Who's King of the hill? .40 S&W or .45 ACP
- Thread starter microman
- Start date
I just purchased a new handgun last week and came very close
to buying my first .40 cal...I do like the caliber a lot. Think it
has plenty of energy and weight/mass behind it as well.
The only thing that made me end up buying a .45 instead is more
or less the popularity of it. It was the historic 1911 aspect that
made me lean towards the .45
I'm happy with my new gun but, who knows maybe I will get a
.40 cal in something later on.
to buying my first .40 cal...I do like the caliber a lot. Think it
has plenty of energy and weight/mass behind it as well.
The only thing that made me end up buying a .45 instead is more
or less the popularity of it. It was the historic 1911 aspect that
made me lean towards the .45
I'm happy with my new gun but, who knows maybe I will get a
.40 cal in something later on.
I vote .45 as I personally prefer the recoil characteristics of it, and in the same fashion as car motors, "There is no replacement for displacement". Moving an extra fifty thousandths of flesh is moving an extra fifty thousandths of flesh.
I may pick up a 9mm in the future for more economical shooting.
I may pick up a 9mm in the future for more economical shooting.
secret_agent_man
Moderator
The 230 grain 45 ACP traces it's roots back to the 45 Long Colt, which was designed to break the shoulder bones of horses and bring them down along with the rider back in the days of mounted calvary. It has been subsequently shown that such heavy weight bullets are not necessary for human incapacitation. From 155 to 185 grain bullets seem to be the sweet spot for people. So in the final outcome, the FBI and S&W were right on in development and adaptation of the forty caliber round. But I think without the FBI's focus on barrier penetration, the forty-five shooting lighter weight bullets with a noticeably wider meplat than the forty may make for a better antipersonnel round. Apparently a few state police agencies agree, including the Florida Highway Patrol. Florida being a state with a very high crime rate per capita, I suspect the cops there know a thing or two about what works well.
orionengnr
New member
I have owned multiple .40 S&W (5-6) and currently own none...I do own one 10mm, though. 
I have owned multiple 9mms (at least 12 that I can think of offhand, although several were repeats of the same model) and currently own one subcompact 9mm for the specific purpose of occasional pocket carry.
I have owned probably 25 1911s in the last ~25 years, and currently own...several. And I carry one every day.
For me...no contest.
I have owned multiple 9mms (at least 12 that I can think of offhand, although several were repeats of the same model) and currently own one subcompact 9mm for the specific purpose of occasional pocket carry.
I have owned probably 25 1911s in the last ~25 years, and currently own...several. And I carry one every day.
For me...no contest.
golfnutrlv
New member
For the record...
There is no "king of the hill" when it comes to cartridges. Everything is a compromise, and there is much more value to a well placed small round than a badly placed large one.
I voted .45 Auto because of:
-->projectiles weight (230 gr is the original bullet weight, and what I highly prefer)
-->excellent track record, 100 years and going strong. (not that .40 doesn't have a track record).
-->Personal preference (I'm not a .40 fan) Excellent cartridge, I won't own one. Rather have a .45!!
Not every cartridge is good in every gun platform, or good for every shooter. We are trying to black and white an issue that has as much to do with shooter preference as it does raw ballistics.
Both will stop a threat. Which one you choose, well that's up to you.
There is no "king of the hill" when it comes to cartridges. Everything is a compromise, and there is much more value to a well placed small round than a badly placed large one.
I voted .45 Auto because of:
-->projectiles weight (230 gr is the original bullet weight, and what I highly prefer)
-->excellent track record, 100 years and going strong. (not that .40 doesn't have a track record).
-->Personal preference (I'm not a .40 fan) Excellent cartridge, I won't own one. Rather have a .45!!
Not every cartridge is good in every gun platform, or good for every shooter. We are trying to black and white an issue that has as much to do with shooter preference as it does raw ballistics.
Both will stop a threat. Which one you choose, well that's up to you.
I really don't understand why capacity is always a major concern, and 1911 mags aren't just 7 rounds anymore.
They make double stack .45's even 1911's
I carry a Springfield Lightweight Champion Operator. 1 in the chamber. 8 in the Chip Mc. mag in it, then a spare ChipMc power 10 round mag on my side or pocket.
That's 1+8+10 for 19 rounds of 45 acp on me.
When I did carry a .40 I carried a Sig p239 with a spare mag for 15 rounds of .40 on me.
I liked both, but to me the 1911 is king, along with the bigger heavier round of a 45. I find a 1911 has less recoil than most 40's. I have my gf that weights 120lbs soaking wet shooting a .45 1911 and her only experience prior was a .22 Ruger Mark2.
I really love the 10mm... but unfortunately ammo is scarce, and expensive, so I do not own one anymore. If I find a SW model 610 revolver (40/10mm with moon clips) in a 4inch im buying it in a heart beat. I have always wanted one but they were discontinued... brought back... then discontinued again!
They make double stack .45's even 1911's
I carry a Springfield Lightweight Champion Operator. 1 in the chamber. 8 in the Chip Mc. mag in it, then a spare ChipMc power 10 round mag on my side or pocket.
That's 1+8+10 for 19 rounds of 45 acp on me.
When I did carry a .40 I carried a Sig p239 with a spare mag for 15 rounds of .40 on me.
I liked both, but to me the 1911 is king, along with the bigger heavier round of a 45. I find a 1911 has less recoil than most 40's. I have my gf that weights 120lbs soaking wet shooting a .45 1911 and her only experience prior was a .22 Ruger Mark2.
I really love the 10mm... but unfortunately ammo is scarce, and expensive, so I do not own one anymore. If I find a SW model 610 revolver (40/10mm with moon clips) in a 4inch im buying it in a heart beat. I have always wanted one but they were discontinued... brought back... then discontinued again!
Tactical Jackalope
New member
Perfect. People need to stop assuming that all evil just stands still.
Anyways... .40 is in between 9mm and .45
Whichever you shoot better personally. I love them all
Funny I mentioned a few posts back that I carry a 1911.... and carried a Sig p239 in .40....
Come to think about it... when I carry a 9mm its my HK P7..... so I guess I really do have a thing for single stacks.
Yes in a defensive situation nothing is going to be static... but capacity simply doesn't band aid poor training.
I "plink" a few times a week.... I have a serious shooting session once a week (usually over 600 or so rounds.)
Not to mention at work I test fire guns we buy in after the gun smiths check them out.
My job at a gun shop allows me to shoot a lot... specially with the ammo discounts
I also don't just train on a static range... taking time between shots.
I have trained with numerous professionals... from competition shooters to a few Green Berets I know personally, to local law enforcement. I love taking advice from any of them, learn something new every day as well. I also compete in local run and gun games, granted they are games, but your shooting, moving, and thinking, and that helps get you away from tunnel vision, which is a killer when fighting for your life.
Given my training, my practice methods, and the fact that I barely go a day or two with out firing a firearm, I am fairly confident in a single stack in almost any major caliber, and a spare mag. The spare mag is more so for protection against malfunction than it is to carry more rounds.
I would never hesitate to carry a 9mm or 40 or .357sig or 10mm or .45. Most times the .45 is on me because I really prefer a 1911, its a proven round, and is widely available.
I do not own a .40 anymore as I sold my Sig, and when I carry a 9mm its a HKP7 that I am just as confident with. If only I could find the crown jewel of a HK P7M7 in .45 ACP (drools) unfortunately HK owners were greedy and only made a handful for themselves.
Come to think about it... when I carry a 9mm its my HK P7..... so I guess I really do have a thing for single stacks.
Yes in a defensive situation nothing is going to be static... but capacity simply doesn't band aid poor training.
I "plink" a few times a week.... I have a serious shooting session once a week (usually over 600 or so rounds.)
Not to mention at work I test fire guns we buy in after the gun smiths check them out.
My job at a gun shop allows me to shoot a lot... specially with the ammo discounts
I also don't just train on a static range... taking time between shots.
I have trained with numerous professionals... from competition shooters to a few Green Berets I know personally, to local law enforcement. I love taking advice from any of them, learn something new every day as well. I also compete in local run and gun games, granted they are games, but your shooting, moving, and thinking, and that helps get you away from tunnel vision, which is a killer when fighting for your life.
Given my training, my practice methods, and the fact that I barely go a day or two with out firing a firearm, I am fairly confident in a single stack in almost any major caliber, and a spare mag. The spare mag is more so for protection against malfunction than it is to carry more rounds.
I would never hesitate to carry a 9mm or 40 or .357sig or 10mm or .45. Most times the .45 is on me because I really prefer a 1911, its a proven round, and is widely available.
I do not own a .40 anymore as I sold my Sig, and when I carry a 9mm its a HKP7 that I am just as confident with. If only I could find the crown jewel of a HK P7M7 in .45 ACP (drools) unfortunately HK owners were greedy and only made a handful for themselves.
shooter1911
New member
Not quite the end of the story. The FBI decided their specialty team called HRT, which is like a SWAT team, needed the best possible handgun/caliber available for the most tense scenarios so they chose the 1911 in 45 caliber. Now you can end the story.
shooter1911
New member
And the Hostage Rescue Team's side arms are Springfield Custom Professional Light Rail 1911s.
shooter1911, the HRT will always have a numerical advantage, plus SMGs or rifles, plus body armor.
They don't NEED high capacity backup weapons.
The 1911 is a great platform, with a great trigger, but there are definite advantages to higher capacity, especially for those of us who probably will not have numerical advantages, long arms, or armor.
They don't NEED high capacity backup weapons.
The 1911 is a great platform, with a great trigger, but there are definite advantages to higher capacity, especially for those of us who probably will not have numerical advantages, long arms, or armor.
Carry_24/7
New member
Until I can find 230 grain ammo for a .40 S&W, the .45 ACP rules.......
To clear up an earlier issue between two posters, most U.S. Special Forces use .45 ACP, and one of those being the supposedly crappy Kimber! I work at the U.S. Naval Expeditionary Base in Africa, I can account for a few such things....
To clear up an earlier issue between two posters, most U.S. Special Forces use .45 ACP, and one of those being the supposedly crappy Kimber! I work at the U.S. Naval Expeditionary Base in Africa, I can account for a few such things....
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Carry24/7, when I was active duty, I did stints at JTF HOA/Djibouti, as well as Fort Bragg and JSOTF-P. What's your point, exactly?
(Edit: Aviation LNO/planner and JOC type, not a snake-eater, not making any claim to be a snake eater.)
A lot of SF/SOF use the .45acp. Many use the 9mm.
(Edit: Aviation LNO/planner and JOC type, not a snake-eater, not making any claim to be a snake eater.)
A lot of SF/SOF use the .45acp. Many use the 9mm.
Carry_24/7
New member
I've seen what is sometimes carried, not just read or heard is all. Of course they all don't carry one type of weapon....
What year were you here? I've been here since 2007.
What year were you here? I've been here since 2007.
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