Does the .40 S&W Just Need More Time?

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OregonJohnny

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OK, let's talk about the .40 S&W. Among handgun calibers, it is relatively young. Actually, compared to most popular handgun calibers, it's practically brand-new. From what I understand, it was developed from the 10mm in the 1980s in the FBI's quest for a more effective round than the 9mm. The FBI thought the 10mm had too much power and recoil for the average shooter, and so the .40 came along to fill in that gap between 9mm velocity and magazine capacity and .45ACP diameter and weight.

It seems, though, that although it has caught on very well in law enforcement, there are many who do not like it. I have recently read here on THR a lot of posts from people who say the recoil is too snappy for them, and even more who simply say they just don't like the .40 S&W. No explanation. Why is this?

The .45ACP was developed to be a more effective man-stopper than the .38 caliber revolvers the US military was using at the time, right? And similarly, the .40 S&W came about through a search for a better man-stopper than the 9mm after the 1985 Miami FBI shootout, right? So why does it seem that the .45ACP has been embraced by all, but the .40 S&W still has some major nay-sayers? Is it simply that the .45 has had 100 years and many wars to prove itself and that the .40 is still young and needs some time to catch on?

If THR auto-loader handgun fans had to choose between .40 and .45 for self-defense against human targets, I have a feeling most would say .45. I might even agree. But I love my XD-40. And I have to say I generally love the .40 S&W round. It fits into high-capacity 9mm sized guns yet doesn't add much bulk or weight, it has more energy than a 9mm and most conventional .45ACP loads, and from law enforcement reports, it seems to be very effective at neutralizing threats rapidly.

Do you like the .40 S&W? Why or why not?
 
I love my Glock 22, and I do not find the recoil or muzzle flip troubling, even with hot 155 grain JHPs (1220 fps). Awesome weapon.
 
As far as I can tell, the only reason the .40S&W is so commonly perceived as "snappy" is because it's chambered is so many guns that were originally built as 9mms.

9mm and .45ACP are plenty snappy too, when you build guns that are a lot lighter than is typical for the chambering.
 
My Sig P229 is in .40 and I love it. As for the snappiness, I think it has to do with both the gun and how it soaks up the recoil, and the shooter. From the various guns I've shot in .40, I liked all of them except the Beretta 90-Two. It was snappy. The ones I really liked that soaked up the recoil were the Sig 229 and 239, the HK USP and the P2000.
 
Although many might argue, I believe most detractors (including myself) believe that it just doesn't do anything another cartridge could do better. It doesn't hold as many rounds as the 9mm, it's not as big as the .45, and it's not as powerful as the 10mm. So basically it serves no real purpose.
 
It's just recoil.

I own two Glocks in .40S&W. Honestly it's an accurate and very fun round.

It has been accepted with the LAPD, as they are issued Glock 22s and some use a compact/subcompact Glock 23/27 respectfully. The round is VERY effective on duty. Especially, when running hallow points such as Winchester Rangers.

I only shoot .40S&W and while the snap recoil is very noticable, the shooter will need to adjust their stance, grip and trigger control. Once they've mastered those factors with a .40S&W, then they can shoot anything accurately...or at least become a more discerning shooter. The caliber relies soley on the shooter's ability, not the weapon's ability.

I see the .40S&W still be the "red headed stepchild" of the pistol caliber wars...but I believe it'll be around for a long time...until we come up with lazer or phaser weapons.
 
I've only fired the .40 out of a G23 and I don't feel it's "to snappy". My fathers arthritic hands seem to handle this round very well, as he still gets most everything within the 8 ring.

I think it's a fine round that has caught on quite well.
 
doesn't hold as many rounds as the 9mm, it's not as big as the .45, and it's not as powerful as the 10mm.
Click to expand...
and yet it comes pretty close to all of those.
.40S&W is so commonly perceived as "snappy" is because it's chambered is so many guns that were originally built as 9mms.
Click to expand...
I've accumulated enough .40SW brass (about 700 pieces) that I'm starting to look for a gun to go with it. Instead of a 9mm that's been rebarreled to .40, I'm specifically looking for one based on 10mm or .45ACP.
 
It is snappy, but no more so than a snubby .357. It flips a lot less than a compact 45. It hits hard and allows a smaller frame than a .45 or a 10mm, but with more knock down than a 9mm. I have several .40's including a Glock 27 (my carry gun). It is already the 3rd most popular centerfire pistol (not revolver) caliber, so I think it is doing just fine.
 
IMHO its Sub-compacts with 3.5" barrels or less where the .40S&W really shines. I later got some full sized .40S&W guns because of all the free brass I could pick up at our club from the LEO that practice there.

--wally.
 
If you look at the velocity and energy of the 40 in most cases it is better than the 45.
 
Actually, most full-power loadings of the .45 with similar bullet weights are very close to the .40 S&W, usually 50fps or less difference.

I'm of the opinion that the .40 is a solution looking for an answer. Given modern bullet construction, the 9mm is every bit as effective with a (usually)higher capacity magazine.
 
People aren't going to get nostalgic about the .40 S&W until it becomes the standard issue for the U.S military, and goes through a couple of wars. That said, I don't think anyone can deny the .40 is extremely popular in this country right now. I think I'm the only person I know, who doesn't own a gun chambered for the round.
 
True about the 9 thats why I don't own a 40 cal.
I have shot cor bons,hydra shok,speer and they all perform good in telephone books,just as good as my friends 40 cal.The only diferance is some of the 40 loads expande a bit larger,not much.
 
Josh Aston said:
Although many might argue, I believe most detractors (including myself) believe that it just doesn't do anything another cartridge could do better. It doesn't hold as many rounds as the 9mm, it's not as big as the .45, and it's not as powerful as the 10mm. So basically it serves no real purpose.
Click to expand...

There are pistols with higher magazine capacities than 9mm, larger bullets than .45, and more power than 10mm too. So why aren't you detracting them in favor of the 5.7mm, .50GI, or .44 Magnum?

The .40S&W doesn't do any one thing better than any other round, true. That's not a bad thing though. It offers a very good balance of size, power, and capacity.

It sure would suck if all we had to choose from was .22 long rifle, .45 ACP, .30-06, and 12 Guage.
 
when I was just getting my pistol permit- I wasn't sold don the 40sw cartridge- then I ended up deciding on a g23. it was a good compromise on size, capacity, and power. sure its no 10mm, but it isn't trying to be 10mm. thats why they made a new cartridge.

I love 40sw now- and I don't think its going anywhere. way too many guns in service for it to phase out.
 
I look at cost as my major contributing factor, around here 100 rounds of WWB 9mm is $16.50, .45 was about $28 per 100 and .40sw is $25 for 50. .38spl+p is only $3 more. just too many other more economical options around to justify getting a gun in it. that said, it is a well balanced round in terms of fps, fpe, mag capacity, and bullet weight.
 
I think it shines as a compact/subcompact round. Fitting a 9mm frame gun is what it does well and it also fits in well with the crowd that isn't fond of 9mm. For Small Glocks, Kahr's, and mini XD's there isn't a better choice if you train enough to hold onto it.

In a full sized fighting weapon I think it is a good comprimise in capacity/power and anyone can shoot it with a little practice. The Police have stepped up, and I think the Military will eventually.

People like me with smaller hands can still fit their hand around the grip on most of these guns. That is something I can't do with a double stack .45.
 
It is the new kid on the block, after several tries and near misses, for a
Big 4 introduced cartridge, case designed for a 9x19 mag. well dimension
platform. what? just 25 years of age, trying to make inroades, and it
has, in the world of the 1905-1908 .45 Automatic, Colt Pistol (ACP) &
the elsewhere than the USA 9MM Parabellum.

INdeed, the only major market for the .40 S&W is the Domestic LEO and other Fed. Agencies, units in the USA.

Personally I'd like to see the USA replace the 9MM19 with the .40 S&W.

R-
 
In the guns I have shot it in, the recoil does not bother me. (Nothing much bothers me until you get up into the .44 Magnum class or .357 though a small frame snub..)

There's nothing a nine does that a forty doesn't do better. Yeah, yeah, I can hear it now. "Them's fightin' words!" :neener:

Ammo is abundant and easily obtained. Even the pimply faced counter minion at Wally World or Gander Mtn. knows what .40 S&W is.

It doesn't need more time. It has arrived.

around here 100 rounds of WWB 9mm is $16.50, .45 was about $28 per 100 and .40sw is $25 for 50. .38spl+p is only $3 more.
Click to expand...

Sure you're not comparing FMJ to JHP? Around here, WWB .40 FMJ nicely splits the difference pricewise between 9 and .45.
 
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