Why use .40 over 9mm?

The 9mm and the 0.40 S&W provide nearly identical accuracy, drift and drop, but the 0.40 S&W has an energy advantage. The . 40 S&W was designed such that it could be retrofitted into medium-frame (9mm size) automatic handguns.

Why is .40 more popular than 9mm?

First, it has remarkably less recoil than 40 S&W. This makes it easier to shoot and allows for faster follow-up shots. Additionally, 9mm uses a smaller bullet so firearms can carry more rounds. As you get into the realm of compact concealed carry firearms, these advantages become even more important.

What is better 9 mil or .40 cal?

40 caliber cartridge typically sports a heavier bullet with loads between from 135 to 180 grain, compared to between 115 and 147 grain for the 9mm. The heavier bullets of the . 40 caliber will be a little slower in velocity.

Is 40 more powerful than 9mm?

40 simply offers more kinetic energy and is a larger projectile, creating a larger wound channel. In other words, . 40 FMJ ammunition is superior to 9mm FMJ ammunition as a self-defense cartridge. This is a simple fact.

What is the point of 40 S&W?

The . 40 S&W was developed in order to be retrofitted for medium-frame handguns while replicating the performance of the 10mm Auto cartridge. By streamlining the 10mm Auto, Smith & Wesson found they could remove the airspace in the case and decrease the 10mm case enough to fit an average 9mm semi-auto pistol frame.

9mm vs .40 vs .45 | Which Is Better For Self Defense?

Why is 40 S&W better than 9mm?

The 9mm and the 0.40 S&W provide nearly identical accuracy, drift and drop, but the 0.40 S&W has an energy advantage. The . 40 S&W was designed such that it could be retrofitted into medium-frame (9mm size) automatic handguns.

Does the FBI still use 40 S&W?

The FBI has since returned to the 9mm, and the 10mm is returning in popularity. However, for its relatively short moment as the first choice in ammunition on the part of owners, and law enforcement, the . 40 S&W holds a special place in the history of cartridges.

What caliber is best for self-defense?

The 9mm Luger loaded with hollow point projectiles offers a great balance of power, penetration, capacity, and concealability in an easy-to-shoot package. While the . 45 ACP fan club will probably send hate mail, we have to name the 9mm Luger the best caliber for self-defense available to modern shooters.

What is the effective range of a 40 S&W?

40 S&W, and . 45 ACP excel in the 0- to 25-yard range with a rough effective range of 50-yards or so. Sure, people can hit targets further than this, but it's uncommon, to say the least.

What is the most lethal 40 cal round?

The Underwood 150gr JHP is the most deadly 40 cal ammo because it's fast, penetrates well, and carries a lot of energy with it to transfer into the bad guy.

What hits harder 9mm or 40?

The 40 s&w round has higher pressures than the 9mm, and it generates around the same muzzle velocity than normal 9mm loads. You can find lighter 9mm rounds that have a 100 or 200 ft/per second advantage over most 40 caliber rounds, but that doesn't really mean that it offers superior ballistics.

Will a 9mm stop a bear?

The 9mm can kill bears but is considered underpowered by many. The 9mm has 350 to 450 ft/lbs. of energy, while 1,000 ft/lbs is considered the minimum for a bear hunting gun. Proper 9mm bullets yield sufficient penetration in soft tissue, but it may not stop a bear quickly enough to avoid being mauled.

What 40 cal ammo does the FBI use?

The .40 S&W was developed as a law enforcement cartridge designed to duplicate performance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) reduced-velocity 10mm Auto cartridge which could be retrofitted into medium-frame (9 mm size) semi-automatic handguns.

Why are police switching from .40 to 9mm?

Reliability: Pistols chambered in 9mm are generally the most reliable pistols available in those configurations most popular at police agencies. They're also less susceptible to changes in duty ammunition and can reliably function with both practice and duty ammunition.

Why did the FBI choose the 40 S&W?

After testing the weapon, with its reduced-power handloads, the agents learned that a 180-grain bullet that had 1,000 feet per second muzzle velocity offered both power and control. The FBI then decided to have the manufacturer Smith & Wesson produce the guns to those specifications for law enforcement use.

Is 40 a dying caliber?

40 caliber round is dead, or at least on its way to extinction. Why is this so? Admittedly, the vast amount of current handgun purchases made are chambered in 9mm. Newer shooters enjoy the ease of shooting the low-recoiling 9mm round.

Is a 40 caliber pistol good for self-defense?

Many gun owners choose to own a gun in . 40 S&W because of its power. This caliber is perfect for both self-defense and target practice.

Is 40 S&W good for self-defense?

40 S&W cartridge's notably high performance in lab testing during the 1990s earned it the status among experts at the time as the “ideal cartridge for personal defense and law enforcement.” Law enforcement agencies across the US have since returned to using mostly 9mm, but for those looking for a little more power ...

What caliber will stop an intruder?

So, the answer is simple, right? Everyone should buy a magnum-powered handgun in . 357 or larger caliber and feel completely secure that he or she has the best stopping power.

What is the best all around handgun caliber?

Today, the 9mm is considered the gold standard of defensive handgun cartridges. It offers a near-perfect balance of velocity, power, and shootability.

What caliber do most military use?

The M4/M4A1 5.56mm Carbine is a lightweight, gas operated, air cooled, magazine fed, selective rate, shoulder fired weapon with a collapsible stock. It is now the standard issue firearm for most units in the U.S. military.

Is a 40 caliber a good bear gun?

40 caliber, a minimum 200-grain solid deformable bullet and a minimum of 1,000 fps velocity from your chosen gun, you'll have a handgun load that will take any bear that shows itself.

What gun does the US Secret Service use?

Agents and officers are trained on standard shoulder weapons that include the FN P90 submachine gun, the 9mm Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine gun, and the 12-gauge Remington 870 shotgun.

Which is more powerful 40 cal or 10mm?

The larger and faster 10mm will give 624 foot-pounds of muzzle energy when sending a 180-grain bullet at 1,250 fps, while the . 40 S&W drops that figure to 400 foot-pounds with its 1,000 fps velocity, making for a rather significant difference.