I was in my LGS this morning just looking around and went to the used handgun counter. I noticed that all the semi's where in 40 cal. They could have been police trade ins but got me curious if the public interest in the 40 is waining. I have a 40 cal and have to be honest that I enjoy shooting my 9mm's and 45's more.
40S&W not so popular?
- Thread starter t45
- Start date
Some recent discussion here: http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=581418
There are a lot of great deals out there to be had. Most semi's in .40 can become .357 Sig with just a replacement barrel.
There are a lot of great deals out there to be had. Most semi's in .40 can become .357 Sig with just a replacement barrel.
40S&W not so popular?
I have to disagree. The exodus from the 40SW started before the FBI. It will certainly add fuel to the fire, but the lgses near me have been stocked with 40SW pistols that they can't sell for a number of years now. It's gotten so they have cut the prices on all 40SW pistols by close to $100 just to try to get their money back out of them. The market has been trending this way for a little while, it wasn't just overnight.
For the record I really don't have anything against 40SW even if I prefer 9mm.
I have to disagree. The exodus from the 40SW started before the FBI. It will certainly add fuel to the fire, but the lgses near me have been stocked with 40SW pistols that they can't sell for a number of years now. It's gotten so they have cut the prices on all 40SW pistols by close to $100 just to try to get their money back out of them. The market has been trending this way for a little while, it wasn't just overnight.
For the record I really don't have anything against 40SW even if I prefer 9mm.
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At the range there are two crowds who shoot 40 S&W for two difference reasons.
1. Experienced shooters who want to try a 40 S&W.
2. New concealed carry permit holders who shoot them because some jackass salesman at a gun store convinced them it was the caliber they needed.
And, as if .40 S&W isn't uncomfortable enough to shoot with standard pressure loads, the same jackass who sold the uninformed/inexperienced newbie his new gun, also sells them the most expensive / "hottest" self defense ammo to practice with. "Gotta break in that new gun," he says as he smilingly rings up the sale.
"CHA CHING."
1. Experienced shooters who want to try a 40 S&W.
2. New concealed carry permit holders who shoot them because some jackass salesman at a gun store convinced them it was the caliber they needed.
And, as if .40 S&W isn't uncomfortable enough to shoot with standard pressure loads, the same jackass who sold the uninformed/inexperienced newbie his new gun, also sells them the most expensive / "hottest" self defense ammo to practice with. "Gotta break in that new gun," he says as he smilingly rings up the sale.
"CHA CHING."
Total bogus statement.
Been shooting for over 40 yrs. Dont own or plan to own a 9mm.
Own several 40s 45s 38/357s 22s in hand guns however.
My favorite range shooter is 3rd gen smith 4006 40 cal or my 357 wheel gun.
My carry is 45 shield since release was a 40 version previous to that.
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I shoot pistols a lot. I prefer 45 acp, 9mm and .22. I don't shoot .40 cal because I don't care for the feel of the round and don't want to invest in guns just to shoot the .40 cal. I also reload so that would be additional investment in reloading equipment for a round I just am not in love with. Just me but I don't need it and don't plan on getting in to it.
For those who like it then there are some great deals out there right now and they may get better in the future.
For those who like it then there are some great deals out there right now and they may get better in the future.
One of the biggest factors in the decline of the 40 S&W is the improvements in 9mm self defense ammo in heavier bullets like 147gr.
They are much better performers now. With a 9mm you get higher capacity for the same size gun and very similar terminal bullet performance. Add to that many shooters find the 9mm easier to shoot. The 9mm is a pop the 40 is more of a snap. Many shooters find they can get more rounds on target faster and more accurately with 9mm.
The FBI change has fueled the fire but it is not the start of the exodus. IMHO
They are much better performers now. With a 9mm you get higher capacity for the same size gun and very similar terminal bullet performance. Add to that many shooters find the 9mm easier to shoot. The 9mm is a pop the 40 is more of a snap. Many shooters find they can get more rounds on target faster and more accurately with 9mm.
The FBI change has fueled the fire but it is not the start of the exodus. IMHO
The .40 S&W is for real men.
The rest of us fellows and ladies will just have to content ourselves
with the time tested 9 mm and .45.
But, regarding the .40 S&W, didn't the weight of the bullet drop
considerably shortly after its introduction so real men could also
handle it with halfway decent shot placement?
The rest of us fellows and ladies will just have to content ourselves
with the time tested 9 mm and .45.
But, regarding the .40 S&W, didn't the weight of the bullet drop
considerably shortly after its introduction so real men could also
handle it with halfway decent shot placement?
I had a Kahr PM9 and liked it, decided to get a PM40 for bigger bullet alternative.
Either pocket pistol makes a nice 2nd option to a full size carried IWB.
5 shot velocity averages from the short barrel are very good:
PM40
180 gr. Federal HST - 947 fps
180 gr. Speer Gold Dot @ 950 fps / 361# KE
155 gr. Federal Bonded @ 1,086 fps / 406# KE
Inside 6 ft where I envision maybe using pocket option, a little bigger bullet seems advantageous.
Either pocket pistol makes a nice 2nd option to a full size carried IWB.
5 shot velocity averages from the short barrel are very good:
PM40
180 gr. Federal HST - 947 fps
180 gr. Speer Gold Dot @ 950 fps / 361# KE
155 gr. Federal Bonded @ 1,086 fps / 406# KE
Inside 6 ft where I envision maybe using pocket option, a little bigger bullet seems advantageous.
The 40's decline in LE use has been going on for a while. In recent months the number of agencies going to 9mm has increased dramatically. I can see where the 40 has a niche and think it will still be popular for a while. There are simply too many guns out there that people can get cheap and they will want to shoot them.
I've had a few over the years, but have always preferred 9mm for 2 legged threats and 10mm for 4 legged threats.
I've had a few over the years, but have always preferred 9mm for 2 legged threats and 10mm for 4 legged threats.
I think the .40 S&W is certainly less popular than it was a few years back, but it still remains plenty popular and is not going anywhere.
I suspect a lot of people bought .40 S&W handguns back when it was the darling of many law enforcement agencies after the FBI had decided that the 9mm Luger was "inadequate". I also suspect that many of these folks bought 40 calibers without really having much experience with the round, or bought small pistols chambered in a caliber that was not really all that suitable for them.
Perceived recoil is a highly subjective thing and I think the key to becoming comfortable with .40 S&W is to have a pistol of sufficient size and weight to handle the recoil easily, maintaining an excellent grip, and just becoming more familiar with the recoil characteristics of the round. I do agree that the recoil of the .40 S&W cartridge does tend to be sharper than 9 mm Luger, or even .45 ACP, and it might not be the best choice for those with arthritic hands or wrists, or limited hand strength.
Many of us have become comfortable shooting .40 S&W, shoot it accurately, and don't plan to stop doing so.
I suspect a lot of people bought .40 S&W handguns back when it was the darling of many law enforcement agencies after the FBI had decided that the 9mm Luger was "inadequate". I also suspect that many of these folks bought 40 calibers without really having much experience with the round, or bought small pistols chambered in a caliber that was not really all that suitable for them.
Perceived recoil is a highly subjective thing and I think the key to becoming comfortable with .40 S&W is to have a pistol of sufficient size and weight to handle the recoil easily, maintaining an excellent grip, and just becoming more familiar with the recoil characteristics of the round. I do agree that the recoil of the .40 S&W cartridge does tend to be sharper than 9 mm Luger, or even .45 ACP, and it might not be the best choice for those with arthritic hands or wrists, or limited hand strength.
Many of us have become comfortable shooting .40 S&W, shoot it accurately, and don't plan to stop doing so.
I copied this from another thread I responded to cause I'm too lazy to type it all over again...
I love my 1911. Had it for over 40 years. I first shot one in early '71 and bought it when I got home. It definitely is a people stopper.
Had my 9 for over 30 years. Fun to shoot the 9 but was never my defense caliber of choice. More of a plinking gun\round for me.
My Sig 40? Only had it a few months and I find the 1911 and 9 just sit in the safe while I shoot the 40.
Same goes with my daughter. She learned on my 1911. With all the upcoming laws we have here she decided to get her own handgun (soon we cant loan handguns anymore) and compared the 38, 357, 9, 40 and 45 (1911) and bought a Sig 40 earlier this year.
She's 5'2"\120 lbs and found the 9 too anemic for her and it was firing her Sig 40 that made me want one too.
It's fast becoming my choice for a defensive round. It and the Sig that is. I've got some time and rounds to put into it to become as "familiar" with it as the 1911 but that will come. I'll probably pick up a matching Sig in 9 to cut the costs down a bit until it all becomes muscle memory again and then sell the 9.
You hear all sorts of stuff about the 40. Too much recoil, not accurate, bullet tech, not accurate, not enough rounds, ammo too expensive etc.
Reloading wise I can load 50 - 9mm for around $6, 40 for a bit less than $8.
I find the caliber very accurate.
Bullet tech benefits all calibers.
Recoil? Its something you need to learn to control. Rapid fire (draw, fire and as fast as I could acquire fire again) at 15 meters netted all 10 rounds in an 18" circle. Not as good as I can do with my 1911 but I'm still "learning" the pistol and its more than sufficient to end a confrontation.
And you need to realize not all handguns recoil the same with the same load.
Here in Kalyforrnya mag capacity is a non issue. 10 - 9's or 10 - 40's or 10 - 45's (or 7 or 8 if you have a 1911) or whatever.
Finding my Sig in 40 was much harder than in 9. Probably not stocked as much as the 9 due to the trends but there's a rather large following still.
Years ago they said the 1911 45acp was losing popularity too and look where it is today.
The 40's here to stay. Now if I could only find a 10mm to try...
I love my 1911. Had it for over 40 years. I first shot one in early '71 and bought it when I got home. It definitely is a people stopper.
Had my 9 for over 30 years. Fun to shoot the 9 but was never my defense caliber of choice. More of a plinking gun\round for me.
My Sig 40? Only had it a few months and I find the 1911 and 9 just sit in the safe while I shoot the 40.
Same goes with my daughter. She learned on my 1911. With all the upcoming laws we have here she decided to get her own handgun (soon we cant loan handguns anymore) and compared the 38, 357, 9, 40 and 45 (1911) and bought a Sig 40 earlier this year.
She's 5'2"\120 lbs and found the 9 too anemic for her and it was firing her Sig 40 that made me want one too.
It's fast becoming my choice for a defensive round. It and the Sig that is. I've got some time and rounds to put into it to become as "familiar" with it as the 1911 but that will come. I'll probably pick up a matching Sig in 9 to cut the costs down a bit until it all becomes muscle memory again and then sell the 9.
You hear all sorts of stuff about the 40. Too much recoil, not accurate, bullet tech, not accurate, not enough rounds, ammo too expensive etc.
Reloading wise I can load 50 - 9mm for around $6, 40 for a bit less than $8.
I find the caliber very accurate.
Bullet tech benefits all calibers.
Recoil? Its something you need to learn to control. Rapid fire (draw, fire and as fast as I could acquire fire again) at 15 meters netted all 10 rounds in an 18" circle. Not as good as I can do with my 1911 but I'm still "learning" the pistol and its more than sufficient to end a confrontation.
And you need to realize not all handguns recoil the same with the same load.
Here in Kalyforrnya mag capacity is a non issue. 10 - 9's or 10 - 40's or 10 - 45's (or 7 or 8 if you have a 1911) or whatever.
Finding my Sig in 40 was much harder than in 9. Probably not stocked as much as the 9 due to the trends but there's a rather large following still.
Years ago they said the 1911 45acp was losing popularity too and look where it is today.
The 40's here to stay. Now if I could only find a 10mm to try...
I got a CZ P09 in 40 caliber yesterday. If only I'd known in advance that it's a dying cartridge! (j/k)
I also have a double-stack 1911 in 40 caliber and a Beretta 96.
For me it's a fun-to-shoot cartridge. I like 9mm and 45acp also. They are all fun. I enjoy shooting a variety of calibers.
I also have a double-stack 1911 in 40 caliber and a Beretta 96.
For me it's a fun-to-shoot cartridge. I like 9mm and 45acp also. They are all fun. I enjoy shooting a variety of calibers.