30 replies to this topic

[hax]

Ok, I have been asking about glocks and open guns but after speaking with my pistolsmith(Matt cheely) I am sold on having him build me a top end. I thank everyone for their input in previous posts of mine and as a lot of you said go ahead with the 2011. With that being said now I have another delima. What caliber do I go with? I have been seriously giving .40 a thought because I have all the reloading equipment and mags for such, but should I pony up the money and go with a 9 major? Problem is, I wouldn't be able to buy loading equipment or mags for a different caliber any time soon, but then again I wouldn't be shooting open competition for a little while anyways because of where I live right now. (I live in Hawaii at the moment but take trips to Houston every once in a while and will be moving back to Houston in about one year). So for now it will just be a practice gun anyways. So is 9major that great of a round or is the fact just the bigger round count that comes with a 9major than a 40. I have read a lot about 9major vs 38 super/38super comp and believe that a 9major would fit me better than the latter but I am heading toward a 40 and would like to hear yalls knowledgeable opinions. Saving money is pretty high in my book. But if its that much better i will go with it.
where's my spreadsheet guy when I need it lol


Edited post to show I will only be shooting this in open comp in Texas. I will shoot every once in a while when I travel to Texas but will not be shooting comps until about a year. So I always like to save money on mags and such. But if you think the 9major is a better round let me know.

As always thank you.

Edited by hax, 15 February 2012 - 09:28 PM.

[Flatland Shooter]

I'm a big fan of 9mm but in your case, I think a 40 open gun might be in order.

Both 9mm and 40 brass is readily available so that's not a major consideration. But those 40 mags and reloading equipment for 40 you already have will save you a bundle just getting started.

Since Hawaii has round restrictions in the magazine, the few extra rounds that you can shove into a 9 magazine will not help you until you move to Houston. And unless you make A class or better by then, it won't make a lot of difference here either. Just practice those reloads.

As you already know, lots of good matches here in the Houston area. On your next visit try to schedule it around the third weekend in April and take in the Space City Challenge. Lots of good shooters and lots of fun.

Bill

[Aircooled6racer]

Hello: I voted 40 for you since you have a mag limit. When you move then you can look at 9mm. You could also sell that 40 pistol before you leave to help pay for your new 9mm you want Thanks, Eric

[hax]

Edited post to show I will only be shooting this in open comp in Texas. I will shoot every once in a while when I travel to Texas but will not be shooting comps until about a year. So I always like to save money on mags and such. But if you think the 9major is a better round let me know.

[Sarge]

I say go with 9 then. You will eventually end up there anyway it sounds like.

[orangeman711]

I agree with Sarge. Go for the 9mm and don't look back.

[hax]

Just wondering. Why is 9major better? Because mags hold more rounds? Does it shoot softer? Why why why
I know a lot of people shoot 9major and there is only a few powders that will make major when there is tons of powder that will make major for .40
I'm am new to this and just don't know/understand why 9major is better except that more people shoot it



Thank you

[Hi-Power Jack]

What caliber ? I have been seriously giving .40 a thought because I have all the reloading equipment and mags for such, but should I pony up the money and go with a 9 major? Problem is, I wouldn't be able to buy loading equipment or mags for a different caliber any time soon, but then again I wouldn't be shooting open competition for a little while

I've never shot a .40 major with a comp, but have been lead
to believe that it will be slower to shoot (more muzzle lift
because the comp will not work as well as a 9mm major)???

And, it holds fewer rounds in the mag.

These are serious considerations if you're going to compete
next year. Very frustrating to be "outgunned" because of
such a simple problem.

The answer is, YES the 9mm major (or .38 super) is better -
you will shoot it faster and better than the .40 major, IMHO.

But, if you can't afford to buy mags for the gun or reloading
dies, I'd stay with the .40 until you can afford to go to the
.355 caliber. Not sure you have a choice if you can't afford
the mags/reloads - you can't practice with the 9mm major w/o
mags or ammo.

Wait until you can afford to reload .355 and buy mags for it.

It's only a year - keep shooting whatever you're shooting now,
is what I'd do.

Good luck,

Jack

[ChuckS]

I've never shot a .40 major with a comp, but have been lead
to believe that it will be slower to shoot (more muzzle lift
because the comp will not work as well as a 9mm major)???

Not to muddy the waters, but I do shoot a .40 open gun and it works the comp just fine.


Lots of good discussion here: http://www.brianenos...ndpost&p=902806

Later,
Chuck

[OperationHitFactor]

There is a guy at my club that shoots .357 Sig. Factory ammo makes major and if you reload plenty of powder choices. He uses 9 major comps and bumps up the charge a bit from 38 super loads. He uses 40 mags, just food for thought. I'm no expert on this but I figured I'd throw it out there.

[Hi-Power Jack]

I've never shot a .40 major with a comp, but have been lead
to believe that it will be slower to shoot

I shoot a .40 open gun and it works the comp just fine.



Later,
Chuck

Chuck, I've never shot a .40 with a comp, so I bow to your
experience.

BUT, have you ever shot a .355 with a comp? Ever compared the two?

Jack

[ChuckS]

BUT, have you ever shot a .355 with a comp? Ever compared the two?

Jack

Yes I have. They are similar with my 135 gr .40 and pretty much identical with a 125 gr 40. That was with a gun using the same EGW comp. One difference was the 9 was using HS-6 (I think) and I use N-340.

[hax]

9 major just won. Thank you everyone who voted and helped me out. Now your all going to have to help me learn to load major rounds and not blow myself up




Thank you

[ChuckS]

9 major just won. Thank you everyone who voted and helped me out. Now your all going to have to help me learn to load major rounds and not blow myself up




Thank you

Good deal. Where do you get 10 round 9mm STI mags?

[Hi-Power Jack]

BUT, have you ever shot a .355 with a comp?

They are pretty much identical with a 125 gr 40. using the same EGW comp.

There goes that theory - thanks - I'll be sure to pass
it along next time the question comes up.

Jack

[hax]

ChuckS: I will be leaving this gun in Houston because of the gay gun laws in Hawaii(the birth place of a democrats).




Thank you

[Deathtrap]

9mm for sure

[Hi-Power Jack]

BUT, have you ever shot a .355 with a comp?

They are pretty much identical with a 125 gr 40. using the same EGW comp.

There goes that theory - thanks - I'll be sure to pass
it along next time the question comes up.

Chucks, you had me going for few days there, but Where Do you
get 125 grain .40 caliber bullets? ( MG's lightest is 155 grain>)

Jack

[splashdown]

135gr Rainiers work well in my .40
http://www.youtube.c...u/3/uZp5O1loePU
and it's for sale
http://www.brianenos...howtopic=145900

[ChuckS]

BUT, have you ever shot a .355 with a comp?

They are pretty much identical with a 125 gr 40. using the same EGW comp.

There goes that theory - thanks - I'll be sure to pass
it along next time the question comes up.

Chucks, you had me going for few days there, but Where Do you
get 125 grain .40 caliber bullets? ( MG's lightest is 155 grain>)

Jack

125 Gr Frangibles. About the same form factor as 180 FMJ, they just weight a bunch less

The 135 gr bullets I use are Rainier. Berry's makes them also...

Edited by ChuckS, 18 February 2012 - 02:35 PM.

[JerryShoots]

I voted other. I've been toying with the idea of a 357 sig for a long time.

[waddo29]

If saving money is important to you then it makes no sense to spend the money on a .40 if you want to end up with a 9 major. I personally would not recommend a .40 cal for an open gun, but maybe that is just me.

[schmitz]

Two of my friends faced/are facing great difficulties with their 9Major guns. For me it's .38 Super for an Open gun: Infinity. Reliable caliber since 1929!

[gunracer38]

I agree about 38 Super. My three Open guns made by known gunsmiths never jam. However the cost of the the brass is high.

[GrumpyOne]

I have 3 open guns..... Two 40's, and one 38super. While the 40's are great, the super is, well, super. Outperforms the 40's in every way.