Thoughts on .40SW

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Firepower!

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Hello
Well, here I am again with a question!
Recently, there has been an import of .40SW pistols in Pakistan. Someone today called me up and pitched me a sale for HK USP .40. I want to know whether or not it is worth shifting from 9mm to .40, because so far I have had no experience with .40.

How much more powerful is .40 than 9mm. And what if it is compared to .45ACP or .357 or .44? I ask about these other calibers as well because I own handguns in these as well, and want to know if I am really missing out on a caliber that is worth getting?
Thanks
 
I went from 9mm to 45ACP and when 40 came out a lot of my 45 buddies talked it down like it was a 9mm. Once it got popular I purchased a Sig P226 in 40. It is definitely snappier than a 9mm but is accurate and has a lot of punch.

When I first got the Sig the ratio of empty brass at the range was 10:1 9mm over 40. Nowadays it is much closer, probably 4:1.
 
I carry one at work ( a S&W MP40) and I'm pretty ambivalent towards it. I personally think it's a great solution in search of a problem. It's no better and no worse than either the 9mm nor .45. Sort of a fence sitting waffler's cartridge.
I'll not rush out to buy a .40 pistol. It's just another caliber to stock up for......
 
It's no secret that I'm a big fan of the .40S&W, and here's why:

When comparing the .40 to the .45:
With the .40 you get more bullets per magazine, a smaller framed pistol that's more comfortable and will fit a 9mm sized pistol's holster, you get just as much power as the .45, and only a slightly smaller bullet than the .45.

When comparing the .40 to the 9mm:
With the .40 you get nearly as many bullets per magazine (usually about 2 less), the same sized pistol and holster, more power than the 9mm, and a slightly bigger bullet than the 9mm.
 
Easyg, you are right! that is why alot of people like the .40. I just happen to be confident w/ the 9mm, but the thought of a .40 HiPower w/a spare barrel in .357SIG....sure!
I'll have to admit I really do like the 155gr hollowpoints in the; Federal Classic, Speer GoldDot, Winchester Ranger loadings! Man, those loads are devastating!
 
I apreciate the thoughts. As for now I think StrangeLittleMan's first advice is good that wait and see where .40 goes in Pakistan since its new and high on price. The HK for sale is for $6500! I guess I will wait untill more manufacturers ship out here and the rate might drop. Personally, I am happy with my 9mms especially my Glocks and Hk P2000 and Sigs. Thus, the only semi auto I do not own and want to is SW, therefore, I will wait until I will wait untill I get my hands on MP40.

Sounds reasonable?
 
i carried a 9mm, then i got my smith sigma and love the power of the .40 cartrige. i feel its got enough power to put some hurtin on the enemy. i felt the same way with 9mm.

i still shoot my 9mm ALOT (usually atleast 250rnds a weekend) just because its soo cheap. my .40 is alittle mroe expencive but not too bad and i usually go through about 100rnds a weekend just to keep up my skill with it since its my carry peice
 
With the .40 you get more bullets per magazine, a smaller framed pistol that's more comfortable and will fit a 9mm sized pistol's holster, you get just as much power as the .45, and only a slightly smaller bullet than the .45.

When comparing the .40 to the 9mm:
With the .40 you get nearly as many bullets per magazine
Click to expand...
ugh! They're called cartridges, not bullets....:rolleyes:

You're almost splitting hairs when comparing power levels between low-powered handguns.
"Would it be worth it to switch calibers from 9mm to .40S&W?" IMO, no
"how much more powerful is the .40 than the 9mm?" Not much at all...

It just isn't worth the switch in my opinion. Especially if your new gun will cost $6500!! :eek:
 
i would say stay with the 9mm. i like the .40 alot but the rising prices of ammo that nevr seems to stop is getting rough and every little bit that you could save the better. i was raised on the .40, and since i have so much .40 brass, and reloading components it would be dumb of me not to reload and use what i got, plus 3 out of the 5 handguns that i have a .40 so i have alot to feed, and i definetly won't be getting rid if any of them. i will stay with the .40 until my brass suply runs out and then i will stay 9mm and .45
 
:cool: The average .40S&W carries about 33% more energy than an average 9mm, hardly a master of none scenario. It's unscientific, but tales of cops drilling some perp 18-times like they do in NYC with their 9mm's have all but ceased with agency's utilizing .40's. The price however, comes at greatly accelerated ware on your firearm as slide velocity's are of course proportionally that much greater. I know this, I own pistol's in both calibers and feel safe with either or, none the less, if I were living in a foriegn country and was assured of a steady supply of .40 ammo, I'd take it every time over any kind of 9mm load....;)
 
I used to have a Ruger P85 as my primary handgun, then I got a really good deal on a S&W M&P .40 I honestly bought the gun to turn around and sell.........huh. I was not thrilled about owning a .40, I thought 9 or 45, why buy another caliber? But The ergonomics on the M&P made me keep it. So I bought a few boxes of ammo and..........I carry an M&P .40 daily. Recoil is no big deal
 
They both work for me, but I don't tend to stick to one caliber. I have two forties and like them both. I still carry my G26 at this time, but will carry my M&P .40C more when I get a good holster for it.
 
I'll go the other way.

I think the 40 cal is a wonderful round and gives the best of both worlds.

I have little use for all those funny numbers that are supposed to tell you what a bullet will do when it hits something. Too complicated. I'm a simple man.

All thing being equal - big things make bigger holes than little things do.

If you have to kill something, the bigger the hole you make in it the more blood it will lose. The more blood that is lost, the sooner it will stop doing the bad things it is doing.

OK

The more rounds I have, the more holes I can put in it, or the more chances I have of hitting it.

Bigger is better than smaller.
More is better less.

The 40 fills the bill quite nicely.

Frankly, I don't think the horserace is between the 40 and the 45. I think it is between the 9mm and the 40. Unless recoil is an issue (which is totally valid) I can't really find a reason to buy another 9mm.

To be sure, the 9 will get the job done, but I just don't see any advantage to it.

So there you go. My opinon, worth about half of what you paid for it. :)

Joe
 
I arrived at almost identical findings as easyg in my personal search for the perfect CCW. I decided that the 40 was a great mix of power and capacity. If you can shoot the 40 as well as you can a 9, why not have the extra power?
 
I also settled on .40 as being my standard semi-auto round to make stocking up on ammunition easier, in revolvers I stick with .38spc/.357mag. The .40s&w is as effective as .45acp but allows you more rounds on hand and is cheaper than .45acp.

I have to ask, $6500 in US Dollars???!!! In the name of all that's holy why would a handgun cost that much in Pakistan?

That would put a serious crimp my gun budget.
 
"Thoughts on .40S&W"

In no particular order:

It is a popular big bore cartridge.
It is the most popular currently issued US LEO big bore cartridge.
It allows for the highest capacity big bore pistol.
It is as perfect, or as imperfect, as the other popular offerings.
It works.
 
Another thought:

Ammunition procurement may be a problem in Pakistan depending on who your supplier is.
 
NEW YORK CITY??????
Click to expand...

You forgot to denote the Pace Picante sauce twanged accent!

I just shot an auto chambered in .40 S&W for the first time today out of a Sig P226 that I happened to just buy on monday.

I've always been a 9mm guy given how much I like to shoot, how cheap it is, and how used to it I was. I've also always felt that it was without question, "substantial". Before today, I had shot about a half dozen autos in .45 ACP but nothing in 40.

My first reaction on my first shot today was how clean the trigger break was, and how snappy the recoil was. Instead of having a long, slow muzzle flip, there was just a snap, and I was back on target before I had even attempted to be. I seemed to be just about as accurate with it as I am with 9mm.

I bought the gun because the deal I got on it was just too good to pass up, regardless of caliber, but I think the .40 and I will be able to get along just fine.
 
I dropped the 9 about 10 years ago and went to .45 in all my carry and competition guns. My main concealment guns are in .40. I don't care what folks say, the .40 packs a lot more punch than a 9.

If I'm not going to carry something that really packs a wallop I'll carry a mouse gun. I do have a very fine selection of Makarovs in 9X18, but they are really just plinkers.

My backup gun is a .32 KelTec that fits in a jacket or pants pocket, but if I'm going to be under-gunned it dang well better at least conceal well. Plus, it's nice knowing that once I've emptied my primary and my spare mags I've still got something that will go bang...

If you get a chance shoot some reactive targets like steel poppers or jugs of water with a 9 and then with a .40. That will sell you on .40.
 
lacoochee... yes a handgun by Glock, HK, and Beretta would cost this much here. it is because there a few who have import permits and they exploit the market.

Erik .40SW bullets are very expensive here in Pakistan.

If I do decide to get it, which I am doubting now, it wont be my everyday gun because of ammo supply.

With 9mm hollow points etc I wonder how much difference it really makes to shift to .40?
 
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