Carbine Caliber Performance

The .40 will have better energy but it won't be a substantially better improvement over the 9mm.

Id imagine a +p+ 9mm would do extremely well out of a 16" barrel.

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the amount of drop at 100 yds is about 12"

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In other words, a carbine would only be effective in an enclosed space. Such as a home.

Was hoping it would work in place of an AR platform. I knew it wouldn't have the range, but 12" drop at 100 yards makes it almost pointless.

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Does 9mm or .40 perform better from a "rifle" platform?

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First, even in a 16" barrel, neither will really perform like a rifle. You can expect a gain of a couple hundred fps in the longer barrel.
Ballistics by the Inch, 9mm
Ballistics by the Inch, 40 S&W

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Which is more accurate?

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I don't think either would have an advantage over the other.

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Which carries better?

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They'll both "carry" a lot further than you'd think, but I'm not sure what you're looking for here. Yes, both will drop considerably at 100 yards, but would still be an effective fight stopper if a hit is made. When shot from a 16" barrel, the velocity at 100 yds of both will approximate the muzzle velocity when shot from a 4" barrel.

Using the JBM ballistics calculator and the following assumptions:

127 grain bullet
assume +p+ ammo (like Winchester Ranger-T)
Muzzle vel. = 1400 ft/sec (seems doable from a 16" bbl)
Sight height = 1.5 inches
Carbine zeroed @ 25 yards

JBM calculator yields following trajectory and velocity:

10 yards: 0.8" low, vel. = 1389 ft/sec, energy = 543 ft. lbs
20 yards: 0.2" low, vel. = 1377 " , energy = 535 ft. lbs
30 yards: 0.2" high, vel = 1366 " , energy = 526 ft. lbs
40 yards: 0.3" high, vel = 1355 " , energy = 518 "
50 yards: 0.3 " high,vel = 1344 " , energy = 509 "
75 yards: 0.5" low, vel = 1318 " , energy = 490 "
100 yards: 2.6" low, vel = 1292 " , energy = 471 "

I did this in a hurry, so my numbers may be way off.
JBM Ballistics Calculator

I have no experience with the .40 or the 9. I have killed a fair number of deer and pigs out to 125 yds with the .357, .41 mag, .44 mag, and the .45 long Colt out of various lever rifles. Bullet drop begins to be a factor beyond that distance +/-.

My suspicion is that due to small case capacity, the .40 and the 9 would be pretty limited in their range.

VABamafan,


take a look at this.

9mm Luger in different length barrels.


I am thinking you are looking at a KelTec Sub 2000 or 16" barrel.

That's 1525 fps for a CorBon 115gr +p
vs say a standard polymer fram pistol that we are all used to
That's 1372 fps for a Corbon 115gr +p

So the question you may want to know, is:

Will an increase of 150 fps make my 9mm projectile more effective at 100 or 200 yards? Will it penetrate better in ballistics gel at that distance? WIll accuracy increase due to the sight radius and control of the gun.

Maybe, and we understand the desire to use one caliber, for both guns. Sub2000's take Glock Magazines (.40 also) so there is a huge plus right there. Plus they chamber a common round. 9mm.

-To go 5.7 (ps 90 plus FiveseveN pistol) is very expensive and defeats your cost criteria.
-Kriss Vector .45 with .45 pisto?...cool but expensive.
-Marlin .45 Camp Carbine with .45 pistol? Cool!

But will this come close to a 5.56 in effectiveness? Absolutely not. But does it satisfy some use you may need for a 16" subgun with a matching caliber pistol....I think so. Hell, I am interested in it. Subguns do fit a niche for some.

Even if there's no ballistic advantage, it's much easier to hit stuff with a carbine.