I don't understand where this opinion comes from. The reason the FBI switched to .40S&W is to improve penetration, and the likeliness of a wound that will prevent the target from being a threat.

www.firearmstactical.com/ammo_...ta.htm gives a rundown of many ammo types, their penetration into gelatin, and their velocity.

The bottom line for me is that a .40s&w sends a 165-185 grain bullet at 1000-1200 fps, and a 9x19 sends a 115-147 grain bullet at 900-1300 fps.

I'll go for the smaller bullet. I load with hydrashock tacticals which are a 147 grain bullet at 950fps with nice expansion characteristics.

Silver tips might just be the ticket.
Something like that with a deep split hollow point, so you'll get good bearing surface on the riflling for the lighter bullet weight.

For each gun, there's gonna be some ammo that works or groups better than others.
Once you get the feel for what you're looking at, go with the most gun you can handle comfortably, then figure out what's going to perform reliably and maximize the terminal performance of the cartridge out of your particular gun, whatever barrel length you end up getting.

Do consider the action type too.
There's primarily single and double action.
My 1911 45s are single action guns, the 9mm ruger you've used in the past is a double action gun.
The trigger only needs to move a teensy little bit on the single action gun, but it needs to be cocked first manually for the first shot.
A double action gun will cock that hammer for you on the first shot, and the trigger pull will be longer and in most cases take more pressure to do it.
Some guns are capable of both. Make sure you know what the thing feels like in your hands, pulling the trigger before you choose.
That's gonna have a lot to do with how the gun fits you.
There might be a double action auto out there that fits nicely in your hand, but the fit goes all to hell as you stroke the trigger through it's long travel.
Definitely something to think about.
The Para Ordinance LDA and the Glock have triggers that are truly unique in feel and function. Both are very good too and deserve a look. Especially with your little hands.

Once you have settled on someting, let us know. Get it out and shoot it some first to get a feel for it, my best advice to you still is to get out to frontsite and do a two day course with it.

Then we can get together here in the bay area with a fuckload of different brands and models of cartridges at a range and do accuracy and chronograph testing to select the best thing for you and your gun.
That'll be most important if you choose the 9mm. Gotta get the most outta that thing, chrono data and targets will be a good place to figure out what's what with different ammo.


--John