Why .40?

[navyguy]

Yes....but no.

I'm not counting on the round makin' 'em fall over. I AM saying, however, that the larger the round, the more ya git their attention. Jest like shootin' a bear with a .380 vs. a 7mm mag. Both might kill 'em - but which one will YOU wanna shoot 'em with?

Neither. 375 H&H suites me

But you make an excellent point. Shot placement is important, but given a 9mm vs a .40 that can be shot equally as well... give me the .40. It comes down to what ever you carry or use for home defense, make sure you can hit where you aim. If you simply can't shot the .40 well you might be better off with a 9mm. And given today's fine defense ammo, you're in pretty good shape with a well placed 9mm with something like a HST, or +P Gold Dot.

 

[TexasRedneck]

True 'nuff - if ya can't hit with it, no sense usin' it. Or, at least practice 'til ya can!

 

[jsimmons]

Simple answer - because ammo is readily available in local stores.

 

[texas_teacher]

I hated my girlfriend's HKP2000SK chambered in .40 and I just got back from the range with my new XD .40 in a Service size... I loved it... I absolutely loved it... Can't wait to add a .40 Tactical XD maybe a .40 Sub-compact... Who knows...

 

[TexasRedneck]

Try the Beretta 96 Compact some time - it's amazin' what the difference in design makes on the way you feel about a round!

 

[Okierifleman]

I love my 96, but for some reason I dont shoot it that often.

 

[TexasRedneck]

I own a Sig P226 an' the 96 Inox Compact. Of the two, I prefer the 96 - but the 226 ain't no slouch. Everyone that's shot that 96 has tried to talk me out of it - to the point that I've had to help 'em find their own, which ain't easy!

 

[Okierifleman]

i believe you, the gun points and shoots very well. I think the reason I dont shoot it that much is strictly because it is a 40, and I usually only end up taking 9s and 45s to the range. The 96 stays in my nightstand full of Golden Sabres. My P226 however, does make it to the range every week....

 

[TexasRedneck]

...and for me, the one 9 mm in my collection doesn't leave the safe. It's funny how different folks have different preferences - but that's what it is, just some like one thing better'n another. I bought a 9mm last year IIRC, but just didn't care for it and turned around and sold it after a coupla range trips - some folks thought I was nuts. It just didn't "do it" for me.

 

[oldguy]

Personally I've always shot the 45acp more accurately then the 9 or 40, never cared for the 40 until I purchased a CZ40B(somewhat like a 1911)and then I began to get better results now I've added a Browning Hi Power 40 and enjoy it also but in the end If I had to own only one pistol it would be the 1911 in 45acp.

 

[TexasRedneck]

Well....lemme put it this way - out of sumthin' like 50 handguns, 24 of 'em are .45's. Yeah, ah'd say I prefer a .45!

 

[Okierifleman]

Why shoot a 40 when you can shoot a 45!!!!!!

 

[TexasRedneck]

Why shoot a 40 when you can shoot a 45!!!!!!

Why not? Either one'll punch that trash can on yer pumpkin haid....

 

[texas_teacher]

Why shoot a 40 when you can shoot a 45!!!!!!

Different recoil pattern, different velocity, different round price, just to name a few... I'm not saying that I have a preference I'm just saying that those are three legitimate reasons for people to pick .40 s&w over .45 ACP

 

[TexasRedneck]

More seriously, agree w/TT - it's simply a matter of personal preference. I own 2 .40's, but enjoy both of 'em. There are times that it's fun just to carry/shoot something different!

 

[Texas42]

More seriously, agree w/TT - it's simply a matter of personal preference. I own 2 .40's, but enjoy both of 'em. There are times that it's fun just to carry/shoot something different!

+1

Ever carry your 686 just for fun? : )

 

[TexasRedneck]

+1

Ever carry your 686 just for fun? : )

Which one - the race gun or the 2 1/2" snubbie? The snubbie, yeah - the race gun, no way!<G>

 

[Okierifleman]

My comment was more for comedy value. More is better, etc.....Why take one, when you can have two.................Why shoot a .40 when you can shoot a .45........

I know its Monday, but work with me people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Texas1911]

You could shoot someone with a .45 and another with a .380 and they aren't going to be able to tell you the caliber. They are just going to feel pain and shock, if anything at all.

What counts is disabling the person by either dropping the blood pressure due to a lack of blood, or a central nervous hit turning them into a veggie.

Any projectile will work. The more powerful the projectile the greater the chance of causing lethal damage to the person or animal.

Too many people think .45 is significantly more powerful than 9mm or even .380. It's not, it's a lethargic round compared to a "weak" .223 Remington, and that round isn't going to cut someone in half if you hit them with it.

The only reason why people argue about caliber is because they all work. There isn't a significant enough disadvantage to sway the argument towards a solid answer.

I personally can hit a man sized target with anything from .22 LR to .500 S&W ... I don't feel inadequate with a 9mm, because frankly if 15 rounds won't kill it ... I don't need to be shooting at it. Same goes with a .40 or .45.

 

[DoubleActionCHL]

My comment was more for comedy value. More is better, etc.....Why take one, when you can have two.................Why shoot a .40 when you can shoot a .45........

I know its Monday, but work with me people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep! More IS better! That's why I want MORE bullets! When the terminal (kinetic) energy is comparable or greater, and I can carry nearly twice the rounds in a similar weapon, I'm opting for the .40S&W.

Somebody check my math:

E(k)= .5(m x v^2)
Kinetic Energy (measured in joules) equals 1/2 the mass (measured in Kg) times the squared velocity (measured in meters per second)

.45ACP 230gr @ 875 fps
230 gr = 14.9037 g
875 ' = 266.7 m

.5(.0149Kg x 266.7m/s^2)
.5(.0149Kg x 71128.89m/s)
.5(1059.820)
529.91 joules


.40 S&W 165gr @ 1076 fps
165 gr = 10.6918 g
1076 ' = 327.964 m

.5(.01069Kg x 327.964m/s^2)
.5(.01069Kg x 107561.041m/s)
.5(1149.8275)
574.914 joules


.40 S&W 180gr @ 995fps
180 gr = 11.6638 g
995 ' = 303.276 m

.5(.01166Kg x 303.276m/s^2)
.5(.01166Kg x 91976.332176m/s)
.5(1072.444)
536.222 joules