Are .40 s&w poor value?

[coss370]

[gwanghoops]

I do it for the fun / challenge. High availability of ammo and guns. Might as well. Buy and sell used and you are not really losing money in common handguns. Sometimes you can find guns in 40 really cheap -- Sig P226 in 40 new for $550, Beretta PX4 + ammo for $340.

[IVC]

It's a fine caliber, like many others. Because of the larger diameter case, the same gun will have less capacity in .40 than in 9. It will also have more muzzle flip, although it's not that much of a difference. People who can shoot 9 well can also shoot .40 well. Those who can barely hold onto 9 might have problem with the recoil of .40.

The real question is whether .40 gets you anything over 9 in the types of scenarios you might encounter. If yes, then it's a good choice. If not, then 9 is a better choice.

Just remember that ballistics of same caliber in different guns vary quite a bit, so when you are looking for a specific performance you have to also look at the specific gun.

[floogy]

[osis32]

I went 40 originally because 9mm is weak and I don't like it. However 45 is expensive and the guns I like aren't available here example fnx45. So I went with 40. I was all about caliber commonality but realistically I have some in every caliber. I started leaning 9mm when I got into czs and the sp01 isn't available on roster in 40. It's a compromise caliber I prefer 9mm outside of California but here it's not so bad.

[Mr. Blue]

.40 Cal really shines when it comes to firearm availability and some of the best deals. I saw PSA selling a Springfield EMP .40 on gun.deals for $699. It has an MSRP of around $1300. My local gun shops will have plenty of 40 pistols, but the 9’s have been sold before I even show up. Even during normal times, 40 pistols seem to be more available and potentially a better deal on the front end. The back end being the need to buy ammo for the rest of its life. In that regard, you are 100% correct, 40 is a horrible value compared to 9. If 9mm ammo stays at 40cents for some reason, you will see the popularity of 9 and 40 even out a bit more. 9 will always be the preferred choice, as ammo will always be cheaper to produce. The larger companies have also spent many more years developing different defense loads, making the ballistic differences between 9 and 40 negligible.

[norcalAF]

I have gotten several .40 Glocks for steal prices, and they easily swap for .357 sig. Ammo is usually the last sold out. That is reason enough for me to keep a few around. I just wish I could find a Ruger PC4!

[The War Wagon]

I prefer .40 to 9mm; I prefer .45 & 10mm to both, but then, I don't have a problem with the recoil.

I would feel better protected with a .40 than a 9mm, and I DON'T buy firearms, based on what their re-sale value MIGHT be someday. I buy them to serve MY purposes.

[ar15robert]

Why get a .40 when you can get a 10mm.

[003]

I see little to no value in owning a .40. 9 mm, .10 mm and .45 completely meet my needs. As far as I am concerned it is a solution seeking a problem.

[plumbum]

Why get a .40 when you can get a 10mm.

Best centimeter!
Nothing wrong with .40 except it really should be used from a full-sized gun to really appreciate it; an alloy frame service gun is dandy with the extra pop from a .40 - but then you don't know perfection until you go Glock 20!

[003]

Best centimeter!
Nothing wrong with .40 except it really should be used from a full-sized gun to really appreciate it; an alloy frame service gun is dandy with the extra pop from a .40 - but then you don't know perfection until you go Glock 20!

The only thing better than a Glock 20 is a Glock 40. I much prefer the longer barrel and sight radius.

[OCEquestrian]

Ammunition is more expensive. They’ve fallen out of vogue because the FBI switched back to 9mm and bullet technology has gotten to the point where there’s almost no difference between 9, 40 and 45. The 40 actually has the highest muzzle energy of the three, so has more potential for penetration, all things being equal. I think it would make a difference if heavy winter clothing is common. How much of a difference? Hard to say.

I don’t think it’s all that big of a deal honestly. People talk about the snappiness of the 40, but a 9mm +P will be very similar, since 40 is basically a +P round...

People need to realize that the differences between 9, 40 and 45 are marginal. Similar ammunition will perform nearly the same for all three. Remember, the difference between a 9mm and a 45 is .1”. That’s it.

^^^^ This is the most accurate, concise analysis I have seen on the subject here on CalGuns. People seem to forget that there are two factors that determine stopping power, shot placement AND penetration. Using 9/40/45 ammo against exposed human targets, shot placement becomes CRITICAL as all three will penetrate. This is where 9mm gets the advantage in both control-ability, particularly in the hands of the untrained/under-trained, and in capacity for follow up shots and multi target engagements in std capacity service pistols.

[71MUSTY]

Personally I shoot .40 because I love a crisp shot. Between 9,40 and 45 I like .40 the best. If I want more I go to my 10mm never 45. 45 is slow and dull.

Since there is really no significant difference between 9,40,45 with good ammo I shoot the one I love to shoot. Wife loves the 9mm, but she has small hands.

[GeeBee49]

For quite some time all my semi-autos were 45ACP. Recently I wanted to try something different and since I don't care for 9mm I decided on a Glock 22. It's okay but I probably won't buy another one.
I've been buying revolvers lately but if I buy another pistol some day I'll go back to 45ACP.