Moving up the foodchain from 9mm to 40S&W.

T

Tenderfoot

New member
What is the general impression of the .40S&W? Is there a marked improvement over the 9mm? I know the availablity of 9mm ammo is everywhere kinda like .22lr! Then the 40S&W is sort of like the .22mag. round. Is there enough difference to switch for personal protection? Seems 10mm kinda fizzeled out!
TF
 
Can't give you the general impression of the .40; only my own opinion. When I decided to purchase a semi-auto for self defense, I read a lot about different calibers and came to the conclusion that the .40 was the way to go. Too many friends in law enforcement who jumped on the "wunder nines" and then found them inadequate to the task. Remember talking to a State Trooper neighbor way back when who spoke of several instances where the nine just didn't get the job done.

I checked out the history of the .40's development and thought it sounded like a great cartridge. Best there is? Naah, probably not. The .45 has a great reputation (local city cops carry .45s), the 10mm is a real brute, etc., etc. But the .40 seemed like a good step up from the 9. Today, there are lots of different factory loads in .40 and although it isn't as cheap as 9mm, the price has come down.

I shoot a Glock 23 and a 27, as well as a S&W 4013. All have been totally reliable with the .40. I've had no second thoughts, and recently sold my last remaining 9mm handgun to cut down on the number of different cartridges I need to stock. No second thoughts here.

Shoot straight.
 
The recoil on the 40 cal is harsher than the 9mm (this goes without saying). Ballistics overlap some. As far as muzzle energy goes, the standard 9mm 115 grain (not+P) popular ammos range from to 423 ft/lbs while the 40 S&W, 180 grain ranges from 378 to 390. Hottest standard load for the 9mm is S&B with the 423 ft/lbs (at 1280 ft./sec). Comparison is based on S&B, Winchester USA, UMC and Federal American Eagle factory specs. The 155 grain American Eagles will zip the 40 cal in at 1140 ft/sec and 445 ft/lbs at the muzzle.

Note: 40S&W is considerably more expensive than the 9mm.

With all that said, and having both 9mm and 40 S&W, I just enjoy the hell out of shooting the 40 for some reason, probably the same reason I like 158 grain .357s out of a snubby - I enjoy the noise and power.
 
One additional comparison to my previous reply, 45ACP muzzle energy, for the same brands, range from 356 to 374 ft/lbs.
 
Correct me if I am wrong. The 40 is onlly .020 bigger than the 9mm. Do you think that .020 is really going to make much difference?.
 
It's wider, heavier, and goes just as fast. If I was choosing between calibers for personal protection in the same gun I'd go with the 40. Also, .40 ammo is plentiful these days.
 
In centerfire semi-autos, I have:

3 9mms
1 .40 (aka 10mm Short) :)
3 .45's

This is not by chance. The .45 and 9mm are more enjoyable to shoot IMO. This is why I buy mostly 9mm and .45 pistols. I find it very easy to shoot the .45 and 9mm for very good accuracy, and both are easy to control.

My only .40 is very accurate and easy to control as well, but it is the only .40 I've tried that I can shoot well (its the CZ 75B BTW). I think the 37 ounce weight of the CZ 75B helps balance it and absorb the recoil. OTOH, the Glock .40's, Ruger .40's, and Sig Sauer .40's I've shot had a snappier recoil, and were not as easy to get good groups with. So my point is in general I find it harder to shoot .40's as well as 9mm's and .45's. This is just me though, and you might get different results of course.

Now, should you switch from 9mm to .40? You have to make the decision. Try shooting a 9mm and .40 of similar design (same make if possible) and see which one shoots better and handles better for you. The slight to moderate ballistics edge of the .40 will not be worth it if you cannot get solid center hits with a .40. Shot placement is the key and you need to determine what cartridge is easier for you to get solid hits with. I think you will also notice that follow up shots are much quicker with the 9mm. You need to consider all the above plus advice from previous posters before making the decision.
 
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Correct me if I am wrong. The 40 is onlly .020 bigger than the 9mm. Do you think that .020 is really going to make much difference?.
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Yeah, what's wrong with the 9mm??? I, for one am sick of all the "9mm is no good. "Not a decent manstopper", "bare minimun self defense cartridge" crap!!! Why does feeding the coffers of the hated traitor, S&W mean you are moving up the food chain??? I have fired the 10mm Kurtz, and have found it wanting. To much recoil for not enough stopping power!!!!( whatever that is. People have as many definitions of it as opinions) If you have no faith in the 9mm, by all means, get something you believe in. If that means the 10mm Kurtz, then so be it!! But, please do not say that the .40 short&weak is moving up the food chain. You just might get eaten by a minnow!! :D
 
I agree with Denfoote in that the 9mm is underrated. With good shot placement, the 9 will get the job done.

If you insist on a bigger caliber, Tenderfoot,
why not go .45 ACP? IMO, the .45 is very easy to control and is more accurate in general than the .40.
 
Thanks guys for all the input.
I've got a 9mm and a 45ACP and had never messed with a 40S&W. I getting a new Kahr MK40 for a little carry pistol. I wanted to get the largest caliber/smallest frame that I could hang onto. This pistol is pretty heavy for it's size 23 oz. and all solid steel. I want the heavy frame for controlling recoil, and the small size for deep concealment. I've decided to go with either a bellyband or thunderware as It's a tad heavy to hang on a belt or stick in my trouser pocket.
Thanks again!
TF
 
Depending on the manufacturer of the pistol you are considering, go all the way up to the 357Sig. Then for example, as with a Glock 32 (357Sig), you can use a .40 barrel or a 9mm barrel. Just take care that the barrels are conversion barrels not just stock barrels in the caliber you choose. In addition to the conversion barrel(s) of your choice, you will need the appropriate magazines. For example, if you put a 9mm conversion barrel into a Glock 32, the Glock 19 magazines would be a good choice to use. Nothing else needs to be done to the pistol.

However, it is recommended that for carry purposes, the pistol should be in its origial configuration.
 
Sure the nine is fine, but hey, why take the chance.

If you didn't have doubts you wouldn't ask.

Get a forty.

Mike H
 
Glock G26 9x19mm with Silvertips in the mag satisfies me!!!

You want me to test them out on you and see if they have enough stopping power? :D
 
I have carried the Gold Dot 124 gr. +p in my 9mm and never did I feel "undergunned" but like yourself I felt the need and I bought a H&K Compact .40 It is a very nice pistol and shoots great but the only mags are 10 rounders so I go with the Corbon 135 gr. Life is good!
 
Nice catch CastleBravo!! As for myself I prefer the 'light n' fast' school of thought. The first auto I bought was in 40, and it's never dissapointed me. I carry it loaded with Federal Hydrashocks 135gr./1150fps. Thats not far from my 357 sp101 125gr/1220fps Golden Saber.
 
If you like light & fast .40 caliber, try some Cor-Bon 10mm Auto, 155 grain @ 1325. (That's what they write on the box.)
50cal.gif
 
40 short and whimpy????

Go 10mm.

At 25 plus yards, the 9mm tends to much more accurate than the 40SW due to the heavier bullets with only 150 fps advantage over the 9mm.

My 10mm guns are more accurate than my 40s.

9/10/45

40 only if you're a cop and you only shoot out to 20 feet.
 
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