.45 ACP: It works because of the sheer size of the round. It doesn't need to expand to be potentially effective. In smaller guns, .45 often doesn't expand, until you reach like a 4.5"+ barrel. When it does expand, expansion is large, and penetration is decent as well. .Velocity is low, relatively speaking. Recoil can be anywhere from mild to stout, but usually less than .40 or .357mag. Capacity is also lower than .40, yet better than .357mag. Usually 10 rounds or less.
This is from a 4.5" barrel.
.357 Mag: This has the most velocity and energy out of the the .40 and .45, which helps it also yield the best penetration out of the 3 calibers as well. Expansion is very reliable due to high velocity, but it is relatively small often times, similar to the size of 9mm JHP. Recoil can be stout. More than .40 or .45 often times. Capacity is often low, capped at 7 rounds usually.
This is from a 2.125" barrel, so kinda diminished results I'd say. In a 3" barrel penetration would be more.
.40 S&W: This is somewhat similar to .45 acp, but it has higher velocity, and higher energy many times being. This makes the .40 much more reliable to expand in smaller size guns, which makes .40 excellent for ccw. .40 out penetrates .45, and expands much more reliably. It also is more powerful often times than .45. This does come with more recoil, but many still shoot the .40 well to this day. Capacity is typically better than .45 or .357mag, with 10-15 rounds being common.
This is from a 3.5" barrel. Still did excellent.
I think .40, even though to some it's considered a sub-par caliber, is actually the best "powerful" caliber for CCW purposes. Very good ballistics, shootability, and capacity balance.
This is from a 4.5" barrel.
.357 Mag: This has the most velocity and energy out of the the .40 and .45, which helps it also yield the best penetration out of the 3 calibers as well. Expansion is very reliable due to high velocity, but it is relatively small often times, similar to the size of 9mm JHP. Recoil can be stout. More than .40 or .45 often times. Capacity is often low, capped at 7 rounds usually.
This is from a 2.125" barrel, so kinda diminished results I'd say. In a 3" barrel penetration would be more.
.40 S&W: This is somewhat similar to .45 acp, but it has higher velocity, and higher energy many times being. This makes the .40 much more reliable to expand in smaller size guns, which makes .40 excellent for ccw. .40 out penetrates .45, and expands much more reliably. It also is more powerful often times than .45. This does come with more recoil, but many still shoot the .40 well to this day. Capacity is typically better than .45 or .357mag, with 10-15 rounds being common.
This is from a 3.5" barrel. Still did excellent.
I think .40, even though to some it's considered a sub-par caliber, is actually the best "powerful" caliber for CCW purposes. Very good ballistics, shootability, and capacity balance.
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