Ah the .40 fan club. Of course that's why there are choices. I never bought into it and never saw the need to. A high pressure round that destroys equipment. Atleast .40 ammo has been pretty available because it's the last to go from the shelves.
I guess people want a .40 now......
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Garandimal
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As opposed to the sycophants - who Love the 35K psi std. pressure 9mm, which happens to be the SAME std. pressure as the .40 S&W.
...and then proceed to shoot 115-147 gr. +P+ ammo, well in excess psi of said .40 S&W, and comparable recoil and wear-n-tear, to attempt to match the .40 S&W's std. pressure performance.
"Yeah... That's the ticket..."
GR
SGW Gunsmith
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My very first .40 S&W pistol was an "all steel" EAA Witness. I kick myself every day for letting it go to a customer that just had to have that gun. It was extremely reliable, accurate and once I installed a Millet adjustable rear sight, it became very versatile. I just HAD to have a striker fired pistol, instead. You can most likely pinpoint which one. Don't regret that move one scintilla, but still wish I had kept that Witness .40.
Don't regret that move one scintilla, but still wish I had kept that Witness .40.
Garandimal
member
My very first .40 S&W pistol was an "all steel" EAA Witness. I kick myself every day for letting it go to a customer that just had to have that gun. It was extremely reliable, accurate and once I installed a Millet adjustable rear sight, it became very versatile. I just HAD to have a striker fired pistol, instead. You can most likely pinpoint which one.
My first was an "all steel" 6+1 Firestar M40.
Sold it to a brother to fund my first "High-cap" compact tupperware in .40.
As it is now his CDH pistol, never to return, I settle for the G36/.45 ACP.
GR
Nope, don't shoot +p in anything as it's not needed and I don't shoot a 9MM. Shoot what you like and like what you shoot. Later...
Garandimal
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Actually, .45 ACP +P - brings sub-4" Bbl'ed pistols like the G36 up to std. pressure service length Bbl. performance.
GR
GeoDudeFlorida
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I have coveted one of those since I got my M43 9mm Starfire and M45 .45ACP Starfire. Both really great compact pistols. I've just missed getting a M40 .40S&W Starfire a few times. Not because I hesitated but because there was some other bill to pay that couldn't wait.
GeoDudeFlorida
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I don't just own revolvers.
That little Star is about as tough and reliable as an old Timex. Star had the first compact .40S&W in 1990, not long after the round was introduced. Never heard of one tearing itself apart from the inside but I have heard of them digesting thousands of rounds without a hiccup. If things like that matter, Guns & Ammo’s gave the M40 the “Handgun of the Year” award in 1991.
The Auto Ordnance above it is my bang-around, do anything a pistol needs to do pistol. It'll feed SWC's from the magazine, works fine with all kinds of hollow points, likes hardball like a kid likes candy and, on a good day, I can hit the barn door from inside a stall with it.
That little Star is about as tough and reliable as an old Timex. Star had the first compact .40S&W in 1990, not long after the round was introduced. Never heard of one tearing itself apart from the inside but I have heard of them digesting thousands of rounds without a hiccup. If things like that matter, Guns & Ammo’s gave the M40 the “Handgun of the Year” award in 1991.
The Auto Ordnance above it is my bang-around, do anything a pistol needs to do pistol. It'll feed SWC's from the magazine, works fine with all kinds of hollow points, likes hardball like a kid likes candy and, on a good day, I can hit the barn door from inside a stall with it.
Garandimal
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I don't just own revolvers.
View attachment 988892
That little Star is about as tough and reliable as an old Timex. Star had the first compact .40S&W in 1990, not long after the round was introduced. Never heard of one tearing itself apart from the inside but I have heard of them digesting thousands of rounds without a hiccup. If things like that matter, Guns & Ammo’s gave the M40 the “Handgun of the Year” award in 1991.
The Auto Ordnance above it is my bang-around, do anything a pistol needs to do pistol. It'll feed SWC's from the magazine, works fine with all kinds of hollow points, likes hardball like a kid likes candy and, on a good day, I can hit the barn door from inside a stall with it.
You can snap/cut the end of the mag safety off, to disable it.
1st thing I did.
Those reverse rails love grease.
They will break a firing pin or safety now and then.
Might find a machinist to make you a spare.
My brother made one out of titanium.
GR
GeoDudeFlorida
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Already done did. First thing when I got it.
Yes they do! Especially Lithium (white) grease.
Not yet. Might maybe happen some day. I'll remember that. Thanks.
I am a machinist.
Ti is brittle. 4000 series stainless is just as hard but won't shatter. And it's cheaper.
Some of those little Spanish pistols were gems, like the Starfires; and some were turds. Won't name names. ATB
Garandimal
member
...Not yet. Might maybe happen some day. I'll remember that. Thanks.
I am a machinist.
Ti is brittle. 4000 series stainless is just as hard but won't shatter. And it's cheaper.
Then you know that it's a lot easier to pattern'em Before they break.
And SS sounds right.
GR
GeoDudeFlorida
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I don't want to get too far off topic - but then, it's your topic.
- but I worked in aerospace. I know it seems illogical but, to me anyway, it's easier and more efficient to work from a print and make a "shelf-stock" part, then fit it as necessary. Taking a pattern from a worn-in part produces are worn-out replacement quicker than a new factory-fit part that has to be worn-in before it'll wear out. It's counter-intuitive and I'm not a qualified gunsmith - don't play one on TV either - but that's what worked for me in the past with old motorcycles, old treadle Singer sewing machines, and old guns. Call me crazy... everyone else does. 
Garandimal
member
I don't want to get too far off topic - but then, it's your topic.
My point being...
It's a lot easier to reproduce - before it breaks.
They haven't made the pistol in decades, and finding either replacement parts or spec drawings will be a treasure hunt.
... and you're just wearin'it out more - every time you shoot it.
My $0.02.
EDIT:
Although HERE's one.
GR
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GeoDudeFlorida
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If Jack First has them, they must be plentiful.
Garandimal
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Have had my eye out for a .40 Pit Bull.
(but would like the 4" Bbl.)
Although, the 3" revolver is pretty close to a 4" auto.
Slick piece.
GR
GeoDudeFlorida
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So, now the question becomes, will the Charter Arms Pitbull encourage Ruger to come out with a .40S&W LCRx or SP101?
Not kidding. To my way of thinking Ruger is far more likely to try and squeeze a smaller competitor out of the market than Glock. As evidence I give you the Wrangler.
Buckeye63
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I agree with your statement except with the 38spl..
and Personally Id take a 40S&W over a 9mm also , but thats me
Lethality isn't what we're going for, even a .22 is lethal. We want to stop a threat, and in no way is a 9mm or 38 Special equal to a .40 or .45.
Site your source.
All have pretty similar one shot stops, muzzle energy and any other metric
38special is a bit less but plus p stuff makes it about the same.
Personally I'd rather go for an extra few rounds and go 9mm but 40 is just fine too. I can't say I'm a huge fan of it since it doesn't really excel at anything.
Now 10mm.......that's a different story
And all those are terrible metrics to judge anything by, one shot stops are controversial enough and muzzle energy is just a calculation on a piece of paper. I've shot enough to know that the .40 and .45 hit way harder than the 9mm or 38 does, it doesn't make the 9mm or 38 bad choices, but it does mean they're less powerful and thusly, less effective.
So......nothing at all? Your gut is the end all and be all? Magical gut you have there.
Most people on here have "shot enough" too, me included. All the service calibers are around 400ft lbs and are pretty much universally anemic compared to any other option.
There's no difference no matter what your gut says
Buckeye63
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40 S&W is more than a 38 +P .. ( im a huge 38spl fan ). But the 38spl +P is not as powerful as a 40S&W ...
If you handload or purchase the Right 10mm it is a great round .. Im a 10mm fan also .. but some 10mm factory fodder is to close to the 40S&W to make much difference....
actually I carry my 23 in the woods as much as my 20 ...
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