Do I need a .40 S&W?

[hoek48]

I have been thnking of getting a .40 S&W. But, I do not know if I need to add another caliber to my safe. I have .45 ACP, 9MM, .38/.357, .41 Mag and 9x18. Other than just wanting one, my current calibers will do most anything I need a handgun for. I am torn between spending my current gun allotment on another .357 or getting a .40 S&W. I have no experience with the .40 S&W.

[yongxingfreesty]

yes you do, its a staple caliber. get a glock 22, hi power in .40 or beretta 96.


hey a glock 22 and then get a glock 30 barrel. you can shoot .40 and .357 sig all day long.

[jad0110]

Nice round collection, but where's the 22? :D

[FotoTomas]

You do not "need" it BUT what does "NEED" have to do with it?

I ended up with a SIG 229 with two barrels just to have the options of shooting .357SIG and .40 S&W.

[10-Ring]

I've been debating the same thing for the last few months...on one hand, I stream lined my collection several years ago & the 40 cal & 10 mm were the major calibers to take the hit. Then again, 40 cal found its place in the LE community in the US :scrutiny: Plus, it would really be nice to have a USP 40
Good luck w/ your decision...it's one I will be pondering for a while :scrutiny: :D

[Air,Land&Sea]

Just pondered that endlessly and a Glock 23 followed me home yesterday.

[Stoney]

I had no need for a .40 S&W until I picked up a SIG P 239, now it's my main CCW. Nothing wrong with adding an additional caliber to the stable, have at it. The .40 S&W is an outstanding round (IMHO)with plenty of bullet weights to play around with. Plus, what could be better then a new gun in the safe. Answer, NOTHING. :cool:

[SoCalShooter]

Well its nice to have a lot of guns but if you have them all in the same caliber its easier to buy ammo. Atleast thats the way I look at it. For target I only really need a .22LR and a .45acp. I have a .357mag for home defense and I have a .44mag for hunting. So realisitically I am only looking at a few different calibers.

.22LR
.45ACP
.357mag
.44mag
.38spec

Any more pistol calibers than that and I have to stock up on a hole bunch of new reloading stuff. Thats why I try and keep it simple.

[wooderson]

I've got a line on a Sig demo P229 in .40S&W that has me torn. Another caliber, not really an ideal size for a potential CCW for me (a bit thick, it seems) and if I were to start reloading I'd be just as well off with another .45ACP pistol (down the line).

[Zoogster]

Why get a .40 'short and weak' when you can get a 10mm which is the same thing only with less powder room and a 9mm framed gun not designed for higher pressure. The 10mm light loads are essentialy a .40 but you have the option of large power when you want it.

[jibjab]

keep saving for something really cool like a AR type or M1A kinda gun, I have a good selection of handguns, but more long guns are always welcome. I have a weakness for handguns , but the little voice says different :confused:

[Soybomb]

If you want something with a little oomph you should be looking at 10mm :D

[Idano]

The logical answer is YES. Yes to the .40, the 10 mm, the AK, and etc. Can you really ever have too many guns to play with?

[busy_squirrel]

"Variety is the spice of life"

[hoek48]

Thanks for the input. As stated you can never have to many guns. Maybe just to many different calibers of ammo to keep track of and store. Hopefully I will have decided by the next gun show. Or, maybe finding a good deal unexpectedly (it happens) will make the choice for me.

[CajunBass]

I've never gotten too excited over the 40. I don't know why, it just never interested me.

Now 9mm and 22. Those are different. :D

[McCall911]

I agree with the 10mm proponents myself as being the more versatile and powerful autoloading round compared to both the .40 S&W and the 9mm. Of itself, I don't think the .40 has any great advantage over the 9mm, if at all.

But in the end it's your $$$.

[Bergerboy]

I never could see the reasoning behind the .40. You have 9mm and .45, the .40 has little practicality with those two in your stable.

Then again, I have been trying to keep my calibers to a minimum, and just have the ones that really fill in a role. :o

[sfhogman]

Well, of course you don't NEED it.

I didn't need my CZ75B in .40, but I'm sure glad I got it! Accurate, not too expensive, and the steel frame takes the edge off the .40 snap. It's cheap to reload and fits my hand beautifully. CZimply wonderful.

It's Christmastime. You've worked hard and you deserve something nice for yourself. Find a 40 you like and buy it.

So there.

Jeff

[SHOOT1SAM]

I reject the premise of your question entirely.

When you drive, do you need to drive faster than, say, 20mph? I mean, eventually, you'll get there.

Do you ever need to run? Just walk, you'll get there.

Do you ever need a 2nd beer, helping of mashed potatoes, cup of coffee, piece of pie, etc.?

You already have one handgun, so unless you are able to accurately shoot one in each hand, you don't need more than one.

Food, water, shelter, air; these are necessities.

Need should never be a factor in one's pleasures/hobbies.

Sam

[Loanshark]

Well most think the .40 is a better stopper than the 9. I'd certainly feel better with the .40. but you do have the .45.

I have a .380 a 9 and a .45. But it didn't stop me from getting a Kahr cw40 today... Smaller than my glock19 and more punch.

[LBTRS]

A decent caliber but it's not going to do anything your others won't do. If you're going to get one, take a look at a Sig P229 in .40 s&w as it's a great handgun.

[03Shadowbob]

I didn't think I needed one either but then I bought my PT140 Pro and realized I needed one the whole time. I don't understand why some people feel the 9mm is just as good a round as a .40 in terms of size, power, etc.. I am no ballistics expert and I love my 9mm but I feel (hope?) the .40 is a better round for SD.

[Levan9X19]

when such question arises always remember: the one who dies with the most toys, wins! :D

[ZeSpectre]

I'm with Shadowbob.
People say the .40 S&W "isn't much more powerful than a 9mm" and I have to wonder what they've been smoking! In my opinion the .40 S&W is an excellent SD round. Then again I've never had to put it on the line either so my opinion is worth about what you paid for it.

I'd say yes, get a .40

[michiganfan]

G23 to me its the perfect carry gun

[RustyShackelford]

If you just collect handguns you can find many good .40S&W pistols out there. The Glock 23/22/27 series, the SIGarms P-229, the Browning/FH high power, the S&W M&P or SW99.

I like the .357sig over the .40S&W for duty/protection use. They are on nearly the same level for power/speed but the .357sig feeds a lot better and has a better record in documented street use. ;)

The website; www.gunsamerica.com has a sweet little SIGarms SAS-DAK pistol in .40S&W that would be a great buy. :cool:

You'd better snatch it up before I get it, :D .

RS

[James NM]

Why do the 10mm fans point to the "superior" ballistics of the 10mm vs. the 40S&W, and then ignore the ballistics when saying a 40S&W is no better than a 9mm?


Question?

Why are 10mm ballistic tests done with the advantage of a 5" barrel, while the 40S&W & 9mm are done with a shorter (4") barrel?

Just wondering.

Flame suit on.

[TheotherMikeG]

I've been indifferent to the .40s&w for a long while now, however...

NEED is irrelevant. All that matters is if you want it and can afford it. So often it seemes that people take it as a personal affront if ones choice of gun/caliber is different from their own (.45 vs 9mm, for example).

I'm secure enough in my choice of weapons that I will not berate you for buying a .40. :evil: :D

[MD_Willington]

Kind of wrestling with this myself, I'd like to get a Stoeger Cougar... but should I get one in 9mm or one in .40 :confused:


hmm...

[MCgunner]

If you want it, get it. Life's too short to worry about NEEDS. :D

[Glockfan.45]

as far as handguns go my safe now contains the following calibers.

.45auto Glock 21,Glock 30, Kimber II Target

.40S&W Glock 22, S&W Sigma

9mm will be added as soon as the stupid waiting period is over will be a Glock 19

.38spcl/.357mag Taurus 65

.22lr Ruger Mark III

After the nine takes up residence I believe my handgun purchases are done (unless I find a good deal on something in 10mm or .357sig). I like to have at least one example of pistol in each major caliber. Get the .40S&W remember diversity is a good thing. Oh and the .40 is a nice snappy little round thats fun to shoot :D .

[MCgunner]

Terribly incomplete collection, no .44 mag or .45 Colt, no J frame .38, no single action revolvers, and some would point out the lack of a 1911, though I don't fault you for that. :D

[McCall911]

Well, first--I am not going to flame anybody, so take off the suits when you're around me. :D So, now:

I was one who argued that the 10mm was more versatile than the .40 S&W. The reason? The 10mm appears to be capable of being loaded to duplicate and even exceed the ballistics (meaning bullet velocities) of the .40 S&W. Yes, out of a 5" barrel, I suppose, because that is the configuration in which most 10mms have been available up until recently. But with a 200 grain bullet, the 10mm can be loaded to around 1200 fps or better, if I am not mistaken, which puts it a notch above the .40. This appears to make the 10mm capable of taking deer, something which probably would not be recommendable for the .40 S&W. Can a .40 S&W be loaded with 200 grain bullets? Well, I don't know. Someone who plays around with handloads could enlighten us.

As to the superiority of the 40 S&W over the 9mm, or vice versa. I have never said one was "superior" to the other. I just question whether there was any significant difference, if any at all, in their terminal performance. And I say this, not because I am completely ignorant of ballistics, but because I like to study results from real world shootings. Also, while I don't believe they are gospel, I do like to see the results from ballistic gelatin shootings. And the conclusion that I, MCCALL911, have come to is that there is little significant difference in terminal performance between the 9mm and the .40 S&W. In some cases, the 9mm seems to expand to a larger diameter than the .40, but this is probably not because of superiority of caliber but of bullet construction.

Now, I do agree that the .40 S&W has more power "on paper" than the 9mm. And I do agree that the velocities of both cartridges can be similar, but the .40 S&W has a bullet which weighs up to .41 ounces (180 grains), as opposed to .33 ounces (147 grains) for one of the heaviest 9mm bullets. Also, the .40 S&W clearly has a larger bullet: A not-so-gaping difference of 0.045 inches! How significant could any of that be?

But this is not intended to be a put-down of the .40 S&W at all. It's been proven and it works well. If you like it and want it, then buy it!

However, I do find it interesting and not a little ironic that some law enforcement personnel have begun to see the edge of another 9mm (the .357 Sig) over the parent round, the .40 S&W (which, itself, supposedly held an "edge" over the 9mm Luger!) :banghead:

P.S. And as to "what I'm smoking," I don't do anything stronger than Camel nonfilters!

[the pistolero]

Why are 10mm ballistic tests done with the advantage of a 5" barrel, while the 40S&W & 9mm are done with a shorter (4") barrel?

I could be way off here, but...I think the reason is 9mm and .40S&W were meant to be chambered for smaller-framed pistols (with concomitantly shorter barrel lengths)...whereas the 10mm, again, if I remember correctly, was designed for larger-framed pistols that might also be chambered for the .45, like the 1911, thus the ballistic tests with the 5" barrel.

As for 9mm vs. .40S&W vs. 10mm...I'd take a .40 over a 9mm, but a 10mm over a .40. But then, I'm a power junkie. :D

[Glockfan.45]

and some would point out the lack of a 1911, though I don't fault you for that.

MCGunner I will asume that was directed at the OP. I have a 1911 listed :confused: . Actually I have two of them but one was my Grandpas service pistol a Savage M1911 that isnt a shooter so it rarely gets mention.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k97/pimpster82/guns001.jpg

As far as the lack of wheel guns goes they just dont catch my fancy. I only have the one because it was a freebie <shrugs>.

The Pistolero the .40S&W came about when the FBI decided that 10mm was too much for some agents. They wanted a auto loading pistol with a higher capacity than a .45, more power than a 9mm, and less kick than a 10mm thus the .40S&W came about.

[seeker_two]

If you really need the step-up in power, you'd be best to go to a .454.... :cool:

If not, I'd put at least one .22lr on your list... :D

[Walkalong]

You absolutely need a .40. I will not tell you which one. That is where you are on your own. I have an XD SC which I really like and I just got an EAA Witness Elite Match which is quite a nice gun. I am a long time .45 ACP fan and shooter, but the .40 is a real nice cartridge. :)

[daysleeprx]

I don't know about the .40 being a "staple round"...personally I'd get something in .22 before .40 (assuming you have no guns in either caliber). :)

[the pistolero]

The Pistolero the .40S&W came about when the FBI decided that 10mm was too much for some agents. They wanted a auto loading pistol with a higher capacity than a .45, more power than a 9mm, and less kick than a 10mm thus the .40S&W came about.

Yep, I remember reading that...hence the names, "10mm Short" and ".40 Short&Weak." :D I wouldn't want to get shot with a .40, don't get me wrong, but still between the two I'd rather have the 10mm due to its versatility. You can load the 10mm down to .40S&W levels, but if you want or need more oomph for whatever reason, you have room to do it.

[busy_squirrel]

I got a .40 that is dimensionally smaller than most 9mms. Makes for an excellent CCW weapon. It's a 3 1/2" barrel and made to fit on a 9mm frame.:what:

So for it's size, it's a matter of .40 vs. 9mm. Put that way, and it wasn't a hard decision. But I do enjoy shooting my S&W4013 (.40) better than a G17 (9mm) because with the short barrel, it's very snappy. Not outta control, but not the comparatively slow slide of the 9mm.

The Glock was tame enough that I could shoot it offhandedly while riding my motorcycle down a gravel road. Of course, most people don't want to do that, and I don't expect to again, but I know I couldn't hit anything doing that with the S&W.:neener:

Yes, the 10mm is more powerful than a .40. It's my understanding that it's a longer round too. So a 10mm would definately not fit the size requirements for me to hide (I'm a medium-slender guy). I bought it with concealability in mind, willing to sacrifice a few other characteristics, and have been pleasantly surprised.