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.

 

[std7mag]

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.

The only LEGAL way to do that in PA is with a revolver.
Semi auto pistols are not considered "sporting".

 

[GetReal]

I gave 40 Sharp & Wrong recoil a fair chance. In a Sig 229.

I didnt misunderstand it.

 

[GetReal]

Video link:

 

[js2013]

The .40. The best of both worlds, or the worst of both worlds LOL.
In used gun sales, .40 are going cheap.

 

[joshb]

I’ve always liked the 40. I have three different pistols that shoot it. Guess I’m weird.

 

[ronsatspokane]

I’ve always liked the 40. I have three different pistols that shoot it. Guess I’m weird.

My brother has more than that. They are pleasant to shoot compared to the 10mm although the Glock 40 long slide mitigates it a bit.

 

[joshb]

My brother has more than that. They are pleasant to shoot compared to the 10mm although the Glock 40 long slide mitigates it a bit.

I bought a Glock 40. Had to have one. The extra length and weight does help mitigate recoil. There’s only one pistol I’ve fired that I would never buy because of the excessive recoil. A friend handed me his S&W Featherweight 2” barreled 357 Magnum. 1 shot was enough and that was 25 years ago, when I was younger and stronger.

 

[ISS]

I switched barrels and got a 357 SIG. Recoil is sharp, but ballistics match the old FBI 357 125gr load. Close to that same 1650fps velocity in my 6" barrel. It matches my M27 recoil, but there are a lot more rounds in the SIG.

 

[D-4297]

Have had a G22 for about eight years now , and love it . I load 180gr Critical duty to the same velocity as the DPS carry , and it shoots just fine . And I'm a little old guy , seventy-six years old , and 160 pounds . But I can put three rounds on target from "Draw" , in 2.6 seconds , within four inches diameter .
Tired of hearing people whine about recoil , and this or that . If you can't shoot the gun , you can't shoot the gun , but stop blaming the gun !