40 cal question

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Jeremiah10:23

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Over the past several months I have seen a trend that I am curious about. On Armslist and a couple other lists I have looked at I see a larger than usual concentration of 40 cal handguns for sale.

To be fair I only look at lists for in-state sale and so this may be regional, but is there a particular reason people are suddenly dumping their 40's?

I know the differences in caliber issues and do not want to start a caliber discussion. I am just curious if this is happening in your area as well.
 
I've noticed a trend lately that people who chose .40 over 9 for "stopping power" have been going back to the 9 after doing the research and finding that there isn't much difference in "stopping power", but there is in capacity and recoil.

9mm ammo is also cheaper.

I'm one of those who considered these factors and has moved from .40 to 9.
 
I have both 9mm and .40, but when you buy in bulk, the difference in price is ll noticeable but not terrible.

If cost is really an issue, I'd consider getting a 9mm conversion barrel and keeping the .40. The cost of the barrels, if available for your model, will probably be less than the loss you'd take when selling the gun and replacing it with a similar 9mm.

(I picked up a used Glock 23 recently, which came with with both 9mm and .357 conversion barrels; I also have a SIG X-FIVE Competition in .40 that I will eventually get a 9mm conversion barrel for, probably from Bar-Sto.)
 
I got rid of my fourties because I just couldn't learn to love the fourty, it costs as much to load as .45, which I do love, and 9MM is cheaper with less recoil when I want that.

That said, my son just bought a .40 S&W, so I am loading it again. :)
 
Bandwagons of all sorts are popular with the buying public ... nothing inherently wrong with that. But, a lot of the occasional shooters I chat with at our gun club were just not prepared for the greater recoil and cost of the 40 cal. Less of a problem for those of use who cut our teeth on years of full house 357 and 44 magnums.

Being an avid hand loader and boolit caster since 1969 (1970?) makes the marginal difference in cost of one round vs. another a moot point. Those who shoot factory only have to be more cost conscious and now days that's getting to be an important consideration more and more often.
 
Some people trade guns every month. Caliber popularity ebbs and flows. One contributing factor may be the popularity of the pocket-sized cc 9's. I could see someone cc'ing one of those and wanting to switch from 40 to 9 on other handguns to keep the caliber footprint simple.
 
I went from G17/G19/G26 to G22/G23/G27 with 9mm conversion barrels (Lone Wolf and KKM). I do like reloading/shooting 45ACP/9mm better than 40S&W but I have the option to do both.

If shooting cost is a factor, it's hard to beat 9mm reloads. For me, trigger time is trigger time (whether 40S&W or 9mm) and the cheaper 9mm reloads allow me to practice more often.
 
Setting aside brand reference which is irrelevant to the question, when I'm working on the pistol range, I personally see a lot of people shooting .40 cal. So my observation is the reverse of yours.
 
funny. I just went from 9 to 40. Sold my last XD subcompact 9 with all the ammo and got an M&P .40 Pro. The recoil is not much different for me. I actually enjoy shooting the .40 from my 4.25" barrel more than the 9mm from a 3" barrel.

I personally think the ballistics of the .40 still prove a better man stopper than the 9mm even with the improvements made in 9mm ammo. From what I have seen and heard, you have to go with a +P+ round to get close to the .40, which substantially increases recoil and less recoil is one of the reasons people go with 9mm in the first place.

I have also heard firing +P+ ammo is not all that great on the gun either. Anyone have any firsthand knowledge regarding that?

I like that so many people are shooting the 9mm. I am able to find .40 ammo almost any place I go whereas the 9mm shelf space is bare right now.
 
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Well I didn't drop my .40s but I did pick up a Glock 26 for carry. With concealed carry becoming more popular even .380 acp has made a huge comeback. Some people can shoot very well with sub-compact .40s, I've seen this frist hand. From my perspective, I prefer a 9mm from a small CC gun. I still have my larger .40s for the woods and bedside. I also have a 357 sig which I like as well but not in a CC size gun.

Another issue is simply the fact that the .40sw cartridge is slandered more than any other cartridge and some people will believe all that rubbish.
 
I have both, and .45 acp. I like my .40s and prefer them most of the time. To each their own. Whatever you shoot best.
 
Scooby is right;
Another issue is simply the fact that the .40sw cartridge is slandered more than any other cartridge and some people will believe all that rubbish.

Makes you wonder why some people dwell on the negative!
 
I bought a .40 due to the balistics being very close to a .45, but allowing for greater capacity. It's also a common police caliber, so it's readily available. I say buy all three!
 
Jeremiah10:23 said:
Over the past several months I have seen a trend that I am curious about. On Armslist and a couple other lists I have looked at I see a larger than usual concentration of 40 cal handguns for sale.

To be fair I only look at lists for in-state sale and so this may be regional, but is there a particular reason people are suddenly dumping their 40's?

I know the differences in caliber issues and do not want to start a caliber discussion. I am just curious if this is happening in your area as well.
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Not sure, but pros say the .40S&W is 'snappy'. Personally I think being adults they should stop eating Rice Krispies of 'Snap, Crackle, Pop' fame .
 
Cost me about $39/1000 more to load 40 S&W than 9mm.

Not really that big of a motivation for me to get rid of my .40s
 
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