DiscoRacing
New member
if you mean acp ... i would stick with my 40,,, if you mean LC... i have one of those I would take over the 40... and more fun too shoot by far.
For target practice - would you buy a 45 or a 40?
- Thread starter Rockosteel
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Shawn Dodson
Moderator
When .40 S&W was introduced about two decades ago tests revealed it didn't produce the same level of accuracy as the 10mm cartridge. I don't have facts to share or references to cite, just a memory of test results reported long ago.
I used to have several volumes of the FBI's Ammunition Tests data and IIRC accuracy tests fired from test barrels in a Ransom Rest consistently produced a lower Accuracy Index value for the 10mm than .40 S&W. The lower the value the better the accuracy potential of the cartridge.
I have a theory regarding accuracy and the .40 S&W. It revolves around rifling rate of twist. I don't think that most manufacturers make barrels with the right rate of twist for the most commonly available bullet weights.
I've owned two pistols in .40, and I work at an indoor range. I have observed that lighter bullet weights (135 grain if memory serves) tend to shoot better in terms of accuracy. The problem is, the 180 and 165 grain loads are by far the most common.
It may be the same problem that the M16 had back when they switched from 55 grain pills to heavier bullets, but still used the 1:12 twist.
With all that said, the best shooting .40 in terms of accuracy, in my experience has been the XDM-40.
Personally still prefer 9mm or .45 in autochuckers. Between .40 and .45, get the .45.
I've owned two pistols in .40, and I work at an indoor range. I have observed that lighter bullet weights (135 grain if memory serves) tend to shoot better in terms of accuracy. The problem is, the 180 and 165 grain loads are by far the most common.
It may be the same problem that the M16 had back when they switched from 55 grain pills to heavier bullets, but still used the 1:12 twist.
With all that said, the best shooting .40 in terms of accuracy, in my experience has been the XDM-40.
Personally still prefer 9mm or .45 in autochuckers. Between .40 and .45, get the .45.
Where are finding ammo at these prices? I haven't seen ammo that cheap in a whole bunch of years.
To answer the OP question 22lr for pure target practice A lot of fun and cheap.
Ammo prices here in FLA are through the roof. Case price for 45acp is at $389+ tax and 40 S&W is at $369+ tax per case
LollerCopter
New member
As a general rule of thumb, remember, the .40 will be operating at much higher pressure than a .45 and from a short barrelled fire-arm (any pistol under 10 inch barrel legnth) the .45 acp will prove to be more accurate. Recoil, .45 has more of a 'slow' longer muzzle flip compared to the .40 having a quick short muzzle flip. but they are both comfortable to shoot to anyone that isnt a 3 year old pigmy child.
LollerCopter
New member
Now if you happen to know of a 6 or 8 inch barreled handgun that has such a tight barrel twist to make the .40 s/w spin at least 1 and 3/4 times before it leaves the barrel, it might be more accurate than your usual .45 of lesser twist rate, but with more felt back pushing recoil (not so much muzzle flip) however i highly doubt there are weapons that do this. Most handguns twist the bullet 1/2 or 3/4 for better ones, before it exits barrel. so .45 hands down in accuracy. they are both the same in power, .40 for range, but without the accuracy it wont matter. only benefit a .40 has is for close fast combat due to its magazine capacity advantage, which isnt much.
Why is the .45 ACP more accurate than the .40 S&W? Because the .45 has been a standard target shooting competition cartridge for decades, if not a century, and the .40 hasn't. I suspect that, as with many cartridges that have a reputation for accuracy or inaccuracy, the real difference is that customers have insisted that the one be accurate and have not insisted the same thing for the other.
If I were buying a large caliber handgun for "target shooting" for my own amusement, I'd get whatever amused me. If I were buying one for formal target shooting I'd go with a .45 all the way, because it is one of the calibers specified in formal bullseye pistol matches and because you can buy a .45 target pistol ready made right off the shelf. The Colt Gold Cup is the original, but there are others.
That doesn't mean the .40 couldn't be as accurate. Maybe some of the .40s out there ARE that accurate, in which case all you'd have to do to make a "true" target pistol out of it would be to get the grips and sights set up to your liking.
I've often thought it would be an interesting experiment (but way WAY beyond anything I could ever do) to try to make a good target weapon in a caliber that has a reputation for bad accuracy. For example, to build a .25 Auto version of a .22 target pistol. But it would be useless from a practical point of view because however good it was it wouldn't be better than the .22 you could get now, with a lot less trouble. Same thing with a full-out .40 target pistol, I guess, although I think a full-out .40 would be fairly easy for somebody to put together, if they wanted.
If I were buying a large caliber handgun for "target shooting" for my own amusement, I'd get whatever amused me. If I were buying one for formal target shooting I'd go with a .45 all the way, because it is one of the calibers specified in formal bullseye pistol matches and because you can buy a .45 target pistol ready made right off the shelf. The Colt Gold Cup is the original, but there are others.
That doesn't mean the .40 couldn't be as accurate. Maybe some of the .40s out there ARE that accurate, in which case all you'd have to do to make a "true" target pistol out of it would be to get the grips and sights set up to your liking.
I've often thought it would be an interesting experiment (but way WAY beyond anything I could ever do) to try to make a good target weapon in a caliber that has a reputation for bad accuracy. For example, to build a .25 Auto version of a .22 target pistol. But it would be useless from a practical point of view because however good it was it wouldn't be better than the .22 you could get now, with a lot less trouble. Same thing with a full-out .40 target pistol, I guess, although I think a full-out .40 would be fairly easy for somebody to put together, if they wanted.
crazy charlie
New member
I assume your talking about the .40 and .45 autos.
If you have the same platform (same gun) for both calibers both would be fun.
Ammo cost, generally, the .40 would be cheaper. Here again the same manufacture, say Winchester White Box.
In my neck of the woods the .40 is usually, @ Wal-mart, cheaper and more available. Availabiltity to me is key.
If you have the same platform (same gun) for both calibers both would be fun.
Ammo cost, generally, the .40 would be cheaper. Here again the same manufacture, say Winchester White Box.
In my neck of the woods the .40 is usually, @ Wal-mart, cheaper and more available. Availabiltity to me is key.
.22 all the way
I shoot .40 and reload. If you ever think you may want to start reloading then .40 due to much more free brass available...... at least at indoor ranges.
Accuracy? I am real happy with my accuracy with my PT-100 .40 until I shoot my son's Browning Buckmark .22. He and I can shoot a mag through a donut hole at 15 yards and never even disturb the powdered sugar!
I shoot .40 and reload. If you ever think you may want to start reloading then .40 due to much more free brass available...... at least at indoor ranges.
Accuracy? I am real happy with my accuracy with my PT-100 .40 until I shoot my son's Browning Buckmark .22. He and I can shoot a mag through a donut hole at 15 yards and never even disturb the powdered sugar!
.40 or .45
I have a Glock model 22 (full size .40 S&W) and I recently purchased a Colt Commander .45.
There is no question that the Colt is a more attractive gun, all nice stainless steel and has a little better feel in the hand. A Glock is a tool, it ain't pretty but it is VERY reliable.
I find that I'm a LITTLE more accurate with my Colt. I'm quite sure that is due to the trigger and nothing else. If I were going to a gunfight I'm take the Glock every time due to more capacity, the difference in accuracy is pretty small.
Many people have said that the .40 has more recoil. I call B.S. on that. Maybe it's the difference between a plastic pistol and a steel one but my .45 definatly has more recoil, and it's not a nice gentle push either. I don't have a problem with it but I don't know why I keep reading this B.S.
I have found .40 both easier to get and a fair amount cheaper. I ordered my ammo from Cabelas, two orders and both times I had to wait more than 2 weeks for the .45 ammo. .40 was in stock. I checked with Cheaper than Dirt and they were back ordered on the .45 also.
All that said, there is just something special about a nice 1911 pistol, It's just nicer to hold and the .45 is a classic American round. I didn't need another pistol but I don't regret buying my Colt.
I have a Glock model 22 (full size .40 S&W) and I recently purchased a Colt Commander .45.
There is no question that the Colt is a more attractive gun, all nice stainless steel and has a little better feel in the hand. A Glock is a tool, it ain't pretty but it is VERY reliable.
I find that I'm a LITTLE more accurate with my Colt. I'm quite sure that is due to the trigger and nothing else. If I were going to a gunfight I'm take the Glock every time due to more capacity, the difference in accuracy is pretty small.
Many people have said that the .40 has more recoil. I call B.S. on that. Maybe it's the difference between a plastic pistol and a steel one but my .45 definatly has more recoil, and it's not a nice gentle push either. I don't have a problem with it but I don't know why I keep reading this B.S.
I have found .40 both easier to get and a fair amount cheaper. I ordered my ammo from Cabelas, two orders and both times I had to wait more than 2 weeks for the .45 ammo. .40 was in stock. I checked with Cheaper than Dirt and they were back ordered on the .45 also.
All that said, there is just something special about a nice 1911 pistol, It's just nicer to hold and the .45 is a classic American round. I didn't need another pistol but I don't regret buying my Colt.
L_Killkenny
New member
.22LR HANDS DOWN. Unless you are independantly wealthy..........
LK
LK
Taurus_9mm
New member
Yep, what some of the others said. For strictly target practice, you can't beat the .22LR. 
Altho i prefer and carry .45 id take a .40 as a range gun when it comes to ammo reasons only.
Walmart always has it at $12 a box,hardly ever see .45 and if you do its $17-$20 a box.
Even my local gun store which always has both and doesn't gouge when supply gets tight always has .40 for $12.99 and .45 is usually $16.99
Due to this im contemplated buying a .40 cal just for the range mostly,plus i prefer it over 9mm for ccw.
But so far i have enough hand guns for now and cant justify buying another just for range fun as going to the range is getting more expensive the more i keep buying guns.
Ill keep my 9mm PPS for a range gun tho.Ammo is at Walmart for $10 once in a while as it goes as fast as it comes in,and im always broke when it does and its gone again when im paid.But its $11 at my local gun store all the time.
Walmart always has it at $12 a box,hardly ever see .45 and if you do its $17-$20 a box.
Even my local gun store which always has both and doesn't gouge when supply gets tight always has .40 for $12.99 and .45 is usually $16.99
Due to this im contemplated buying a .40 cal just for the range mostly,plus i prefer it over 9mm for ccw.
But so far i have enough hand guns for now and cant justify buying another just for range fun as going to the range is getting more expensive the more i keep buying guns.
Ill keep my 9mm PPS for a range gun tho.Ammo is at Walmart for $10 once in a while as it goes as fast as it comes in,and im always broke when it does and its gone again when im paid.But its $11 at my local gun store all the time.
hasbro_fan
New member
45
To answer the OP: 45. I feel it is a better option for the long run of practice time, cost, platform options, personal protection, repairs and parts.
To answer the OP: 45. I feel it is a better option for the long run of practice time, cost, platform options, personal protection, repairs and parts.
Para Bellum
New member
9mm. (9x19). Glock 19.