40cal vs 45acp (in a subcomact) any advantage??

[jwalker497]

There seems to be a consensus that the 45acp still rules over the 40S&W, w/o creating a caliber war here, I was wondering if there were any advantages of a 40cal when shot out of a very small subcompact carry pistol, ie a Kahr PM40 (5.35in) over the larger/slower 45acp, in a similiar sized packages, the kahr PM45 (5.67in)

My one thought and please correct me if I am wrong, is it seems that bulets regardless of claiber, lose their velocity as the barrel shortens so I was wondering...due to the increased velocities of a 40, would the far better and prove more effective and stronger "on paper" as compared to the 45acp slower/heaver round from a similiar sized gun?

PS - I guess what I am really saying is that, can't the 45 do everyhting ther 40 can plus shoot heavier bullets? If you take a 40 and shoot 180grain @ whatever fps, wouldnt the 45 be able to shoot a 180grain @ the same fps?? I am trying to understand if there is an advantage to the 40cal that I dont understand.

 

[Steve C]

The .40 is a much higher pressure cartridge with SAAMI max pressures 66% greater than standard pressure .45 acp and 52%, more than +P. The .40 will retain slightly more velocity as the barrel is shortened.

I guess what I am really saying is that, can't the 45 do everyhting ther 40 can plus shoot heavier bullets?

The only thing the .45 can't do is fit in smaller framed pistols, use bullets much lighter than 165g and provide as much magazine capacity as the .40 in the same space.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

A .40 subcompact can be made smaller in the first place. There is virtually no difference in size between, for example, the Kahr PM9 vs. the PM40, while the PM45 is larger. However, .40 in such little guns has a substantial bark and bite.

 

[Zerodefect]

.40 fits in smaller guns, but as mentioned it has more muzzel flip than 9mm.

Most decent guns chambered for .45acp that I've shot had a soft, straight back recoil with very little muzzel flip.

I don't mind recoil, 6'2" 210 lbs has that effect, but the extra muzzel flip of the high pressure little rounds slows my shots. I control .45's better even if, overall, the recoil is stronger.

I shoot a .45 Springfield XD much, much better than the 9mm. Guess I'm weird like that.

 

[Coltdriver]

I had a Kahr MK40. It was the absolute limit of what I could put up with in recoil from a hand gun.

Prior to that I bought a compact Kimber in .45. I kept it three days. Bad mistake on my part. I could not control it with the heavy bullets. Its why I went to the Kahr.

In the end I went to an airweight .38 with warm 158 grain loads. It got old carrying around a 2 to 3 pound anything. The little smith is, more than anything, easy to carry.