View Full Version : .40 SW... losing interest?
Daily I see at least 10 new ads for any of the guns we're all scrambling for (Glock, HK, Springfield etc) in .40, while the 9's are spoken for seconds after posting. I know my personal reasons for preferring 9mm is cost (my sunny, sparkles n' bubblegum optimism says it'll approach affordable again someday), capacity, andmore widely available (again... optimism). Are those the same reasons everybody else is dumping/passing up .40's, or am I missing something?
its a snappy round and tough to shoot fast.....it sounds awesome on paper then you shoot it and go meh ill throw it on armslist....or at least thats why i sold mine
its a snappy round and tough to shoot fast.....it sounds awesome on paper then you shoot it and go meh ill throw it on armslist....or at least thats why i sold mineyeah that about sums it up .all the worst aspects of the 9mm and 45acp combined
I'll be happy to take any .40s that you want to donate.
.40 works for me, but it isn't one of the guns I grab to have fun shooting. I'd much rather shoot my .45s.
battle_sight_zero
02-12-2013, 08:17
I love 40SW, but I also love 9mm , 45acp and 10mmih. For carry I won't usally go lower than 40SW which of course is a personal comfort preference. I do shoot all the calibers just fine. I also shoot 38, 357 and 44 as well. Either way I like 40 SW none of mine will be up for trade.
Special Ed
02-12-2013, 08:17
+1
I love my .40. It shoots as well as my 9mm and is no more difficult to handle.
UncleDave
02-12-2013, 08:19
It is a snappy round, but I have not had any issues controlling it. I am down to just 1 .40, but I'll keep at least I around for available ammo. Mine shoots .40, .357 Sig, and 9 mm with nothing but barrel changes and a mag change for 9.
trlcavscout
02-12-2013, 08:44
Me and my wife shot a 40 cal Glock 22 for competition for 2 years. I like the 40, some people just dont like it. To me its no different then shooting a 45 or 357 sig.
sneakerd
02-12-2013, 08:49
There are few reasons that the 40s are the last things to go. All already posted above.
BuffCyclist
02-12-2013, 09:53
Personally, I love .40S&W and will NEVER sell my Glock 23. I can honestly shoot it more accurately than 9mm or .45ACP, using the Lone Wolf 40-9mm conversion barrel that I go to shoot my Glock 23 and not spend as much money. Granted, I don't really shoot it that much, but my Fiancee shoots it a lot and loves 9mm.
The .45ACP that I've shot has been RIA 1911s, which felt great, the recoil and balance was just too different for me to get used to. However, I did shoot my CCW instructors Springfield XDMs, in the 5" tactical version (if that version exists, I know it had a longer barrel) and boy oh boy, that trigger and controllability of the pistol nearly made me run to the LGS and buy one right after my recertification class. It was pure sex and I blasted 25rds into a 1" hole in the target at about 10yds.
We totally just had this thread 1-2 months ago. ..
But yes, eff .40 imo.
We totally just had this thread 1-2 months ago. ..
Stick around on any forum long enough, regardless of what that forum pertains to, and you'll see the same topic come up again. And again.
Zundfolge
02-12-2013, 10:42
Yeah, .40S&W is becoming so unpopular that the Federal Government has bought more than a billion rounds of the stuff in recent months.
TheWeeze
02-12-2013, 10:48
I've been eyeing a .40S&W pistol for a while now. Every time I'm in a store .40S&W is all the handgun ammo they have left on the shelf.
Yeah, .40S&W is becoming so unpopular that the Federal Government has bought more than a billion rounds of the stuff in recent months.
They bought that with MY money, which is why I can't afford a .40 myself: money already spent on the gov'ts ammo! [Rant2]
Teufelhund
02-12-2013, 10:55
I like the .40 because there is such a wide variety of loads available, and the ballistics are convincing. It's fun at the range if you've mixed up a batch of whatever load your gun really likes. I can understand not liking it if you don't handload and have to shoot factory ammo all the time.
Busta Prima
02-12-2013, 10:59
We have a lot of first time gun buyers due to the current "situation" and 9mm is an awesome "entry level" cartridge. It's still one of my favorites. However, the .40 cal is awesome. It's a home run for finding the perfect compromise between the 9 and 45. It isn't going anywhere. It's becomming the new 9mm for the world's police force and it wouldn't surprise me a bit if the military adopted it soon as well.
liberty19
02-12-2013, 11:03
I own guns in both and feel I shoot them equally well but I lean towards the .40. But always a good debate.
SA Friday
02-12-2013, 11:04
40 is too snappy? It's too hard to shoot fast? You guy know it's probably THEE most popular caliber in action pistol sports, right?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbB4HACbrqI
I picked up a couple of .40 S&W Gen 3 semi autos a few months ago. They are all metal and a joy to shoot and carry. Good compromise between my high cap 9MM's and my .45 ACP 1911's.
I will always keep my Glock 22- it was my first pistol. The reason I switched to my Sig in 9mm is for a suppressor- .40 is too fast to suppress without buying special expensive ammo. [Beer]
+1 for price on 9mm vs .40.
BushMasterBoy
02-12-2013, 11:11
.40 S&W is only good if you actually shoot it out of S&W firearm....you need Winchester ammo if you shoot a Winchester...[handbags]
kidicarus13
02-12-2013, 11:31
I picked up a couple of .40 S&W Gen 3 semi autos a few months ago. They are all metal and a joy to shoot and carry. Good compromise between my high cap 9MM's and my .45 ACP 1911's.
What is a Gen 3 semi-auto?
I prefer the ballistics of .40 vs 9 and would rather shoot .40 over 9 but my wallet likes 9 better.
Sounds like we got a bunch of old ladies in here that need to try some 'manged recoil' ammunition........[handbags]
I have 3 .40 pistols and couldn't be happier
40sw behaves very differently depending on the grain of bullet. I personally like 180gr. 165 or under is too snappy.
What is a Gen 3 semi-auto?
I prefer the ballistics of .40 vs 9 and would rather shoot .40 over 9 but my wallet likes 9 better.
These are .40 S&W Gen 3 S&W semis - Model 410, 4006 & 4046 STW.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v366/TennVol/Weapons/DSCN4253.jpg
UncleDave
02-12-2013, 14:14
If you ladies are complaining about 40, I'd hate to see you with a man's gun. 10mm or above.
[facepalm]
If you ladies are complaining about 40, I'd hate to see you with a man's gun. 10mm or above.
[facepalm]
I haven't seen much complaints about recoil... but if they are complaining about recoil then I invite them to stay the hell away from 12GA! [LOL]
I personally sold my XD 9mm and kept the same gun in 40.
sellersm
02-12-2013, 16:58
I'm happy to take anyone's .40 that's uncomfortable with it!
Only .40 I remember owning was a SA XD subcompact. I noticed the "snap", but didn't think it was unmanageable. (And I have a gimpy dominant-hand wrist from an old skating injury) I actually like the ballistics of the load - I just can't justify diversifying calibers right now. Until this gun-grabbing fuckery is done with one way or the other, I'm all about .308 and 9mm. With an obscene stash of 5.45 for SHTF scenarios. If these vultures ever get tired of grandstanding for free election PR on our constitutional rights, I may start picking up some other calibers just for giggles.
Always wanted a .454 Casull to hunt chipmunks with........... [UZI]
I have an XD40 and have no complaints. There's certainly a noticeable difference between my friend's G17 and my XD40 but that doesn't mean it's bad. Driving a 400 hp muscle car isn't the same as a 130 civic either...
DSB OUTDOORS
02-12-2013, 17:27
I love my 40's, shoots fine for my. You want snappy with a bark try the 357 Sig. It's a 40 S&W case necked down to a 9mm. Power, speed, accurate and uses the same mags as a 40 S&W. I love em all.
firecrackerktm
02-12-2013, 18:08
My 229 in .40 was my first gun, and my dad's glock 22 in .40 was the first full sized gun I learned to shoot. I had no idea there was so much hate for the .40 until the interwebs came around, lol.
The 229 is bulky to carry but awesome to shoot and the capacity is nice if I start doing IDPA more.
I'm turning into a 1911 convert but my old friend will never leave the collection.
I'm liking the fact that I can actually find ammo for it, too.
I love my 40's, shoots fine for my. You want snappy with a bark try the 357 Sig. It's a 40 S&W case necked down to a 9mm. Power, speed, accurate and uses the same mags as a 40 S&W. I love em all.
I hear ya - I had a Glock midsize in .357 SIG, and it kicked like a mother. Felt it more than my .44.
Goodburbon
02-12-2013, 18:47
No problems with .40 here either. I love all my children equally.
My wife, however, doesnt like the g19, or 1911, and instead takes her XD 40 sub compact to bed with her.
Busta Prima
02-12-2013, 20:11
To the folks that think .40 is too snappy . . . it's probably more the model pistol you have rather than the ammo you're shooting. I had a 2nd gen Glock 23 (after already having a 22 which I still love today) and hated it. It was snappy and uncomfortable to shoot no matter what ammo I used. I sold it. Sometime later, for some unknown reason, I ended up buying a 3rd gen model 23 and it was MUCH nicer and I still own that one. Between the two model 23s I owned an HK USP Compact 40 and that felt like a 9mm or less! That gun was designed from the ground up to shoot 40s and their design was great. The only reason I sold that was because I couldn't hit s#$% with it.
Hope that helps.
40 is too snappy? It's too hard to shoot fast? You guy know it's probably THEE most popular caliber in action pistol sports, right?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbB4HACbrqI
I second this. You guys sound like my neighbor, who makes fun of me for buying .308 because the one he shot back in Vietnam kicked to hard for him (so he switched to 7mm Mag).
USAFGopherMike
02-12-2013, 20:40
XD40 here. Love it.
Glock 22, 23 love here as well... but also love 9mm
I carry .357 SIG. I shoot it for qualifications and have done so for more than 10 years. I shoot .40 S&W for fun. It is easy to reload and only needs a barrel swap to shoot from the same guns.
I used to qualify with .357 mag, out of a 2.5" revolver, and .38 Spl +P+ out of a 4" revolver.
I'm not certain I've ever shot anything I would describe as snappy.
Personal choice I guess. Having choices is good.
Be safe.
relichunter
02-13-2013, 23:17
10 years ago everyone had to have a 40S&W. I think it is more about fashion and cost.
Mountain Man
02-23-2013, 23:08
40 cals aren't going anywhere amytime soon. Its a very popular caliber. Ammo is ahrder to find since the feds have been snatching it up in spades. For some reason there wasa run on G-19's and 17's way before the panic. I don't know why.
Zombie Steve
02-24-2013, 09:12
40 is too snappy? It's too hard to shoot fast? You guy know it's probably THEE most popular caliber in action pistol sports, right?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbB4HACbrqI
I'm guessing they're doing it to make major pf... I don't know anybody that shoots .40.
Heavy bullet and a quick powder would make it easier to shoot. 180 at about 920fps? Manageable.
I had a 8040 Cougar some years ago before I reloaded. I thought it was obnoxious given it's actual performance. I'm not shy about shooting .357 mag, .44 mags, hot .45 Colt loads, et cetera...
40 cals aren't going anywhere amytime soon. Its a very popular caliber. Ammo is ahrder to find since the feds have been snatching it up in spades. For some reason there wasa run on G-19's and 17's way before the panic. I don't know why.
This is the exact opposite of what I have found. You can walk into Cabelas or most other large retailers and find cases of 40 cal ammo and no 9mm. I continue to see mounds of 40 ammo available wherever I go.
SA Friday
02-24-2013, 12:25
I'm guessing they're doing it to make major pf... I don't know anybody that shoots .40.
Heavy bullet and a quick powder would make it easier to shoot. 180 at about 920fps? Manageable.
I had a 8040 Cougar some years ago before I reloaded. I thought it was obnoxious given it's actual performance. I'm not shy about shooting .357 mag, .44 mags, hot .45 Colt loads, et cetera...
Yes, it's the smallest diameter for Limited to make major, and the load is pretty much exactly what you have there. It's just a touch more mild than WWB 40.
Cougar? [Puke] Any caliber can be obnoxious if the platform isn't the right one.
TheSparkens
02-24-2013, 13:10
I can not miss with my XD40SC train like your life depends on it.
To each his own ... there is no wrong or right caliber. If you like it, and shoot it well under stress than thats the right number for you. The ballistic debate is for people with more time on their hands than I have. My limited knowledge tells me there isnt enough of a difference with quality ammo to even have a debate. Shoot the caliber you like, in the gun you like and dont let any alledged expert tell you your wrong for your choice. When the SHTF you are the one driving so you need to feel good about it, and it wont matter what some internet gun jockey with all the answers thinks anyway.
kejam
G19 for duty and personal carry ...... just sayin
Mountain Man
03-15-2013, 01:21
I will travel if there are cases of 40 in this state. I'm finding nothing on shelves or online at all.
This is the exact opposite of what I have found. You can walk into Cabelas or most other large retailers and find cases of 40 cal ammo and no 9mm. I continue to see mounds of 40 ammo available wherever I go.
firecrackerktm
03-15-2013, 05:40
I will travel if there are cases of 40 in this state. I'm finding nothing on shelves or online at all.
The Wal-Mart on 44th had some last week. Also in Brighton.
osok-308
03-15-2013, 16:53
I like the .40 round, but it's not much different (recoil wise) from my .45. If the recoil is the same, I'd just as soon put up with the round that will deliver more Kinetic Energy on the target. Also, with a +2 baseplate for a glock or springfield, you get 15 rounds of .45? How do you say? HELL YES! Ammo price isn't too much different, and so I shoot .45. If someone offered my a .40, I'd take it (if i had the money). And I would never feel undergunned with one. If you want to shoot fast, get a 9mm, if you want power shoot .45, if you want both: get a glock 20c, and shoot 10mm like a real man! hahaha
Can't say that I'm losing interest as I have never had a need for the round. Not saying it's good or bad. It's just that with my 9's & .45's I have never been tempted to go with the tweener.
I've not lost interest with my XD40. In fact, I'm hopefully going to shoot it tomorrow and the 9's staying home since I haven't seen a box of ammo since sometime last year.
XC700116
03-16-2013, 00:45
I will travel if there are cases of 40 in this state. I'm finding nothing on shelves or online at all.
Swing into Big R next time you're around one, I've been seeing a fair amount of 40 there at different stores around the state (I travel a lot for work and stop in places to check for ammo i need/want).
XC700116
03-16-2013, 00:48
I've consolidated to mostly just 40 S&W for my handgun caliber of choice. I have a sig P238 (380 acp) for a pocket gun, but the rest are all 40.
Shield, G22 and 3.8" XDM compact.
The shield is a bit of a handful, but it's not my ammo burner for the range either.
Trout Hunter
03-16-2013, 23:03
Big R has been pretty scarce down this way lately, stopped at walmart in woodland of all places to buy a fishing license and they had 3 boxes on the shelf which conveniently was their limit per customer so picked up 3 more boxes.
I sold my sw40ve ( sigma) and went to a .45cal Springfield 1911 best choice i ever made
BLRacing67
03-21-2013, 21:07
To each his own ... there is no wrong or right caliber. If you like it, and shoot it well under stress than thats the right number for you. The ballistic debate is for people with more time on their hands than I have. My limited knowledge tells me there isnt enough of a difference with quality ammo to even have a debate. Shoot the caliber you like, in the gun you like and dont let any alledged expert tell you your wrong for your choice. When the SHTF you are the one driving so you need to feel good about it, and it wont matter what some internet gun jockey with all the answers thinks anyway.
kejam
Agree 100%. Still get sucked in talking about 9/40/45 once in a while, though!
G19 for duty and personal carry ...... just sayin
Hornady has the new .45 critical defense load that is missle. I don't want to quote the wrong info, but somewhere around 1150+ fps. I hate to make things worse, but I have a Sig P239 with a .357 sig (change out for the .40 S&W). Flat shooting, super accurate for me at least, but not too popular. Only one government agency uses it, I believe the Secret Service.
kidicarus13
03-26-2013, 14:28
Only one government agency uses it, I believe the Secret Service.
Air Marshal Service
The Wal-Mart on 44th had some last week. Also in Brighton.
Brighton as in Hwy 85 & Bromley? Every time I go in there they don't have any ammo that I shoot. Mostly just a some .270, 30.06 and 20 ga.
From Wikipedia - Between 1981 and 1991, the Secret Service issued the Smith & Wesson Model 19-2 and the Smith & Wesson Model 66 (http://www.ar-15.co/wiki/Smith_%26_Wesson_Model_66)-2 .357 Magnum revolvers, with 2.5-inch barrels all the way up to the 4-inch-barreled models, loaded with hollow-point rounds (http://www.ar-15.co/wiki/Hollow_points). By 1992, the standard issue weapon became the SIG Sauer P228 (http://www.ar-15.co/wiki/SIG_P226#P228) 9mm pistol. In the late 1990s it was swapped for the SIG Sauer P229 (http://www.ar-15.co/wiki/SIG_P226#P229) chambered in the then-new .357 SIG cartridge. Special Agents also carried Uzi (http://www.ar-15.co/wiki/Uzi) submachine guns (http://www.ar-15.co/wiki/Submachine_gun) in the 1970s and 80s, but they have since been phased out, being replaced with HK MP5s (http://www.ar-15.co/wiki/HK_MP5) and FN P90s (http://www.ar-15.co/wiki/FN_P90)
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2026 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.