.357,.45,.40--Whatever, but use hi-velocity half-jacketed hollow points.
an ex-cop
Since you asked for an opinion, Sig P226 or P229 (whichever fits best) chambered in .357 Sig.
We did a test for local law enforcement production of a video training aid in our gun range one weekend. Using a crach dummy weighted @170 lbs. and with a kevlar vest we set up about 25 feet away. The 9mm basicly just knoked the dummy over. The .38 special basicly knoked over the dummy with a little more force. The .357 mag knoked the dummy over after pushing it back a foot or two with the arms reamining level. This was with standard factory ammo. The .45 auto picked the dummy up off the ground, the torso doubled up with the arms and legs flying forward as the dummy went airborne five feet or more before touching the ground again. That is the visual impact of imparting energy onto the target mass and the result of hitting with a heavy bullet with suffienct velocity. The .44 mag did the same as the .45 auto only this time the dummy went back about 7 to 8 feet and nearly did a sumersault backwords.
I imagine most PD's limit what you can carry. They probably have their gun or chioce of two or so to pick from.
Red6
*Can of worms alert*
This subject could be debated until the democRATs gain the whitehouse again and still not be resolved.
I've carried many sidearms over the years and have to admit, I'll take a lighter weapon over a thinner, heavier one. The advantage of the 1911 frame is that it's thin and less likely to print, but what you gain in conceilability (how the hell do you spell that anywho?) you pick up in frame weight. Plus, I like shooting those big rounds.
Now I carry a .40 for a couple of reasons. 1) I shoot it better. 2) The sticker price for my Glock 23 was lower 3) I don't have to worry about the loud *whack* my Kimber made sideswiping door frames or tables anymore 4) I'm convinced the .40 has better stopping power with the proper round.
Plus...I don't have to worry about sweating on the Glock.
Realizing most of those reasons were cosmetic and had little to do with kinetic energy...my personal opinion is go with the .40 but, do so with a frame you can shoot well.
All the cops I've talked to (and I've talked to quite a few on the subject of what to carry and when to use it) told me that their attitude is that, if they have to fire a weapon, it will be to kill. The reason I've been told the most has to do with the probability of being sued by someone they wounded, especially if that person is a minority. You can't be sued by a corpse (though you can be sued by the next of kin, of course). The point is that when you do fire your weapon, that you're sure of the need for it.
That said, I've heard a lot of opinions. One friend swears by 9mm with hydra-shocks (sp?) while another laments the loss of his .45 when the department went to .40. I'd say it depends very much on *where you will patrol*. If you're going to be in a ghetto with drugged-out junkies, then I'd go for something that will absolutely take the person down (all other things being equal, like shooting accuracy, which is not a trivial thing). I would imagine that a .45 with hydra-shocks would work well on someone on PCP, but you only get 7 shots, so you'd better not miss. On the other hand, if you're going to be on one of L.A.'s anti-gamg squads, then maybe the 9mm makes more sense since when things go bad there might be more than one bad guy, and they'll likely have money and guns. It's a tough subject -- my cop friends all work in suburbia so they tend to favor caliber over rounds, but a city cop has different things to deal with.
Why don't you ask your captain?
Don’t listen to these fools about “.45 has more knock-down power” they’re just old fashioned and arrogant. Humans aren’t bowling pins. They’re incredibly elastic. If a .45 ever did knock someone down, it was their knees buckling from central nervous system disturbance. As far as the .45 is bigger thus makes a bigger hole- Like that 5% of an inch over .40 matters. What are you gonna wait for, them to bleed to death? There are some folks here on to somethin-.357Mag does rule, but you need a .357 SIG or .40S&W for your needs.
I would say either will do and it could boil down to personal preference.
40 or better is a good mantra....except when talking about .357 mag....my personal wheel gun preference
Both are excellent rounds. The 40 usually results in more rounds per magazine, but I’d not feel under powered either way. I shoot and carry both. Personally, I prefer the 40 but the 1911 shooting the 45 is just a smooth firearm.