I thought the .40 caliber was dead?

[biku324]

I do contracting, sometimes in conflict zones, most recently Somalia. There the 7.62 Tokarev is prized over the 9mm Luger because the Tokarev penetrates better.

Not interested in any pistol round that doesn't perform using FMJ; I also much prefer 45 or 40 FMJ FP. I've carried 9mm because we had no choice, but I had no confidence whatsoever in NATO 9mm rounds.

 

[Smoke]

It's cyclic. Not because the popularity of the caliber changes, but because of the way manufacturers build their guns.

They tool up and build a boat-load of 9mm and the stores are full of 9mm. They afterward tool up for .40S&W and likewise. People think they build all the calibers simultaneously but that's not reality in manufacturing.

I'm not sure I agree with that. I've never worked in a Firearms Factory but I have worked in several factories and every Factory I worked in had different lines for different products.

I also know (from reading not experience) that a lot of the major firearms manufacturers subcontract out a lot of their parts.

I would be willing to bet that if you went to the Glock Factory in Georgia right now they would have multiple lines running parts for multiple different caliber Glocks.

 

[cololab]

I can't speak for any trend beyond my circle of acquaintances, but in that group the .40 is alive and well.

 

[AJ]

I just picked up 3 boxes for 6.5x55 Swede. It's out lived all those silly super duper short mags.

You Sir, are correct. I have a Swede CG-63 in 6.5X55. It only has iron sights and has no need for a scope (besides no provisions to mount one). As you can see by the target is does pretty good on its own.

 

[Well Armed]

I'm not sure I agree with that. I've never worked in a Firearms Factory, but I have worked in several factories, and every factory I worked in had different lines for different products.

I also know (from reading not experience) that a lot of the major firearms manufacturers subcontract out a lot of their parts.

I would be willing to bet that if you went to the Glock Factory in Georgia right now they would have multiple lines running parts for multiple different caliber Glocks.

I worked as a technician at STIHL and at other manufacturing plants. In my experience, there is NOT a different line for different products. We had different departments for different processes. We had a Blow Molding, Plastics, Extrusion, Heat Treat, CNC, Quality Control, etc. departments with a finite number of equipment. I primarily worked in the Extrusion and Injection Molding (Plastics) department. We made all the plastics needed for all the different models that we sold depending on what orders we had, and other departments did the same. These parts would be stored in our warehouse and later ordered, when needed, to the assembly line who would assemble parts based on what was scheduled at that time. That is, the assembly line was on departments responsible for assembling all the parts made in the other departments. They assembled different items at different times based on what orders needed to be fulfilled.

Based on the firearm factory tours I've seen on YouTube and industry standards for manufacturing, I believe firearm manufacturers are set up the same way. I know for a fact that barrel manufacturers and Beretta manufacturer their products in batches.

 

[Echo40]

I consider 180 gr "heavy for caliber" in 40 S&W. It's like 147 gr in 9 mm. I feel that would be a more fair comparison. I shot 155 gr and 135 gr from my buddy's G23, and found both a bit punchy. One of those loads left me with a zinging hand, but I cannot remember which. I do recall it was damned loud, suggesting a lot of muzzle blast and maybe supersonic velocity at Vegas altitude.

It actually isn't, 180gr was the original standard loading for .40 S&W, and it also just so happens to be the one which performs consistently in Ballistics Gel. 200gr is heavy for caliber, 180gr is standard, 165gr-155gr is mid, and 135gr is light.

I've personally always referred to 135gr loads as "Poor Man's .357 SIG" because that's essentially what it is. You get high velocity, expansion, and energy, similar to .357 SIG, but in a stark contrast generally poor penetration.

165gr is a decent balance between velocity and energy, but expansion isn't as good as 180gr.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Please if you could answer these questions?
Is there any truth to the claim that the 180-grain bullet is too large for the case? I saw a chart showing that pressures go up drastically as the bullet is seated slightly deeper in the case even from a few re-chamberings of an individual round. Some shooters refuse to chamber a round twice. Some shooters are double checking, measuring case OAL every time they chamber that +1 round.
Is there truth to the claim that 180-grain factory ammo is being loaded to lower pressures than 165-grain ammo as a safety margin because of this seating depth criticality?
Is it true that the 1:16 twist rate is inadequate to stabilize the 180-grain bullet but adequate to stabilize the 165-grain bullet? There is a 1:14 twist match grade barrel available from Nowlin for the 1911 platform (requires fitting).

So, I have a CS40 which is wonderful with Hornady SubSonic 180 gr. bullets. It works great so end of search. But I wonder because I have a Model 411 which cannot shoot any 180-grain round accurately but can put every 165-grain bullet in the x-ring. Okay fine I have got plenty of those so I will keep using this tool this way no problem. But I still wonder why...

Thanks for any insights.

Kind Regards!
BrianD[/QUOTE

Those and claims are pure manure. Stated by the same people that claim the cartridge is dead..........Who in all likes have never owned/loaded for/ or fired a 40.......Just keyboard commandos on the net.

 

[Krogen]

I spend more time shooting 9mm and .45 ACP than 40 S&W. The two 40's I have gather dust. Don't ask me why; I really can't say. It's just the reality of it.

I think I'll run a comparative evaluation. My VP40 and VP9 are nearly identical except for chambering and the slide on the 40 is beefier. It will be interesting to shoot them alternately to judge their respective recoil. I'll use an assortment of bullet weights and put my Garmin to work measuring velocity. Of course there will be my subjective impressions. I'll also calculate the guns' recoil velocities and recoil energies from their masses and bullet weights/velocities. Different guns would likely yield different results, but these are what I have and they're are pretty similar to each other.

Sounds great eh? When I am I going to do it? Heaven only knows. But, I have a plan . . . .

 

[AJ]

I spend more time shooting 9mm and .45 ACP than 40 S&W. The two 40's I have gather dust. Don't ask me why; I really can't say. It's just the reality of it.

I think I'll run a comparative evaluation. My VP40 and VP9 are nearly identical except for chambering and the slide on the 40 is beefier. It will be interesting to shoot them alternately to judge their respective recoil. I'll use an assortment of bullet weights and put my Garmin to work measuring velocity. Of course there will be my subjective impressions. I'll also calculate the guns' recoil velocities and recoil energies from their masses and bullet weights/velocities. Different guns would likely yield different results, but these are what I have and they're are pretty similar to each other.

Sounds great eh? When I am I going to do it? Heaven only knows. But, I have a plan . . . .

The majority of my auto shooting is done with my M1911 in .45 ACP, next is my 10MM, lastly would be the .40.

 

[bananaman]

I only have 2 .40 Pistols. RIA Tactical II Commander, and IWI Jericho 941 steel. I like both guns. I don't plan on any more 40's, but plan on keeping these. Bob

 

[rosewood]

since we are counting... Sigma40F, Sigma40V, SD40, 4006, 4013TSW, 4053, 4013(converted to 1013), M&P40 5", Sig P229; Hi-point carbine, Taurus PT101, Para-ordnance p16-40 (converted to 10mm), Para P16-40 (converted to 9x25 dillon). Maybe I shouldn't count the converted ones, but they were 40 when I bought them. If I counted 10mms, the list would grow.

Yeah, I have more 40s than any other caliber.

Do I plan on selling any of those? Nope!

Rosewood