.40 S&W Round
- Thread starter jimmyj
- Start date
Like some of the other responders, I too feel the 40 offered a great compromise of the things I like most about the 9 and 45. High capacity, big bullets, nice velocity. And i settled on a M&P 40 FS. Been working in the woods this week cutting and splitting some timber, taking care of window makers etc. The 40 is on my hip the entire time. I'm confident it'll handle my needs admirably.
Be well folks
Be well folks
Have had a Walther P99 (West German made) in 40 S&W for many years. A tack driver and 15 round mags are a "help" as well. Just back from putting 100 165 grain bullets into targets, so now comes the cleaning. I like hte 165 grain in my handloads as they are easy to control and yet have almost the same "energy" as the 180s. Dave_n
Texas Star
US Veteran
Remember the old .38-40 black powder round? That, in modern, smokeless, shorter form, in an autoloader that holds a lot more ammo than a Colt SA or New Service.
baccusboy
Member
I've come to the conclusion that it all comes down to how you feel about the recoil impulse of the different rounds.
Some prefer the slow, but strong "push" of a .45.
Another guy might find that .45 push, and torque (in some guns) annoying.
Another guy might like the 9mm because it seems lower-recoil than either the .40 or .45.
Another guy might like the .40, because the recoil is snappier. Another guy will dislike that snap.
Seriously... I fired a friend's .40 Glock the last time I was out, and wonder if I should try firing some more .40? I didn't feel it recoiled less than the 9mm, but the speed of the recoil seemed more comfortable to me. It left me dumbfounded, because it was the last round I would have cared to bother owning. But now...? Heck, there are Police trade-in Glock .40's going for $329 all day, and that's a bargain! They certainly won't be going down in price when that's over.
Moral of the story -- shoot all 3, and with different guns. Rent some at the range, and have fun. End up with whatever works best, given your carry needs. They all perform about the same for the average shooter, given quality defense ammo.
Totally subjective.
Some prefer the slow, but strong "push" of a .45.
Another guy might find that .45 push, and torque (in some guns) annoying.
Another guy might like the 9mm because it seems lower-recoil than either the .40 or .45.
Another guy might like the .40, because the recoil is snappier. Another guy will dislike that snap.
Seriously... I fired a friend's .40 Glock the last time I was out, and wonder if I should try firing some more .40? I didn't feel it recoiled less than the 9mm, but the speed of the recoil seemed more comfortable to me. It left me dumbfounded, because it was the last round I would have cared to bother owning. But now...? Heck, there are Police trade-in Glock .40's going for $329 all day, and that's a bargain! They certainly won't be going down in price when that's over.
Moral of the story -- shoot all 3, and with different guns. Rent some at the range, and have fun. End up with whatever works best, given your carry needs. They all perform about the same for the average shooter, given quality defense ammo.
Totally subjective.
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Now that the FBI has deemed it to be unsuitable, it has dropped nearly to the bottom of the list.
In response, the sheeple are are dumping their 40s en masse.
With them selling at ridiculous prices, I've picked up some real bargains of late.
As a handloader, I can make the 40 into anything I want it to be.
In response, the sheeple are are dumping their 40s en masse.
With them selling at ridiculous prices, I've picked up some real bargains of late.
As a handloader, I can make the 40 into anything I want it to be.
Agreed on the bargains currently out there in LE trade-ins and ammo. I'm also in agreement in that each firearm will produce a vastly different experience for the user in particular with the .40 S&W chambering. For instance I like it in my Sig P229, but not so much in my M&P 40c.
With the dearth of cheap .40 S&W ammo I just finished a .40 S&W PCC and I have to say it is a hoot to shoot and I prefer it over my 9mm PCC. Overall I'm glad I didn't abandon the .40 S&W cartridge like so many seem to be doing.
With the dearth of cheap .40 S&W ammo I just finished a .40 S&W PCC and I have to say it is a hoot to shoot and I prefer it over my 9mm PCC. Overall I'm glad I didn't abandon the .40 S&W cartridge like so many seem to be doing.
baccusboy
Member
I will add that during the ammo crunch, 9mm was hard to find. There was .40 on the shelf every day, and even then, the price was fair. .40 isn't going anywhere for a very many years.
mrmike7189
Member
Plenty of deals out there in 40 caliber.I have been shopping the used gun cases looking for a minty 3rd gen Smith 40....the search continues
Asking this question is quite like asking about Ford, Chevy, Dodge and Toyota pickup trucks. Plenty of solid arguments can be made but ultimately the conclusions are irrationally vague, especially when the question is staged so openly as it is in the OP. Without extremely clear definitions of precisely what is being asked, it's difficult to pin down a solid answer.
And many, MANY ways to argue it. One way to argue it is to look at it's rise in popularity and sales of handguns chambered for it. Certainly less now than from 1995 to 2005, but absolutely substantial.
I think you might be closest to "correct" to say that .40 S&W likely makes the top three, with 9mm and .45 rounding that out.
What's most difficult with the question is that empirical evidence is slim and so muddied with outlying factors. That leaves us with a heavy load of opinion based argument, much of which leans more to human emotion than solid experience. Opinions are certainly valid, but how valid?
If you find a true, definite, rock solid answer... haha, you may be the first ever to do so!
And many, MANY ways to argue it. One way to argue it is to look at it's rise in popularity and sales of handguns chambered for it. Certainly less now than from 1995 to 2005, but absolutely substantial.
I think you might be closest to "correct" to say that .40 S&W likely makes the top three, with 9mm and .45 rounding that out.
What's most difficult with the question is that empirical evidence is slim and so muddied with outlying factors. That leaves us with a heavy load of opinion based argument, much of which leans more to human emotion than solid experience. Opinions are certainly valid, but how valid?
If you find a true, definite, rock solid answer... haha, you may be the first ever to do so!
lastxit
Member
I tried to like the .40 but it just didn't stick. Tried it in various platforms, too. Several $$$ later I settled my semi-auto crusade when I was on a range trip with a buddy. He talked me into shooting his RTF G19 and I was blown away at how well I shot that pistol. So much so I talked him into selling it to me that day and it hasn't left my hip since. I decided to sell all my .40s since I really had no interest in the cartridge after that.
I discovered that in my hands, a .40 chambered for just about any gun isn't worth squat. 9mm on a G19 is a different story altogether. For me, a helluva lot faster and tighter. I figure only hits count, so I shoot what I shoot best.
I discovered that in my hands, a .40 chambered for just about any gun isn't worth squat. 9mm on a G19 is a different story altogether. For me, a helluva lot faster and tighter. I figure only hits count, so I shoot what I shoot best.
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