Where does .40s&w fit in for a carry gun??

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Redcoat3340

Redcoat3340

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I DO NOT want to start a caliber war. I'm honestly trying to figure out (read: justify) buying a .40 for a carry gun.
Here's my question: I have a couple of "carry size" (IWB) pistols in .45 -- a Shield, a S&W 4513TSW that's been smoothed out, and a Sig 245. I also have a couple of 9mm for IWB carry -- S&W CS9, S&W 6906, and a Beretta PX4 Compact that I sent to Langdon and is darn near perfect.
I just added two 40's to the safe -- a Beretta 96 Centurian (too big for IWB but sorta compact) and a S&W 4006TSW CHP in honor of my friend, a retired CHiP who just passed away.
So where does a .40 fit into a carry rotation? If I want pocket carry I can use the .45 Shield and for a bit bigger but still handy the 4513. If I want lots of bullets the PX4 is perfect and for size and comfort the CS9 and 6906 are perfectly suitable.
So why should I carry a .40 when I can carry a .45? Or why use .40 when 9mm rounds are perfectly adequate for self protection.

I'd like to get something like a Smith 4013, PX4c in 40, .40 Shield, or an M&P compact....but I can't seem to justify spending money on a gun I probably won't carry as the .45 is bigger bullet (more "stopping power?") and the 9s can carry more rounds.

Opinions?
 
40 is second place for me. Holds 2 less rounds than the exact same frame size in 9mm Glocks. In a ten round limit state I would possibly carry the 40 for the hell of it but I’m just as confident in the 9mm.

In the testing I’ve done and the LEOs I’ve talked to, 9mm is just as effective as the 40.(with the right ammo, like Gold Dots)
 
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.40's best performance comes in larger pistols, not smaller ones. When you want to open carry a full size pistol, then go with .40. Conceal a smaller pistol, use a 9mm.

.45 has no place as a carry gun outside of open carrying out in the wild for protection from animals or if you're a Spec Ops soldier using it with a suppressor to off some guards outside a safehouse holding Osama Bin Laden. Between a .40 and a .45 you gain nothing with .45 over .40 in a full size pistol in a combat or self defense situation outside the home.
 
With your collection it’s about impossible to argue a “need” for a .40.

Call it the “want” that it is and buy one if you can afford it. Plenty available as used LEO trade ins last I checked, but that was probably January...
 
I'm down to only 1 .40 pistol which is a Star Firestar. Size and weight wise it is in-between my Sig P938 and my Compact Rock Island 1911. To me it is more of "want" than "need". I like to occasionally rotate what I carry and I carry all three.
 
When I’m out in the boonies and may run into hogs, I prefer my Glock 23 with either hard cast or FNJ’s. First couple rounds are JHP but the rest are flat nose solid rounds.

Works for me...
 
If you really like a gun which is in .40 S&W, why Not carry it? For some of us, it's only 'about' the gun-never to feel the need to conform to whatever fashion might be current or chic.

I bought my mix only because I like the quality and reliability of the specific types, and because they have At Least the power of a 9mm: Sig P6, Walther P99, CZ 'PCR' (75D).

The fact that they were designed for 9mm instead of .40 S&W makes no difference to me. And I found shooting the Sig P229 in .40 S&W just as pleasant as a Sig P229 chambered in 9mm.
I'm totally sincere about this. And had I not found the Sig P6, I gladly would have sought out any DAO (Very smooth, pretty light trigger) P229 LEO trade-in, in .40 S&W.
 
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I have a little Kahr pistol in 40 caliber that is carryable. It holds six rounds or something like that. The rest of my 40's are full-sized, and I don't carry full-sized pistols.
 
40 fills the same role as a 9mm for carry pistols - they usually use guns that are the same size, and 40 just costs you 1 or 2 rounds of capacity. You could use it in any situation you'd use the same sized 9.

What I don't like about 40s is the increased snap vs 9, especially in a small carry gun.
 
I've heard it said that you need to dress around the gun. If you have that box of holsters you have options.

You have a point when it comes to tactics. Maybe this question is more about comfort and style.
 
My little Kahr PM40 is snappy to shoot, but not painful. Even with my very large hands I can get good combat accuracy with it.

In a full-sized pistol I barely notice the difference between 9mm and 40 caliber. I feel that some writers have overemphasized it.

It looks bigger in the picture. IRL I have to use a magazine with a pinky extension to get my pinky on the grips.

Kahr Model PM40

Kahr Model PM40

 
OP...today is your lucky day...if you want to meet me at the Renton Fish and Game Club, you can shoot my 40's and compare with your 9's and 45's. I plan on going there today and test new 45 loads. I have finally settled on IMR-700X with 180gr JHPs for my short barrel 40S&W guns (Springfield XD Mod2 Subcompact 40, M&P Shield 40, Ruger SR40C). Today's test is 700X and HP38 with 185gr JHPs in my short barrel 45's (Springfield XD Mod 2 Subcompact 45 and M&P Shield 45).
 
I don't care for the 40, especially in smaller CCW type pistols, or really most other uses as well. Just too "snappy" for my tastes. I carry a shield 9- I would sooner carry a shield 45 than a 40. The only 40 I own is a Glock 23. It is an older 2nd gen model. I have it because 40 is a common round and sometimes I get deals on the ammo. About all I "use" it for is a hunting sidearm, since it has plenty of power for anything I'm going to run across in the woods around here. Also, I really don't like it that much and I don't care if it gets beat up.
 
The way 40 fits in depends Not upon circumstances but upon preferences. Years ago the FBI went to 40 because it lost agents in that famous gun fight when the agents were out gunned by the bad guy. The US military went to 45 ACP because the 38 was insufficient as a combat pistol. Today the military and the FBI employ 9mm as primary pistols. Many federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies are going to 9mm from both 45 and 40. There is a reason for that. Pistol ammunition ballistics have changed over the years making the 9mm a very effective combat round that is easier to carry, holds more rounds than similar size 40, and for many is easier to achieve good accuracy.

The 40 fits in depending upon personal preferences. I do not have or want a 40 or 45. I carried the er in Nam. In retrospect I see no advantage to compared to my Walther 9mm, which I would rather carry is I had to do Nam over again. But if I just wanted a 40 I would buy one. Same for 45. I see it the same way I used to express my auto buying. I want a BMW but I only needed a car. After the kids were out of college I bought a BMW, then I realized it was just a car when the novelty wore off. Happy shooting with whatever you choose.
 
I have a Glock 19 like it and have carried it, but prefer my 23. Why?
Lets use data from manufacturer testing, in this case HST:
https://le.vistaoutdoor.com/wound_ballistics/load_comparison/load_comparison.aspx
HST tested heavy clothed gel:
9mm 124+P HST 13'' / .61
9mm 147 HST 12.5'' / .69
40 S&W 180 HST 12.5'' / .80
I'm willing to sacrifice two rounds of capacity in exchange for slightly bigger bullets, greater expansion.
Glock 23 is my minimum carry, but Glock 22 and 35 (also 40 S&W) are carried just as much as the 23.
If I was under a 10 round mag limit, then I'd likely carry a Glock 30SF or 1911 (in 45 acp or 10mm) but I aint under a mag limit.
 
TTv2 said:
.40's best performance comes in larger pistols, not smaller ones. When you want to open carry a full size pistol, then go with .40. Conceal a smaller pistol, use a 9mm.

.45 has no place as a carry gun outside of open carrying out in the wild for protection from animals or if you're a Spec Ops soldier using it with a suppressor to off some guards outside a safehouse holding Osama Bin Laden. Between a .40 and a .45 you gain nothing with .45 over .40 in a full size pistol in a combat or self defense situation outside the home.
Click to expand...

In post #20 I stated how I'm carrying 40, that being said...

1yxiot.jpg

10mm > 45 acp for protection from animals.

Its not hard to conceal a full size pistol, in 45 acp. A 1911 is easily concealed under an untucked shirt.

Pic2.JPG
 
Not being all too interested in 40 S&W I have not shot many pistols in that caliber. However recoil in those I've shot felt snappy like some describe it here but not uncomfortable at all.
I think 40 S&W is a great SD cartridge but for some reason for handguns for any use including concealed carry I prefer 38 Special/357 Mag, 44 Special/44 MAG, 45 ACP or 9mm. I'm kind of a traditionalist & the performance of the 40 S&W is not sufficiently superior to any of the older cartridges to merit replacing one. At least that's my opinion on the subject.
 
I like 40 & believe it is a good round. You already have a couple of pistols in the caliber. I like the idea of having something in 9mm, .40 & .45 as well as .38 & .357. I tend to believe it increases the odds of having something you can shoot when it is hard to find ammunition. I believe .40 is best in a pistol that was originally designed for the round. Not a 9mm pistol that was converted to shoot it. I haven't ever really wanted it in a very small pocket sized pistol.
 
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