Ruger P944 or Beretta 96?

Hello,

I'm trying to help a friend choose which firearm to buy (mainly because I want him to sell me his S&W 686). He wants a weapon with a manual safety, as he has a small child in his home. Thus, a revolver no longer interests him.

As an Air Force guy, he is already trained and familiar with the Beretta M9 (civilian 92). He asked me to check out 9mm for him, and I said, why not go up to 40 cal? You can still get 10 rounds in a magazine, but you do give up 5 more if you get the aftermarket ones for the 9 mil. However you get better ballistics/stopping power over 9mm, correct?

I then advised him that I would go with a Ruger instead of Beretta, mainly because the Ruger is a bit cheaper for basically the same features. Price is a considerable factor, as he's selling me his 686 for only $300. (We're friends, and not trying to rip each other off.) Additionally, after I was trained on the M9, as well, and went to purchase my own 9mm, I got a Ruger P95. Same features as the M9, but a bit smaller (I have smaller hands), plus it had the decock feature (which he is not interested in - want a manual safety, remember?).

After doing some reseach, I narrowed down the choices to the Ruger P944:

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=3435&return=Y




and the Beretta 96 (follow lilnk and click on "92/96 series" over on the left)

http://www.berettausa.com/product/product_pistols_main.htm



I am not a firearms expert, just going off what I think I know, and what I read. Thus, I'm asking for additional opinions and advice. Am I missing anything? Also, if you think I'm wrong about 40 cal vs. 9mm, please chime in on that, as well. My friend also wants to know how much more expensive 40 cal ammo is compared to the 9mm. I don't think he'll be doing enough target practice shooting for that to really make a difference, but I promised I'd research it, as well.

Thanks in advance!