Can you reload .40S&W to behave like 9MM?

[SWModel19]

I'm trying to get my wife more involved in shooting, but the only one if my pistols she likes is my USP40. However, she does not like the way .40 kicks. Ideally, I'd like to buy her a USP9MM, but I don't have that kind of money, and as I used to reload and would like to get back into the hobby, I am wondering if it is possible to safely "down" load .40 S&W rounds so that they will behave more like 9mm?

Basically, I guess I'm asking if there are any dangers of under charging the powder in reloading?

Thx.

 

[rcmodel]

Yes, the .40 S&W can be down-loaded to reduce recoil & blast.
Even lower then normal power 9mm loads if you wanted too.

Yes, there are dangers if you go so low as to stick a bullet in the bore, or double charge a case.

Very light loads may require a lighter recoil spring to get the gun to function.


rcmodel

 

[philbo]

Here's an articel from Handguns on just this subject:

http://www.handgunsmag.com/ammunition/40lite_091806/

No problem downloading the 40, just need enough pressure to cycle the slide.
My preferred load is a 155 over 4.2 grains of Titegroup at 1.130 OAL. Nice, easy recoil load that functions fine in my XD40 with standard springs.

 

[Walkalong]

Has she been shooting hot 155 & 165 Gr. loads? They are snappy and can be unpleasent in a light gun. 180 Gr. bullets at liesurely velocities are MUCH more pleasent to shoot. Even factory JHP's are significantly easier on recoil.

 

[patrick jones]

You did not say what kind of gun you are using.
If shooting 1911 type try
180gr at 1.185 oal and 3.9 gr of titegroup
If using other type handgun use
180gr and factory oal and 3.6gr of titegroup.
Both these load are in the 135 to 140pf range and very soft shooting.
pat

 

[davinci]

3.9 gr of titegroup is too much. I use 4.0 in my 9mm's when I want a good close distance target load.

you can load 2.5-3.0 grains of titegroup and get along just fine. I loaded up 10 rounds of 1.0 grain of titeWAD in a 9mm under 125 grain lead, and the lead made it out of a 4" XD barrel.

 

[patrick jones]

I must not understand I thought he was asking about 40.
pat

 

[XD-40 Shooter]

6 grains of Unique behind a 165 grain Ranier, gives me 980 fps out of my Xd-40, light recoil, accurate, pleasant to shoot.

 

[FieroCDSP]

You can try a 135gr Rainier. That's probably the closest bullet to 9mm weight. Personally, I shoot a 155gr Rainier on 3.8gr Clays (regular) at 1.125". Soft shooter compared to most 40 loads. Accuracy is good enough for defensive practice but is terrible at 25 yards.

 

[Shoney]

Your wife has good taste in weapons.

My daughter grew up shooting a Colt Woodsman 22, graduated to 32ACP, then a 9mm Glock, then 9mm Beretta, then 9mm Mak. She has been a very good shot with all.

One day she asked to shoot the USP40, which I always thought was to large for her very small, petite hands and would be too much snap for her small frame. We were shooting man targets at 15 yards with near max 180 Golden Sabers, and I was worried about the recoil.

She fired three unhurried shots into the chest (about 1" group), then turned to look at me with her head cocked at an angle while a little grin broadened into a beaming smile, and said: "OOOOOOUUUU! I like this!!" She turned and emptied the mag with increasing speed into a small group between the eyes.

My point here is that women seem to tolerate full bore loads much better than men, as I have seen that many times over the years. So don't be hasty about downloading the 40 without the input of your wife.

My daughter prefers near max 40 loads and definetly shoots better groups with them as compared to the low velocity loads I prefer.

 

[SheB61]

If it was her first shooting experience, a .40 could've been a little daunting, but given time, it should be relatively easy to handle.

When I first shot the .40 I was a little intimidated and decided a 9mm was right for me, but after becoming familiar with that, the .40 didn't really feel like it had much more recoil. Maybe you can rent a 9mm at the range and see if it's any lighter for her?!

 

[CZ57]

135 gr. jacketed, or a 140 gr. hard cast with a fast burning powder. You should get reliable slide function with a minimum power factor of 120. As an example, with a 135 gr. jacketed bullet you'll need 889 FPS of velocity. The higher pressure of a fast burning powder will assist slide function. BUT, be advised, the .40 S&W is already a fast pressure peaking cartridge. The lighter weight bullets won't result in pressure peaks as rapidly as if you were to use a 180 gr. bullet. If you move up to standard velocity, move down to a powder with a slower burn rate. I don't use anything faster than Ramshot True Blue, or HS-6 in the .40 S&W for factory velocity loads. AA#5 is similar to True Blue in .40 S&W loads.

For the loads you need to assist your wife's indoctrination to recoil, choose a powder that is designed to operate without regard to powder positioning in the case and has good pressure stability. AA#2, Ramshot ZIP, TiteGroup or something similar. A comparable 9mm load with a 115 gr. bullet would achive the same power factor and level of recoil at 1043 FPS. Mild loads in either case.

 

[stubbicatt]

Generally the heavier bullets will be "softer shooting," that is less perceived recoil. The 180s or 200 grain bullets at just under major power factor are easy to shoot well and don't beat you up.

I've shot 180s with 4 grains of TG for a really pleasant steel load, although I do use a lighter than usual mainspring.

YMMV.

 

[SWModel19]

I know it is a bit late, but thanks for all the replies. A friend has lent us a S&W Model915 that she will take shooting to see if she likes 9MM more than 40. If she likes 9MM and the S&W, our friend has offered to sell it to her. Cash permitting, I'd still prefer a USP9, but that'll be more than 3x the cost of the M915 (even after I replace the sights - the factory sights on a 915 are horrible!)