Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Is the 40 SW dead?

With the right load, it seems, even 9mm loads can handle a griz. [/quote]

So can an empty can of beer.





Dave

There was a decent looking (honest minor holster wear) M&P 40 in the case at the LGS today. Came with one mag and "a box and a half" of ammo, suggesting it was a consignment gun. Price on the tag was $265, which seemed pretty low to me, but whether that's primarily a reflection on the demand for 40s, or something else, remains to be seen. I haven't seen a reasonably new semi-auto that low recently but maybe I'm not paying enough attention.

It's interesting to note that much of the .40 S&W FMJ is a flat point design. Most 9mm and .45 ACP FMJ is round nose. I suppose the round nose is to accommodate older handguns that might be picky about feeding. I would think the flat point .40 FMJ would transmit more shock and penetrate straighter than the 9/.45 round noses.

If im not mistaken, the flat point was so the round would fit 9mm length magazine.

Simply put, the 40 is the jack of all trades, master of none. If one wants more capacity, lighter recoil or a very compact pistol, one chooses the 9mm. If one wants a big bore, one chooses the 45 acp. To me the 40 doesn't have the strengths of both the 9 and the 45, it has the weaknesses of both.

If you have 20 minutes this is a pretty interesting video. https://youtu.be/LTTDgZZZFa0

I've got handguns in most of the popular chamberings, 22 rimfire, 9mm, 357 Mag, 357 Sig, 40SW, 44Mag, 45ACP, 45 Colt.

The 40 is pretty much in the middle ground.

I could get by pretty easily with a 22rf, and a 40SW.

The 180gr at 1000 fps is no slouch, and I like the ability to stuff 15+1 into a G22 size pistol.

Your right, that is simply put.

But true.

That would be correct from what I have read from several sources.


The flat point does do better with a hole in it.

Actually, the flat point does better (more damage) that round nose period. RN was used for feeding in the early days of semi-autos. Flat Point or JHP are better at pretty much everything.

Mark in GA

So “Is the 40 SW dead?” Ordinally rank the sales of the top 3 auto handgun cartridges. Not sure of the order but I am thinking it’s the 9mm, 45acp, and 40. How far behind is the next highest in sales? If the 40 is dead what replaced it in sales? Nothing.

I thought the feds were the only ones buying up 40 ammo

380 is probably on the list somewhere

That same Cabela's Gun library manager said most traded for a 9mm or the .45 ACP. For various reasons. The snappy recoil of the .40 was the main thing they did not like in the .40 S&W. They did not shoot as well with the .40 S&W. Novices and experienced shooters alike.

Yeah, that's by far the most popular round for pants pocket guns. You have to wonder why they don't make enough of the stuff so as to be more competitive with 9mm in price. Maybe those who carry such guns tend not to do much shooting.

Is the .40 dead? no, its just less popular than it has ever been but it will not go extinct.

It still has the same advantages over other service pistol calibers that it had when it was introduced:

More energy delivered to the target in standard loads over the 9 or .45
Better intermediate barrier penetration than either (which is why it is still in favor with law enforcement).
Fits in 9mm platform sized pistols and magazines.
Much higher capacity than a .45 pistol of equal size.
Less cost to shoot than the .45.

At least he shot some meat. He also established what hunters have known for years. Bore diameter and bullet weight absolve many sins of bullet construction.

Seems to me that the small pistol for concealed carry has caused the biggest resurgence for the 9mm, and the going away from the 40. Also, for target shooting I think it's more fun to either shoot a full sized 9, or a nostalgic 1911 in .45, or even most revolvers, than it is to shoot the 40 s&w.

Now I'll agree with deflave that a .40 in a full size pistol would be a good choice for an outdoors/trail/utility open carry handgun that generally comes in a lighter package than a magnum revolver.
And with others who condone the virtues of the powerful.40 in a full size duty weapon.

I think that I could have a use for one as a truck gun or for home defense.

But I'd like to see that guy in the video simulate a scenario where he was shot in the left arm or was otherwise forced to shoot one handed from around the corner of some kind of protection from gunfire that he had afforded himself instead of assuming he'd be able to always take his stand-up-straight two-hand stance when someone might be firing an AR at him. And then see if the recoil with one hand made a difference between accuracy for the 9 and 40.
I realize that his arms are bigger than a ham, but still...
And that video was made with law enforcement in mind, not your average Joe who might have a concealed carry license and can't always hide a larger gun.

Nope.

Excellent point.

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