Fitz, I think, hit on why some don't like 40 S&W. It was designed with modern metallurgy in the guns. The 9mm Luger and 45 ACP were designed during a different era and the metallurgy just wouldn't take the pressure. The 40 cal has a higher SAAMI spec for chamber pressure. With the fast burning powders used in pistol calibers, this translates to a fast, sharp recoil impulse. Comparatively, my basic target rounds in 9mm, 40, and 45 take about a grain less in 9mm and about a half a grain more in 40 than 45 with the same powders with 147, 180, and 230 gr bullets respectively.

It doesn't bother me and I own and shoot all three, but I know many who don't like the snappier 40 cal recoil.