.40S&W vrs .45ACP

[Biggreenavalanche]

Just gotta give my 2 pennies worth...I am a cop, specifically an under cover narcotics agent...I am a state certified POST firearms instructor...I have been shooting since I was about 4 or 5 and have shot just about all the calibers you can shoot...retired military with all the shooting experience that goes along with that career...

first, there is NO substitute for shooting practice, both range "shootin paper" and practical, "shoot n scoot"

Second, it makes absoulutly no difference as to caliber when the first shot or two are on target, ie, head shot, or center mass followed by head shot

Third, if you miss, refer to one and two and again it makes absoulutly no difference what caliber you're shooting

Finally, I recommend you shoot both the .40 and the .45 and make sure you can handle both, if you can't, downsize, and refer to rule one and two...

The ballistics/performance/handling/stopping power arguments can go on forever, however the bottom line is ya have to be able to put rds on target all the time, every time and ya have to have a weapon you feel comfortable with doing that whether it's a .17, .22, .40, .45 or a .500...

Having said all that I usually carry a .38 for UC work, a .40 Sig in uniform, and a .45 Kimber in my personal vehicle...the house gun is a Rem 870 with #9....the Polaris Ranger/Tractor/Farm/General purpose is a DPMS M4 5.56...I routinely practice (usually practical shooting) and can "usually" hit what I'm aiming at....

No offense intended to any prior poster, they all had outstanding advice and all had merit...

Rich

 

[Tollster]

Speaking of .45's, Had anyone heard when the relase of the Springfield XDS will be? Its pushed out so far, I have all but given up.

 

[RoyJackson]

Roy, I'm surprised you don't cast your own.

Being a 9mm fan, I normally find it cheap enough (and I buy bulk...500-1000 rounds) where reloading isn't really worth it.
I don't shoot .45 ACP enough to make reloading that worthwhile.
And, I don't shoot lead through Glocks...not so good with those polygonal barrels.

If I was going to reload, it would be for .38 Special, .357 Magnum and .45 Colt.

 

[TripleR]

Finally, I recommend you shoot both the .40 and the .45 and make sure you can handle both, if you can't, downsize, and refer to rule one and two...

The ballistics/performance/handling/stopping power arguments can go on forever, however the bottom line is ya have to be able to put rds on target all the time, every time and ya have to have a weapon you feel comfortable with doing that whether it's a .17, .22, .40, .45 or a .500...

Having said all that I usually carry a .38 for UC work, a .40 Sig in uniform, and a .45 Kimber in my personal vehicle...the house gun is a Rem 870 with #9....the Polaris Ranger/Tractor/Farm/General purpose is a DPMS M4 5.56...I routinely practice (usually practical shooting) and can "usually" hit what I'm aiming at....

No offense intended to any prior poster, they all had outstanding advice and all had merit...

Rich

Very interesting post.

Being a 9mm fan, I normally find it cheap enough (and I buy bulk...500-1000 rounds) where reloading isn't really worth it.
I don't shoot .45 ACP enough to make reloading that worthwhile.
And, I don't shoot lead through Glocks...not so good with those polygonal barrels.

If I was going to reload, it would be for .38 Special, .357 Magnum and .45 Colt.

Roy, I have aftermarket barrels for my Glocks so I can shoot lead and provide more case support.

 

[RoyJackson]

Very interesting post.

Roy, I have aftermarket barrels for my Glocks so I can shoot lead and provide more case support.

Yeah, has been interesting and it hasn't deteriorated into the typical "Caliber War".

Where did you buy your barrels, and what brand are they, if I may ask? If you'd rather not post that here, please send a PM.
I have one aftermaket barrel for my 17. It's threaded for a suppressor and I got it really cheap. However, I have very little interest in a suppressor.

I like .45 ACP...first carry gun was a 1911 (Auto-Ordnance), but I decided I really didn't want to carry a full sized 1911. Thought about .40 S&W and fired a few (Glock 22's)...just didn't want to add another caliber to my collection.

 

[meledward23]

I have a Sig 239 .40 and I love it. My wife and friends say it kicks harder than my .45 Full Size Glock. I think they are nuts. It kicks harder than my Mid Size Glock 9mm that is 100% assured. They say recoil is often as mental as it is actual and I figure that is the case here. Personally while I really like the .40cal Sig, I still shoot and carry the G19 (9mm) far more often.

I have a local range with rentals. I would check your area for one of those and see if the might stock sigs with those cal's. Nothing beats firing a gun before deciding.

Course if you are like me. You will have a dedicated caliber/firearm, but still get all others just for the fun of variety after you have fired your 100/200 rounds of practice for the week.

 

[dmccarty]

Look at ammo costs before you figure out what caliber you want to buy.

You are much better off buying a pistol in a caliber that allows you the most practice compared to a caliber whose ammo prices prevent or minimize practice.

Anything between a 9mm to 45 ACP works real good. They works much better the more you practice. If the caliper had to be reduced because of physical limitations of the shooter or to be concealed so be it.

One problem with buying hand guns is trying before you buy. The best one can do is go to a range and rent a few to try them out but this is not always possible. I have fired small 9mms that have some pretty hefty recoil. Almost as bad as a full power 10mm. The size and weight of the weapon has an impact on the recoil from a given round. That recoil affects speed of firing and accuracy. It is a balancing act between ammo and weapon size to minimize recoil but, at least in theory, maximizing bullet effect.

The latest 45 ammo I was issued has some hefty recoil. It is much snappier than anything we have used in the past. Not as bad as a full power 10mm but the recoil is present.

Thus I would look at ammo costs so you can maximize practice. Recoil is going to depend on the ammo and the pistol. I like full frame pistols because the weight and size does not bother me but for others this is a very important consideration. Full frame does tame the recoil a bit. Ammo cost, caliber, pistol size, capacity, and recoil should be balanced.

Later,
Dan

 

[emcvay]

As for children: teach them young and it's not a problem. I raised my children with firearms and that my friend is the key.

As for the .40 vs .45 discussion I'd like to add this: the .40S&W was developed to design a caliber that had almost the same 'knock down' power as the .45.

 

[TripleR]

Yeah, has been interesting and it hasn't deteriorated into the typical "Caliber War".

Where did you buy your barrels, and what brand are they, if I may ask? If you'd rather not post that here, please send a PM.
I have one aftermarket barrel for my 17. It's threaded for a suppressor and I got it really cheap. However, I have very little interest in a suppressor.

I like .45 ACP...first carry gun was a 1911 (Auto-Ordnance), but I decided I really didn't want to carry a full sized 1911. Thought about .40 S&W and fired a few (Glock 22's)...just didn't want to add another caliber to my collection.

Roy I use KKM barrels and got them through a friend who shoots competition with Glocks. They are drop in; downside they are pretty pricey. Several make after market including Wolf I believe. You don't get the 6 O'clock bulge in your brass you get with Glock barrels which I like as I reload.

The "best caliber" discussion is always interesting and while have no doubt the .40 and .45 are more effective, better or however one describes it, but I don't feel vulnerable carrying my 5 shot .38 or if I happened to pick up my wife's G19, my Beretta Elite II or Sig 228.

I am a terrible gun trader, so I just keep what I have when I buy something new or give them to one of my kids.

 

[RoyJackson]

I am a terrible gun trader, so I just keep what I have when I buy something new or give them to one of my kids.

Same here...I just keep 'em, even if I don't shoot 'em.
I bought one of the early Kahr MK9's...great little gun, but way too heavy for pocket carry (which is what I wanted it for). Took me over 10 years to decide to sell it. It was a safe queen for all that time. I'll wager I didn't have more then 500 rounds through it.

Thank you for the information about the barrels. I've read good things about KKM. The reason I'm even considering an aftermarket barrel is my 19 is actually a 19C (compensated). I'd just prefer a standard barrelwhen I carry it, although the flash isn't too bad...even at night.