Contemplating Switching From .45 to .40

[CoyoteCreekGuns]

Okay all, now that I've sold (or almost sold i.e. SPF) my last .45 ACP firearm I am somewhat contemplating swtiching out of .45 and moving to .40.

Please tell me why I should or should not make this change.

By the way, I don't want this to turn into a caliber war as I am not making a decision based upon stopping power or depth of impact etc. Just looking for other advantages / disadvantages of making or not making this change (i.e. conversion barrels for .40 to 9mm, etc)


Thanks all!

 

[rimfire_crazed]

If you get a glock 22 or 23 you can get aftermarket or factory barrels in 9mm and 357Sig. That's one plus.

 

[Bucko]

If you don't mind my asking, why are you looking to switch out of .45?

Back to your question though, I carry a 40cal over a 45 due to capacity. I preferred a round bigger than the 9mm, but with a capacity of more than 15. The XDm40 that I have is 16+1.

Not sure if it's a long term advantage, but I currently see much more 40cal ammo than 45, and the 40 ammo is less expensive. I also see using a 9mm conversion barrel as a nice option as well.

 

[bobbystoney]

Not sure if it's a long term advantage, but I currently see much more 40cal ammo than 45, and the 40 ammo is less expensive.

This is the only reason that I can see for change. Even when ammo was hard to find Wally World always had .40.

 

[wtfd661]

Okay all, now that I've sold (or almost sold i.e. SPF) my last .45 ACP firearm I am somewhat contemplating swtiching out of .45 and moving to .40.

Since you sold your last .45 isn't a little to late to still be contemplating a switch.

Go with which ever one you feel suits your needs best, either caliber is going to get the job done.

 

[lovemachine]

Advantages that I can see is the cost of ammo, it's easier to find .40 than .45. The .40 is a faster round, yet still powerful. Not as powerful as the .45. You can carry more rounds with your .40.

I can't think of anymore.

 

[DeadeyeChrista'sdad]

Same for sigs as for the Glocks. Buy a .40 or .357 and switch to the other with no mods except barrel change. Can also buy drop in 9mm conversion barrels, and, apparently still even use the 40 mags, if various sigforum contributors are to be believed.
And the obvious and already stated reason that 40 is more than enough round to get the job done, yet with more capacity in a given mag space.

 

[mammynun]

I like to own a pistol in all the "common" calibers just so that whenever I find a deal on ammo I can buy it.
I bought a .40 simply for ammo availability. I was never a fan of the .40 "snappiness," but in the full sized M&P it became less of an issue over time. I bet you'll own another .45.

 

[DHolder]

The Glock 22 Gen 4, shoots .40 and felt recoil is as light as a 9mm. I've shot .40 for years. Heck, even reloading its cheaper than .45, you can't hardly give away .40 brass, yet, .45 is harder to come by.

 

[Zoub]

Since you sold your last .45 isn't a little to late to still be contemplating a switch.

Go with which ever one you feel suits your needs best, either caliber is going to get the job done.

+1 I can't help you, as my way of thinking is different from yours.

I do believe when it comes to calibers, less is more and there is no need to own both .45 and .40. For me having .45 and 9mm works out nicely. If I could hunt with a 10mm I would have at least one.

If I dumped .45 all together it would be for 10mm and the variety of reloading options.

 

[jbombelli]

If you get a glock 22 or 23 you can get aftermarket or factory barrels in 9mm and 357Sig. That's one plus.

You can do the same thing with a .40 Browning HiPower. BarSto makes conversion barrels.



I got out of .45 a long time ago. I'm currently getting out of .40 and going back to my original favorite, 9mm, but I will always keep my .40 HiPower. I entertained the idea of selling it a couple weeks ago, but changed my mind. It's just too good a gun.

 

[LPMan59]

i've switched to .40 since my main carry is a glock 23. the availability of .40 was the main factor. But i will always be in love with the 1911. and my 1911s have to be .45.

 

[mk2ja]

Hey, just throwing this out there: if you need to quickly liquidate your .45 ACP ammo stockpile, feel free to donate it to me!


As somebody else said, I kinda like having 9mm, .40, and .45 for the reason that I have more options in what I buy. Whether I'm looking for deals on ammo or I'm buying another gun, I don't find myself saying, "Well, that'd be a good deal if I shot 9mm," or, "I wish their .40 supply was on sale, too."

Smaller, less likely bonus: if SHTF and you have guns in many calibers, you can shoot whatever ammo you can find.

 

[Gpfury86]

Definitely not getting rid of my .45 acp pistols, I am also going to get another pistol in .40 soon though. Due to the factors everyone has mentioned, availability and price at the moment.

 

[U.S. Patriot]

To me .45 is a bit pricy. That's why I sold my .45 a while back, and am sticking with 9mm and .40. I say do whatever you think is best.

 

[dagibson1507]

I have an xdm in .45 and .40 . I love to shoot both but the .40 gets shot more because of ammo price. Both are fun.

 

[44 MAGNUM SHOOTER]

You can carry more rounds with your .40.

What he said

 

[308jake]

If you are looking for capacity and less expense, just go straight to 9mm. Or if you want a really hi-cap semi auto pistol buy the FN Five and Seven.

 

[DrPrepper]

Just know, that whole, switching barrels thing sounds great and all, but the two rounds DO hit to different points of aim.

Trying to shoot .357 sig, 40 cal and 9mm out of the same set of sights is a ... interesting experiance.

Adjustable sights would be recommended.

 

[steve666]

I carry a .40 and have for a lot of years, almost from its beginning. I like the caliber, I can find guns that better fit my short and stubby fingers yet still have some signifcant punch and a fair capacity. My Kahr holds 7+1 rounds, a similar pistol in .45 would only hold 5+1. And using Cor-Bon ammo I push a 135gr JHP out of a 3.5" bbl at about 1250 fps.