Is the .40 dead?

I never gave up on the 9mm but switch to .357 outside the big city,
Recently responded to a call with a Coast Guard rigid hull inflatable boat and their entire crew was carrying .40 caliber Sigs.
 
I don't know if it is dead, but personally I am not a big fan of it.
Several years ago in an ammo acquisition I received 2,000
rounds of .40 S&W ammo. I didn't have a .40 cal at the time
and it just sat around. I figured with all the ammo I might as
well get myself a 40. I shopped around, and purchased a Model 4006 in 2009.
I took it to the range and fired about 200 rounds through it.
I wasn't very impressed with the .40 cal round but I loved the gun.
I have several third gens in 10mm, 45ACP, and 9mm that I love
to shoot, but there was something about the .40 that just didn't
do it for me.
All this being said, last year I bought another Model 4006 at a
gun show for under $350.00 out the door just for the price.
No box or papers but it was in 95% plus condition.
So now I have two Model 4006s and 1,800 rounds of .40 S&W
just sitting around. I don't know if I will ever get around to
shooting them again. When I do go to the range,
I usually shoot my revolvers, either a Model 28, 625, or a 629.
I am not saying the round it dead, nor am I putting it down.
It just doesn't do anything for me.
JMHO.

Stu
 
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The 4006 was also my 1st .40cal. and one of my first guns. It was a beauty. At the time I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with it. I was convinced it was the gun and sold it. I regretted it later because I came to know it wasn't the gun that was inaccurate, it was me. The thing I remember the most was that I loved shooting it. Isn't that what really matters? A few thousand rounds later with a Glock 27, a Ruger Sr40C, and a Shield M&P, I can't see a lot of difference in my accuracy shooting a 9mm.
 
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Please keep saying/posting its dead.
Prices will drop even more and be more available.
Isn't that weird how used 40s&w Glocks are usually priced lower than 9mm?
May have to look into a used Glock 22 or 23 again?
 
How many calibers have come and gone since the inception of the firearm? Hundreds? Thousands? Only time will tell if the .40S&W will last.

If I'm not mistaken, the Glock 22 is still the most prolific firearm in the police ranks in the US today. I think the .40 will last a while longer yet.
 
My understanding is the reason that the FBI went back to the 9mm as some people were having a hard time qualing with the 40 which means they were not shooting them very well in the field. Hard gun for office staff to shoot well once a year. If I am wrong go ahead and set me straight if you want but I am still going to believe this is the reason. I like the way my 40 shoots it gives me that feeling I get when I my 357. Like I am sending worth while down range. Don
 
This sort of thread is the fodder of internet forums and usually entertaining if not always informative. So, naturally, I feel compelled to stick in my two cents worth.

Most of the reasons I've heard for law enforcement agencies switching from the .40 to the 9mm are bean counter reasons, not performance based evaluations. Now, I'm not a 9mm hater, but I do believe that ballistics mean something. But weather the bean counters force departments into switching from .40 to 9mm or not, the caliber is hardly likely to be "dead" any time in the foreseeable future. There will remain a civilian market (assuming Obama & Co. can be held in check). And I wouldn't be surprised if some agencies that are willing to properly train their officers, or special units within their department, continue using it for years to come.

Not too long ago the .38 Special was the go to round is most cop's holsters. Not any more. But the .38 Special is hardly dead. The .45 ACP was THE US Army handgun cartridge for many years until replaced by the 9mm, not because of superior performance, but because the NATO allies think 9mm is a cannon. But the .45 ACP is hardly dead.

Once they perfect the phase-plasma pistol in the 40 watt range all of the antique ammunition and guns that shoot it will be history anyway, so it's a moot point.
 
When I retired our carry pistol was a 4506. They gave me mine, it had 50 rounds through it as we had just changed from the 645. Now my Sheriff's Office carries a Glock 40. I think because they have a lot more female deputies, which I am in favor of. The female deputies have smaller hands. When we had the 4506 the females were having problems shooting it. Female deputies are a great addition to law enforcement, and the ones I know do the job very well. As for the caliber, I think the jury is still out on that.
 
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My understanding is the reason that the FBI went back to the 9mm as some people were having a hard time qualing with the 40 which means they were not shooting them very well in the field. Hard gun for office staff to shoot well once a year. If I am wrong go ahead and set me straight if you want but I am still going to believe this is the reason. I like the way my 40 shoots it gives me that feeling I get when I my 357. Like I am sending worth while down range. Don

Not true. There was never an issue with agents qualifying with the .40, or anything else. The move is strictly monetary - the ammo guys say the 9mm will do anything the .40 will do, and do it cheaper.

The .40 won't be out of the FBI inventory for many years. Guys that have them will keep them for the forseeable future. New guys will get 9mms, but even that isn't happening yet.

All FBI agents, even "office staff", qualify four times a year on their primary handgun, at least once a year on approved POWs, and at least once a year on the 870, the M4, and (for a little while longer) the MP5/10mm if they want. That's everyone, from the SAC to the newest hump agent out of Quantico.

Speaking of Quantico, an agent will shoot well over 10,000 rounds in training. When I went through, we spent half a day on the range every other day, for 17 weeks. The academy is now 22 weeks long, so new guys shoot even more.

Back to the original question - the .40 will be around a long time.
 
You're in luck!

I don't know if it is dead, but personally I am not a big fan of it.
Several years ago in an ammo acquisition I received 2,000
rounds of .40 S&W ammo. I didn't have a .40 cal at the time
and it just sat around. I figured with all the ammo I might as
well get myself a 40. I shopped around, and purchased a Model 4006 in 2009.
I took it to the range and fired about 200 rounds through it.
I wasn't very impressed with the .40 cal round but I loved the gun.
I have several third gens in 10mm, 45ACP, and 9mm that I love
to shoot, but there was something about the .40 that just didn't
do it for me.
All this being said, last year I bought another Model 4006 at a
gun show for under $350.00 out the door just for the price.
No box or papers but it was in 95% plus condition.
So now I have two Model 4006s and 1,800 rounds of .40 S&W
just sitting around. I don't know if I will ever get around to
shooting them again. When I do go to the range,
I usually shoot my revolvers, either a Model 28, 625, or a 629.
I am not saying the round it dead, nor am I putting it down.
It just doesn't do anything for me.
JMHO.

Stu
.

The Ed Rogers Videogame Foundation (Truly a worthy cause, I understand) gratefully accepts donations of firearms and ammunition. At the same time, that allows you more space to add weapons which you deem worthy. Lest we forget - There are nights Ed Rogers goes to sleep, knowing he doesn't have the latest in videogame technology. I don't know about you but that bothers me! ;)
 
To me any handgun caliber of 38 Special (with a modern projectile design) or larger is more than adequate for close range personal defense. Some probably feel this should start with a .380 of modern design.

The big problem with these caliber discussions is that SOME folks talk their cue from what law enforcement uses. This is folly.

After the Miami shoot out, the FBI convened a panel to evaluate the action that occured and the caliber used. ANYTIME the govt. or one of it's agencies assembles a panel or committee concerning a confrontation that went bad, you can bet they will recommend a change, whether it is needed or not.
It's called politics, and it is a great waste of money and time. They do this to make the public think they are "doing something" about a percieved problem, whether a problem really exists or not. Before the investigation even began you could bet they would blame the caliber.

I own most caliber handguns excepting the 25acp and the newer "mega" calibers like the .454 or the .500 S&W, Linebaughs, etc.

If I do my job right I don't worry much about the caliber.
 
What the hell. I might as well tell my story. :rolleyes:
Many years back when the .40 first came out, I fell for the hype. "45 power + 9mm capacity, yadda, yadda, yadda!"
So I bought a brand new 4006. I liked the gun.... at first. But soon learned that I couldn't shoot it near as well as my .45s or 9mms. For over two years I fought that gun. Tried many factory loads, handloaded just about every bullet and powder I could get my hands on and still it was nowhere near as accurate as my other guns. Finally gave up on it and decided to sell.
That's when I discovered you couldn't give the things away! Nobody and I do mean NOBODY wanted it. :( I finally found a dealer who traded me a Buckmark, some extra mags and a few odds and ends for it. I lost my butt on the deal, but was so relieved to be rid of the thing that I didn't care. BTW: I still have that Buckmark. Great gun!
Since then I've been to many gun shows on both sides of the table. Seen a lot of folks walking around with .40s they're looking to sell or trade. Seen and talked to many who were highly frustrated because nobody was interested. Maybe its just in my area, but it still seems that you will never get anywhere near your money back out of selling a used .40.
Oh, I'm aware that the .40 does have its fans. It'll probably be around for a very long time. But dead? Nah, just dead to me. :rolleyes:
 
@pyro, thanks for posting this thread.

The many responses about the .40 being alive and well have helped offset some of the doubts I have recently had, after having purchased my new Shield 40 a few weeks ago.

For the record, the Shield 40 has performed very well in target practice, and I've had no problems whatsoever with it. I scored 241/250 in the Texas Concealed Handgun License class, and that included several 5-shot rapid-fire rounds.

So, contrary to some reports, I have not found any issues with the recoil, nor with rapid fire.
 
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