Is the .40 dead?

[Charlton Heston]

gee I hope not, just bought another

 

[Chuckles253]

The personality type who determines their next firearm acquisition(s) based on what the "now" caliber the feds and LE uses is the mall ninja preparing for a zombie apocalypse or a "Red Dawn" style invasion.

 

[Malysh]

Don't let calibers stoke your insecurities.

Whatever the flavor -
Practice, practice, practice!

 

[McE]

Don't let calibers stoke your insecurities.

And don't let your insecurities dictate your caliber

 

[Engineer1911]

Yup, It's Dead

But not out of ammo. As a confirmed range rat, dumpster diver, and brass-oholic, I'm down to my last 2K of loaded ammo, 7 gallons of once fired brass, and two Lee 6-cavity bullet molds. I guess my two 40's will keep on shooting.

After very difficult 12 Step Program intervention, I can now walk away from 9 MM and 40 S&W brass without picking it up. I have achieved that blissful state of 'Enough'.

 

[andrewcdub]

I never really understood the whole 9vs40/10mm/45acp. The FBI switching to 9mm, IMHO, was about saving money more than anything else. Buy what you want in a caliber you want and train. Training is more important than caliber.

 

[rwsmith]

I did a little thinking.....

I did a little thinking a ways back after studying the incidents in CA and FL that led the stinking 'caliber wars'. There's nothing wrong with 9mm, there's nothing wrong with .40, 10mm or .45. In some situations LE or a defender needs ready access to carbines and rifles. There just aren't enough crack shots with a pistol outside of close range in the open. I've decided that the ideal weapon for home defense next to a pistol is a carbine or bullpup design. Anybody in the boundaries of my yard is within reach with one of those and if they are out of my yard, they don't need to be shot at. Is the .40 dead? It's no more dead that any of the great calibers that have been used by LE officers and for HD. A lot of people that say the 10mm is best for them haven't shot one.

 

[Muss Muggins]

The .40 is certainly not dead. Three years ago it took up something like 65% of the U S police market. Now that J Edgar has moved back to the 9mm there will be some movement back to the 9, but the .40 will be not only alive but common for more than a little while yet.

Every agency in this part of the country is switching back to 9mm due to the lower recoil. Officers can't qualify with the snappy .40 S&W. Not only the FBI, but most all federal agencies are switching. Once that economy of scale buying power goes back to 9 mm, it's only a matter of time. Not to mention that the old .40 S&W pistols are due for a trade in, and Glock and others are offering deep discounts . . .

 

[senecaap]

How can a caliber that has been sold in the amount of units the .40 has been be dead? If the .32H&R and the .38 Super are still creaking around with the limited numbers (comparatively) they were made in, the .40 will be around a while. When the gun/ammo manufacturers drop the price to move lots, some agencies/departments will switch over.

That said, if there is a caliber that needs to die, it's that compromise round.

 

[okiegtrider]

I find myself wondering as sift through this thread if the mods would change my screen name to hipster40?

 

[clang444]

YES, THE .40 S&W IS OFFICIALLY DEAD!

Now please pack up your .40 caliber guns, ammo and accessories and ship them to me immediately.

Shorty Fortys and Performance Center guns get top priority.

Thanks for your cooperation.

 

[Magload]

The personality type who determines their next firearm acquisition(s) based on what the "now" caliber the feds and LE uses is the mall ninja preparing for a zombie apocalypse or a "Red Dawn" style invasion.

What! I am not supposed to be preparing for those?

 

[Clete Torres]

I asked mine how they were a moment ago. They're both fine and want a new brother.

 

[mike from st pete]

Happily, I never fell for the 40S&W story.
9mm 124gr Golden Sabers or Gold Dots, well placed will do everything a 40S&W will.

 

[Chuckles253]

What! I am not supposed to be preparing for those?

You should, just stock up on 5.56 or 7.62!

On a serious note, your choice of caliber is a personal decision and should not be deterred or determined by the opinions of others.

I enjoy shooting 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. Lately, it's been more 9mm and .40 S&W as I have no problem acquiring both locally and for nearly the same price per box, occassionally, .40 S&W for slightly less. I would shoot my .22 LR more if I could find reasonably priced 500+ bricks locally but they are always sold out.

 

[growr]

All of the targets and steel plates I have shot with a .40 are all dead so the .40 must also be dead as well.

Randy
PS.....
(I meant deadly)

 

[Arik]

I was just looking for aftermarket grips for a Sig 228 when I ran into an article about the Sig 228....."The trend is sweeping large and small law enforcement agencies throughout the United States - the .40 caliber is totally in". The article was posted in 1999

 

[WarDamnSW]

Every agency in this part of the country is switching back to 9mm due to the lower recoil. Officers can't qualify with the snappy .40 S&W. Not only the FBI, but most all federal agencies are switching. Once that economy of scale buying power goes back to 9 mm, it's only a matter of time. Not to mention that the old .40 S&W pistols are due for a trade in, and Glock and others are offering deep discounts . . .

My department still issues .40 S&W. We are given the choice between Glock 23's or 22's though at least.

 

[Pondoro]

I have no personal data since I've never shot at a person, but I've read that in the last couple of decades the ammo makers have improved 9mm ammo a lot, in terms of expansion and terminal ballistics. Certainly if the 40 was better 20 years ago then the same new technology should improve the 40 and keep it better than the 9. But maybe the thought is that the 9 is now good enough.

 

[Mountain Walker]

My Sig 2022 loves .40

Thewelshm

This is an excellent choice, compact size, 29 oz., and the mechanism of the P2022 reduces the recoil to the point that the pistol has quite mild recoil. This is coupled with impressive accuracy and shoot-ability. In 40SW, with a 12 round magazine, this pistol gives the 1911 a serious run for it's money!