What do you think of the .40S&W?

Ed,

I am one who likes the .40 S&W. I collect .40S&W guns (among other things)
My favorite carry piece is a Sig P239/40 that has been tweaked by Mike LaRocca. That gun just naturally feels like an extention of my hand and for me it points naturally. I like the fact you can get a gun the size of a 9 MiniMum and shoot a larger bullets.

One of the neater .40's I have shot was CP's AR15 with a .40S&W upper. I have not gotten one for myself yet, but it is on my wish list for things I would like to get one day.

Mike

Thanks Mike

I guess that's one for...

I meant to have another couple of options but I guess I screwed that up and I don't seem to be able to edit it but really it's the messges like yours that are more important.

Ed

Ed,

I would add that with the proper ammo and training/practice it is an excellent round for defensive purposes. I load my P239/40 with Triton Quik-Shoks.

Mike

Mike, Do you have any experience with either the High Power or a CZ in .40?

Ed

Ed ---

Right now there are some real good deals floating around on the CZ P40 pistol. I just got 3 of em in today and have already sold 2 of them. The two I sold went for $325.00+tax and that was still lower than what the normal dealer pricing was.

I have the Browning Hi-Power in .40, but have not fired it enough to form an opinion on it. I have never been a real fan of the Hi-Power, but there are plenty of people who love em.

Mike

I like the .40, especially with the 155 and 165 grain bullet loadings. It should do what you need it to if (as they say in the Gunzine game) you do your part.

That said, I've come to believe that there's not too much of a significant difference in the terminal performance of the better loads in the more popular calibers, like 9x19mm, .357 Magnum, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP, at least as far as two-legged varmints are concerned. Mike Orick can trot out test results from these calibers (and even .38 Special and 357 SIG) that show that the bullet designers have done such a good job at getting bullets to do what they want them to, that the name on the headstamp and diameter of the bullet are mere formalities.

Downsides to .40 are that it tends to have sharper recoil compared to 9mm in the same sized guns, and ammo is more expensive than 9mm. Of course, it has its upsides too, which I probably don't need to recap here.

I don't imagine it is a secret that I am a strong supporter of the .40 and it does this old heart lots of good to smear stuff on the noses of those who dubbed it the "40 short & weak."

I also think Rob's point about better bullets is quite true although I still like diameter as a criteria because bigger holes let more stuff run out.

The fact that all the major Federal law enforcement agencies have gone to it doesn't leave much room for argument.

I think ammo selection can resolve many of the recoil issues and I am strongly opposed to the 135 or 155 hotrod loads. Actually The FBI's 165 gr. Hydra-shok at around 950 worked great in the ammo test and was a real pussycat to shoot.

Charlie Petty said:

Actually The FBI's 165 gr. Hydra-shok at around 950 worked great in the ammo test and was a real pussycat to shoot.

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I bought a Glock 23 in 1995 or 1996 and was disappointed in its accuracy with 155 and 180 grain bullets. After reading about the 165 gr Hydra-shok, I bought a box from a law enforcement dealer and found it to be noticeably more accurate.

I've since shot 165 gr. loads in Rem. GS and Speer GD, finding them to be about as accurate, though with more recoil.

I think the 165 gives a nice balance between weight and case capacity, but the velocity lovers have won and lost the advantage IMO. Federal still lists the 165 HS at 980 but everyone else has gone to ~1150 and done not much except increase recoil. At one time Speer had a Gold Dot load that matched the FBI but it didn't sell so they speeded it up.

My Glock 23 is a 1996 vintage and I use either 155 grain SilverTips or 165 grain Golden Sabers. Both are what CP calls hotroded at 1100 plus fps. I think I'd better check for some 165 grain HydraShoks and see if they are noticably less recoil...

Oh, and CSI Miami "starred" the Glock .45 aka 45 GAP in one to the two story lines tonight.

You'll be amazed, but expansion and penetration is about the same.

I'm still comfortable with the full power 165 grain Rem GS and Gold Dot (loaded by Speer or Pro Load) in guns of the G-23 size and larger. But not too long ago I switched to the 165 Fed HS for subcompacts (e.g. Glock 27) as I found the recoil of the heavier loads to be a bit more than I wanted. From what I've read, the HS seems to perform quite well in test media.

.40 s&w

i really like the .40 s&w. it is by no means a compromise round between the 9MM and the .45 ACP. it is almost perfect balance of bullet speed (good expansion), easily managable felt recoil (easy to shoot), and bulletweight (good penetration). this can all be stuffed into a handgun that doesn't feel like you are gripping the wrong end of a baseball bat. you can also stuff a whole bunch of rounds in a preban magazine and even a clinton 10 rounder can solve most serious social encounters. there are excellent factory loads available that are just as destructive as getting struck by lightning. you don't have to holler 'gotcha!!'

i usually tote a glock mod. 27. i use a magazine modified with a pierce +1 extention that gives you both an extra round and a place for my pinky finger. it's plenty accurate. i use a full capacity glock mod. 22 magazine, a 15 rounder for spare ammo.

Thatnks everyone for your replies...

I have to admit, this was a real eye-opener.

Everyone is in agreement that the .40 is an excellent round. Honestly this is not what I was expecting. If I don't watch myself I just may learn something yet... :wink:

Ed

Ah, Brasshopper

You will be surprised what you will learn if you sit back and listen. When I first started on the original Prodigy Shooting Sports BB many many moons ago (Pre Dean and Pre Charlie Petty) I was a gun owner in my mid 20's but I will admit I did not know much about guns, ammo, tactical thinking etc... -- While I have not agreed with everything and there have been some personal differences, I have learned alot.

Mike

Of all the rounds I've shot so far, the .40 is my hands-down fave. It's why I decided on the gun I'm getting...prolly won't be until October now tho...since I'm getting married!!!

Dave

Dear SubSonicSquid,

GET THE GUN BEFORE GETTING MARRIED!

Small piece of unsolicited advice from a fellow AmBacker!

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We already talked about it...she wants one of her own!!! I think I got a good one!!

SubSonicSquid, Get it in writing!