why .40 s&w? don't get it.

[taibo]

don't mean to set off a caliber war here... (or maybe i do!)... but i just don't get the .40 cal round.

i've got 9's and .45 acp's. in what scenario would i need something in between?

the nine's give me relatively low cost shooting (25 cent factory loads at walmart), good stopping power (with hd loads), and mild recoil (so suitable for my wife and other less passionate shooters).

the 45's are... well... bad ***. great stopping power, about the same cost to shoot as .40 factory ball rounds (35 vs 31 cents at walmart), and less snappy at the muzzle than a .40.

i don't get it. please educate me.

[Markus]

I reload so the cost per round doesnt bother me so much I just like a round with a little more pep to it than 9mm and a different feel to the recoil of the 45.

[Saigon1965]

I myself believe it's marketing - 10mm was pushed for awhile too -

[Snapping Twig]

Truth be told, when it was under consideration and development a .41 caliber was specified but 10mm was too stout for follow-up and the .45acp was THOUGHT to be too much for small statured officers.

Ultimately the .40 S&W was developed by using velocity to make the round as effective as the... .45acp, but not as harsh recoiling as the 10mm.

Think of it as a semi auto version of a .41 Spl.

40 S&W is a fine cartridge and it is in a caliber police have wanted for a long time, so it's all good.

[CalNRA]

the truth is somewhere in there...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.40_S%26W

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-495.html

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/165479-history-40-s-w.html

There is a big cult of 40sw fanboys, it's best to not get into an argument with them about the caliber.

The only time I thought about getting a 40sw gun was during the BHO-AB962 panic buys when all the 45 auto and 9mm were completely sold out and the Walmart shelves were overflown with .40 ammo. But ultimately a combination of reason pursuaded me to not do so.(again I won't mention the specifics as last time I tried to reason with the .40 fan club members all kinds of questionable numbers were thrown around and the thread got completely sidetracked.

[jeep7081]

don't mean to set off a caliber war here... (or maybe i do!)... but i just don't get the .40 cal round.

i've got 9's and .45 acp's. in what scenario would i need something in between?

the nine's give me relatively low cost shooting (25 cent factory loads at walmart), good stopping power (with hd loads), and mild recoil (so suitable for my wife and other less passionate shooters).

the 45's are... well... bad ***. great stopping power, about the same cost to shoot as .40 factory ball rounds (35 vs 31 cents at walmart), and less snappy at the muzzle than a .40.

i don't get it. please educate me.

[taibo]

I myself believe it's marketing - 10mm was pushed for awhile too -

agree. but a number of law enforcement agencies have standardized on .40, so there must be some rationale for this. cost per round is not the issue, so why not go with .45 if its stopping power. also more controllable recoil.

[451040]

Mo powah in the same (9 mm) sized package.

why not go with .45

Too large a frame for womenz and men with womenz sized hands.

[yoitsbruce]

i really see negatives in any calibur or firearm. .22lr is just as dangerous 00 buck, when it counts. up close and personal

[Saigon1965]

S&W was pushing the agenda - And am sure it's budgeted in -

A good friend was training officer for Hayward PD - They transition from revolvers to semi-auto and each officer got exactly 4 hours of training -

He fought with the Chief but to no avail -

How do you train for a completely new platform on 4 hours -

agree. but a number of law enforcement agencies have standardized on .40, so there must be some rationale for this. cost per round is not the issue, so why not go with .45 if its stopping power. also more controllable recoil.

[CalNRA]

Mo powah in the same (9 mm) sized package.



Too large a frame for womenz and men with womenz sized hands.

Ah yes, the massive Glock 21 grip that is designed specifically to discriminate against people with small hands...

[elSquid]

i don't get it. please educate me.

The 40S&W excels in the scenario where the antigun bias of a newly elected President causes a year-long run on firearms and ammunition, and results in 40S&W being the only ammo that anyone can find at Walmart...because most folks have a 9 and/or 45, but haven't bothered with a 40S&W.



-- Michael

[Saigon1965]

So true -

The 40S&W excels in the scenario where the antigun bias of a newly elected President causes a year-long run on firearms and ammunition, and results in 40S&W being the only ammo that anyone can find at Walmart...because most folks have a 9 and/or 45, but haven't bothered with a 40S&W.



-- Michael

[ceasefire15]

A .40 cal is a happy medium for those who think 9mm has less power, recoil, and velocity and for those who feels that .45 cal is too much to handle. It all depends on what the shooter desires and their purpose. After its all said and done, its what you like best.

[taibo]

Mo powah in the same (9 mm) sized package.

this is the first rational justification, i've heard so far. i sort of buy the firepower argument... smaller physical round than 45 means more rounds per magazine with comparable punch per round.

but the recoil argument rings hollow to me. 45 recoil is easier to handle than .40. and what does that have to do with physical stature?