I am in the market for a new pistol and I can`t decide if I want a 9mm or a .40s&w. I have only one pistol and it is a .357. I am leaning towards a smith and wesson m&p and it sounds like academy probably has the best prices from what I have read on other post. I am buying it for home protection and shooting at the range.I have never fired either round so I was wanting some likes or dislikes someone might have. Any advice you might have any of the above would be appreciated.

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9mm is cheaper to shoot and less recoil. Very adequate for self defense. .40 is a heavier round and goes faster, so more recoil. Less ammo choices and a bit more expensive. It's superior for self defense even though some will argue the basic laws of physics on this one. I'd decide how much you're going to be at the range and go from there.

And check out Bud's online if you're buying new.

Check out the guns made by CZ. My CZ 75B is extremely accurate and a blast to shoot. Any CZ owner will most likely rave about their pistols.

I tell alot of beginning shooters (certainly not implying you are one) to start with gun s they are comfortable with and see themselves shooting regularly. A gun, handgun or any other, is a farily useless tool unless you are comfortable and confident with it. How that relates here is I would choose the caliber you see yourself shooting the most often. Because of the nature of handgun and most probable weapon to be used as self defense, I believe you should have more confidence and familiarity with your handgun than any other.

I was literally in the same boat as you years ago with only a 357 mag to my name. I'm 6' 200lbs so the difference in recoil of a 40 and 9 is nothing to me. And if you're use to a 357, I think it will be a mute point to you too. The big kicker was the price of ammo. I got a 9mm knowing it's plenty sufficient in terms of stopping power (see note below) and more importantly i knew by saving about 40% in ammo cost I would shoot that much more. I'm not a rich so cost of shooting always factors big for me. I now have a 357 and a 45, but what do I shoot the most and go to as my carry piece? My 9mm Glock.

As for the stopping power argument, don't listen too much to all the 9mm detractors out there. If a 9mm is really that bad, why are there still LEA all over the world and in the states still standard issue a 9mm? Why is it still the #1 handgun cartridge? These detractors are usually 40 cal fans, which I pesonally believe is also a good round. Just be aware of those who claim one caliber is vastly superior to all others. If that were the case, then why would anyone make any other caliber? All rounds have their pros and cons.

Now I'm getting off my soapbox.

Check out www.jetguns.com they have the M&P for $439. You cant go wrong with either round. 9mm would be cheaper to shoot at the range, But it just comes down to what you really want.

Get a Glock of either caliber and you can just buy the other barrel when you want to.

X2 on the Glock !!!!

my vote would be a springfield xd-9. i love the glocks also,but the xd fits my hand like a glove,and they are great shooters.

Pistols are like buying boots, you really have to try them on to see what works for you.

Before buying anything, go try and shoot as many different ones as you can.

They all feel and handle very differently.

There are more varieties with better accuracy and reliability available now than ever. The key is which feels best to you and which do you shoot the best.

Handle them first. You cant go wrong with a glock, xd, xdm. I have no experience with the M&P, but there are alot of people that like them also. Most of the newer pistols have interchangeable backstraps, loaded chamber indicators, cocked indicators and hold alot of bullets. .40 calibers have a snappier recoil, which some people find objectionable. Whichever caliber you choose load it with good self-defense ammo, meaning one of the current bonded hollow point variety.

I think most Glocks that come in .40 cal can also be converted to a 9mm with a barrel change (100 dollars) and mags. The conversion will be nice to have but for self defense either will be good if its unchanged from original IMO. I like the .40 but having a medium size frame the recoil is a little too noticeable. If I had a large frame and big ole monkey knuckles I think it would not be so noticeable. The 9mm will hold more rounds and less recoil for quicker follow up shots. Having less recoil over the .40 you should be able to get more rounds on target faster. Their both great rounds. Id go with Glock there pistols are SIMPLE, IMO Smith and Wesson are known for their excellent revolvers and not the plastic pistols. Like I said the Glock follows the Keep it simple stupid rule better than any other and if the SHTF you dont need other buttons and tabs getting in the way.

Buy a Sig! Seriously the best thing I have ever done was buy the Sig 22 conversion for my 226, great fun with cheap ammo. As far as 40 or 9? The 9 will be plenty of stopping power for self defense for anybody on this forum. It starts to become an issue when LEO/Millatary gets involved but it is still the most used caliber

Handle them all. Make sure it comes up and points naturally, the weight and trigger feels right to you.
Example my eye and feel prefers a 1911, my ccw is a Kahr .40 or a Colt Pocketlite, my fun pistols are H&K's. My buddy swears by the Glocks and you couldn't pay me to take one.

I have a Glock 19 and a Springfield XD-9! Both winners in my book.

Get a gun that feels good to you.......I love my M&P's I have the 9 and 40. If you are ever in the DFW let me know and we can go to the range and you can try both. My vote go with the M&P 40 my fav.