.40 S&W falling out of favor?
- Thread starter nsgallup
- Start date
I have read that a number of police forces in the U.S. are moving back to 9mm's.
There have been advances with powder and projectiles that have brought the performance
of the 9 mm up enough that the extra recoil of the ,40 S&W is not worth it any more.
There have been advances with powder and projectiles that have brought the performance
of the 9 mm up enough that the extra recoil of the ,40 S&W is not worth it any more.
They seemed like a good idea at the time, put when they fell out of favor with the police agencies, they seemed to have lost their civi following.
At least they have with me. It's main attraction was all the free once fired brass that was available.
At least they have with me. It's main attraction was all the free once fired brass that was available.
i see lots of 40s&w on the ipsc circuit. most guys shooting major are shooting 40s&w.
maybe some mfgs are cutting down some 40 lines, but most still have some. of the top of my head i can thing of cz, tanfoglio, glock and s&w that produce .40 pistols
maybe some mfgs are cutting down some 40 lines, but most still have some. of the top of my head i can thing of cz, tanfoglio, glock and s&w that produce .40 pistols
Sorry but I have a very low opinion of the 40. It is a 9 that wants to be a 45 and fails at both.
I have yet to fire it in a gun the didn't buck and jump around worse than any 45 I have shot.
You want to shoot majors, get a 45 and reload.
You want cheap commercial ammo get a 9.
I have yet to fire it in a gun the didn't buck and jump around worse than any 45 I have shot.
You want to shoot majors, get a 45 and reload.
You want cheap commercial ammo get a 9.
I recently shot a CZ85 in 40s&w. practically no difference shooting my shadow in 9.
i agree that 40 is super snappy in a polymer gun. but in a good all steel frame, its nowhere near a 45.
my first experience shooting 40 was with a glock. needless to say, it turned me off the caliber and i became one it's biggest critics. fast forward a few years and i buy a para 1911 in 40 all steel. it was a laser. amazing accuracy and very manageable recoil. i sold the gun because the double stack grip was way too big for my hands. but it definitely changed my opinion on the 40.
shooting the cz85 recently reconfirmed the notion that the problem is not the caliber. it's the pistol used to shoot it
rifleman762
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
Based on the scrap brass at my range 9mm is about 10x more popular than 40. I sometimes see 45 ACP in the bucket and I can't remember seeing any 10mm. Of course, this is just the brass that the shooter is not collecting for reloading. I was surprised to see a pile of 45 Colt on my last trip.
Glock 22 Gen 4 in 40 SW has very well controlled recoil, not exceedingly harsh at all. Definitely quicker to get back on target than any 45acp in 1911 that I've shot.
Had an original CZ Tactical Sport that shot great, but the grip was just too big, so it didn't fit me.
Just ordered a new CZ Tactical Sport Orange in 40 SW with a much more streamlined grip and also have the option of just adding a 9mm barrel and magazines and be able to shoot 9mm out of it, too. Can't do that with a 9mm CZ TSO.
Had an original CZ Tactical Sport that shot great, but the grip was just too big, so it didn't fit me.
Just ordered a new CZ Tactical Sport Orange in 40 SW with a much more streamlined grip and also have the option of just adding a 9mm barrel and magazines and be able to shoot 9mm out of it, too. Can't do that with a 9mm CZ TSO.
.30/06 FTW
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Thunder Bay, Ontario
Pretty much all of that is reloaded and tuned to the gun, handloads in an IPSC Standard gun is very different recoil impulse than factory in a Glock or M&P.
That’s what happens when you get government out and let the free market take over.
That does look like a good deal.. unfortunately I am already overspent on my gun budget for the forseable future haha.
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One of the biggest factors in the move back to 9mm from 40S&W is the advent of 147 gr. 9mm projectiles. When standard 9mm loads were 115 & 124 gr. bullets there was a significant ballistic difference between them and the standard 180 gr. 40 S&W load. With 147 gr. bullets that difference is minimized and for law enforcement the 9mm offers the advantage of higher mag capacities (typically 17 rounds of 9mm vs. 15 rounds of 40S&W). I also agree that 40 in polymer guns is a snappier round to shoot than 9mm and this becomes more of an issue with so many more females in LE these days. Light gun + snappy round + less hand strength = less controllability.
Yes, and like the 9, there are heavier bullets available for .40 as well. I love my 9 mm, but I love my .40 as well. Moot point, as I'm not a cop, just a sport shooter. The 40 is harder to hang on to, and it is making me a better 9 shooter. I'm also very happy with the .40!
hatman1793
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
10mm has seen a "slight" resurgence, and many more manufacturers are chambering it in thir guns. But the factory 10mm of the past pushed those 180's & 200's into the 1300+ fps region. Factory 10mm are alot tamer today mostly beating 40S&W by 50-150 fps only.
Frankly, 10mm is over-rated and mostly a hobby caliber that most avoid. Most competitors employ 40 or 9mm.
Where 40S&W comes into its own is when 155-165 grain bullets are used. Sure, the same can be said for 10mm but who gives a #### if you leave your 40 brass behind. Not so with 10mm. And hot rodding the 10mm & a steady diet of hot 180's or 200's will punish your frame.
Light target loads in your 40S&W platform? Yes! Light 10mm loads in your platform? A total waste since 40S&W will do it cheaper in every application.
Frankly, 10mm is over-rated and mostly a hobby caliber that most avoid. Most competitors employ 40 or 9mm.
Where 40S&W comes into its own is when 155-165 grain bullets are used. Sure, the same can be said for 10mm but who gives a #### if you leave your 40 brass behind. Not so with 10mm. And hot rodding the 10mm & a steady diet of hot 180's or 200's will punish your frame.
Light target loads in your 40S&W platform? Yes! Light 10mm loads in your platform? A total waste since 40S&W will do it cheaper in every application.
easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
Absolutely love .40 cal. Accurate enough in my FNS40Ls and Ruger P91. (3 inch and 1.5 inch 5-shot groups respectively at 15 meters). Yes the felt recoil is definitely heftier than any 9mm load.
But the .40 is a serious major power caliber, notwithstanding what the LEOs think of the 9mm. They have their needs, I got mine.
I however, do thank the LEOs for helping in making the .40 popular, even for a relatively short time.
I still pick up .40 brass whenever and wherever. I intend to stock up 6-10,000 pcs of .40 brass before tapering off.
For even higher power factor, load 7.50 grains Long Shot under 180 grain plated or lead TC bullets. 1,100+ fps. 200 P.F.
Just like the .45 acp, the .40 will always have a place in my safe and heart.
But the .40 is a serious major power caliber, notwithstanding what the LEOs think of the 9mm. They have their needs, I got mine.
I however, do thank the LEOs for helping in making the .40 popular, even for a relatively short time.
I still pick up .40 brass whenever and wherever. I intend to stock up 6-10,000 pcs of .40 brass before tapering off.
For even higher power factor, load 7.50 grains Long Shot under 180 grain plated or lead TC bullets. 1,100+ fps. 200 P.F.
Just like the .45 acp, the .40 will always have a place in my safe and heart.
