Is the 40 S&W a must have cartridge?

[Johnrh]

I like my two 40's, an XD service and S&W Pro. both are great for IDPA as I load them down to meet PF and I feel more of a push than a snap like the 9. Carrying the XD in Sparks Versa Max is very comfortable too. albeit not as comfortable as my XDS in 9, my only 9.

A bit off topic but one day I was shooting the Pro in a match and several guys commented on the smoke from my gun. Told them they were my own cast bullets and it didn't bother me at all finding the targets. I asked them what they were paying for their factory stuff. I then told them I was loading mine for less than $4 a 100 as I had free lead. They didn't say much after that.

 

[Frank46]

Have a Sig P239 in 49 S&W and enjoy shooting it. Unfortunately the bean counters at Sig decided to stop making them when I heard that I called up a local dealer and got the last two magazines for my P239. Never failed to function and carried it with complete confidence. Mostly shoot the WWB 165 grain FMJ for practice and for carry I use Federal Hydrashocks. But with the increasing number of carry permit holders who carry I've switched to 9mm as you can carry more cartridges than a 40 S&W. My other Sig is a West German. P6 which is also a single stack 8 rounds. Never failed to qualify with either Sig. Frank

 

[686-380]

Honestly, I am quite amazed at how this thread has evolved! Looking at the initial post that started this dialog, I never suggested that my purchase would be for carry, but more as a range toy. I can only imagine where this would have gone had I asked about a: 400 Corbon, 357/44 Bain & Davis, a 9mm Dillon, a 45 Win Mag or any other capable but forgotten cartridge!

Obviously, the 40 S&W is not a handgun hunting round, and most likely wouldn't be a first choice for metallic silhouette. It's forte apparently is as a law enforcement round, much like the: 32 S&W, 38 S&W, 38 Special, 9mm Luger, 41 Magnum mid-range load, or 45 ACP ... with each appearance being an "improvement" on a predecessor cartridge. And many people follow law enforcement selections for self-defense.

Listening, I hear a few arguments ... but what I hear most is how it is better than/worse than the 9mm. A 610 would probably be better than a 57, because of 40 S&W/10 mm interchangability (as a sporting or self-defense round).

I wouldn't have a problem stocking/reloading 40 S&W. What I hear, is that in an appropriately sized pistol, it could be a viable self-defense/service round. I guess what is missing is that it doesn't have a definitive use reputation.

Thank you are for your input!

Yep, just like the 5.7 round. Not many experiences to draw from.

 

[686-380]

I like my two 40's, an XD service and S&W Pro. both are great for IDPA as I load them down to meet PF and I feel more of a push than a snap like the 9. Carrying the XD in Sparks Versa Max is very comfortable too. albeit not as comfortable as my XDS in 9, my only 9.

A bit off topic but one day I was shooting the Pro in a match and several guys commented on the smoke from my gun. Told them they were my own cast bullets and it didn't bother me at all finding the targets. I asked them what they were paying for their factory stuff. I then told them I was loading mine for less than $4 a 100 as I had free lead. They didn't say much after that.

Side questions: Do you get more points, using the .40 in your matches? How do you cope with leading in the barrel?

 

[Johnrh]

Side questions: Do you get more points, using the .40 in your matches? How do you cope with leading in the barrel?

Don't really know about the points but since a tad larger it may make some difference some time. Re leading, it is a small problem in both my 40's. Only caliber I have a problem with. Tried larger sizing, not much improvenment. Now trying a different lube and that has really helped but still get some.

Removing it is easier than removing copper, and fast. I take either a mop or brush and wrap some copper (not copper coated) chore boy or the like around them and the lead just scrapes out. Four pr five passes, clean almost 100%.

When I get into new house I am going to try powder coating, that should solve that. But that's just because I want to play with it. Current cleaning method is really no problem.

 

[SixGunSancho]

I realize that the 40S&W development was somewhat a parody of Goldilocks and the Three Bears: the 9mm was not enough, the 45 was too much, and the 40 was just right! I have the opportunity to get a Sig 229 at a decent price, and it is a metal frame, not polymer. Other than price and the fact that it is a Sig, it can easily be converted to 357 Sig.

Elementary logic: if your premise is wrong, your conclusion will be wrong.

The .40 S&W is a shortened 10MM. After exhaustive testing at the FBI Firearms Testing Unit at Quantico, VA, it was scientifically proved that 10MM projectiles were most efficacious using 180 grain bullets at a nominal velocity of 1000 FPS. With that scientific fact established, it didn't require genius to figure out that shortening the 10MM case that would achieve scientific criteria of 180 grains at ~1000 FPS and work in double-stack mags would be most beneficial to law enforcement.

The .40 S&W was never a compromise round. That people believe that myth is proof of the ease with which propaganda flies around the 'net. It almost as bad as the 'net myth that the FBI dropped the 10MM because its cops couldn't withstand its recoil.

Remember this simple law of logic: if your premise is wrong, your conclusion will be wrong.

 

[SixGunSancho]

It really is rather remarkable just how much influence the FBI has over Law Enforcement agencies when even ones in foreign nations are dropping the .40 S&W in favor of 9mm Luger.

I do not know why the FBI has transitioned to the 9MM nor do I know whether it actually has.

Assuming it has, there is nothing valid that can be extrapolated from such a transition. The revealing indicator is handgun/cartridge its cops opt to carry.The agency might issue the 9MM, but that doesn't mean its cops will carry it. My guess is the 1911-A1 .45 Auto, Springfield Armory's FBI Gun (or SA's TRP), will be the most common handgun carried by FBI cops.