Can someone explain 40 S&W to me?

Because if you "build it they will come".

We don't need many of the calibers that are out there whether it be restricted or non-restricted. Could ask the same question about the 6.5 Creed or 26 Nosler - why? There is calibers that bracket either side nicely.

But come out with something new or different and a "viable number" will just have to have it, even if they really have no need or it doesn't improve somehow on what they have.

Don't think it's more complicated than that....
 
After I learned to fire .40 well, all other calibers were easy.

But I still only fire .40.

In AB, .40 reigns supreme in Law Enforcement.

EPS, CPS, MHPS, Conservation, Sheriffs, F&WL - Glock 22

LRPS. TPS - Sigs in .40
 
rkm456 said:
Why did you opt for it over a .45 or a 9mm?
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Didn't really opt for it....shoot all three.... .45 even loading adds to the cost..still shoot lots of nine ...but as 'still alive' said...(and thanks for that) ..I still recon if you can shoot .40 really well ...9 and .45 are a breeze....jmho :)
 
Why .40? It all depends on why you shoot. As was mentioned, first came the 10mm as a 9mm/45acp replacement for duty and carry, however, it was a tad too powerful, so along came a shortened version which was the .40 S&W. In IPSC and USPSA, the .40 S&W became popular as you can easily make major in a Limited/Standard gun (or 'stock' they used to call it) with less recoil than a .45 shooting the same power factor. It also allowed the shooter to carry more rounds for competition. In the early 90's, the .40 S&W was sought after as the ultimate carry caliber (in the USA), as it was more powerful than a 9mm, with a high magazine capacity outbeating the .45acp. 9mm was never dismissed as a carry choice, as soon thereafter hollowpoint ammo (Black Talon's, etc.) was designed to make the 9mm competitive as a carry pistol. Here in Canada, if you shoot standard class in IPSC, the .40 S&W is the caliber of choice. If you just target shoot on the range, then definitely a 9mm is a much more cost effective alternative.
 
In a carbine I'd be interested in the 40 SW. Be great for coyote and wolf in the timbers. I know the 9 will do the basically the same but the 40 SW throws a heavier bullet
 
.40 cal has excellent terminal performance, is flatter shooter than .45ACP, and will reach further.

Ammo is not overly expensive, and there are many handguns available in this caliber, polymer and steel.

What's not to like?
 
lanis said:
.40 cal has excellent terminal performance, is flatter shooter than .45ACP, and will reach further.

Ammo is not overly expensive, and there are many handguns available in this caliber, polymer and steel.

What's not to like?
Click to expand...

Succinctly put.....
 
The 40 is somewhat of a compromise between the 9 and 45. It was developed in the US in the late 80's with Law Enforcement in mind, and designed to mimic the reduced power loads the FBI elected to use in their 10mm pistols. Back then, 45 was viewed as the champion in "stopping power" but lacking the high capacity of the 9mm; 9 on the other hand had the capacity, but was viewed as being weak. The 40 bridged the gap by offering 45-like "stopping power" in a 9mm-sized gun with most of the capacity of the 9's. It was supposed to be the answer to everyone's search for the "perfect" duty round, and was widely adopted by L.E. agencies.

In the ensuing 25 years, 9mm bullet performance (or the perception of it) has improved, and L.E.O.'s focus has turned to maximizing capacity, which means that 9mm is today's calibre of choice. So while it was the answer to the question everyone was asking in 1990, it is now kind of the answer to the question that no one is asking.

Of course, as has been pointed out, in Canada for recreational shooters capacity is a non-issue.

I have a 40 and enjoy it. If you compared the 3 calibres in identical guns (i.e. all 3 in a 1911 platform), you'd likely find the 40 would split the difference between the recoil characteristics of the 9 and 45.
 
I've had many different calibers over the years and shot many others. At one points I tried to to cover 'main' calibers, but the practical side of me won over and I went all 9mm (for center fire handguns), recoil is not an issue for me, but I dont see more recoil as bonus in some way.

If .40 was cheaper I'd probably shoot more .40, same with .45 but its not.
 
.40S&W was specifically designed to give American gun magazines, and Internet forums, something to talk about from now until the end of time... it really has worked so far. :)

Seriously though, of course 9mm makes more sense for Canadian paper-punching (unless you are in a competitive event that excludes it). It is the most popular pistol cartridge of all time, by far, and cheap FMJ 9mm is the cheapest "real" pistol cartridge (with apologies to .22LR and surplus 7.62x25).

I've heard many times that most gun shops sell ten 9mm semi-auto pistols for every pistol or revolver of any other calibre.... combined. I'm been on a first name basis with the owners of most of the gun shops in my region for years, and I have brought this up a few times. They all say... at least. It is probably more than that.

However, you stay in this long enough and... you start wanting to try different things. You try .40 or .45, eventually you try both. They you pick up a Tokarev for laughs, and on it goes. In the last few years I starting getting into .380ACP, 9mmMAK, .32ACP... it's all fun. Usually when I go into a gun store and ask about 9mmMAK, or whatever, the kid behind the counter questions me on whether there are even any guns chambered in that in Canada... about which time the owner comes along and picks a up a box off the shelf and hands it to me. My Dad did the same thing in his fishing a boating store when I was a kid. Nuthin' ever changes much. Good help is hard to find. 25 year-olds are always pretty much convinced that they're own experience is the sum of all experience.
 
Well one good thing about the 40 is that if you shoot ipsc, you can shoot major or minor with the same gun in standard or classic division. I'd consider a 1911 in 40 so I have that option if I was starting over. On the other hand, I'm the only one shooting 45 at the matches I've been to, so I don't have to worry about someone else scooping my brass.
Kristian
 
It has a 4 at the beginning of the caliber! No other reason needed! Ha, just kidding, as Canadians, 9mm is cheap, .45 is fun as is .40, I have them all and shoot them all, love the Walther ppx, and my 1911's, the fn .40 needs trigger work but besides that seems to be accurate. Limited to 10 rounds sucks but I just ordered a couple 10 round .45 mags and a 15 rounder too,, just for kicks,,, yea it will be limited to 10 for now, till the Lieberals increase out mag limit!!;) if I was LE or in the US for self defence, the .45 would be my choice with the biggest mag possible! I find my 1911 has about the Sam kick as the plastic 9mm but if I had to stop a crazy coming at me, the .45 makes a big hole and creates shock which I think would help stop someone on pcp or other drugs that affect the nervous system! I understand there are different views on this and many new projectiles for all these guns which make a huge difference in performance,,, so I will take the .45 with the new projectile and an extra mag or two in my pocket!
 
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