Which do you find easier to shoot, .40 or .45?

J

JNB01

Inactive
Excluding +P loads in .45, which is easier to shoot, .40 or .45?

Basing it on similar guns, ie: G22 & G21, Sig P226 & P220, Beretta 92 & 96 ect...

I prefer 180gr. loads in .40cal, how do they compare in terms of recoil to std. pressure 185 & 230gr. .45 loads?

Thanks in advance, JNB01!
 
I prefer 40S&W, but I find 45ACP is definately easier to shoot.
 
My only experience with .40 cal was with my SW-99 and after selling it and buying a govt model .45 , I find the .45 easier to handle and get better shot placement.
 
As you all must know, I dislike the 10mm Kurtz for political reasons. I have shot one, however. I find it to have way to much recoil. I prefer the .45ACP. Even out of my PT-145, which has a 3.5in barrel.
 
Truthfully, I've never really problem with any handgun I have ever shot. On the 40 vs the 45, I kinda lean toward the 45.
Dan
 
I will join the chorus. Why? I find the 45acp a kinder and gentler cartidge to shoot. I am sure the 180gr 40 S&W's felt recoil is equal to or greater than a 230gr 45acp. Now if you really want recoil and muzzle flash shoot a 357 Sig in a Glock sub-compact. Regards, Richard
 
In comparing the 180gr .40S&W to the 230gr .45acp, I don't really see much of a difference in either. Maybe a scooch more muzzle rise in the .40S&W.

In regards to accuracy of factory pistols, the .45acp is a bit more accurate in my travels.

Derek
 
.45 ACP has less felt recoil than .40S&W, especially the full-power 165gr loads, in comparable sized guns. .40S&W isn't per se inaccurate (since it groups nicely out of my S&W 610 Classic) but alot of semi-autos designed for it seem to have mediocre accuracy. The only advantage of .40S&W is that you can put it in a gun with a smaller grip compared to a .45 ACP.
 
It's the .45 ACP for me, .40 S&W seems much more abrupt in its recoil impulse. Neither are hard to shoot, but I prefer the .45 ACP. My wife prefers the .40 S&W, so I guess it really is subjective.

JJCII
 
In my opinion, definitely the .45. For years I had avoided the caliber, thinking that recoil would be excessive in a compact carry weapon. When I finally purchased a carry .45 it was the Sig P245, which only served to further my belief that it was a bit much cartridge in a carry gun. I gave it a second chance with the Glock 36 and Glock 30 and I'm definitely happier and comfortable with the .45 cartridge. Prior to that I routinely carried a G27 for a carry pistol.

I believe that my G30 recoils less with 230gr loads than even a HK USP .40 with 180gr loads.

I find whether one cartridge recoils more than another is more subjective to the individual user and the design of the weapon than anything else. Book numbers really don't mean much.

Good Shooting
Red
 
For me, the easiest to shoot is the .45ACP; when launched
from a quality platform. Thought I would like the .40 caliber
Sig P229; but it's short grip, with modest muzzle flip leaves
a lot to be desired? Glock model's 22, 23, and 27 are much
more pleasant to shoot; however I'm not a fan of .40 cal's.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, Life Member N.R.A.
 
I have owned a couple 40's...a G23 & P16-40. Sold them both. I own 2 HK USPs and a Colt 1991a1. I prefer the versatility of the 45 over the 40. I also have access to 45 super which I shoot regularly and still prefer over the 40. Plus, I've seriously bought into the big bullet, big hole theory.:cool:
 
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