The "New .40S&W"

[rr2030]

Load a small revolver up with 38 cci big 4s shots shells. Aim for the face. If you are nervous it's fine...once blinded. Follow up with regular protection rounds. When someone breaks into your house, your heart will race if you were asleep. Accuracy may not be anyone's fine point at that moment.

I think this advice is misguided, and in a situation where an assailant is firing at you, the likelihood of losing the fight is high.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Knock down of a 45, kicks like a 40

 

[JMayo]

I believe the idea is about the ability to have more controllable shots of the 9. The 40 was heaver and has less rounds...

 

[rr2030]

Because it is all about shot placement.
All stops are “one shot stops“, just had a bunch of shots preceding that one shot.

Never loose sight of the fact that what you are tying to stop is the bad guys trigger finger. As stated above, shot placement is key. Dump a magazine of 9, .40, .45 and not hit the nervous system, he may die bleeding out and emptying his gun as he kills you.

 

[Forum Boss]

In a defensive situation:

1. It is more about shot location than external ballistics.
2. Most people, even including trained law enforcement personnel, shoot very, very poorly under stress. Accordingly, less recoil and faster follow-up is important. The 9mm has the edge.
3. For general fun and sport shooting, the 9mm is much, much less expensive per round.
4. A large number of police departments and the FBI, have switched back to 9mm from .40 SW. "This makes it easier to shoot and allows for faster follow-up shots. ... hence the FBI chose to make the change to the 9mm round, which usually offers a higher round count per magazine, faster and more accurate follow-up shots, less perceived recoil, and very similar physical bullet characteristics to the . 40 S&W."

 

[Dos XX]

The torque with heavy loads requires lots of training to overcome.

The same can be said about .40 compared to 9mm compared to .380. There is no universal answer. Not everyone is 5'10" 175 lbs with arm and wrist strength, my wife for instance.

The correct one is the one a person can shoot and will carry.

 

[brokeasajoke]

In a defensive situation:

1. It is more about shot location than external ballistics.
2. Most people, even including trained law enforcement personnel, shoot very, very poorly under stress, . Accordingly, less recoil and faster follow-up is important. The 9mm has the edge.
3. For general fun and sport shooting, the 9mm is much, much less expensive per round.
4. A large number of police departments and the FBI, have switched back to 9mm from .40 SW. "This makes it easier to shoot and allows for faster follow-up shots. ... hence the FBI chose to make the change to the 9mm round, which usually offers a higher round count per magazine, faster and more accurate follow-up shots, less perceived recoil, and very similar physical bullet characteristics to the . 40 S&W."

The first time I pulled the trigger on my subcompact XD .40 it almost jumped out of my hands.

 

[Just Say Moe]

The increased demand for small, micro compact concealed carry pistols necessitated the need to go back to 9mm. Ensuing marketing saying "9mm is better than is used to be" sealed the deal. Was it "better"? Probably not. Small pistol sure is nice to carry though.

 

[Knotwild]

It may serve to fight your way to a real gun if you have it nearby, if not bigger may be better!

It makes me me laugh every time I read this line.

 

[LiveFire]

I love these 9mm vs X threads. They always bring out the best anecdotal evidence and what ifs. People live through 30 cal rifle hits, 44 mags, 12ga shotguns. Somebody has survived it all and someone hass fallen dead to a .177 cal bb gun. Shot placement, ability to put those shots where they need to go quickly and accurately and practice are more important than caliber. I'd worry much less about the gun and caliber as we are blessed with a multitude of fine defensive pistols and ammunition today. More importantly is training and practice in a stress inducing setting. That big ole 1911 45acp throwing lightning bolts from the heavens will do nothing for you when you cant hit anything or draw it in time or clear a malfunction. That being said carry the biggest caliber you can operate effectively. I personally dont place much of a performance difference between 9mm and 40sw. Its there but its marginal in my opinion. Is it worth the extra cost of training ammo, few extra rounds in the mag and heavier recoil? For me no, but to you, maybe.

 

[cmysix]

most factory 147 grain is loaded very light, lighter then 124, or even 115

 

[rwj]

The first time I pulled the trigger on my subcompact XD .40 it almost jumped out of my hands.

I find it easier to control recoil when shooting heavier bullets (180/200 grain). The impulse is more of a slow/push than a fast/snappy one encountered with lighter bullets.

 

[Eagle Six]

I think the reason the FBI switched as they present it is to avoid the real reason they switched. As with most government agencies they cannot effectively address the root cause so they instead treat the symptoms. They need to raise the bar on qualifications, replace the tecno sissies with real men and women and insist on advanced training. But, we know that will not happen as their pool of applicants of young adults are all raised as computer nerds! Now personally I like computer nerds, sometimes, they're fun to tease.

 

[CJ6]

A local shop has had a 10mm Glock sitting in the rack for a few months. I might give myself an upgrade?

If you can find a Glock mdl 20 CC...I know you'll love it.

 

[TRSR8]

If you can find a Glock mdl 20 CC...I know you'll love it.

For carry, hard to beat a S&W M&P Shield in .45.
IT’s well ported, greatly reducing muzzle jump, far more controllable, great trigger, great sights. Does not even print with an IWB hoster.

 

[Eagle Six]

If you are required to shoot from the low or high compressed ready position you will not like the porting, especially in reduced light.

 

[Evan]

Anything less than a 460 S&W Magnum just won’t have the knock down you need. I recommend everyone shove one of these down your trousers and feel confident you have the most power available when a rifle won't conceal in your jacket for your grocery store run.

 

[joshb]

If you can find a Glock mdl 20 CC...I know you'll love it.

I have to say, I love this forum!. About an hour ago, my wife walked in and showed me a pretty gold bracelet she bought yesterday.”Look what you gave me for Christmas!” she says. “What am I getting you?” I laughed and said “A pistol.”

 

[ronsatspokane]

I think the reason the FBI switched as they present it is to avoid the real reason they switched. As with most government agencies they cannot effectively address the root cause so they instead treat the symptoms. They need to raise the bar on qualifications, replace the tecno sissies with real men and women and insist on advanced training. But, we know that will not happen as their pool of applicants of young adults are all raised as computer nerds! Now personally I like computer nerds, sometimes, they're fun to tease.

The 40 is referred to as the "short and weak" for the purposes you state. As the story goes, the accountants, lawyers and social workers who make up the FBI could not handle the 10mm so S&W cut it down to create the 40. Qualifications probably increased but even the 40 is too much for many.

I'm glad to see the 10mm make a comeback. I had an EAA Hunter in 10 and like a fool I sold it when I went through a caliber consolidation phase.

 

[CJ6]

Just an FYI. Locally LE (several agencies) have switched BACK to 9mm and 45 ACPs and dropping the 40 S&W. I asked a friend in LE and he said 9mm for capacity and the 45 for stopping power (his words).