Everyone jettisoning .40 S&W?
- Thread starter OneSevenDeuce
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ClickClickD'oh
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WestKentucky said:
The S&W M&P is specifically designed for the .40. It was adapted to the other calibers it is now offered in.
WestKentucky
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The M&P is a very popular platform. I thought it was designed as a full size nine but it makes sense to be a 40. It's actually the top of my list of polymer autos I would own, but those all come after the metal frames.
If I'm not mistaken, due to them being marketed toward a duty pistol, the FNH lines are designed around the .40 as well. One of the gripes about the FNX-9 is that it feels a little clunky and overbuilt for the 9mm because of this.
I've not shot a .40 Glock, but my FNS-40 doesn't beat me up any worse than a 9mm Glock ever did. Loud as all get out, but not punishing.
Mauserguy
Member
One think to note here, the 40 is NOT a higher pressure round than the 9MM. They have exactly the same SAAMI pressure spec, 55,000PSI. 40S&W is not a higher pressure round.
Mauserguy
PS: I like the 40S&W cartridge. It shoots a bigger bullet than the 9MM, you have to be proportionally more masculine to manage it.
Mauserguy
PS: I like the 40S&W cartridge. It shoots a bigger bullet than the 9MM, you have to be proportionally more masculine to manage it.
Deltaboy1984
Member
I'm not I love my 40 cal Sigma'VE.
Sure wish the prices of all these unwanted 40SW guns would reflect this so called surplus. 
I'd darn near be willing to bet, that there are more rounds of 40SW fired every weekend than any other centerfire cartridge. (Hint: easiest way to get "Major" power factor in competition) Course that would be fairly hard to prove since most competition shooters reload..
FWIW my next planned handgun purchases will be chambered in 40...
I'd darn near be willing to bet, that there are more rounds of 40SW fired every weekend than any other centerfire cartridge. (Hint: easiest way to get "Major" power factor in competition) Course that would be fairly hard to prove since most competition shooters reload..
FWIW my next planned handgun purchases will be chambered in 40...
Rasp
Member
I bought a 40 because of the complete lack of 9mm on store shelves during the panic. I'm also able to shoot between power factors in USPSA matches.
I'm not as accurate shooting the round in compact pistols because of the sharp recoil. I prefer 45acp in my xds or 9mm in my shield.
I'm not as accurate shooting the round in compact pistols because of the sharp recoil. I prefer 45acp in my xds or 9mm in my shield.
Tallball
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The used ones have gotten cheaper, imho. I didn't have a 40 and started keeping my eye open for a good deal. A couple of days ago I saw a lightly used S&W on GB and was surprised and pleased to win it for $231. I am looking forward to shooting it. 
Rasp
Member
I'm not sure if I subscribe to the argument that the recent improvements in S.D. ammo have leveled the playing field across the big 3 calibers. Wouldn't those same improvements also translate to the other calibers as well? Don't ammo companies use the same bullet for all three?
krimmie
Member
Same can be said about 9mm ball vs. +P or +P+ defensive rounds.
TomJ
Contributing Member
I have 9's, .40's and .45's in semi automatics. In my XDSC .40, the recoil is snappy and slightly uncomfortable. It's surprisingly tame in my 27 (IMO). Depending on the gun you're using, the snappy recoil can be a turn off. My son and 2 of my neighbors don't like the .40 for that reason. I like all 3 calibers, for different reasons and have no intention of selling my .40's.
Kayaker 1960
Member
This again?
The .40 ain't goin no where. It shoots a bigger and heavier bullet than a 9mm at about the same speed and pressure. It's smaller diameter but a fair bit faster than a .45. The difference in felt recoil between 9mm, .40 and .45 in guns of similar size and weight is negligible and often exaggerated.
Me, I'll be keeping my .40s, ya'll do what you want.
The .40 ain't goin no where. It shoots a bigger and heavier bullet than a 9mm at about the same speed and pressure. It's smaller diameter but a fair bit faster than a .45. The difference in felt recoil between 9mm, .40 and .45 in guns of similar size and weight is negligible and often exaggerated.
Me, I'll be keeping my .40s, ya'll do what you want.
RustyShackelford
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Why cops & the FBI are using 9x19mm .....
This topic has come up often in the last 2/3 years.
I think it's somewhat of a non-issue.
There are several factors that go into a sworn LE agency's pick of duty weapons or ammunition. $$$, testing(T&Es), reputation, service-armorer-parts-gear, etc.
I've posted often how my city's large PD elected to stay with the SIG P226R/P229R 9mm about 4 years ago. They first chose P226 pistols in 1990.
The duty round is the Ranger T/T Series 127gr JHP +P+.
The police chief at the time allowed(when requested by the labor union) the sworn personnel to carry .40/.357sig P226Rs if the officers purchased them.
The FBI started using 9x19mm sidearms in the 1970s/1980s but moved away from them after the tragic Platt-Matix shooting in 1986. In the early 2000s, civil actions & DoJ problems made the FBI revert back to 9x19mm pistols for sworn agents/083 police(yes, the FBI has it's own small police force ).
In 2014, many large LE agencies are converting to 9x19mm. The LA Sheriffs went to the M&P full size 9mm. So did the NM State Troopers & Texas DPS.
Top cadre & industry consultants like Pat Rodgers(retired NYPD & USMCR) and Hamilton Yam of 10-8 Performance now often carry M&Ps in 9x19mm for personal protection.
The 9mm is much different than the early/mid 1990s versions. The newer styles like DPX, Hornady Critical Duty, HST(Hydra-Shok II), Winchester Ranger T/T Series, Speer Gold Dot +P offer a lot.
Rusty
www.SGammo.com www.natchezss.com www.brownells.com www.gilbertsguns.com www.midwayusa.com
This topic has come up often in the last 2/3 years.
I think it's somewhat of a non-issue.
There are several factors that go into a sworn LE agency's pick of duty weapons or ammunition. $$$, testing(T&Es), reputation, service-armorer-parts-gear, etc.
I've posted often how my city's large PD elected to stay with the SIG P226R/P229R 9mm about 4 years ago. They first chose P226 pistols in 1990.
The duty round is the Ranger T/T Series 127gr JHP +P+.
The police chief at the time allowed(when requested by the labor union) the sworn personnel to carry .40/.357sig P226Rs if the officers purchased them.
The FBI started using 9x19mm sidearms in the 1970s/1980s but moved away from them after the tragic Platt-Matix shooting in 1986. In the early 2000s, civil actions & DoJ problems made the FBI revert back to 9x19mm pistols for sworn agents/083 police(yes, the FBI has it's own small police force
).In 2014, many large LE agencies are converting to 9x19mm. The LA Sheriffs went to the M&P full size 9mm. So did the NM State Troopers & Texas DPS.
Top cadre & industry consultants like Pat Rodgers(retired NYPD & USMCR) and Hamilton Yam of 10-8 Performance now often carry M&Ps in 9x19mm for personal protection.
The 9mm is much different than the early/mid 1990s versions. The newer styles like DPX, Hornady Critical Duty, HST(Hydra-Shok II), Winchester Ranger T/T Series, Speer Gold Dot +P offer a lot.
Rusty
www.SGammo.com www.natchezss.com www.brownells.com www.gilbertsguns.com www.midwayusa.com
W.E.G.
Member
The .40 S&W has always been an excellent choice for a medium, to full-size, defensive pistol.
9mm ammo has gotten a lot better, so the advantage of the .40 has become less.
Any caliber that begins with a "4" has never been a great choice for little bitty pistols.
I prefer the .40 for carry.
I prefer the 9mm for training.
Nice that the Glock series are identical in size and operation 9mm vs. .40
Its like having a "street" car that you can throw a little juice on when the outcome of the race is important.
9mm ammo has gotten a lot better, so the advantage of the .40 has become less.
Any caliber that begins with a "4" has never been a great choice for little bitty pistols.
I prefer the .40 for carry.
I prefer the 9mm for training.
Nice that the Glock series are identical in size and operation 9mm vs. .40
Its like having a "street" car that you can throw a little juice on when the outcome of the race is important.
I've always been a fan of my G23. So much I bought another one for redundancy. Bought a few 9s during the past year and have been carrying a SIG 938 just because its so easy to carry but the G23 is my goto gun hand's down. It would be nice to pick up a few more on the cheap, lol.
Kayaker 1960
Member
9 vs 40
Several months ago I took some good friends, a married couple shooting. He had only fired a pistol on one occasion, she had never touched a real gun in her life. I started them on my Browning Buckmark .22, then went to my G17 and then to my G22, I asked both of them about the recoil between the two Glocks and both of them said they could feel little difference between the two and had no preference. We were shooting WWB factory ammo. Prior to that my son and I took both Glocks to the range and had the same experience.
If all else is equal, I'm pretty sure that the bigger hole has some advantage, even if it's a small advantage.
Several months ago I took some good friends, a married couple shooting. He had only fired a pistol on one occasion, she had never touched a real gun in her life. I started them on my Browning Buckmark .22, then went to my G17 and then to my G22, I asked both of them about the recoil between the two Glocks and both of them said they could feel little difference between the two and had no preference. We were shooting WWB factory ammo. Prior to that my son and I took both Glocks to the range and had the same experience.
If all else is equal, I'm pretty sure that the bigger hole has some advantage, even if it's a small advantage.
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HighExpert
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I can guarantee the recoil is less than my .44mag Tracker with full house loads. I have a Glock 23 and a Glock 22c and enjoy them both. Will they shoot with my Baer Premier Ii? No. But they are a darn side easier to carry and the finish is tough as nails. I will keep my .40s and offer a good home to any that need to be discarded.
RustyShackelford
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HRT....
The elite HRT or Hostage Rescue Team, documented in the great books; Cold Zero & No Heroes used the Browning Hi-Power 9x19mm sidearm for many years.
They now use S-A 1911 pistols in .45acp but Id be 100% sure they could get the job done with a 9x19mm if needed.
The elite HRT or Hostage Rescue Team, documented in the great books; Cold Zero & No Heroes used the Browning Hi-Power 9x19mm sidearm for many years.
They now use S-A 1911 pistols in .45acp but Id be 100% sure they could get the job done with a 9x19mm if needed.
herrwalther
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Will be a cold day in a very subterranean place when I ditch my P99 in .40S&W. I know with bullet tech and all these advancements lately, there is little difference between 9/40/45 these days. But I have been shooting .40 the longest, am most accurate with it, and have the most ammo for it. I'll add a 9mm back to my collection soon but it won't replace the 40.
OneSevenDeuce
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At this point I think I should clarify a few things. I am NOT saying that the .40 S&W round is going to disappear, that it is or is not a compromise between 9/45, why LEOs are or are not switching to any caliber. etc. What I am saying is that people seem to be selling .40 S&W handguns at a very fast rate. Over the past 2 months I have seen more guns in .40 being sold than all other calibers in the local traders. The used shelves at local stores also reflect this, and on Bud's online. Now, this might be a false phenomenon, but it's just what I have taken notice of. Keep in mind, I am not criticizing this round.
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