.40S&W or .45ACP

[courage1]

alright i am thinking about getting another handgun. i havent shot either caliber but i've heard good thing's about both .40S&W and .45ACP what would you recommend for target/self defence. and springfield XD. Glock. M&P advantages/disadvantages of them? thanks .

[jeffrice6]

Shoot both before purchase! That said .45

[Oceanbob]

Welcome to Cal Guns..! Lots of good people here.


You say you have never shot either caliber..?...Then I would recommend you visit a gun range and shoot both calibers and the platforms you have listed.

No use spending money on a handgun without knowing.

I have both calibers in various platforms. I shoot GLOCK in .45, the Glock 21SF is my choice for target, plinking and home defense. It is a full size weapon that is a pleasure to shoot.

If I feel like shooting .40, I run two Glocks. A Glock 22 (which is the same frame as a Glock 17 in 9MM)...a popular model for Police Departments...and I run a Glock 35, which is a competition platform for gun games. Both are fun to shoot and are excellent for self defense (night stand guns)

Realize that eventually you will have both in your collection. That's the rule...


Good luck

[Paperchasin]

I'd go with .45ACP, if you can afford to shoot it over the long run...

[davbog44]

There will be peace in the Middle East before the caliber wars are settled. Having pistols in .45ACP, .40S&W, 357SIG, 9MM and even .380, I try to remain neutral on the issue, like Switzerland. Either that or I'm just a caliber whore who never met a gun (or ammo) he didn't like.

In all seriousness, with regard to the pistols you mention, they are all pretty much equal in terms of quality, accuracy and reliability, so pick the one that feels right to you.

I carry both a .45 caliber SIG P220 and an HK P2000 SK in .40S&W. I never feel poorly armed with the little HK.

I think you may want to spend some time trying both calibers to see how they feel and seem to you. There are those who claim that .40 (in a lighter, polymer frame pistol)is a little too snappy for them, but I've never personally found that to be the case.

It's all good, IMO, and okay between these choices to let a little of your own subjective preferences in on the decision.

[sd_shooter]

In before all the .40 haters chime in and call it 'snappy'....

For target? 40 because it's cheaper, easier to find.

For SD? Either, both just as good if you can hit, both just as bad if you don't.

[Gothboy]

I'm a long time runner of the good ol 1911 .45 platform. Love it to death too. I recently rented a m&p .40 (100 rounds or so) like the OP is talking about and found that it did have just a bit more snap, (obviously it would being polymer compared to a steel 1911) but not anything even remotely scary. I then rented a xd .45. I found that it had even more snap than either pistol, as it would being polymer too. All are good platforms, and I would reccommend them both for range or home defense. The .45 IS a little pricier to shoot, but thats ok by me, as I have chosen to accept that.

Bottom line, like others have said, go to the range and rent various platforms in either caliber and shoot til your hand hurts. Only then will you have an idea of what you prefer.

As for me, Im sticking with my 1911 in .45 and getting a m&p in .40. -GothY-

[Bunsen]

I will leave the caliber war alone. Since most people are not commenting on the type of gun. It is better to try out the guns as well. I personally like the Springfield XD the most out of all the guns out mentioned. Glock is a great gun but the back strap angle on them is a little steep for my pleasure and I never could get used to the trigger on the M&P even with upgrades. Picking the caliber is important but so is the same due diligence for the gun.

[MA2]

Advantage .40sw, conversion to 9mm is pretty simple/easy. Cheaper ammo (non re-loaders).

+1 on the .45acp@1911 and the .40sw@polymer is a good combo

[theneko]

I am staying out of this one!






(P.S. .45 ACP of course! )

[skosh69]

I am staying out of this one!






(P.S. .45 ACP of course! )

I'll follow your lead...hehehehe

[rogervzv]

I have 3 1911 45s which are my favorite handguns ever. So it is hard not to recommend .45 cal.

On the other hand, just got a Ruger SR40c. Shooting S&W .40 I was shocked at how well the gun handled and how accurate the pistol was.

Based solely on my experience either caliber is fine. Try out different pistols and make your choice based on that. Many ranges will allow you to rent different pistols so that you can make your choice based on better information than internet chatter like this.

[Rorge Retson]

There will be peace in the Middle East before the caliber wars are settled. Having pistols in .45ACP, .40S&W, 357SIG...

A little OT....getting my XD-40 back this week with a .357 Sig barrel....where do you get your ammo??

[davbog44]

A little OT....getting my XD-40 back this week with a .357 Sig barrel....where do you get your ammo??

A couple of years ago, Ammo2go had a bunch of 357SIG that failed some batch test by being -10 fps under rating. It was really cheap, so I bought a few thousand rounds.

Other than that, I just watch my two or three ammo sights on line and when I find anything resembling a deal, I pounce. I also have .40S&W barrels for a few of my 357SIG pistols, so sometimes shoot them like that at the range.

[Evil Quint]

I have several guns in both 40 and 45. I have no problem recommending either one. I never have a problem finding ammo for either but 40 is a little cheaper. People will argue ballistics all day long but both can "dead" somebody in one shot if you hit them. Most manufacturers have models in both calibers. For the most part the recoil difference between my Glock in 40 & 45 isn't a big deal. The 40 is less and some say more snappy but to me its hardly a noticeable difference.

I love Glocks, 1911s, Sigs, XDs,.. Guns. As mentioned by another calgunner, accept that your going to end up with both. The question is not which one to get, its which one to get first.