I also went with the .40 as my first gun, not to carry but as a regular shooter. Which now I'm glad I did because the .40 ammo is much easier to come by where I'm at. I wanted to start with a 9mm but in 4 months I have yet to see the 1st of 9mm ammo, but I've accumulated about 1000 rounds of .40. For me it was a learning curve for the recoil (vs the 9 & 45). My personal opinion based off those 3 cal I shot the 40 seems to have a little recoil. Although it might have been what I was shooting (handgun wise) but now after some practicing I love my .40....However everyone I talk to is there is nothing like shooting a 45 through a 1911.