.40 cal on the way out?

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frolic1

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I understand that many police departments are switching from .40 S&W to 9mm. Basically, modern 9mm defensive loads are just as damaging as .40 cal and can pass the FBI's Ammunition Test Protocol. Also in actual police shootouts the miss rates are around 70%-80% so having more (equally damaging) rounds is a great advantage. Other advantages of 9mm are less recoil thus faster followup shots, cost, and less wear on the gun. So is the .40 cal on the way out or am I missing something?
 
While there have been some high profile reports of agencies switching back to 9mm I suspect many still use the .40S&W. Keep in mind switching can cost a lot of money and it simply may not be worth it for some departments. I suppose the question is long term will we see the .40S&W fade away? Maybe, but I suspect it’ll be with us for a good while.
 
The .40 will be with us for a good, long time. I think that the "flurry of 9mm LEO purchasing" will not last forever.

Scott
 
.40 was always as much about politics as performance. It partially satisfied two groups of people; the first wanted light, fast bullets, and the other wanted big, heavy slugs.
Both could agree that .40 was better than what their "opponents" wanted.
Since individuals are not government agencies, and can choose whatever they want, they don't have to compromise.
My carry guns are a 13+1 9mm and 6+1 .45; don't need anything in between.
I don't want to give up the capacity and easy shooting of the 9, and don't want to give up the bullet mass of the .45.
In ten years, .40 will be much less popular than 9 or .45, but it will hang around because it has been popular for so long.
 
Probably not likely to go away. Not a bad caliber but it isn't for me.
I find way too much 40 brass at the range.
I pick it up & use it for trade of sell.
 
Basically, modern 9mm defensive loads are just as damaging as .40 cal and can pass the FBI's Ammunition Test Protoc
Click to expand...

Yeah, and modern 38 Special +P loads are going to make the 357 Magnum obsolete as well! :eek:
(Where's the sarcasm smiley?)
 
You understand wrong... Sure there is a flurry of 9mm buying now, but 40 is the premier round right now. It fits in 9mm size guns and offers 45 Auto performance. I agree it is not quit a 45, but it is close and med size double stack 16 rd's guns are available.

9mm holds like 2 more, but is not neerly as effective.

13 rd 45's are just too big for many hands.
 
I've been hearing stories of the demise of the 40s&w since the AWB sunset, mostly from people who have their ego tied up in another round. I doubt it's going anywhere.
 
I don't see .40 S&W going anywhere any time soon. Not only is it heavily used in law enforcement but it is going strong in the civilian market as well. Personally, I'm not a big fan of the .40 Short and Weak, but I believe many other calibers will die out before it will.
 
It'd be fair to say that 9mm is eating into 40 S&W popularity in LE circles. It is too well established to be "on the way out". It'll outlive, and outsell 45 ACP, and I don't see it going anywhere either.
 
And here I sit on a thousand rounds of factory 40 and 500 of brass and no 40 sidearm.

Maybe I'll just buy a G40 instead and buy a 40 barrel.
 
jmr40 It'd be fair to say that 9mm is eating into 40 S&W popularity in LE circles. It is too well established to be "on the way out". It'll outlive, and outsell 45 ACP, and I don't see it going anywhere either.

Really??? I think you left your eye roll emoticon off. I don't see it going away, even almost, but outsell and outlive the .45 ACP? No, I don't see it doing that.
 
This question pops up every few months. I believe the correct answer is no, it's not, not in our lifetimes.

9mm is my primary but I still own, use, and find use for several .40 guns. The law enforcement agencies in my area tried out some nines, read the latest research, and all but one stuck with .40.

For everyday folks, I think the 9mm is probably a better overall choice. For law enforcement, the .40 still enjoys a good reputation, well-earned, for being a barrier smasher, especially the 180-grain loads. When you're pulling over cars all night made out of auto glass, steel, aluminum, and reinforced plastics and fiberglass, that's a serious consideration.

It's going nowhere. Neither are caliber threads. Big wheel, keep on turnin'
 
9mm has indeed found new life, thanks to some high-performing premium hollowpoints. While professional law enforcement agencies might have the fiscal mojo to foot this bill, it remains to be seen whether ordinary civilians can afford to follow suit. Especially since 180 grain truncated cone or flat-point fmj in a .40-size hole is effective, and economical.

No, .40 S&W ain't going nowhere.
 
Posted by: jmr40
It'll outlive, and outsell 45 ACP
Click to expand...

Oh, I'd love to hear where you found this tidbit at?

Me thinks thou exaggerate :rolleyes:, but please, share with us the source of this bit of "wisdom" :eek:
 
I just picked up a xdm 40 from a guy jumping to 9mm. Only shot it twice and can't seem to decide if I like it.

I had been looking off and on for a 40 since selling my 9mm and I do feel the cost of a 40 chambered gun is cheaper than it used to be (used)
 
In jmr40s defense I point out he did say he didnt see 45 going anywhere either, right at the end of his sentence and no, .40 isn't on the way out.
 
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