Opinions on .40S&W
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Devonai
Member
To put it simply, the .40 S&W is a compromise between a large capacity 9mm Para and a lower capacity .45 Auto. If you want a larger cartridge with greater kinetic energy but don't like the capacity of similarly-sized .45 pistols, or if you're unhappy with the recoil characteristics of the .45 pistols that you've tried, the .40 S&W may fit the bill.
cfabe
Member
It's snappy, I prefer shooting a .45
brm3601
Member
After shooting my dads G17 9mm and a friends 10mm and my g22 .40cal and my .45acp 1911, I would say its more controllable than the .45acp and 10mm and harder hitting than the 9mm. Of course this is just my opinion. Don't get me wrong all are very effective rounds for stopping BGs. I guess it all comes down to what you're going to do with a particular weapon or caliber.
Too Many Choices!?
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- Feb 21, 2005
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.40 S&W, eh?
Best thing since the invention of semi-auto hand guns
. I second the," compromise round" crowd .... Hmm, 15 of the .40S&W, or 10 of the .45 ACP? I am/have,Too Many Choices, so I got one of each 
! That dang 10mm itch seems to be coming back though 
..You guys wouldn't happen to know who makes a double stack 1911 styled 10mm, would you?
Best thing since the invention of semi-auto hand guns
. I second the," compromise round" crowd .... Hmm, 15 of the .40S&W, or 10 of the .45 ACP? I am/have,Too Many Choices, so I got one of each ! That dang 10mm itch seems to be coming back though ..You guys wouldn't happen to know who makes a double stack 1911 styled 10mm, would you?
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sm
member
Welcome to THR!
Well, you asked...
Never warmed up to it and won't.
First I chose my platforms back when the earth was flat. K frame revos, Gubmint 1911, and BHPs. We didn't have the .40 back then. One learned to shoot DA revolver, then that made them a better shooter with the SA JMB designs.
JMB never intended for 9mm brass to get stuck in .40, and .40 in 45ACP. I don't care if the BHP comes in a .40...it ain't right. Piglets don't suckle boars - it ain't right.
So I don't like the platforms the .40 comes in, and don't like the snappy recoil.
Lessee the M&P been around since 1890- something, The Gov't 1911 and the P35 have a long proven history and still in use too.
Lessee in about 2050 , 2060 or 2070 how the .40 and the platforms are holding up.
Being a Reprobate is nice. Don't matter if folks disagree.
Well, you asked...
Never warmed up to it and won't.
First I chose my platforms back when the earth was flat. K frame revos, Gubmint 1911, and BHPs. We didn't have the .40 back then. One learned to shoot DA revolver, then that made them a better shooter with the SA JMB designs.
JMB never intended for 9mm brass to get stuck in .40, and .40 in 45ACP. I don't care if the BHP comes in a .40...it ain't right. Piglets don't suckle boars - it ain't right.
So I don't like the platforms the .40 comes in, and don't like the snappy recoil.
Lessee the M&P been around since 1890- something, The Gov't 1911 and the P35 have a long proven history and still in use too.
Lessee in about 2050 , 2060 or 2070 how the .40 and the platforms are holding up.
Being a Reprobate is nice. Don't matter if folks disagree.
aguyindallas
Member
I love it and carry it very frequently. I am a 9mm and .45 fan also, although at this time, do not own a .45acp item.
I will say that it is my preferred carry gun caliber and leave it at that.
I will say that it is my preferred carry gun caliber and leave it at that.
loose cannon
Member
prefer the 9mm got into glocks before the 40 was established.recoil doesnt bother me but i can get repeat hits better with the 9.across the board handguns are not big time 1 shot stoppers so ill go with the one i can smack the bg multiple times very quickly.
given my choice of iron for the gunfight; ill take a 762x39 hollowpoint loaded ak over any of them; or if the actions 60'or less 00 buck 12ga 870.
40 doesnt float my boat but thats one less guncrank buying up the whitebox 40s aint it.
given my choice of iron for the gunfight; ill take a 762x39 hollowpoint loaded ak over any of them; or if the actions 60'or less 00 buck 12ga 870.
40 doesnt float my boat but thats one less guncrank buying up the whitebox 40s aint it.
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
There was nothing wrong with the 10 millimeter cartridge, so it had to be fixed.
I like the .40 and my 229 is in .40. Some of the guys I work for are going with the .40 and that gave me the perfect excuse to go out and buy another gun.
To me, it's more controllable than the .45 but that's pretty much expected.
In my opinion, it's the tweener of 9 and .45.
In all honesty, it's best to be diverse and have at least one of each.
To me, it's more controllable than the .45 but that's pretty much expected.
In my opinion, it's the tweener of 9 and .45.
In all honesty, it's best to be diverse and have at least one of each.
brm3601
Member
STANDING WOLF,
You're correct ther was absolutely nothing wrong with the 10mm. It's just that some of the FBI agents who were smaller in stature could not handle the recoil. So to fix that problem lets cut down the overall case lengnth and make it a .40caliber with less felt recoil. But hey I still love it enough to carry.
You're correct ther was absolutely nothing wrong with the 10mm. It's just that some of the FBI agents who were smaller in stature could not handle the recoil. So to fix that problem lets cut down the overall case lengnth and make it a .40caliber with less felt recoil. But hey I still love it enough to carry.
Dern new fangled #&%$# stuff !! What happened to good old roll yer own down the barrel guns ?
Maw ! Maw ! gol dern it ! Where's me teeth ? Damn yankee's likely stol em .
OK OK - In between a 9 & a 45 ain't all that bad of place to be, and in good company . Not a bad choice depending on the plateform you wanna use . IMO
Maw ! Maw ! gol dern it ! Where's me teeth ? Damn yankee's likely stol em .
OK OK - In between a 9 & a 45 ain't all that bad of place to be, and in good company . Not a bad choice depending on the plateform you wanna use . IMO
Hmm...
7+1 rounds of .45
10(12?)+1 rounds of .40S&W
15+1 rounds of 9mm
I'll agree that it's a compromise round. But then, how is that a bad thing? I mean, the .45 could be considered a compromise over the .357, .500S&W, etc. It's a good fit between the "bullet hose" 9mm, and the "stopping power" .45. You get about ~50% more rounds with .40 than the .45, but you'd also about ~50% more going with the 9mm. It's more controllable than the .45, while retaining more stopping power than the 9mm.
In most respects it seems to be the average of the two rounds.
.32ACP
.38ACP
9mm
.40S&W
10mm
.45ACP
.50AE
7+1 rounds of .45
10(12?)+1 rounds of .40S&W
15+1 rounds of 9mm
I'll agree that it's a compromise round. But then, how is that a bad thing? I mean, the .45 could be considered a compromise over the .357, .500S&W, etc. It's a good fit between the "bullet hose" 9mm, and the "stopping power" .45. You get about ~50% more rounds with .40 than the .45, but you'd also about ~50% more going with the 9mm. It's more controllable than the .45, while retaining more stopping power than the 9mm.
In most respects it seems to be the average of the two rounds.
.32ACP
.38ACP
9mm
.40S&W
10mm
.45ACP
.50AE
lyricsdad
Member
I have a .40 its my second handgun. I like it. I buy up all the wwb's at wally world. I want to get a 9mm since ammo is alot cheaper. I dont have problems w/ recoil but.. after a while a few hundred rounds the forearms get a workout. lol.
People may say its not a good calibre but. I think the price isnt overly expensive that if i owned it would never get used. I take mine out all the time. I would love to get a sig 226 or an hk p7 for my next pistol in 9mm. I love my p99 also so it in 9mm would be nice too
People may say its not a good calibre but. I think the price isnt overly expensive that if i owned it would never get used. I take mine out all the time. I would love to get a sig 226 or an hk p7 for my next pistol in 9mm. I love my p99 also so it in 9mm would be nice too
I don't see the use in arguing over the .40 vs. any other caliber, if you are happy with it then it's a winner, if not then stick with 9mm, .45, or whatever floats your boat. I shoot .40 and I’m happy with its performance, I’m also a huge .45 fan and have absolutely nothing bad to say about 9mm. The best caliber depends on the individual, shoot what works best for you, not what’s best for others.
Flashpoint
Member
I like the 9mm platfroms, but the .40 cal makes me feel better, so it's good.
I carry the .40 more often than not.
I carry the .40 more often than not.
GroovedG19
Member
Fine defensive caliber
I like the .40S&W.Shoots great out of my Sig Sauer P229 and accuracy is awesome.
I like the .40S&W.Shoots great out of my Sig Sauer P229 and accuracy is awesome.
TheDutchman
Member
Best round devloped in the last ten years.
meathammer
Member
.40 s&w is a terrible caliber.
I keep my Beretta 96 loaded just to make it a heavier impact weapon when I need it.
--meathammer
I keep my Beretta 96 loaded just to make it a heavier impact weapon when I need it.
--meathammer
firesafety3
Member
LMC-
Welcome to THR.
Go by Mulate's for me and pass a good time!
The .40 has its place. Anyone who owns one will swear by it. It's a matter of preference and practical application. It will never replace the 9mm or .45, but it was not designed to.
I've owned .40s but always went back to the .45.
Welcome to THR.
Go by Mulate's for me and pass a good time!
The .40 has its place. Anyone who owns one will swear by it. It's a matter of preference and practical application. It will never replace the 9mm or .45, but it was not designed to.
I've owned .40s but always went back to the .45.
Father Knows Best
Member
It's a fine round, but not for me. I prefer a .45 1911 for most defensive purposes. If I need something smaller, I grab the 9mm subcompact Glock 26. I've shot my brother's Glock 27 BUG, which is just a 26 chambered in .40S&W, but didn't care for it. In a very small pistol like a Glock 26/27, I find the .40 to be too sharp to control well. So I choose the wimpy little 9mm and good shot placement, if I need something small, and the .45ACP where gun size/weight isn't as much of an issue.
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