I want YOUR opinion.

J

jesus5150

New member
Hey i started a thread about my gun in the Auto's forum, and now i'd like to start a thread about the .40 S&W (Specifically Versus the .45 and .357 ONLY I have no interest in hearing about the 9mm unless it's a comparison basis please.) I'm just trying to learn more about it, it's new to me. I set out to buy my USP with the intent of buying it in .45 ACP, However the only place that had it wanted $999 for it New and i got mine (HK USP Compact in .40 S&W) Used for $650. I still wonder if i made a wrong decision, but i just couldn't afford that much. So that being said, i'd like to hear a debate about the .40 caliber. Pro's, Con's, FAQ's, and Tips. Thanks Guys
 
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I've heard that it hit's like a .45 and has the capacity of a 9mm. It's obviously exaggerated, but how much? I've also been told that it's "just as garbage as the 10mm" but i've never shot that either so i'm not sure. I guess what i'm asking is what am i gaining by losing the stopping power of the .45 (if anything?)
 
IMO, .40 is high on recoil without an increase in power to justify it. Shoot a 9mm and get near equal power with less recoil, shoot .357 with more power and slightly less recoil. .45 has less recoil AND similar power. It seems like a pointless round. It seems like the a round invented for people that couldn't handle the 10mm... oh, wait....
 
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So that being said, i'd like to hear a debate about the .40 calibur. Pro's, Con's, FAQ's, and Tips. Thanks Guys
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I refuse to get into a caliber war.

.40 basically splits the difference between 9x19 and .45ACP.

It'll do you fine.
 
40 vs 45

40 vs 45.
difference meaningless.
both can be mastered, if you invest the time and effort.

45 minutes, 150 rounds. twice weekly - combat stance, prone, varied light conditions, 2 handed, strong hand, weak hand, holster drawn, double taps, zip drills, moving laterally, target approaching and retreating, from varied cover, taking angles.

train 12 months - then re-read your question. it'll give you a good laugh.
 
Calibur war

Yeah i knew people would say that but i'm really having trouble finding good information with MINIMAL Bias. Oh well, worth a shot i guess.


-And i spelled CalubEr wrong in the title... Dammit.
 
The .40 is a very good caliber round. There have been 2 police incidents where the .40 impressed a number of people.

Out in New Jersey some ex-con started shooting at a cop. The cop returned fire with his .40 and hit the con in the lower abdomen and broke the con's pelvis. The con screamed something like, "It hurts! It hurts!" and then proceeded to shoot himself in the head committing suicide.

In central Illinois a restaurant owner heard two burglars breaking into his business. The owner went to confront them with his .40 caliber pistol. He told them to stop. One of the punks tried to charge at the owner with a knife in hand. The owner fired one .40 caliber round that went all the way through the center of first bad guy and broke the arm of the second burglar. The first burglar died at the scene and the second one had to have his arm set and put into a cast. And that was from just one round of .40 ammo.

Shortly after hearing about the first story I got myself a .40 caliber Glock in 22C. Had it for many years and love it.
 
every .357sig i have fired has had more recoil than my .40

the .40 is cheaper to shoot, which means you can shoot more, which makes you a better shot, which makes the .40 a better choice.
 
every .357sig i have fired has had more recoil than my .40

the .40 is cheaper to shoot, which means you can shoot more, which makes you a better shot, which makes the .40 a better choice.
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The .357 SIG may give you the impression of more recoil but in reality it has less muzzle flip which is allowing for faster follow up shots.

The .40 SW is not cheaper to shoot if you reload. If you want to become a good shot just shooting store bought ammo in any centerfire calibre, it will cost you dearly.
 
I've noticed that most of the .40 pistols I've fired seem to have more felt recoil than their comparable .45 counterparts.

I like recoil.

I like .40.

Everything I like in auto loading handguns and carbines is available in .40. (Except for a 1911, which just seems heathen to chamber in anything but .45.)

I also never wanted to hear anyone ask about my "Nine Milly." (I know, no 9mm talk, but this weighed heavily on my caliber decision.)
 
Calibur war
Yeah i knew people would say that but i'm really having trouble finding good information with MINIMAL Bias
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Well, I'm of the opinion that it almost doesn't matter. Pick one, buy it. If it turns out you made a mistake, someone out there will buy it off you. Then buy what you think you want this week. :rolleyes:

Sorry. I've been on gunboards for a long time. This is what-cha-call a Frequently Asked Question.

I own a .45, and a .40. No 9x19 at this time, maybe someday. People talk about how one has an intolerably recoil vs. the other. I don't notice.
 
In my opinion ( and you asked for it ) any of the rounds mentioned are fine with good ammo. I could be happy with any of them ( including 9mm ;) ) if I were allowed to pick the ammo. Your .40 is fine, if you like it then there ya go. All other things being equal my choice would be the "garbage" 10mm though:cool:
 
Both the .40 SW and the .45 acp are fine defensive rounds. My personal preference is .45 acp because I like the bigger diameter and heavier bullet. I like the 230 gr loads best. Those who like faster, lighter bullets can use 185 gr loads in .45.

The one advantage the .40 SW has over .45 acp is extra capacity. Double stack .45s are a stretch for me because of smallish hands. If I want hi-cap, however, I carry 9mm which is also a fine defensive round when the right bullet type is used. But, this discussion isn't about 9mm.

Bottom line, you got a fine gun in a good caliber. Now, you're seeking to validate your choice because of buyer's remorse. Consider your choice validated.
 
The .40cal was made to be the best of the .45 & 9mm. The .45 is a good round but I dont think its as accurate as the .40cal. Also the .45 dosnt have the penitration that the .40cal has. Now on the other hand the .40cal wont over penitrate like the 9mm. Both the .45 & .40 have great nock down power. You made a great choice.
 
I guess what i'm asking is what am i gaining by losing the stopping power of the .45 (if anything?)
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As the stopping power of the .45 is largely an illusion, you are not losing anything. In the world of defensive handguns, caliber is quite likely the least important factor in deciding the outcome of an event. You got a good price on the .40, enjoy it and don't worry.
 
I have guns in .40 S&W and .45 ACP and I have shot the .357 Sig. All of these with good ammo are good for self defense, but I would go with the .40 S&W. The .40 S&W give you a higher round count while offering similar amounts of kinetic energy. I know people are going to argue that energy never killed anyone, so take that statistic for what its worth. Since the .40 S&W is a newer round, it can be loaded at higher pressures. THe SAAMI max pressure for the .40S&W is 35,000 psi while the older .45 ACP can only be loaded to 21,000 psi. I'm sure modern .45 ACP guns could handle higher pressures, but the risk of blowing up older guns limits the max pressure.

The .40 S&W has a snappier recoil than the .45 ACP which feels more like a push. The .357 is snappier than the .40 S&W (out of the same gun: Sig P229) and ammo is more expensive. The .40 S&W is also shorter than the .45 ACP which allows for smaller guns and shorter actions (if only marginally).

I say great choice and don't look back. The H&K USP compact is a great gun! :D
 
Oh, it'll do. There's a reason the .45 cost more, but not to worry. Your .40 will do 99.99% of what the .45 Auto will do. Of course, so will 380 Auto.

Caliber just doesn't make the top five. It's a very simple metric (which is why people concentrate on it), but it doesn't tell you much.
 
Never shot a .357sig, even though I bought a second-hand G23 that came with one. Promptly sold the barrel.

My next door neighbor years ago was a Maryland State Trooper. He used to regularly rant about the weakness of the 9mm he was required to carry. Later, when I decided to research a self-defense round, I was impressed by the .40S&W. Others can probably cite the history better, but it is basically a 10mm Kurz (short) that resulted from the decision to weaken the orignial 10mm. Sounded like a nice compromise between the 9mm and the .45acp. I liked in particular the higher velocity of the .40.

I currently have and shoot semi-autos in 9mm, .40S&W, and .45acp. I like them all, but still have a preference for the .40S&W.

(Oh, and I eventually bought a 9mm conversion barrel so I can shoot the cheaper 9mm ammo through my G23. :D)
 
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