When I first entered LE work I thought the 'only' acceptable LE working calibers were .357 Magnum and .45 ACP. Before I entered LE work you couldn't pay me to own or shoot a 9mm pistol. The 9mm cylinder that came with my 3-screw Blackhawk .357 Magnum Convertible was never used.
It wasn't until I was required to carry an issued 9mm service weapon that my thinking started to change. I was also a bit slow to consider accepting the .40 S&W cartridge.
I waited until the .40 S&W had been in LE use for about 10 years before I decided to buy a pistol chambered in it. After having had the chance to see how well it had worked for a number of LE agencies, and seeing how my agency was considering adopting it at some point down the road, I decided it was probably about time to try a pistol in that caliber for myself.
Now, looking back on my LE career, having carried various issued weapons chambered in .357 Magnum, 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP ... I just can't get worked up much about the differences among the calibers (although being a revolver shooter I did appreciate the wheelguns). Even though I'm a long-time 1911 owner and shooter, I actually turned down an opportunity to carry an issued Colt when it was offered. I was simply more interested in a lighter weight, compact weapon because of my plainclothes assignment. If the same offer had been made earlier in my career during my younger years, though, I'd have no doubt jumped at it.
Now, I just bought my 5th pistol chambered in .40 S&W. I actually own one more pistol chambered in .40 S&W than I do pistols chambered in 9mm ... and the number of pistols I own chambered in .45 ACP is now equaled by the combined number of those I own chambered in 9mm & .40 S&W.
I wouldn't consider.40 S&W to be my 'favorite' when it comes to personally-owned calibers, but I do think it's proven itself to be a viable defensive caliber over the years since it's introduction. The increased recoil might not be for all owners & users, though. Then again, lots of revolver users back in the wheelgun days of LE weren't comfortable with the recoil and muzzle blast of the .357 Magnum.
FWIW, I can think of at least a couple of instances where a cop armed with a .40 S&W pistol didn't enjoy noticeably greater success with 'immediately stopping' an attacking pit bull any more quickly than other cops armed with other calibers in similar situations. Placement is still important, it seems.
I'm thinking that the smaller 9mm pistols and .38 Spl revolvers I own are still going to be my primary choices when it comes to retirement CCW weapons. My .45 ACP and .40 S&W pistols will likely remain secondary choices ... although if my new M&P 40c acquits itself as well as my full-size M&P 45 has done, it might find itself chosen more often than my other .40 S&W pistols, or even my .45 ACP pistols. It certainly has the ergonomics, balance and 'lively feel' in my hand that I find preferable. If it exhibits the same outstanding reliability and accuracy of my M&P 45, I'm thinking it just might result in my G27 being more or less retired to the safe.
Bottom line?
The .40 S&W is alive and doing very well in the LE field. When considered against the 9mm in LE service, the .40 S&W either has come to virtually equal the 9mm in service usage or has surpassed it as a choice of caliber. Talking to a couple of ammunition company LE field reps within the last few years certainly seems to indicate this trend.
The private owner preference consideration & choice is probably up for debate, especially depending on the area of the country being considered. Lots of folks express a dislike for the increased felt recoil and muzzle whip of many pistols chambered in .40 S&W.
There will likely continue to be passionate enthusiasts of different calibers ... and that's fine.
In my case it just means that I have pistols chambered in 3 center-fire calibers and revolvers chambered in 4 center-fire calibers ...
