: get a .40 for personal defense, a drop-in 9mm conversion barrel for range shooting, and a .22 conversion for introducing new shooters/cheap plinking. Best of all worlds .Is the conversion as easy as dropping in an aftermarket 9mm barrel in the G22 and using 9mm mags? Or, is there more to it?? |
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Not a big .40 fan. I say 17 all the way. Big +1 - If you really feel the need for something bigger then a 9mm then go all out with a G20 or 21SF To directly answer your questions... Quoted:
Which model should I get for home defense and range shooting. G17 Will the 9mm do everything needed in a defense weapon? Yes The extra capacity doesn't really seem to be a factor since you still have 15+1 rounds with the .40. True Which is more reliable? Not that there's a huge difference but I would say the G17 which is the orginal and overall the most reliable Glock ever. I do wish they would hurry with the Glock 17 RTF (I actually like the frame texture). if that's important to you be patient, I'm sure it's coming +1 9mm, if desire something bigger go .45 |
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Truthfully either one will serve you well. It comes down to which one YOU shoot best...............under stress, tired, sick, one-handed, cold standin' in your skivvies, etc. etc. The G17 DOES have a firepower advantage. I carry a G17, and at night the 33 rnder goes into it. So for me, 33rnds of hot 9mm in one hand, and a Surefire G2 LED in the other is a great way to go. And don't let anyone tell you you might NOT need 33 rnds..........................you MIGHT. Home invaders are known to work in "teams". 
Yes your AR should be there as well......................but your "1st line" might often be your pistol........................ |
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... For range fun, though, the 9mm is nicer (less recoil, cheaper ammo). Nicer still is the Advantage Arms .22 conversion. You could do what I did: get a .40 for personal defense, a drop-in 9mm conversion barrel for range shooting, and a .22 conversion for introducing new shooters/cheap plinking. Best of all worlds .Is the conversion as easy as dropping in an aftermarket 9mm barrel in the G22 and using 9mm mags? Or, is there more to it?? I got the Lone Wolf 9-40 barrel (link). Just dropping it in and using a 9mm magazine it ran OK with only a very ocassional stovepipe malfunction (maybe 0.5% malf rate) - a lot of people report this combination runs 100% for them. To be safe, I added a 9mm extractor and 9mm ejector; both are cheap, and the part swop takes only 10 minutes. Now it runs 100% for me with my 115grn FMJ reloads that mimic WWB. The AA .22 conversion is a complete drop-on upper (barrel, slide) and dedicated magazine. Mine runs absolutely 100% with CCI MiniMags or Remington Viper, but not so well with cheap bulk-pack ammo (then again, not much does). |
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Get the G22 in .40 for defense work. Then get the 9mm barrel or .22 conversion for target practice. I have the G23 and G27 and wish ammo was cheaper but like the harder hitting .40 for concealed carry. Just went though a pistol class this past weekend and spoke with a contractor working overseas. They all carry .40's or .45's. .40 for magazine capacity and harder hitting than 9mm. |
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Quoted:
Home defense = get the .40S&W. I know its fashionable to say "with modern ammo the 9mm is as good as a .40, blah blah blah", but I just don't believe this enough to bet my life on it. I've been shooting a .40 pretty much since the round was invented, I can handle it just fine, and the extra punch is comforting. Remember, a 9mm needs to expand to be a reliable stopper, wheras a .40 will make a big hole regardless. The only reason to choose 9mm as a defense round is if its for someone who cannot handle the recoil of .40 in a light plastic gun (which is most non-shooters, actually). For range fun, though, the 9mm is nicer (less recoil, cheaper ammo). Nicer still is the Advantage Arms .22 conversion. You could do what I did: get a .40 for personal defense, a drop-in 9mm conversion barrel for range shooting, and a .22 conversion for introducing new shooters/cheap plinking. Best of all worlds .Que? |
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Quoted:
Home defense = get the .40S&W. I know its fashionable to say "with modern ammo the 9mm is as good as a .40, blah blah blah", but I just don't believe this enough to bet my life on it. I've been shooting a .40 pretty much since the round was invented, I can handle it just fine, and the extra punch is comforting. Remember, a 9mm needs to expand to be a reliable stopper, wheras a .40 will make a big hole regardless. The only reason to choose 9mm as a defense round is if its for someone who cannot handle the recoil of .40 in a light plastic gun (which is most non-shooters, actually). For range fun, though, the 9mm is nicer (less recoil, cheaper ammo). Nicer still is the Advantage Arms .22 conversion. You could do what I did: get a .40 for personal defense, a drop-in 9mm conversion barrel for range shooting, and a .22 conversion for introducing new shooters/cheap plinking. Best of all worlds .In my area, the best expanding 9mm is hard to find. I will stick with .40 as my SD pistol but my next Glock will be a G17 for the range and as a second defensive pistol. |
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Go 9mm, 40's suck. 17+1 is a nice advantage during an emergency. LOL!!! Silly you.....the two dead guys that took a few .40 caliber Gold Dots to the chest will tell you otherwise. This incident happened with my girlfriend's agency. I will try to find the links. |
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I really think a lot of shooters are starting to realize that just cuz the round is bigger it might not be better.. Imo the 40 S&W is to punchy and the Glock 17 will do the same dmg with Federal Hydra-Shok or Gold-Dot, ect.. You can push out The same FPS with a 9mm +P if you think it will be a problem.. I find for Home Defense I would rather not have +p since I really dont need anything really fast.. I was all about .45 and even 40S&W but I started looking into it and now the best Pistol I own is a Glock 17 with Hydra-Shok 147gr, Your pushing 1000fps and thats not even +p. Ammo has come a long way and it seems just now shooters are really starting to understand it..
I can still understand the die hard .45 fans due to the fact it has always been one of the top rounds for stopping power and still is high on the list.. but to me why get 40S&W when you can have a 9mm that will do the same thing in the right hands, with the right ammo.. |
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Despite how much people like to argue about these two rounds the difference in performance is negligible. 115 grain JHP 9mm shot from a Glock 17 has a muzzle velocity of about 1259fps, a 155 grain JHP .40 Smith shot from a Glock 22 Will have a muzzle velocity of about 1186fps. So while your .40 is 1mm larger in diameter and 40 grains heavier you velocity is down a bit from the 9mm. Both will get the job done in a home defense situation. The argument that a “.40 cal will make a bigger hole” is really moot, test after test proves that the difference is negligible, most people who make this argument don’t realize that a .40 is only 1mm difference from a 9mm/
My personal Preference is a .45 but that is totally a personal preference;I feel most comfortable with that round. I own 9mm’s 40’s and some others and I enjoy shooting all of them. Try out the different rounds if you can and make a decision based on your own preference. |
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I love my G17. I got a 1st gen model back in 99. I shoot it extremely well. I am very confident with it. I have all kinds of pistols but the G17 is still my fav. The only thing I may consider one day is a G19 bc it is slightly smaller for CCW.
I had a SA XD 40 and hated it. Shot 100 rds thru it and sold it to a friend. Too much recoil, couldnt hit crap with it. I am not sure about which has better stopping power but if you cant hit what your aiming at it doesnt matter. |
| My first pistol was/is a ruger p89 in 9mm. That being said i wanted to keep all the same caliber guns so buying ammo is made easier. I currently have a G17 and G26 for carry. I like the way both shoot and i keep the 17 in the night stand for home defense so i guees my answer is the G17. |
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To the original poster, here's my humble opinion..........."It depends."
How often do you intend to practice? If not so often, lean towards the G17. If a lot, consider the G22. It has a much sharper recoil than the G17 (or the G21 for that matter) but a somewhat heavier bullet traveling nearly as fast. With proper training and practice, you CAN overcome the difference in felt recoil. Personally, I couldn't, so I recently switched to a G21. It's made training much easier and has significantly increased my proficiency. The only drawback is its size. I miss the combat grip I could achieve with either the G17 or G22. Over the past 20 years I've carried several different firearms as part of my LE patrol duties. Glocks have been my favorites. I never felt undergunned while carrying the G17, but my current employer doesn't allow me that choice. |