40 S&W-If you already have 9mm/45auto

[rsrocket1]

Don't act as if you have to act now. Hold on to the brass for now. I have a 1911, then got an M&P40 with no intentions of going any smaller than .357 for my Ruger, but just kept collection the 9mm brass as it fell at my feet. One day I saw a set of Lee 9mm dies for $19 and that was the tipping point to getting the barrel and mags. Voila, I already had a coffee can of brass ready to load!

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[rg1]

I too accumulated a few hundred rounds of 40 S&W brass and didn't have a 40. A couple family members have one, plus it seems all the police agencies use 40's so I decided to buy one for myself and dies and bullets. Now I have a pistol plus a good supply of reloaded 40 ammo in case I or someone else needs ammo. Had to have a pistol to develop my loads in. I was surprised that I do like shooting it. I have 9MM's and 45 ACP's also and my Glock 23 is the same size and fits all my holsters for a G19 9MM.

 

[NavalOps]

As noted by other members here, the caliber debate is a very heated discussion amongst gun owners . However, to answer your question:

I've owned several .40 caliber handguns, and have found that they tend to have more recoil than a 9mm and a 45 caliber. As far as power is concerned, I use the good ol' rule of thumb: any caliber bullet to the head has the same effect, and realistically, how many rounds will you need to stop someone from harming you? My wife and I both carry 9mm handguns because the ammo is cheaper, and realistically, I don't plan on ever having to use it, but its good to know that I have something to help if something were to happen.

 

[bubbajoe45]

Was going through my misc. brass and found 600 + pcs. of 40 S&W brass. I have had no desire to own a 40 cal. handgun; as it appears to be the "middle child" of 9mm and 45 auto.

Some of the threads I've seen here; seems some folks have issues loading this caliber. I don't have issues loading 9mm or 45 auto.

So I have 2 questions:
What would be the benefit of having a 40 cal. as opposed to the 9mm and 45auto I already have?
And what are the issues of reloading the 40 S&W cartridge?

I'm sure I could sell/trade off the 40 cal. brass; but may also consider a handgun for future purchase if there were benefits. Comments anyone?

My situation was similar, I think. I collected a few thousand rounds of brass at a range where I shot, but had no .40 gun. I tried to sell some at a gunshow and got $15 (big whoop). Conversely, though I was never a fan of the 9mm - I did have 2 pocket pistols in the caliber, however I never reloaded 9mm. I ran across 40 dies at WalMart for a reasonable price (RCBS), and now I have one 9mm (in a drawer somewhere) and three 40s (Shield, PM40, & P239). I've had no issues reloading. IMHO I have replaced 9mm with a more effective caliber - bigger hole, heavier bullet. I never had much confidence in the 9 to begin with, and my primary is a 45 also. I feel the 40 is a better bet when the chips are down.

 

[alwslate]

The caliber debates are largely a waste of time. People's opinions are
rarely changed. For me it's an easy choice. I have several 9mms and
several 45s and see absolutely no advantage to the S&W 40 over the
9mm or 45 and have no intention of owning one.

 

[lhump1961]

I can see the "I have a 9 and a 45 so no need for a 40" argument from the "need" angle and it makes sense in that regard...but I like guns and I "want" a 40 (or two) 'cause they make 'em! I enjoy the different characteristics among the calibers and load for them all. If it was all "need" based I would probably only have one handgun.

That's the great thing about this sport...own and shoot what makes you happy.

 

[SMSgt]

I was ready to pick up a Glock 22 a second thought told me I didn't need a fourth caliber handgun (five if one includes the .22 adapter for my G30). I do have bags of .40 & .357 SIG cases, just in case an over-powering urge strikes.

 

[Alk8944]

MyDads38,

There are two operative 4-letter words when it comes to gun ownership, "Need" and Want". Depending on what use you intend to put a firearm determines the "need" aspect. If all you are going to do is plink cans and rocks then all you will ever "need" is a .22 rimfire, a pellet gun or a slingshot (AKA "Rubber Flipper").

What I think you are really asking is "What is the justification for the .40 S&W?" Based on "need" when placed between the 9mm & .45 ACP, absolutely none! But then the same can be said for any caliber. New cartridges do not make others obsolete! It's like having a .30-06 and asking do I "need" a (.30-30, .30-40, .308, .300 Savage.......)? Same answer, NO! The .30-06 will do everything the others will and then some. Everything changes when we get to "WANT"!

Do you "need" a .40? NO! Do you "WANT" a .40? Then buy one, if not, then don't. Just that simple. Whatever you do, DO NOT buy one because someone else likes the caliber!

FWIW, I ended up with several 9mm pistols, a caliber I never had an interest in, simply because I picked up several thousand fired cases that were simply left behind. Did I "need" a 9mm, no. Did I really want one, no! But I did have LOTS of good brass that I couldn't see go to waste!

There are two kinds of people in the shooting sports, "Shooters", and simply those who shoot! If you are one of the last you won't understand. If one of the first you already do.

 

[SW_shooter]

First benefit? 40S&W is a FUN caliber!

While, I agree, its probably a case for want vs need. I get sort of a kick out of people trying to justify a caliber based on how much damage it may or may not do compared to another. I understand how one projectile can make more or less of an impact and blah blah blah. Bottom line for me, its a personal choice and you have to decide if it fits for you. Sounds to me like you want to try one but you're trying to justify "needing" it to fill a gap. OK, you need one to fill the caliber gap in your personal arsenal. (of course then you'll need a 38spcl, 357mag and sig, 38 super, 41mag, 44mag and so on...)

Now, back to the question: get a 40S&W caliber and enjoy! I happen to love the caliber and am planning to buy two more in 40 to enjoy. One will most likely be a carbine type weapon in fact. Troubles: nope, just lots of enjoyment. I'm in the process of going through thousands of 40 brass to load and will get one of them thar Lee Bulge Busters if need be.

And I'll be more than happy to take that pesky 40 brass off your hands if it continues to bother you.

 

[MyDads38]

Thanks all, for the replies so far! As I mentioned earlier, I was more or less thinking out loud when I posted this. Do I need a 40 S&W caliber handgun-short answer-NO. I know a few people that own them and they are happy with their purchases.

At one time, I was a competitive shooter in PPC and was on the Dept. of Corr. Pistol Team. I was also a Federally Licensed Mfg. of Ammunition and then a licensed Firearms Dealer. Left the Dept., got divorced, sold all my guns (to pay legal fees for divorce) and discontinued being a dealer. Fast forward 25+ years and I'm getting back into shooting/reloading and enjoying myself. I don't have a lot of expendable cash and it's hard to buy guns, ammo and reloading supplies and still pay all the regular household bills. But somehow, I get a little here and there, like a lot of folks do.

 

[fredj338]

Loading he 40 is no diff nan loading any other service round. None telling u diff, it doesn't know what that are talking about. I own 40s but admit to not loving he caliber. A bit power than a 9mm +p, but more recoil too. In a full size gun I would rather shoot a 45. In a small size gun, the 9mm is more comfortable. I like the 40, just not love it.

 

[Jboutfishn]

I shoot all three. The 45 will be for USPSA Single Stack, the 9mm Pro for Production, and the 40 S&W is an M&P 40C for my carry gun.

As for reloading, the 40 is no different that any other pistol round. I load 4.7 gr HP-38 under a copper plated 165 gr LRN. I use a taper crimp just enough to remove the bell. To date I have never had an failure.

 

[Frank237]

I'm more of a revolver than pistol guy.

Back when I was still on the Cop job we initially had 9mm 5903's when we finally went semi auto. Then we went to SIG's and their .357 Sig.

I have a few nines, and several .45 autos. With a pair of my old issued SIG 229 .357's in the middle.

Never saw the need for a forty. If I want more... than a nine.... I grab a .45 auto. Nothing wrong with the cartridge, easy to reload, etc. But just never caught on with me personally.

I bought a .40 barrel for one of the 229's and barely ever shoot it.

FN in MT

 

[mickeyblueyes]

I will pipe in here, I have 38/357 380/9mm 45acp 10mm/40 sw. To me the 40 was just a natural extension of shooting 10mm. If you purchase the right gun it will shoot both. The 40 is fast and hard hitting , if you reload and shoot from a 10mm then you can sure make some fireballs. Samee bullet, shorter case. In my eyes a 40sw is to a 45acp like a 9mm ist to a .38 Let me say they are all great loads or they would not have endured this long. just faster flatter shooting.

 

[scattershot]

I have the .40, as well as 9mm and .45. I have no particular trouble loading for the. 40, but I think folks run into problems with it because it's a high pressure cartridge to begin with, and if you try to heat it up, you get pressure spikes at the high end. In your case, I see no compelling reason to buy a .40. I will say, however, that I have 9mm conversion barrels for mine.

When I bought my .40, I thought it was a significant improvement over the 9mm, but now I'm not so sure. I have become convinced that the reason for the "caliber wars" to go on for so long is that they all work. It's rather a pointless argument these days.