OregonJohnny
Member
OK, let's talk about the .40 S&W. Among handgun calibers, it is relatively young. Actually, compared to most popular handgun calibers, it's practically brand-new. From what I understand, it was developed from the 10mm in the 1980s in the FBI's quest for a more effective round than the 9mm. The FBI thought the 10mm had too much power and recoil for the average shooter, and so the .40 came along to fill in that gap between 9mm velocity and magazine capacity and .45ACP diameter and weight.
It seems, though, that although it has caught on very well in law enforcement, there are many who do not like it. I have recently read here on THR a lot of posts from people who say the recoil is too snappy for them, and even more who simply say they just don't like the .40 S&W. No explanation. Why is this?
The .45ACP was developed to be a more effective man-stopper than the .38 caliber revolvers the US military was using at the time, right? And similarly, the .40 S&W came about through a search for a better man-stopper than the 9mm after the 1985 Miami FBI shootout, right? So why does it seem that the .45ACP has been embraced by all, but the .40 S&W still has some major nay-sayers? Is it simply that the .45 has had 100 years and many wars to prove itself and that the .40 is still young and needs some time to catch on?
If THR auto-loader handgun fans had to choose between .40 and .45 for self-defense against human targets, I have a feeling most would say .45. I might even agree. But I love my XD-40. And I have to say I generally love the .40 S&W round. It fits into high-capacity 9mm sized guns yet doesn't add much bulk or weight, it has more energy than a 9mm and most conventional .45ACP loads, and from law enforcement reports, it seems to be very effective at neutralizing threats rapidly.
Do you like the .40 S&W? Why or why not?
It seems, though, that although it has caught on very well in law enforcement, there are many who do not like it. I have recently read here on THR a lot of posts from people who say the recoil is too snappy for them, and even more who simply say they just don't like the .40 S&W. No explanation. Why is this?
The .45ACP was developed to be a more effective man-stopper than the .38 caliber revolvers the US military was using at the time, right? And similarly, the .40 S&W came about through a search for a better man-stopper than the 9mm after the 1985 Miami FBI shootout, right? So why does it seem that the .45ACP has been embraced by all, but the .40 S&W still has some major nay-sayers? Is it simply that the .45 has had 100 years and many wars to prove itself and that the .40 is still young and needs some time to catch on?
If THR auto-loader handgun fans had to choose between .40 and .45 for self-defense against human targets, I have a feeling most would say .45. I might even agree. But I love my XD-40. And I have to say I generally love the .40 S&W round. It fits into high-capacity 9mm sized guns yet doesn't add much bulk or weight, it has more energy than a 9mm and most conventional .45ACP loads, and from law enforcement reports, it seems to be very effective at neutralizing threats rapidly.
Do you like the .40 S&W? Why or why not?