.40 S&w
- Thread starter TeeItUpCMB04
- Start date
I carry .40 S&W in a Corbon 140 gr. JHP DPX. In a small frame, it does kick more than a 9mm. However, I carry a Steyr S40. This is a fairly large (6.5"L x 4.6"H), heavy (23 oz.), 3.5", 10+1 polymer gun. The recoil difference is noticeable but not objectionable.
9mm MIGHT be slightly more accurate due to the higher velocity. That's debatable, since the particular gun makes a big difference in accuracy and perceived recoil.
Although I believe the 9mm is the optimum compromise in size, firepower, comfort, and accuracy for most people, I carry the .40 S&W when I can. I shoot well with it and can conceal it fairly easily.
9mm MIGHT be slightly more accurate due to the higher velocity. That's debatable, since the particular gun makes a big difference in accuracy and perceived recoil.
Although I believe the 9mm is the optimum compromise in size, firepower, comfort, and accuracy for most people, I carry the .40 S&W when I can. I shoot well with it and can conceal it fairly easily.
All I'll say is that I'm a diehard .45 auto man. That said I don't see a thing wrong with the .40. Maybe it's because I'm used to the recoil of my .45's, I don't think the .40 is hard to shoot, or hit with. It's got enough bullet weight and caliber, and if you are comfortable with it, you'll shoot well with it. I was shooting a Sig 2340 the other night. I found it easy to control and hit with during rapid fire exercises, even though the gun is too small for MY hands.
The one thing I've noticed in reading this thread, is that everyone seems enamoured of the high speed, light bullet loads. I know on paper they turn in more energy, but energy doesn't kill. A hole in the vitals does. I would be just as happy with the 180gr loads as the lighter ones. Nobody is going to be able to get out of the way of any bullet, so I think I would prefer to have a little more bullet weight for better penetration on heavily clothed individuals, or some one trying to hide behind some type of barricade
The one thing I've noticed in reading this thread, is that everyone seems enamoured of the high speed, light bullet loads. I know on paper they turn in more energy, but energy doesn't kill. A hole in the vitals does. I would be just as happy with the 180gr loads as the lighter ones. Nobody is going to be able to get out of the way of any bullet, so I think I would prefer to have a little more bullet weight for better penetration on heavily clothed individuals, or some one trying to hide behind some type of barricade
The 40S&W is no better or worse than the 9mm or 45ACP. I will take any one in a good quality hand gun. It is more important to me to have a light handy gun that will be with me when I need it. In general the 40 and 45s have been a little more accurate than 9s (2" @ 25yards/3"). Any one will be a compromise from a rifle or shotgun. --Bill
Mark Milton
Moderator
Meanwhile back in reality, it just doesn't work on the street.
Where I live there were many shootings with the .40 round and not a one was a one-shot stop.
compared to numerous one shot stops with the 9mm for crying out loud.
The last .40 shooting in these parts was a guy who shot himself with his tactical tupperware and DROVE HIMSELF TO THE HOSPITAL.
Sorry. That kind of "performance" doesn't particularly impress me.
Two weeks later a guy was shot one time with a 9mm and fell over dead.
In theory ,the .40 should have good stopping power like the old .38-40 revolver round. In reality, it just don't perform on the street.
So the advantage is that its' trendy.
The disadvantage is that its lacking in stopping power, has too much muzzle blast and recoil and less stopping power than a .45 and less magazine capacity than a 9mm...
But what do you expect from a compromise gun?
Pick a .45 if you want stopping power. Pick a 9mm if you want magazine capacity. Pick a .40 if you want dissapointment.
Where I live there were many shootings with the .40 round and not a one was a one-shot stop.
compared to numerous one shot stops with the 9mm for crying out loud.
The last .40 shooting in these parts was a guy who shot himself with his tactical tupperware and DROVE HIMSELF TO THE HOSPITAL.
Sorry. That kind of "performance" doesn't particularly impress me.
Two weeks later a guy was shot one time with a 9mm and fell over dead.
In theory ,the .40 should have good stopping power like the old .38-40 revolver round. In reality, it just don't perform on the street.
So the advantage is that its' trendy.
The disadvantage is that its lacking in stopping power, has too much muzzle blast and recoil and less stopping power than a .45 and less magazine capacity than a 9mm...
But what do you expect from a compromise gun?
Pick a .45 if you want stopping power. Pick a 9mm if you want magazine capacity. Pick a .40 if you want dissapointment.
I can't agree there. There are just too many variables in "real incident" reports to make a judgment based solely on those. Type of ammo/gun, distance, angle of shot, clothing worn, etc. all come into play. I've seen reports of someone being shot IN THE HEAD with a .45 and living to tell the tale. In fact, living to be shot again to finally stop.
9mm does have the advantage of (usually) smaller size/weight, and more round capacity. The recoil is less, too, for those who don't like the snap of the .40.
Me? I'll stick with my .40.
scorpiusdeus
New member
It's me defensive caliber of choice in handgun calibers.
the recoil is different than both 9mm &.45acp, but if you train on it, than it's no longer and issue. If you train with 9mm and carry .40 S&W, well, that's just not the best way to go.
It's all a matter of personal choice.
the recoil is different than both 9mm &.45acp, but if you train on it, than it's no longer and issue. If you train with 9mm and carry .40 S&W, well, that's just not the best way to go.
It's all a matter of personal choice.
"I believe the only reduced power 165 gr. SD load is made by Federal at the request of, and specifically for, a certain Federal LE agency. The FBI says it's produced good results."
Which agency would that be? The FBI's load for .40 S&W, produced by Winchester, is a 180 grain JHP pushed at approximately 1000 fps. Prior to that, another manufacturer's 180 grain JHP pushed at approximately 1000 fps. Practically duplicating the FBI's famous/infamous 10mm 180 grain JHP at approximately 1000 fps.
That's 180 at 1000 fps back into the 1980s. Did they squeeze in a Federal HS at approximately 980 fps? Maybe. ANyone know if it was general issue and for how long? Curious.
Which agency would that be? The FBI's load for .40 S&W, produced by Winchester, is a 180 grain JHP pushed at approximately 1000 fps. Prior to that, another manufacturer's 180 grain JHP pushed at approximately 1000 fps. Practically duplicating the FBI's famous/infamous 10mm 180 grain JHP at approximately 1000 fps.
That's 180 at 1000 fps back into the 1980s. Did they squeeze in a Federal HS at approximately 980 fps? Maybe. ANyone know if it was general issue and for how long? Curious.
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Please ignore reality
The 9x19, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP have all proved themselves in actual shootings.
The 357 SIG generates the highest 'energy figures'. Regardless, it has also proven itself in actual shootings.
Please choose the cartridge you are most likely to hit something with. Practice with it. Load it with ammo reliable in function and controllably accurate.
Practice more.
Carry it with modern-design hollowpoint ammo of quality manufacture.
Recognize you are armed as well or better than many (surviving) police officers.
I mean, what worked before we had all this good stuff? (Hint: the 38 Special)
The 9x19, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP have all proved themselves in actual shootings.
The 357 SIG generates the highest 'energy figures'. Regardless, it has also proven itself in actual shootings.
Please choose the cartridge you are most likely to hit something with. Practice with it. Load it with ammo reliable in function and controllably accurate.
Practice more.
Carry it with modern-design hollowpoint ammo of quality manufacture.
Recognize you are armed as well or better than many (surviving) police officers.
I mean, what worked before we had all this good stuff? (Hint: the 38 Special)
imthegrumpyone
New member
The first thing I grab is one of my .40's, actually the only thing I carry !
I'm a huge fan of the .40. It's incredibly versatile, more so than people might think. In factory loadings, it's not going to be leaps and bounds ahead of the 9mm or .45 since they're designed to perform similarly anyways. When you step into handloading, the .40 can really shine. It's no 10mm, but believe it or not, it's not too far behind it either.
Coming from someone who owns practically every caliber out there, the .40 is probably my favorite cartridge for an autoloader. Brass is plentiful at the range, and it shoots flatter and hits just as hard or harder than the .45 with 9mm like capacity. It's win-win.
Coming from someone who owns practically every caliber out there, the .40 is probably my favorite cartridge for an autoloader. Brass is plentiful at the range, and it shoots flatter and hits just as hard or harder than the .45 with 9mm like capacity. It's win-win.
Hit 19 times with a .40 and walked out of a hospital a few days later. I call BS on that on unless he was hit in the hand 14 times and foot the other 5. The .40 is not the hammer of Thor but its a heck of a good pistol. I carry a Smith M&P40 and i love it! 15 rounds of a good round is hard to beat and i love the .45ACP as well but 15 rounds is like having another mag already in my 1911. The .40 is a GREAT round and will be with us a long long time.
armsmaster270
New member
Here are most of my handguns, from 22 to 45 1-.22, 1 .38spl, 3 .357mags, 2 9mm, 2 .40S&W, 3 .45 autos. I have a little bit of experience but what is good for me may not be good for you. I have 18 years of Law enforcement experience with a major metropolitan agency and 18 years as an M.P. I was also an armorer where the unit had 168 M-16's, 145 1911A1's, 44M-203's, 44 M-60's, 27 Misc colt 38spls and 1 .50cal BMG. Despite what I was issued I carried a 1911 off duty. later the sig 220 .45ACP. I now carry the Sig 226 in 40S&W and find it an Ideal compromise It has the stopping power and does the job if I do mine and place my shots and don't spray and pray as seems to be the fashion. My load is Winchester 180gr RangerSXT's RA40T
