HK P2000 SK: 9mm or 357 or .40?

[PhoenixCat]

I need a little help deciding on my next pistol.

I currently have a Ruger 22 for plunking and a Remington Model 870 12 ga. for home defense.
I've always wanted a larger pistol with more stopping power and obviously, the 22 offers nothing in that department. I've decided that my next pistol will be a HK P2000 SK. They come in a few different varieties and I'm having difficulty deciding which route to go:
1. 9MM (ammo is readily available just about anywhere on the cheap)
2. .357SW (don't know much about this cartridge)
3. .40cal (probably the most stopping power but also the most recoil)


I guess I’m leaning toward the 9mm but I’m still undecided. I'm just looking for some advise, pros and cons regarding each size, to help me make up my mind.

[DeepBlueZ]

the 9mm is a good all-around bet. ammo will be cheap and although some people say the 9mm lacks stopping power....I don't really think i'd want a double tap in the chest...:p

The .357 Sig round will up the stopping power, but it's main drawback is ammo is expensive...you might get tired of paying so much to take it to the range.

The .40 would be your best option if stopping power is your NUMBER ONE purpose. I've never personally fired a .40, but I've fired a whole slew of .45 ACP pistols and I don't really find them to be all that difficult to control.

I don't think the average person would have too much problem controlling a .40. That's why the cartridge was developed actually. I believe it was initially intended for police issue to provide a middle ground between the 9mm's low recoil and the .45s power.

[Napalm]

I have a sig P226 in 40SW. Only caliber I would carry, the 45 ACP is good, but the 40 give you back some speed. And it has the knock down energy.

ALso I target shoot mine all the time, put 200 through it Saturday. Recoil is not an issue. Granted I shoot an all metal gun and its a little heavier. However I have tried the Sig Pro and the XD, in 40 and both are lighter polymer frames. Recoil is not an issue

I would never own a 9mm handgun, unless it was dedicated to target competition only. Since I can only afford 1 gun its my defense carry and target gun. Thus the 40. Also the 357 Sig is a good high power round, but expensive and I doubt it has the knock down energy of the 40. Due to less bullet weight.

Good Luck I'm sure you will like the HK, but what else have you looked at?

[Scurvy]

recoil in a 40 is more than a 45. 40 is a high pressure round, 45 is low pressure. If any read the GTO getting shot thread that was a 45, if it had been a 40 it would have gone right through the A pillar.

45 has the best knock down power, hence why the military is going back to a 45 when they drop the m9 pistol.

I just bought a XD45 yesterday, can't wait to get it to the range and put it against my browning hi-power .40

[Napalm]

I would have to say that recoil is as much a function of the round (powder charge and bullet weight), as it is design of the gun. I would say 40 SW kicks harder in a Glock than it does in a Walther or an XD having shot all three side by side. Its a matter of how you deal with the energy.

Yes the 40 is supposedly more pressure than a 45 ACP, and thus the more speed. But again, My Sig doesn't recoil any different than any 1911 clone of similar size I have ever fired, including Kimbers and Springfields. Again for most modern guns the best all around choice is the 40 SW. Also the military is considering going to the 40 SW as an option for sidearm along with the 45.

[txbatman]

If you only have 1, get a .40, especially for defense. 357 will probably go thru the wall. And 9mm will not stop a crack head, unless you can tap him twice in the chest-lots of practice. Ammo is dirt cheap, but not important when your life is at stake. Personally, for home defense, nothing beats that 12 ga. Just cut the barrel and stock down so you got swinging room.

[DABLACK1]

HOW bout glock 40 with +p ammo

[TexRdnec]

the HK is a fine pistol but does not fit many people well, myself included. like buying a car........test drive before you buy. all sub compacts feel akward to me though................

to me the only reason to buy a 9mm over another round in a pistol is for the capability of carrying more rounds. in the pistol you're looking at the 9mm holds 10, the .357 and .40 hold 9. not enough reason to go for the 9mm IMHO.

the .45acp in a 1911 is the only way to go for me but given your options i would probably go for the .40 over the .357 even though i like the sig round a little better. cheaper and more readily available in bulk.

if you have any questions on the pricing or buying end let me know as i'm an FFL. gunbroker.com can give you a pretty good idea on what fair pricing is though

[barstowpo]

My Glock 17 9mm holds 18 rounds. Subsonic hollowpoint should be enough knockdown power.

[MacDogg]

I had a S&W model 410, .40 cal and had hollow points for packing rounds and just cheap range ammo for practice.
For me, the recoil on that gun was a lot. I could barely shoot off 4 rounds in 2 seconds and keep control (2 of the 4 shots didn't even hit the target at 10 meters!). I shot that gun one time with one hand and decided to never do it again because I almost dropped it. I'm 5'6", 140 lbs and skinny and that thing was HUGE in my small hands.
I ended up putting Houge (sp?) rubber grips on it to help contain the recoil because the plastic grips sucked.
If you can shoot a .40 quick and accurate, go for it. If you need a smaller gun so you can fire more shots faster with better accuracy, then go that way. Any hit is better than a miss...and if you can't aim because the recoil is too strong go smaller.
With my Sig 232 .38, I can shoot accurately all 8 rounds in about 5 seconds.

[PhoenixCat]

Great info guys! Thanks!

I was originally looking at the Sig, Ruger and Springfield line. In fact, I’d always wanted a Sig and will probably end up with a P232 somewhere down the line. I settled on the HK because it fit my hand better than all three and the build quality seemed superior to the Ruger and Springfield XD.

I’ve fired a number a .40 cal semi’s and never thought there was too much recoil but was a little concerned because the P2000 SK is a small and light-weight. We have a shop here in the Phoenix that rents firearms for use on their range. I think I’ll head out there a test fire before I buy.

I’ve usually looked at the auction arms website but the gunbroker site looks great, thanks for the tip!

[r600]

I want to get a 40. soon probably S&W. very good all around gun.
For home use I would like an AR15, my dad has one with 3 30 round clips, that thing is pretty nice.

[txbatman]

I want to get a 40. soon probably S&W. very good all around gun.
For home use I would like an AR15, my dad has one with 3 30 round clips, that thing is pretty nice.


No offense, but let me call :bs: right now. The last thing you want in a home defense weapon is a assault rifle. You would wind up killing everyone within 100ft, including your own family and neighbors.

[txbatman]

I had a S&W model 410, .40 cal and had hollow points for packing rounds and just cheap range ammo for practice.
For me, the recoil on that gun was a lot. I could barely shoot off 4 rounds in 2 seconds and keep control (2 of the 4 shots didn't even hit the target at 10 meters!). I shot that gun one time with one hand and decided to never do it again because I almost dropped it. I'm 5'6", 140 lbs and skinny and that thing was HUGE in my small hands.
I ended up putting Houge (sp?) rubber grips on it to help contain the recoil because the plastic grips sucked.
If you can shoot a .40 quick and accurate, go for it. If you need a smaller gun so you can fire more shots faster with better accuracy, then go that way. Any hit is better than a miss...and if you can't aim because the recoil is too strong go smaller.
With my Sig 232 .38, I can shoot accurately all 8 rounds in about 5 seconds.

I think a 410 is kinda small. especially for a .40. I have a beretta in .40, but I'm not worried about a conceal permit. Cant get one in this damn state unless you are a criminal.

[qwkgoat]

I just got a RUGER P90 .45 ACP for X-mas from my brother-in-law. Can't wait to fire it for the first time. Mostly for home protection and the occasional range days.

[Napalm]

If you get a chance, try out the sig pro, or XD-40 and the walter P99 (or the S&W 99) in 40 Cal. All are great Polymer frame guns. I ended up with better control with the Sig 226, which is an all metal gun. I don't mind the weight, but I'm 6'3" and 270 lbs.

[unsigned]

Great info guys! Thanks!
I settled on the HK because it fit my hand better than all three and the build quality seemed superior to the Ruger and Springfield XD.



There is nothing wrong with the xD. Great gun. I don't own one, but I've fired 2 different ones. The 1st was my muddies 5 in 9mm, I picked it up and shot the center out of the target at 35 feet. I was VERY impressed as I don't shoot that well with my own .45.

The other time I fired a .40 in 4 inch. Also very accurate and smooth cycling. I plan to pick up a 5 inch 9mm at some point, but I want the FN 5.7 first.

[PowerDude]

I've got a Glock model 22 (.40). It's the most accurate semi I've ever shot.
I don't find the recoil hard to handle at all. It's much less than a .357 magnum revolver.

[DeepBlueZ]

No offense, but let me call :bs: right now. The last thing you want in a home defense weapon is a assault rifle. You would wind up killing everyone within 100ft, including your own family and neighbors.


+1000000000 on that!!!!


I've got a couple ARs and I'd NEVER uncork one of those inside a house. god knows where the bullet would end up.


My home defense gun is a Mossberg 590 12 gauge pump loaded w/ #2 shot (an ounce of it in the chest will certainly knock you down but it won't penetrate walls like 00 buckshot will.)

Plus i've got enough mag tube for 8 follow-up shots. ;)

[Smitty's05GTO]

Desert Eagle .50 FTW! :)

[Scurvy]

xd 45 put 26 rounds in the head at 21 feet, half size silhouette. First time shooting the gun, out of the box, just lubed the slide rail a bit.

[Bx Tpr]

I went with a .45 for my secondary and home because I WANT THE PERSON TO STOP/DIE!
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/ 739000-739999/739205_125_full.jpg

9mm shouldn't be used for anything other than target shooting. This following article is one of many reasons the NY state police will be going to a .45 gap early this year:
http://www.odmp.org/officer.php?oid=18224

The trooper used his division issued pistol(9mm) while the filth of the earth were using larger caliber weapons. The scumbags still managed to walk over to the trooper and deliver the finishing shot even after being shot themselves.

The higher the caliber the better. I was shooting the Kimber a few days ago and I honestly couldn't tell the difference between the 9mm and the 45 other than the hole in the target!

Good luck and have fun!

[TexRdnec]

No offense, but let me call :bs: right now. The last thing you want in a home defense weapon is a assault rifle. You would wind up killing everyone within 100ft, including your own family and neighbors.

and from a Texan, too?!?!

an assault rifle fires at a fully automatic rate. an AR-15 does not. just because the people on TV with the perfect hair say something does not make it correct. sorry, had to get that out of the way first.

kill everybody within 100 feet huh? if they're that dangerous then they should probably stay alert within the entire 300 meter kill zone of the 5.56x45 round as well. guns are inanimate objects, the user determines their action.

the AR-15 typically fires either a 55 or 62 grain .22 diameter bullet at lets say an average 2500 ft/sec. that's very light, very fast. it deflects easily and doesn't penetrate much. you can't beat a shotgun for home defense but the AR actually makes a very good weapon for that purpose. in the absence of an 870 loaded with light buckshot a superlight carbine rests beside my bedstand and i feel confident that i could deploy it effectively and without neighborhood collateral damage.

you are correct in that most "assault rifles" would be a poor choice though as the majority fire a .30 caliber bullet ( FAL, G3, CETME, AK, AR-10, ETC....)

"assault weapons" are a hobby, hate to see misinformation about them. :secret:

take care,
tex

[TexRdnec]

I went with a .45 for my secondary and home because I WANT THE PERSON TO STOP/DIE!
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/ 739000-739999/739205_125_full.jpg

9mm shouldn't be used for anything other than target shooting. This following article is one of many reasons the NY state police will be going to a .45 gap early this year:
http://www.odmp.org/officer.php?oid=18224

The trooper used his division issued pistol(9mm) while the filth of the earth were using larger caliber weapons. The scumbags still managed to walk over to the trooper and deliver the finishing shot even after being shot themselves.

The higher the caliber the better. I was shooting the Kimber a few days ago and I honestly couldn't tell the difference between the 9mm and the 45 other than the hole in the target!

Good luck and have fun!

kimber custom shop, very nice. raptor?

[Rolencode GTO]

I had the USP9 & the .40. They were the best guns I have ever owned when it came down to reliability and ruggedness!

I personally would get the USP45, that's my favorite one, but pricey.

[Napoleon_Tanerite]

No offense, but let me call :bs: right now. The last thing you want in a home defense weapon is a assault rifle. You would wind up killing everyone within 100ft, including your own family and neighbors.

moron. you know nothing about firearms, balistics or penetration

http://www.theboxotruth.com/

Bottom line, ANY round, including shotgun, 9mm, 45, and rifle rounds will ALL penetrate interior walls, doors, windows, and some exterior walls. An AR is actually a very good home defense weapon. It is relatively small, light, more accurate and more reflexive than a pistol, not to mention 5.56's tendency not to over-penetrate flesh. You should NEVER bet on anything stopping your shots. That's why you do not fire until it is the last option. It should not be at a point where what is behind your target is a consideration, because it has become a "you or him" situation.

[ToddO]

Don't overlook the Taurus PT24/7. Mine is .40 cal and I love the way it fits and shoots. Recoil is not an issue.

[Napoleon_Tanerite]

i looked at the 24/7, and I shot it, and i passed on it. I absolutely hated the trigger and ergonomics of it.

[radarwz]

I need a little help deciding on my next pistol.

I currently have a Ruger 22 for plunking and a Remington Model 870 12 ga. for home defense.
I've always wanted a larger pistol with more stopping power and obviously, the 22 offers nothing in that department. I've decided that my next pistol will be a HK P2000 SK. They come in a few different varieties and I'm having difficulty deciding which route to go:
1. 9MM (ammo is readily available just about anywhere on the cheap)
2. .357SW (don't know much about this cartridge)
3. .40cal (probably the most stopping power but also the most recoil)


I guess I’m leaning toward the 9mm but I’m still undecided. I'm just looking for some advise, pros and cons regarding each size, to help me make up my mind.
Go to a gun range that rents guns. Try out all that interest you. Shooters World on Indian School just west of I-17, Caswells off Stapley in Mesa (My favorite), or Scottsdale gun club - pricey but has the best selection (Kimbers -FTW.!)

[GTPprix]

Go to a gun range that rents guns. Try out all that interest you. Shooters World on Indian School just west of I-17, Caswells off Stapley in Mesa (My favorite), or Scottsdale gun club - pricey but has the best selection (Kimbers -FTW.!)

Best advice EVAR.. I ended up with a H&K USP Compact 9mm doing just that and I went in to buy a Glock 19C hehe

[gametech]

+1 on trying out the HK before you buy. They are excellent quality tools, but I have fired damn near every make and model of firearm available in the U.S., and HK's just don't fit my hand well. You ideally want a large caliber, low recoil gun that fits you perfectly. However, caliber is secondary to shot placement, which comes from being comfortable with your hardware. And recoil is last on the list, because if your first shot does the job, there won't be any follow-up shots to flinch on.

[radarwz]

Desert Eagle .50 FTW! :)
My dream gun.! Lara Croft. :p

[gametech]

The desert eagle .50 ejects right out the top. Unfortunately, this means a good percentage of the ejected cartridges hit you in the face. Biggest useless POS in the firearms world. And, yes, Jolie was hot as Croft.

[unsigned]

The desert eagle .50 ejects right out the top. Unfortunately, this means a good percentage of the ejected cartridges hit you in the face. Biggest useless POS in the firearms world. And, yes, Jolie was hot as Croft.

Funny, I've not had that problem. They go right over my right shoulder. Though, I've only put a hundred or so through mine...

[gametech]

Lucky you. I have two friends with crescent shaped scars on their noses from one. BTW, DE's require a lot of lube to function properly. Sort of like AR15's this extra lube attracts dirt and dust. This doesn't make them bad tools, it just means you have to know their limitations. Also, for some of us that are very slack in the maintenance department, FAL's and 1911's are much more lazy user friendly.

[-db-]

These .45 ACP vs. .40 S&W or any other smaller round debates this kind of discussion always turns into are so similar to the ol' big block vs. small block argument it's kind of funny. On the one hand you have .45 fans talking about brute size and power, just like big block fans, and on the other hand you have fans of smaller rounds who like to point out things like finesse, cost, similar if not equal or even more power, etc. just like fans of small blocks. It's basically the same debate whereas you can pretty much swap engines or handguns and you end up hearing the same things (with both sides having their good points and bad) lol...

[Bx Tpr]

kimber custom shop, very nice. raptor?

Good eye brother! ;)

[gametech]

The big difference is that you can take precise measurements of an engine bay, but there is no precise way of determining what fits each individual hand. In a perfect world, we would all have 1million round magazines in our 55mm howitzer hand cannons, but the laws of physics seem to dictate a compromise. Hence, the perennial debate on function vs useability.

[PhoenixCat]

Go to a gun range that rents guns. Try out all that interest you. Shooters World on Indian School just west of I-17, Caswells off Stapley in Mesa (My favorite), or Scottsdale gun club - pricey but has the best selection (Kimbers -FTW.!)

Until a few days ago I didn't even know this could be done. That's pretty good advice and a great way to figure out what works best for someone(me). I'm planning to hit up shooters world next weekend.

[radarwz]

Until a few days ago I didn't even know this could be done. That's pretty good advice and a great way to figure out what works best for someone(me). I'm planning to hit up shooters world next weekend.
Good luck. See you @ AZPS Sat.

[chaseg08]

I have an XD-40 and I love it. So does everyone else that shoots with it. I plan on getting an XD-45 or 1911 for my next handgun purchase. I think those three guns (XD-40, XD-45, 1911) are possibly the three best handguns to own for the everyday, 2nd amendment right exerciser.

[chaseg08]

The desert eagle .50 ejects right out the top. Unfortunately, this means a good percentage of the ejected cartridges hit you in the face. Biggest useless POS in the firearms world. And, yes, Jolie was hot as Croft.

I've put well over 500 rounds through a DE .50 and I've never had that problem. Personally, I hate that gun. I feel the grip is way too big and two guns that I have shot jamed on a regular basis. The S&W .500 was way more fun to shoot if you want a LARGE caliber gun.

[stillgreedy]

How bout 75 caliber lol 125ACP hahaha