Any 40s&w Fans?

[Olon]

As the title says, are there any other 40s&w fans in here? Anyone carry, reload, and/or shoot it regularly? What do you carry and do you reload?

I didn't really care for it one way on another over 9mm. With $500-$600 40s&w handguns selling NIB in low $300s, I've purchased a few in the caliber and have slowly became a fan.

Please no caliber debates or bashing....

I like it a lot. I carry a glock 23, and for that I reload 165 gr. Powder coated lead over a healthy charge of blue dot.

 

[FL-NC]

It is far from my favorite, but I do own one- an old gen 2 Glock 23. I don't have any $ in it, but there are a few reasons why I keep it. It lives in my workshop/gym, so it is there if I need it. It is my "grab and go" pistol when I use my rarely-driven truck (I mostly drive my jeep). During hunting season, the G19 I keep in the jeep trades places with the G23 in the workshop, and I use the G23 as a hunting sidearm. This is especially handy during turkey season when I am armed with a shotgun full of #5, in the event that a hog makes an appearance. Every once in a while, I run into a deal on ammo. I bought 300 rounds of 40 ball at a yard sale last year for $30. When someone here posted the news that Walmart was marking down handgun ammo for clearance, I raced to my local wally world, and found that the ammo was mostly gone- but they still had 40 cal wolf, at $5 a box- so I bought it all. So even though I don't care for 40 too much, there is still a place for 1 in my inventory.

 

[Browning]

As people have moved away from the 40 I have started moving toward it. Part of that is caused by the silly cheap prices the guns are selling for. The other part is the desire to maximize the chances of finding factory defensive ammo in a panic buying environment. Being able to convert to 357 Sig with just a barrel swap enhances that ever further.

You’re singing my song.

Plus I’ve seen a few shootings with .40 S&W. It’s pretty impressive.

I also had a .40 for awhile in the 90’s during the whole assault weapons ban mag restrictions for carry. It was sort of the same deal, dropped in my lap at a good price. I figured I’d rather have 10 rds of .40 than 10 rds of 9mm, especially when it came in an H&K USP .40 that I got for $300.

 

[Anchorite]

Everything in life and ballistics is a compromise. I like the .40 for what it offers: good ballistics in a 9mm size package with bullet diameter greater than 9mm. I currently own one .40, a near-mint 4006. Always on the lookout for quality used .40s, just not a Sig fan.

 

[bangswitch]

.40S&W's popularity has fallen off recently, but I figure it's one of those cyclic things and one day will return, much like 10mm did. I was shopping a couple of months ago for a new 1911, was looking hard at getting Springfield's EMP in .40S&W. The LGS I like best told me Springfield was going to discontinue the .40S&W version of the EMP due to poor sales, but would continue the 9mm. As it turned out, I found a used EMP4 in 9mm ridiculously cheap and bought it. He had called his distributor to check on the availability of the .40 EMP, and was told they had all been pulled from distribution. How true that was, I don't know, but if so, his distributor was the one fibbing about it, my LGS guys are straight up people.

 

[tbob38]

About a year ago, I got a lightly used Sig P226 in .40 with the intent of converting it to .357 Sig. I have got a new .357 barrel sitting unused, since I have found shooting the .40 so enjoyable.

 

[Styx]

About a year ago, I got a lightly used Sig P226 in .40 with the intent of converting it to .357 Sig. I have got a new .357 barrel sitting unused, since I have found shooting the .40 so enjoyable.

Not paying attention, I purchased a few boxes of .357 Sig accident from Walmart during their going-out-of-the-ammo-business sale. Thought I was buying 357 Mag... Nice to know I don't have to buy an entire new gun to be able to shoot the ammo. That's one caliber I never had the honor of shooting yet. I'm looking forward to shooting it side by side 40s&w to see what the recoil and accuracy differences between the two.

 

[CDW4ME]

I have a Glock 27, 23, 22, and 35.
The 23, 22, and 35 are among my favorites for carry.

 

[jhb]

Not paying attention, I purchased a few boxes of .357 Sig accident from Walmart during their going-out-of-the-ammo-business sale. Thought I was buying 357 Mag... Nice to know I don't have to buy an entire new gun to be able to shoot the ammo. That's one caliber I never had the honor of shooting yet. I'm looking forward to shooting it side by side 40s&w to see what the recoil and accuracy differences between the two.

sometimes it's cheaper to buy a whole gun than a barrel. obviously depends on aftermarket support of said gun and also what brand gun.


I predict .40 will make a come back, just like 10mm did. only took what 30 plus years or so for 10mm.

 

[sparkyv]

I have various calibers for various applications. The 40S&W is my choice for home defense and for the range. I much prefer it to 9mm for SD, but until SIG puts the 40S&W into a P365 platform, I'll continue to carry 9mm. I have higher performance calibers, but in the end:

Everything in life and ballistics is a compromise. I like the .40 for what it offers: good ballistics in a 9mm size package with bullet diameter greater than 9mm.

 

[briansmithwins]

sometimes it's cheaper to buy a whole gun than a barrel. obviously depends on aftermarket support of said gun and also what brand gun.


I predict .40 will make a come back, just like 10mm did. only took what 30 plus years or so for 10mm.

I’d have to disagree with that. I’d put my money on the majority of pistols sold being in 9mmP and .45 ACP with .40 S&W in 3rd place.

In the next 30 years I expect to see more development of high velocity* sub caliber pistol ammo along the lines of 5.7x28, perhaps combined with case telescoped technology. Those type of improvements could actually make newer pistols more effective than pistols firing fixed case 9mm, .40, and .45.

BSW

*Once projectile speeds get over ~2000fps the temporary cavity wounding mechanism starts translating to permanent damage by tearing of tissue out of the direct path of the bullet. I know 5.7x28 out of a pistol isn’t quite there.

 

[jhb]

I’d have to disagree with that. I’d put my money on the majority of pistols sold being in 9mmP and .45. ACP with .40 S&W in 3rd place.

In the next 30 years I expect to see more development of high velocity* sub caliber pistol ammo along the lines of 5.7x28, perhaps combined with case telescoped technology. Those type of improvements could actually make newer pistols more effective than pistols firing fixed case 9mm, .40, and .45.

BSW

*Once projectile speeds get over ~2000fps the temporary cavity wounding mechanism starts translating to permanent damage by tearing of tissue out of the direct path of the bullet. I know 5.7x28 out of a pistol isn’t quite there.

you might be right. who knows? i dont think you're on the right track at all, but pull out the crystal ball and we'll see.

 

[Heir Kommt Die Sonne]

I like .357 Sig, still haven't done serious testing with 40 s&w because I can't get my reloads right (bullet mold I bought is, ususual)
but if I'm getting a medium framed handgun, I'd prefer it bored out for .40 because that gives me the potential to convert down anywhere below it (9mm, .357 sig)
anyone know a good blue dot load for 40 s&w?

 

[golden]

I have a couple of .40 S&W'S, all are BERETTA or BERETTA clones (STOEGER). I carried a .40 S&W, on duty for over 20 years till my agency swapped out my H&K P2000 (no loss there) for a GLOCK 19 (much better). Before that, I was issued a BERETTA 96D Brigadier and liked it as a duty gun, but hated carrying it off duty because it was so large.
I still have a BERETTA 96D Brigadier, that I personally purchased through our agency and it shot very accurately the last time I shot it.

After that, I bought a GLOCK 22, figuring it would be lighter and easier to carry off duty. However, I found the recoil unpleasant and my recovery time between shots was too long. This had not been a problem with the heavier BERETTA. so I stuck with the model 96 until the BERETTA 8040 came along and was followed by the STOEGER 8040, which is the same gun, but made in TURKEY, instead of ITALY.

Mostly, I have been shooting the STOEGER 8040 Cougar. When the rush back to 9m.m. started with the FBI switch, the already cheap .40 caliber Cougars, got just too cheap to pass up. I had a police trade in BERETTA 8000 Cougar in 9m.m. and liked the grip and trigger on the Cougar, so I bought two 8040's for the price of a BERETTA 96.
They both are 100 % reliable and easy to shoot. They are also much easier to carry than the larger BERETTA 96. I had a 96G and 96 Centurion and I sold them both. They were just too large and the model 96 was never up to regular use of the high velocity .40 caliber ammo.

We were originally issued 155 grain jhp ammo that left out 96D Brigadiers at about 1200 feet per second. They hit hard, but wore out our BERETTA'S within 10 to 12 years of issue. Soon after switching to the H&K, we started using the 135 grain jhp at the same velocity. Finally, we went to the mild 180 jhp, but used FEDERAL HST ammo, which really performs well in the 180 grain weight.

I use the generic, white box 180 grain ammo in my .40 S&W pistols for the range and the same FEDERAL 180 grain HST load for house and carry.

Oh, last year, when I got the second STOEGER 8040, I tried some of my old 155 grain ammo side by side with the 180 grain ammo. It was like mixing .38 +P and .357 magnum ammo. The 155 grain ammo was much louder and had a brighter flash, as well as sharper recoil. It was like the .357 ammo we used to carry before we went to the .40 S&W.

Overall, I think the .40 S&W is a very good round, but it is more dependent on the which gun you select than the 9m.m. and your recoil tolerance. It just does not offer a BIG improvement over the best 9m.m. ammo, in my opinion.

Jim

 

[URIT]

I plead GUILTY to being a .40 S&W fan. I own eleven pistols chambered in .40 caliber.

I own one polymer pistol, a striker-fired Walther PPS40, which I carry in a Falco IWB/OWB convertible holster on the rare occasions I wear a suit or sports jacket.

The other ten were bought used and are the all-metal S&W Generation 3 models. I like them all as range guns and find them to be nice shooters.

I only carry the single stack models which are built on the .45 frames (like the 4516/457 models) with under bored .45 barrels. The pistols fit my hand perfectly and are tack drivers. These single-stacks are the CS40, 4053 and 4054. My 4054s are safe queens (only 154 made). The model 4053 is carried in a Don Hume H715-M IWB clip-on holster. The CS 40 is carried in a Bianchi Professional 100 IWB holster. Some folks have trouble finding a good holster for Gen3 pistols that conceal well so I included what works for me.

I don't reload and shoot an equal amount of 9mm as I do .40S&W annually.

 

[Flatbush Harry]

My EDC gun is a Springer XD40sc with Trijicon HD Night Sights. I also have a Springer Service XD40. I happen to have .357 Sig barrels for each so I have an option for a second caliber. I also have a Sig P229 and Beretta 96 in .40 S&W (Sig has a .357 Sig barrel as well). I'll bet my life on .40 S&W or .357 Sig all day. (I'll also bet on a couple of other calibers as well but that wasn't the question).

Cheers,

 

[Trey Veston]

I'm a .40 S&W fan and prefer it for self-defense. I really like reloading for it and have been very successful getting very accurate match loads that are more accurate than my 9mm guns and have the same, or less recoil.

Still, my primary EDC now is a Sig P365 9mm. It replaced a S&W M&P40c. I now have 12 rounds instead of 10 in a significantly smaller package. It just made more sense to me and I absolutely love my little Sig.

If Glock ever decides to offer the G23 in a Gen 5, then I will line up and get one, but probably still carry the P365.

My .40 S&W pistols...

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

No plastic for me. This is a Gunsite BHP in .40cal. It is a great carry-piece.

 

[Woolecox]

I have a Sig P229 SAS (not made anymore) in 40 S&W that I love. This is not a picture of my weapon but similar. It is one of the best shooting and most accurate pistols I own. I think the 40 is a great caliber. Almost as much smack as a 45 but with more capacity. Also have a customized Glock 22 that stays in my truck.

I reload. All brass has to go through the Redding Rx to remove he "Glock Bulge". I sweep up a lot of brass at the range. Otherwise it goes through my Dillon RL550B. I did a short 5 year tour as a Federal Police Officer after I got out of the military. It is what we trained with and carried.

Great weapon, great cartridge.

 

[mokin]

I've shot lots of different pistols chambered for .40 S&W but I don't own one. I do however have a drop in barrel for my Glock 29. I shoot that when I don't really want to scrounge my brass. It's easy to load for and fun to shoot.

 

[badkarmamib]

I've probably mentioned this before. I started on 9mm. When I started carrying a sidearm while hunting, VA regs required any handgun used for hunting to have 350 ft-lbs energy. Most locally available 9mm loads at time didn't meet that. I switched to .40. When the banics hit, 9mm was the first to disappear. You could buy all the .40 you could carry. I was very happy with the switch. My wife is comfortable shooting it. I now reload for it, and it is the only centerfire pistol caliber in the house. I have tried a couple of others, but .40, to me, offers better ballistics than 9mm, virtually the same as .45, with a capacity in between. It is the Goldilocks round for semiautos. Just right.

 

[Zebraranger]

My two favorite 40 S&W pistols. I've been a fan of this caliber ever since I purchased my first gen Walther P99 with the AS trigger many years ago, also the Beretta 90-Two in .40 S&W.

 

[4570Tom]

I remember when 40 S&W came out in the 90s--quite a bit of excitement, at least in the gun mags. My first exposure to shooting it was my friend's Glock 27, which was a little sharp for my tastes. Shot the caliber periodically over the years in a few other guns, mostly the same friend who was trying different things. Eventually he settled on 357 Sig.

Time and circumstances passed and same friend decided to move cross country after his job and marriage ended at the same time. I lent him some money and he gave me one his Glocks, a model 32 in 357 Sig. Sounds like I bought it from him, but they were separate events. Anyways, now I had a 357 Sig. Shot it occasionally, but factory ammo was a bit pricey and it only came out every now and then. Then the Obama era panic hit and no 9mm or 45 stayed on the shelf. I had a supply at home, but no means of replacing what I shot. However, as others have noted, .40 ammo was abundant and gathering dust on the LGS shelves. I purchased a Lone Wolf .40 barrel for the Glock 32 and I was in business. Later I bought a police trade-in Glock 22 in .40 from the LGS. A bit more comfortable to shoot recoil-wise, but the 32 re-configured as a 23 with the Lone Wolf barrel is more accurate. Can't remember the last time I dropped the .357 Sig barrel back into the gun.

 

[Tallball]

Trying to think...

I have a bunch of 40 caliber pistols: 1911, Beretta 96, Beretta Storm, Ruger P94, Witness polymer, Sig P229, Kahr PM40, Glock 22...

There might be one or two more that I'm forgetting. The Berettas, the Sig, and the Glock were LE turn-ins that I got for dirt cheap.

I got a 9mm conversion barrel and G17 magazine for $149 total from Lone Wolf, so my G22 is also a G17 whenever I feel like switching.

I carry the PM40 occasionally, but my favorite to shoot is the Sig. The slide finish is very worn, but it's also stainless steel, so NBD. I got it for around $300 OTD, IIRC.

This is a high-quality pistol and a joy to shoot.

Sig P229 40 Caliber

• Tallball
• Aug 3, 2018

 

[Buzznrose]

Without turning this into a caliber debate... Why am I a fan on the caliber? It's an intermediate round between 9mms & 45cap that really doesn't sacrifice capacity, the extreme low cost of high quality usually expensive firearms, and the ability to shoot 9mm and .357 sig with only a barrel or upper change. Nothing about the .40 s&w says "minivan" IMHO...

I don’t know...after thinking about it a while, I’d say the ‘minivan analogy’ is valid.

My first Glock was a 23. 12K rounds later, it’s still one of my favorites, but these days, it wears an Olight Valkyrie and generally stays in a safe spot by my front door with a 15 round G22 magazine.

I was thinking about adding a LEO trade in G22 but that idea is on hold pending this gun buying surge. Yes, I know...should have, could have, didn’t.

Anyway, yes, I’m a .40 fan, but I’m pretty much a cheerleader for all the teams...9, 10, 22, 38, 357, 44, 45, et al! I enjoy them all!