The misunderstood .40 S&W

[bluealtered]

As a few members here know, I am a .40 S&W fan. I ran across this last night, and I thought I would share it simply because it sheds more light on the caliber. It is a video titled: "The misunderstood .40 S&W" by Massad Ayoob.

 

[std7mag]

I tend to follow the FBI findings.

After the failed performance of several different cartridges during the shootout where several agents lost their lives, they dug into the different cartridges with the newly formed FBI Ballistics Lab.
They settled on the 40 S&W for it's ability to go through barriers.

Then found out that the majority of agents didn't shoot it well. Especially on quick follow-up shots.

Then they found out that it wasn't the cartridge that failed, but the bullets of the time.

They have since switched back to 9mm. With better, heavier bullets.

I had bought a 40 S&W pistol. And my experience mirrored the FBI's experience.
First shot was accurate. Follow up shots were not.
And I really did not care for the recoil impulse.
Sold it and bought my first 1911 and haven't looked back!

 

[Hoser]

I have shot lots of 40 over the past 25-30 years. I tried most all bullet weights from 155 to 220gns. I finally settled on a load pushing a 180 gn bullet around 950 fps with a fast powder like N320 or Titegroup. In my 1911/2011s it makes for a very accurate and soft recoiling load.

If your follow up shots are not accurate, it isnt the caliber/load/gun, it is you rushing things. Lots of pistols have too heavy of a recoil spring from the factory. Pick a spring that makes the sights settle right back to where the shot broke. That makes things much easier when you dont have to fight the gun between shots.

 

[ronsatspokane]

Rumor has it that the original spec 10mm load was too much for the lawyers and accountants of the FBI to handle. S&W cut the cartridge down and called it the 40. 10mm advocates refer to the 40 as the "short and weak". If you have ever fired a full power 180 grain 10mm you'll understand the reference. I think Underwood ammo is the only company producing that load. At least that I have found. I think the 40 was a great cartridge but it seems that it has been abandoned while the 10mm has experienced a bit of an increase in popularity in recent years.

 

[sparky123321]

Today's 10mm, is the .40 S&W of yesteryears. I stumbled across my original 10mm reloading data from decades ago and told our shooting instructor about it. He couldn't believe how hot it was loaded back then.

Back then, no 1911 survived high volume 10mm usage. That's why it fell out of favor all those years ago. Then Glock started selling a 10mm. The Glock 20, and maybe the Bren Ten, were the only semi autos that held up to the full blown 10mm loads back in the day.

 

[farmerjohn]

Hey Fellers, one of the few blessings of old age is getting to watch history repeat itself. It's fun to watch the young people figuring out what I'm Julian Hatcher knew previous to 1911....IF, you are going to travel below 850fps and you expect penetration in a human, you better weigh 230gr AND have a hard round nose... John

 

[WV Hitman]

For a while ,my daughter a VA State Trooper carried a S&W .40. I bought one (Sig). Great gun. Shoots good. Killed 10 deer with it so far using 165 gr. Speers. Heavier & lighter bullets did not do so good.