Why NOT the 40 S&W?

[jsharmon7]

I've read/heard from several people lately who say that they specifically dislike the 40S&W. I have looked at ballistics tables and found that the muzzle energy is higher than the 9mm or .45 and close to the 9mm in terms of velocity. I can understand if you PREFER a 9mm or a .45 to the .40, but what makes someone specifically dislike it? I'm not looking for a caliber war here, I just want to know why people specifically dislike the .40S&W. Anybody want to share their reasons?

 

[rimfire_crazed]

In small guns, it's SNAPPY. In a 3rd Gen S&W, it's a joy to shoot - but that's a big heavy gun. In the polymer frames, it can be a handful if you're not an accomplished shooter. Sometimes it puts people off. I like it in pretty much any format you hand it to me in - although my only .40 right now is a Sigma.

 

[k12lts]

All my primary handguns are 9mm or .45 ACP. Maybe I'm just recoil sensitive but I find the .40 to be snappier than the 9 or 45, especially in frame sizes normally used for CCW. Plus I like to keep things within two platforms to help with ammo inventory.

I also use .380 and 38 special but I think your question was .40 vs 9 & 45.

 

[esrice]

I don't dislike .40, but I do choose 9mm over .40 when given the option in a same-sized gun (think G19 and G23).

Why?

Recoil is snappier
Less capacity
Practice ammo is more expensive
kBs are more common in the .40 flavor
The ballistics are only marginally better, which, given the above downsides, isn't enough to convert me

 

[lawrra]

My XDm 40 is snappier than a 1911 in .45, but I still like it . It's all personal preference, really. Current defense ammo is pretty darn good, regardless of caliber (to an extent). I've been looking at a 9mm for a compact carry gun because of the capacity over a .40, and less recoil.

 

[drgnrobo]

Actually my second favorite caliber is the 40 cal ,45 acp being the first & 9mm being the third ( by a small margin) I always enjoyed shooting the 40 ,Its theraputic in my pistols to shoot but I find shooting anything theraputic .Its also heavily favored with several law enforcement agencies so it must be doing something right.

 

[tv1217]

You know, esrice, Glock isn't the only company that makes pistols in .40 S&W

 

[kludge]

My XDm 40 is snappier than a 1911 in .45, but I still like it .

Interesting. My experience was opposite (1911 vs my XD-40). Maybe it's the shape of the grip and how it fits my hand.

I don't find the .40 to be "snappy". Does it recoil more than a 9mm? Yes.

 

[esrice]

You know, esrice, Glock isn't the only company that makes pistols in .40 S&W

 

[jsharmon7]

So the concensus so far against the .40 S&W is that it's too snappy? I appreciate the opinions so far, keep them coming!

 

[miguel]

Can somone define "snappy" for me?

Does that mean more recoil? More painful recoil? Other?

 

[travisc1987]

i have a 40s&w and i love it great gun no problems yet

 

[Tryin']

Snappy: getting hit by a switch.
Vs. my .45: getting hit by a branch

Probably not the best analogy, but the .40 seems to have a sharper recoil impulse rather than the longer "shove" of the .45.

.02

 

[miguel]

Snappy: getting hit by a switch.
Vs. my .45: getting hit by a branch

Probably not the best analogy, but the .40 seems to have a sharper recoil impulse rather than the longer "shove" of the .45.

.02

So, "more kick" so to speak?

Thanks!

 

[hemicharger]

The 40S&W is a high pressure round. Thats why you dont see any +p offerings. They are already loaded to max psi.

 

[kludge]

Can somone define "snappy" for me?

Does that mean more recoil? More painful recoil? Other?

I take it to mean quick hard recoil as opposed to slow hard recoil.

 

[lawrra]

Interesting. My experience was opposite (1911 vs my XD-40). Maybe it's the shape of the grip and how it fits my hand.

I don't find the .40 to be "snappy". Does it recoil more than a 9mm? Yes.

I felt the 1911 as more of a push opposed to a "snap" with the XDm and any other .40 I've shot.

 

[JohnP82]

I love the .40 S&W round. It is my EDC in a G27. Also have a G23 and I really enjoy shooting them both. I also do like the 9mm though I just prefer to carry a .40

 

[JohnP82]

Can somone define "snappy" for me?

Does that mean more recoil? More painful recoil? Other?

I can understand why people say it is snappy. I believe my G23 and G27 have more felt recoil than a G30 (.45 ACP) in my opinion. To me the .40 recoil feels to jump more as the G30 feels to push back, but the muzzle does not jump on the G30. This is just my opinion of how it feels to me though and others may differ.

 

[Joe Williams]

I don't like the way it shoots. To me, it combines the snappiness of the 9mm with the heavier recoil of the .45 ACP. The worst of both worlds. I much prefer shooting either of the other cartridges, and since the .40 doesn't offer any real advantage over them in actual shootings, I don't see any overwhelming reason to use it.