which one is the best over all? 40 s&w or 357 sig

[chris fuson]

i am needing to get a new pistol for christmas, i will be using this handgun for all of my self defense needs, home defense,and as a concealed weapon in public, also i like to shoot my guns a whole lot, so i want something that i can enjoy target practice, also i do not like real small compact handguns, so none of those please, just a normall size hand gun. would like to hear which caliber you think is best and what brand of pistol should i purchase? i used to have a 9mm but my brother recently moved out into his own house and i made him take it with him for personal protection and home defense, so im just gonna let him keep it and try and get a new one, but i am tore between the 357 sig and 40 s&w. also do not want another 9mm, did not like the knock down power for the distance traveled at all, but it was extremly accuratte though. any opinions and help would be apppreciated. thanks in advance for any help.

[Pike Ridge Beagles]

In the words of Elmer Keith...bigger is always better. Stay with the .40 and don't listen to cops concerning firearms.....if they are x military cops with firearms training then well...OK

[huntall50]

With that said I would choose the 40 cal. Ammo is always availaible and reasonable priced for regular target practice. Plus the .40 is a very capable self-defense round.

[green river]

I really like the Springfield Armory XD 40. Very nice pistol