What will a 40 do better than a .45?

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Tom Fury

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I have made the statement that I haven't found anything a ,40 will do better than a .45.

Stopping power; I don't think theres' any appreciable or quantifiable difference. .45 has made its' bones.

Round count: I have big hands; fat boys don't scare me; if it turns into that kind of fight, I want an AK anyway.

Recoil/handling: my muscular buttocks: I find the muzzle flip that I experienced with every .40 I've shot (Kahr, Glock, S&W) to be detrimental and on the verge of uncontrollable, even with my hands. I don't like it at all. Why put myself thru it?

Particular platforms that make it uniquely attractive: Uhhh...no...in fact, my favorite platforms run better in .45, so...

I intend to misbehave; if this seems a provocative stance, you're right; fire away...

Cheers, TF
 
9mm vs 40 vs 45 vs 10mm vs 41 mag vs 357 vs 22LR. I think it matters mostly to the person shooting. The calibers don't care. Pick one, buy it, shoot it, then give me the brass!
 
Tom Fury, I must say we don't get many from the UK inquiring about handgun rounds. (I wish we did.)

:)

It appears that .40's might have a slight edge in penetration over the .45 ACP, but I'm sure this varies a lot with bullet construction, etc. The .45 ACP has certainly proven itself over a longer period historically, while the .40 S&W has likewise proven itself over a much shorter period of time, but under different circumstances.
Other than these nit-picking bits of trivia, I would agree with you.
 
T. Fury, will you be my internet friend?

Because I prefer .45acp too!

But I guess one advantage of .40sw is similar performance to .45acp, but in smaller and lighter packages (given the same platform). In most makes it's about the same width as the 9mm version (most H.K., GLOCK, and Walther for example identical widths). Also, capacity as the O.P. noted, and maybe price.

I think on paper it's the perfect compromise C.C.W. caliber, maximizing the intersection of capacity, size, weight, performance etc. But I'm with you, +/- a couple rounds doesn't bump my preference for the slightly higher performance at much lower pressures, and I just like shooting .45acp. Meanwhile others prefer exactly the opposite.

So what will a 40 do better than a .45 and 9mm? Gives shooters one more option from which to choose!
 
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penetrate.

Smaller caliber, higher velocity rounds have better penetration. Larger caliber, slower velocity loads require less expansion to be effective. Also, capacity is going to be better in a smaller diameter round.
 
One nice thing about the .40S&W is that for those of us cursed with small hands, it works in a 9mm framed weapon. I've yet to find a weapon chambered in .45ACP where my tiny little midget clown hands are big enough to properlly grip the gun.

Thus, I get a little bigger round but in a weapon package that fits my hand. While the mag can't pack as many as a 9mm, you still can carry a decent load of .40.

As far as "stopping power", I could care less (within reason). Carry what you can shoot the most accuratly and quickly and leave the arguments to others.
 
I was avoiding .40S&W until a firearm I wanted was discontinued and the only one I could find happened to be chambered in .40.

Since then I found something it can do that .45ACP has trouble doing: selling premium rounds for 349.00 per thousand, even at today's awful pricing.

That means I get to practice with my carry rounds - Federal HSTs. Couldn't do that with .45. I'd practice with Federal Red Box then load up with Cor-bon.

It gives one a warm fuzzy to know the stuff you carry will run a case without problems and not have to break the bank to find out.

Despite having sworn I'd never own a .40 it's what I shoot the most of now - never say "never", I guess. I realize "cost" is a factor seldom found in caliber wars but what the hey.
 
Ultimately, it is the preference and desired application/performance of the shooter that make one preferable to another. You have justified your use of a 45 ACP over a 40S&W based on your preferences.

I guess what I am saying is your title should have been "What will a 40 do better than a .45 in Tom Fury - reality?". In your reality, nothing. If another persons reality is small hands with forearm muscles carved from titanium who wants a pocket gun with 9+1 capacity in a caliber larger than 9mm, clearly the Glock 27 fits.

In my reality, a 15+1 10mm is ideal. And no one can argue with that cause it is MY reality.
 
For LEO use the .40 might have an edge…
Slightly better penetration through auto glass and doors, and a few more rounds in the mag.

For civilian use (seldom have to penetrate glass and doors) it’s pretty much a toss up…
.40 gives a few more rounds, but is a bit snappy,
.45 has a bit more size and weight, and is slightly softer shooting.

.40 is generally less expensive. So if you plan on shooting alot it may be a consideration. If you carry alot and only shoot a little or if you reload the difference in price may not matter too much.
 
A .40 will absolutely, in every case, under every scientific stratagem,do this better than any .45 on the planet














































carry more rounds in the same size frame. I love my .45's :neener:
 
Hmm

Recoil/handling: my muscular buttocks: I find the muzzle flip that I experienced with every .40 I've shot (Kahr, Glock, S&W) to be detrimental and on the verge of uncontrollable, even with my hands. I don't like it at all. Why put myself thru it?
Click to expand...
Ever consider the reason for this? Maybe that you're talking about smaller lighter platforms.

40 S&W isn't that bad. Work on your hand/forearm strength.

Particular platforms that make it uniquely attractive: Uhhh...no...in fact, my favorite platforms run better in .45, so...
Click to expand...
I'll assume you mean the 1911. What makes you say the 1911 runs better in 45? I see 45 caliber 1911s choking all the time at shoots.
 
Less recoil, higher capacity/smaller guns possible. Cheaper than .45 ACP. Born from 10mm, so it can't be all bad.

That said, I much prefer .45
 
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