40 or 45 cal

[miles71]

OK, to start the debate.

As some of you know I have been looking for 45 cal., however I have been hearing "look at the 40" a lot lately. So I throw it out to all of you, 40 or 45?

I am looking for something I can use for home defense, CCW (if I ever get to), and competition shooting (IDPA). I also want a pistol with a good capacity but safety features like the Smith gen 3 pistols (5906).

As always, any advice or hard facts would be great.
TD

 

[skeeterbait]

Just my opinion, based on reading alone, not leo experience.

Police should carry a 40 because they are more likely to get into a prolonged gun fight. Therefore capacity is the important factor to them.

The average joe is better served by a 45. The average joe, in the up close confrontations they are most likely to encounter, who does not end a threat in the first two rounds is likely to die. Capacity is not as critical as shock per round.

 

[FirebirdV8]

I carry 40 for my defense and ccw pistols. I find it a happy medium between a 9 and a 45. However, that being said, I don't want to be hit by any bullets, and the conventional wisdom that anything 9mm or bigger is a good defensive round is true. I would see which one you are more accurate with, since you could use a desert eagle 50ae and miss someone, or hit them with a 40, 9mm, 10mm, or 45. Which one do you think the bad guy will like the least, the big gun that misses or the smaller bullets that hit him. Shot placement comes first and you are the one in charge of and responsible for your shot placement. Pick which caliber you are most accurate with.

 

[OKFC05]

I'l answer your IDPA question.
Full power .40 S&W is the orphan in IDPA (it is the premier caliber in USPSA Limited) because it falls in with minor power 9mm.
In IDPA, you have to load .40 down to minor power to be competitive against the 9mm if you are trying to win a sanctioned match.

If you are just shooting IDPA to practice with your carry pistol, then shoot whatever you have and enjoy!

.45 is major power and has its own division in IDPA.
http://www.idpa.com/Documents/IDPARuleBook2005.pdf

 

[N-frame Smith]

I don't think there's a significant difference in the effectiveness between a 40 and 45, with the right ammo. Therefore, the difference really becomes a choice of which gun do you like.

As I understand it, the 40 was developed to deliver big bore stopping power like a 45 or 10mm, but in a more compact 9mm size gun. This seems to me to be the crucial difference because most 45's tend to be bigger and heavier pistols than the 9/40 versions. This is subjective of course.

You mentioned the 5906, which is a great gun, and if you have one already and like it, then you can get an S&W 40 cal pistol that will match the size, weight and feel of your 5906 almost exactly. That could be a big factor.

If you don't care about matching the size and feel of your 9mm, then you could go with a full size 5" 45 like a 4506 and then you would have two very different, complementary guns. But I really feel that the caliber choice has the least significance. I'm referring to the current topic of 40 vs 45 only, not all calibers in general.

 

[LH2]

I see you're a new member... Welcome to the S&W Forum.

I prefer the .45 and find pistols chambered in it to have a more pleasant recoil impulse.

Don't make the mistake of getting hung up on caliber. Shoot something you're comfortable with and remember that only hits count.

There is such a good variety of ammo available in either caliber that either is fine for personal protection. Although for home defense, you're better off with a shotgun (#4 buck or so) or .223 long gun. These heavy pistol rounds have a tendency to keep going into other rooms or houses you don't intend to harm.

The boxoftruth website has some good examples of this.

 

[DJINCO]

I am anxious to see where this thread goes. I am debating on a 4006 right now. I reload everything except 40 S&W, as I don't have a 40. I know I can get a police turn in 4006 for about $400 and some elbow grease!

 

[dennis40x]

I’m in my 63rd year of life. The 40S&W at this point no. I’ll stay with the 45ACP and 9mm Luger. If I were a younger individual then I’d think about the 40S&W.

What I like is the versatility of the 45ACP with bullet weights of 185Gr thru 230Gr. Operating pressure is rather mild that is unless one attempts to make it more than what it is. There are no surprises when reloading. As for personal defense if you like specialized ammunition that’s ok but I’ll stay with the 230Gr-FMJ. With over four decades of usage (45ACP) I’ll stay with it.

As for the 9mm Luger it’s very shootable and economical with either factory or reloaded ammunition. The Glock G19 while not perfection is very close to it and is with me 24/7.

Personally If I were going to buy a semiautomatic pistol in 40S&W I’d go with the SW-MP series. The lifetime warranty is hard to ignore.

 

[29Wheelgunner]

I like the .40 and it has it's place but, I love the .45acp.

 

[Knightrider03m]

I would get the .45. The recoil isn't as bad as a .40 which means that you can get back on target faster if you are in a gun fight. But of course with a .45, you will find that shooting it will cost more.

 

[FHBrumb]

I prefer the 45 personally.

 

[EOD Guy]

I use 40S&W for CC because I like the power of the round and the increased magazine capacity. It's a great mid-point between the 9mm and 45ACP.

 

[pawncop]

Have carried both rounds as primary duty caliber, and will stay with the 45 ACP.

Whenever the debate is started, and it is a wonderful topic that will never be decided, I try to recommend to those new to defensive shooting the following:

1. Chose the largest caliber/handgun platform that you can accurately control. It is a true statement that a hit with a 22 is far better than a miss with a 44 Mag. - Cannot give adequate credit to the person I heard this from.

Two points here - a big hole is better than a little hole (this one is mine) but shot placement is King, adequate penetration is Queen, all else is angels dancing on the head of pin (I'm quoting my friend Erich on this board for this priceless wisdom).

2. Then practice, practice and practice as much as you can in the situations you find yourself in. They need to be real life situations, example drawing from inside the car, situations inside your house, night time, do a little exercise, get your heart rate up, have to breathe a little faster and deeper when shooting. Shoot with your weak hand.

You can certainly practice marksmanship, trigger control and such at the range but how many shoot outs (I hope you never have to find out) will be done under "sterile" conditions you find at the range.


3. Learn to avoid the situations that might put you in the position to be in a shooting.

Make keen awareness your very best friend, know your surroundings, know your escape routes, how can you get the hell out of there so you need not be in that situation.

I know I have drifted a bit from your original question and I hope you find this helpful.

 

[DKA]

Like both, have a S&W 40V and a Springfield Armory 1911 45. If you can't decide, buy both.

 

[3-gun]

I shoot a para p-16 in .40 for 3- gun matches that I need to make major. If they don't have a pf I shoot a 9mm. I could live with just a .45 and 9mm.

 

[speaksoftly]

DUDE! Completely go with whatevers bigger! .45!!! 357!!! Heck, only girls shoot with anything less than a .50 cal!!!
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completely kidding ;-)

Go with whatever's more comfortable for you. Try shooting a few different rounds of both. Honestly, with the advances in modern technology, there's not a huge difference between the potential of either. And remember, be it a .40 or a .45 you're still just shooting a pistol. Nothing's going to rip like a 12 gauge or anything but they are both loads that can do serious damage IF shot accurately and controlled just as well.

-Marcos

 

[Pioneer461]

Both are combat proven fight stoppers, and the .40 S&W performs as well as the .45 acp. Before retirement I carried a .40, S&W 4006. Now in retirement, I carry a slightly smaller and lighter S&W 457, .45acp. Both serve me well.

 

[unclefish]

I've shot them both.
It all comes down to 15+1 or 10+1

 

[FHBrumb]

And my 45 is EITHER 13+1 or 10+1... XD-45 Compact for me!!!

Seriously though, in a defensive role, I doubt either gives any real distinct advantage. Buy a good shooting gun, and shoot it a bunch. Make it part of your hand.

I prefer to have the heaviest bullet weight possible for defense. In the 40, you want a 180 grain, and in a 45, go with the 230 grain. Heavy bullets give the penetration. If your particular pistol will 100% feed a decent JHP, then that's a good decision too. But keep it heavy, forget about energy, unless you are looking for the hardest hitting bullet in the heaviest bullet. Energy is nothing but a restatement of the muzzle velocity.

In truth, my XD is mine because it fits my hand so well. Had there been no XD, my pistol would be a Glock 23, obviously a 40. But since the XD offered the same feel and a 45ACP round, it won out.

 

[briarjumper12]

I've shot them both.
It all comes down to 15+1 or 10+1

I agree. I like them both and my decision came down to capacity. I have 5 .40's. Now I am wanting to get a .45 also. Nothing wrong with taking your time and getting both as funds occur. I will make one suggestion though...if defense is you main goal get the S&W M&PC in .40 first. Then get a full size M&P in .45. Use the .40 C for CCW and .45 for SHTF situations.