.45GAP vs. .40 S&W?

[jc2]

The 10mm beats them both, closer to .41mag than .357

I don't think so, sport. In ascending order (from least powerful to most powerful):

1. Double Tap .40 S&W (180-grain @ 1140) 520 fpe (4.5" barrel)
2. Double Tap 10mm (180-grain @ 1300 fps) 676 fpe (4.6" barrel)
3. Buffalo Bore .357 Magnum (180-grains @ 1375) 756 fpe (4.0" barrel)
4. Buffalo Bore .41 Magnum (170-grain @ 1551 fps) 908 fpe (4.0" barrel)

The 10mm is actually closer to the .40 S&W than the .357 Magnum is, and the .41 Magnum delivers over a third more energy than the 10mm.​

Always willing to correct bad information, but I have no idea what this has to do with .45 GAP versus .40 S&W. There's not enough difference between those two to make a difference--the .45 GAP will give you a slightly larger permanent cavity, and the .40 S&W will give you a slightly higher capacity. Whatever floats your boat--frankly, I could (actuallly, am) do without both and not miss them.

 

[WheelMan]

Well, I was only pointing out that .40 and .357 do appear to be in the same "class."

I think the energy numbers are decieving for these sorts of comparisons because they heavily favor velocity (V^2 and all) and take no account of bullet diameter.

Anyway, my statement regarding 10mm being "closer to 41mag" was hastily made and not very precise. Perhaps I should have said "equal to or better" as I still feel that 10mm's performance, when you roll up all the factors is similar to .41 (Besides, if I'm going to make the assertion that .40 and .357 are similar then 10mm sort of has to be better than .357 doesn't it )

But as you say this has nothing to do with .45gap.

 

[jc2]

Basically, when you're talking talking LE/defence, they're all in the same class (including the 9x19/357 SIG, .357 Magnum, .40 S&W, 10mm and .45 ACP/GAP).

I think energy numbers are pretty meaningless by themselves (or even coupled with calibres) when it comes effectiveness, but that was what you chose to compare. When we get right down to it, we're not talking about a lot difference when it comes to calibre. The 10mm has about four one hundreths of an inch on the .357 Magnum, the .41 Magnum has about one one hundreths of an inch on the 10mm--definitely time to pull out the calipers.

The funny thing about when you "feel" something is just because you "feel" it doesn't make it right. While it is possible to get some overlap with the upper end of the .357 Magnum/10mm and the lower end of .41 Magnum, the .41 Magnum definitely outperforms them both--it is really far, far closer to the .44 Magnum than the .357 Magnum/10mm. The .357 Magnum and the 10mm are basically ballistic twins--the 10mm is the autoloader equivalent of the .357 Magnum (and nothing more).