The Fading Popularity of the .40S&W

[JimThornTX]

Good article about the fading popularity of .40S&W ammo for law enforcement and civilian use.

http://www.thebangswitch.com/the-fading-40/

Personally, I like the 40 S&W. It did take some getting used to, though. When I first shot my P-06 I immediately thought I made a mistake. I should have just stuck with 9mm. But after some 250 rounds I'm liking it more and more. I also like my SIG SP2022 40 S&W. It's recoil is about the same as the P-06. I did not like the Glock 23 40 S&W. Being a lighter pistol than the CZ and SIG the recoil was just too harsh for me. It just wasn't fun to shoot like the P-06 and the SP2022.

[derweibhai]

While I understand the argument (round count and lower recoil), I have killed a lot (LOT) of wounded animals with my .40's in my time as a Deputy. I have also shot them with .38+P's and .22's. I must say that the .40 with 180 grain bullets is very efficient at making things dead real quick. I have full faith in the .40 and my ability to shoot it. I would only carry a 9mm if I had to. I am not saying its a bad round, but I will take .40 and .45 any day that I can get away with it, and I would never want to be on the receiving end of any of the above. If a .40 can drop a 2000+ LB Black Angus Bull like a ton of bricks then it will do just fine for what I need. I dont have the confidence that the 9mm could penetrate that thick skull bone as well, let alone car doors, or any other barriers I may have a need to shoot through in my line of work.

It will be interesting seeing if the 9mm makes a comeback with LEO's, I am guessing it does and the major reason is that it is easier to shoot and the majority of LEO's dont shoot any weapon other than that pistol, and thats only 50 rounds a year here.

[trustmeimcertificated]

My first handgun was a Springfield Armory XDM in .40 Smith and Wesson.  After some time, I bought my P-01 when I first got my CCW license, and the XDM mostly sat in its case.  After I bought my Hi-Power, the XDM only came out for the occasional routine checkup.  I eventually sold it.
.40 S&W generally seem to perform better than 9mm or .45 through intermediate barriers, so its application as a police round makes sense.
I personally prefer the cheaper ammo, lower recoil, higher capacity, and faster follow up shots of 9mm.  Modern JHP ammo is superb stuff and really lets the 9mm shine.
To be fair to the XDM, out of the few guns I've shot in .40, it was the most comfortable to shoot.  The Glock 22 left an painful numbing sensation in the web of my hand and the HK USP40 is still the most uncomfortable and painful pistol I have ever shot.
Actually, I take that back.  The most comfortable pistol I shot in .40 was an HK P7M10.  Its just too goofy looking to be taken seriously though 

[1SOW]

I personally prefer the cheaper ammo, lower recoil, higher capacity, and faster follow up shots of 9mm.  Modern JHP ammo is superb stuff and really lets the 9mm shine.
To be fair to the XDM, out of the few guns I've shot in .40, it was the most comfortable to shoot.  The Glock 22 left an painful numbing sensation in the web of my hand and the HK USP40 is still the most uncomfortable and painful pistol I have ever shot

.

Mr. certificated, I think your statement reflects the way many of "US" feel.  I've never owned a 40 cal, but I have shot a wide variety of them.  A competition 40 cal. (Limited Class) shoots as easily and with MORE rds than a standard 9mm,  but really isn't practical outside of competition--BIG guns.  A friend just bought a Springfield EMP 40 cal that I'll get to shoot next week.  33oz Steel gun, 8 rds with a 3" bbl,  I doubt it'll prompt me to change over to 40 S&W. 

I personally like high end 1911 45s for shooting ease and accuracy.  If I became convinced I need more gun, 45ACP would be my choice.   The EMP is a mini wanna-be 45 in 40 cal, so I'll check it out next week.

[jwc007]

Back when the .40 S&W first came out, I was already shooting and Reloading for the 9mm and .45 ACP, and I just never bothered with it.  If I needed something more powerful than the 9mm, I already had .45 ACP Pistols and .357 Magnum Revolvers in the Vault to use.

[trustmeimcertificated]

I personally like high end 1911 45s for shooting ease and accuracy.  If I became convinced I need more gun, 45ACP would be my choice.   The EMP is a mini wanna-be 45 in 40 cal, so I'll check it out next week.

The only .45 I have right now is my 97b.  Its a sweet shooter and I love shooting .45, but the ammo is too pricey to justify large quantities of guns and ammo for that cartridge.  I think I'll just need a good 1911 and I'll be set on .45's.

I forgot to mention, my old roommate used to carry an XD9SC, and eventually bought a HK P2000SK in .40.  He eventually traded the xd9sc for a P-07 
I shot the p2000sk, and while it was a nifty little pistol, that .40 had some MASSIVE muzzle flip and made requiring your sights extremely difficult.   Out of such a short barrel, the .40 was really loud too 
Don't expect that EMP to be a tame shooter   

[Stogies]

All the 40s I have ever tried felt mighty snappy to me so I stuck with a 9mm for my personal use.

[Joe L]

Try a 17 oz Kahr PM-40 some time.  Kicks plenty.  I love it.

Joe

[larryflew]

It will be interesting seeing if the 9mm makes a comeback with LEO's, I am guessing it does and the major reason is that it is easier to shoot and the majority of LEO's dont shoot any weapon other than that pistol, and thats only 50 rounds a year here.

I sell brass that I purchase from a police training range. Nothing but officers in training and in tech school.  This Spring there where (11) 5 gallon pails full. 8 where 9 MM, 2 where 40 minus about 5 inches from top of 2nd bucket which was misc 45, 357 and 223.

[armoredman]

With LE it comes down to cost and availability, not really much to do with the performance of the actual round itself. One thing that will provide the biggest inertia to change is the already purchased equipment and support structure, meaning pistols, spare magazines, holsters, whatever the Dept had to buy. If the money out of pocket for initial setup is all Dept funds, bureaucratic ennui will help ensure that stays that way..."It ain't broke, why fix it?" Don't forget contracts have mysterious ways of simply being renewed, sometimes without what appears to be conscious thought. 
If the individual OFFICER is on the hook for his guns and gear, then it's far easier - the Dept simply authorizes a 9mm version of whatever sidearms are authorized, and Joe Flatfoot grumbles all the way down to the local gun store. That's where you find training ranges full of what Larry found, lost of different calibers. On ours you will find 9mm, .223 and 12 gauge, but look quick before we clean it all up...*sniff*, and toss it ALL into the dump under armed guard. No, I'm not kidding...

[Slimdog71]

All the cops in my area use the .40 for the stopping power, the even all use the same mod. Glock for interchangeable mags. I'm in the burbs of Philadelphia, but all the city cops use 9mm because it will lose more energy than the .40 passing through a barrier.

[1SOW]

All the cops in my area use the .40 for the stopping power, the even all use the same mod. Glock for interchangeable mags.

Sklimdog71, my little town of 18000+ does exactly the same.   A friend is city cop and likes 40cal but dislikes the city-provided Glock.  He stopped by this afternoon a
and asked if he could come and shoot under a timer to practice for a qual test he has to take---from the low ready, two to the chest and one to the head in 4.5 secs or less at 10 yards.   "Go shoot?" Silly question."  I'm bringing a .22lr target pistol for his warm up. 

[alfonse]

I like .40, and 9mm, .45, etc.  I have pistols in all the popular calibers, and that includes .40.  Yes, it was great being able to buy ammo during the shortage and shoot .40 pistols and carbines.  Diversity and choices are wonderful things.  If you don't like .40, don't shoot it.  No big deal.

[Slimdog71]

I LOVE .40, right behind 357 and 44!!

[1SOW]

If you don't like .40, don't shoot it.  No big deal.

Almost exactly what we said.   
I like shooting 40 cal in limited class competition pistols.  I also really like shooting 9mm in a carbine---Colt $1450+---that I don't own. 
Shooting sports, reloading components, match and range fees are noticeable drains on the bank account;  so unfortunately without having DEEPER pockets, limits have to be chosen. 
Often, the spouse will point out the depth of one's pockets.