Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire police departments dropping .40 S&W?

Because they have dignity.

Most of the time I was on active duty with the Coast Guard we were using the Beretta 92. I got state certified and started working as a reserve officer with Harrison County MS. We were allowed to carry whatever we wanted to within certain parameters. I went with a 9mm 92 (in stainless because I worked with their marine division) Not because I thought the 92 was superior or the 9mm better, but because it made sense from a muscle memory/familiarity standpoint to keep things consistent. I still have that 92 as my primary "service sized" sidearm. I have found that my Ruger SR22 goes with me more than anything else as I am out and about.

We went from the 45 when I first entered the CG to the 9 and then just as I was getting out we went to the 40. I only went to one qualifying session with it. I have never been top gun at the range, but I did as well with it as I did the 9. I generally do better with milder recoiling handguns. I think most folks do. Given the same exact gun, one in 40, and one in 9 most people will put more rounds on target with the 9. That's what the FBI learned. Given that, the efficacy of modern 9 bullets and the increased capacity (it matters because 70-80% of shots officers fire miss the mark) the move back to the 9 is a good decision.

Someone mentioned women shooters earlier. Many really struggled with the Beretta. It's a really large gun, and people with smaller hands really struggled to control it. I can't quantify it either, but the muzzle flip on it seemed more pronounced than other similar weight 9s.

Ummm, NO.

SDSO carried S&W 66 .357's till 1991 when they transitioned to the Glock 22 .40 cal. That is still the ONLY handgun authorized to this day.

SDPD on the other hand allows for officers to choose from a few different pistols.

SDSO '79-'04

Yeah, but what do you know about that?

Ha that’s pretty much what I thought seems this has been going on for quite a while.

Trying to recall the name of the Texas Ranger who was asked, “ Why do you pack a.45”?
His answer:
“Because they don’t make a .46”.

Gonzales...he may have been Irish

I have a 45 Colt auto and a Browning HI-Power in 40 caliber.
The Browning came from a PD,years ago,never shot more than one box.
Like them both even if the Browning is only a 10 rounder.

Wife likes the HI-Power as well.
Sure don't want her shooting at me with it.

I suppose to some degree it's like a favorite rifle caliber that you've carried hunting and been successful with. Confidence is a big factor. I never had a lot of confidence in the 9 (my CG unit gave up our .45s in 1987 and got the 9mm) My off duty carry is a Sig 239 in 9mm. I was carrying that before the transition to the 40 and didn't switch largely because I couldn't justify the expense. We buy our own off duty guns. I've seen the 9mm come up short. I've carried and used the 40. It's earned my confidence. I'd carry my Sig 220 if I could but unfortunately that's not an option. I understand caliber is sometimes a personal choice. I'm not against the 9, it's just not my choice. Hell, I understand some guys even hunt with a .270!

why ? 40's rock..........

.40's are fine but in a light gun like a Glock they are fairly snappy. I think 9mm's are a bit easier to shoot accurately and the same size gun will hold more rounds in 9mm.

After looking at data from different sources over the years my conclusion is that there is not a large difference in effectiveness. The only caveat is that it's probably more important to use the best ammo in 9mm in order for effectiveness to be similar. I've been using Federal HST 147 grain and 124 grain +P in shorter barreled guns. There are several other good choices.

I think that a lot of people and Police Departments have concluded that there is not a lot of difference in effectiveness between .40 and 9mm assuming good loads are used.

Truer words...

How "liberal" of you.

The 9 holds more rounds because it needs more rounds!

Must be rough to be trapped in the 80's.

LOL.

Have these admin types taken college physics?