The 40 cal S&W

[Ishmael]

For those that might be interested, or not.

I've spent the last month ringing out the 40 cal. S&W cartridge. So here's my findings, some subjective, some objective.

First of all in the interests of full disclosure, I'm a 45 ACP shooter, always have been, probably always will be. But the .45 is a handful, not many can shoot it with any accuracy. But it's more than lethal for defense purposes.

The pistol I've been testing with is a S&W MP40. Polymer frame, fairly compact, it would be suitable for concealed carry with some thought a forehand.

I like the cartridge, a lot. It's now my second favorite. Starting at the 7yd line and progressively moving back to the 20 yd. line there was no significant drop in point of impact. Where you aimed is where it hit, close enough anyway. As far as stopping power is concerned various tests from 7 yd.s back to 15 yd.s on inanimate objects showed that it was almost the equal of the .45 and actually compared to a .41 Mag. that we played with one day.

As far as recoil is concerned, well, being a .45 shooter it was significantly lighter, but still authoritative. On the other hand one of my students is a young college girl of slight build and she can consistently keep all the rounds inside the 9 ring at close to 'rapid fire.' (Rapid fire is defined as one round every 2 seconds. Yeah, you can shoot faster than that, but it is only the select few that can actually hit anything.)

All in all I found it to be a perfectly acceptable self-defense cartridge for man and woman alike. I would recommend that anyone considering a self-defense pistol, or anyone thinking of moving up to a more powerful cartridge give it a test drive.

Ishmael

 

[Que]

For those that might be interested, or not.

I've spent the last month ringing out the 40 cal. S&W cartridge. So here's my findings, some subjective, some objective.

First of all in the interests of full disclosure, I'm a 45 ACP shooter, always have been, probably always will be. But the .45 is a handful, not many can shoot it with any accuracy. But it's more than lethal for defense purposes.

The pistol I've been testing with is a S&W MP40. Polymer frame, fairly compact, it would be suitable for concealed carry with some thought a forehand.

I like the cartridge, a lot. It's now my second favorite. Starting at the 7yd line and progressively moving back to the 20 yd. line there was no significant drop in point of impact. Where you aimed is where it hit, close enough anyway. As far as stopping power is concerned various tests from 7 yd.s back to 15 yd.s on inanimate objects showed that it was almost the equal of the .45 and actually compared to a .41 Mag. that we played with one day.

As far as recoil is concerned, well, being a .45 shooter it was significantly lighter, but still authoritative. On the other hand one of my students is a young college girl of slight build and she can consistently keep all the rounds inside the 9 ring at close to 'rapid fire.' (Rapid fire is defined as one round every 2 seconds. Yeah, you can shoot faster than that, but it is only the select few that can actually hit anything.)

All in all I found it to be a perfectly acceptable self-defense cartridge for man and woman alike. I would recommend that anyone considering a self-defense pistol, or anyone thinking of moving up to a more powerful cartridge give it a test drive.

Ishmael

I have small hands so back when I was more likely then now to find myself in areas where being armed is reassuring, I considered a Sig P229 in .40. I didn't know what side arm my brother carries so I recently asked him, I figured his department would insist on .40 or less powerful even. His department issues Glocks and he got his in .45. The .40 is also an acceptable choice for them.

The guys I shoot with shoot .9mm and .40, mostly. The ex-military ones usually have a .45 too. I didn't find the .40 much different to handle than the .9mm. Because I am a novice, I mostly plink with a friend's Walther P22 in .22 minimag.

 

[alphaduc]

My daily carry weapon is a HK P7 PSP and I have a Dakota Tactical D54 to go with it. This next year, I'd like to add a USP .40 Tactical and a MP5/40SD clone.

 

[ms_ann_thrope]

Hollow points of course.

 

[I_jerk_off_alot]

I'm not a fan of the .40 even though I've never fired one and here is why.

I have .22's, .380's and .45's. I looked at the .40 and read reports about the reason the US Army is transitioning away from .40's is because the .40's they had were based on 9mm frames, not .45 and those weaponswere wearing out faster than normal with extended use.

I realize that not all .40's are like that but it just made me think that i should stick with what I know and like and can use well. Plus since I like to go to the range more than most people, I'd rather not put even more stress on my investments.