Why all the hate for .40s&w?

[Fooped]

I agree that .40S&W is, in fact, poo.

I've got a metric pantload of pistols in many different calibers, and the only two .40 S&W irons I've got are my Kahr K40 (Which I never shoot or carry except when I hike) and the gem of my pistol collection; an H&K P7M10 in factory blue (If this means nothing to you, you are forgiven ). I never shoot the P7M10 due to it's extreme rarity and condition, but I have no interest in buying any other .40S&W firearm.

The recoil is "unpleasant" (and I like recoil), the ammo is more expensive than 9mm, and the stopping power is, in my mind, offset by the difficulty most people will have trying to get one or two follow-on shots to completely neutralize the threat.

As far as mag capacity goes, I don't do much IDPA or IPSC-based competition so perhaps the round is good for that purpose.

Additionally, anyone that wants to armchair QB this via the "If it doesn't start with a 4 it's crap" line of "thinking", I posit this:

I'm no Wyatt Earp, but I can hit a man-sized steel plate three or four times COM pretty quick with a number of my 9mm handguns. With the snappy recoil of the .40 S&W, can the same be said (without being a specialist in that particular caliber or being a professional shooter)?

 

[wacky_doug]

Can open...worms everywhere!! Guess it's my fault for starting the thread, but hey, I learned a lot.

Wikipedia has some great info on the calibers and their history:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_handgun_cartridges
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9mm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.40_S&W

For me personally, I'm enjoying learning to keep the muzzle down with 40s&w, and I'm just getting into action pistol shoots with it.

I do fundamentals on a 22LR conversion, though.

 

[wacky_doug]

I never shoot the P7M10 due to it's extreme rarity and condition, but I have no interest in buying any other .40S&W firearm.

Dammit, I just peed myself. I am green with envy.

The recoil is "unpleasant" (and I like recoil), the ammo is more expensive than 9mm, and the stopping power is, in my mind, offset by the difficulty most people will have trying to get one or two follow-on shots to completely neutralize the threat.

Ironic isn't it? The 40 was created because the 10mm had too much recoil, and yet the 40 is still a lot to handle.

 

[drgrant]

The recoil is "unpleasant" (and I like recoil)

So that little Ruger Alaskan hand cannon you have is pleasant recoiling?

-Mike

 

[Fooped]

So that little Ruger Alaskan hand cannon you have is pleasant recoiling?

-Mike

Yup, sure is.

I liken the Alaskan to a big German Shepard going "WOOF! WOOF!" Yup it's a lot of noise, but the dog MEANS it. There's some bite (and balls) behind the bark.

The .40S&W is like one of those Napoleonic little kick-dogs: "Bark! barkbarkbarkbarkbarkbark... bark!"

Makes a lot of noise, no balls (comparative to the Alaskan) and is generally annoying.

 

[drgrant]

Yup, sure is.

I liken the Alaskan to a big German Shepard going "WOOF! WOOF!" Yup it's a lot of noise, but the dog MEANS it. There's some bite (and balls) behind the bark.

The .40S&W is like one of those Napoleonic little kick-dogs: "Bark! barkbarkbarkbarkbarkbark... bark!"

Makes a lot of noise, no balls (comparative to the Alaskan) and is generally annoying.

You have a good point there.

-Mikw

 

[Supermoto]

I'm no Wyatt Earp, but I can hit a man-sized steel plate three or four times COM pretty quick with a number of my 9mm handguns. With the snappy recoil of the .40 S&W, can the same be said (without being a specialist in that particular caliber or being a professional shooter)?

Sure it can, 9,40,45 they can all be shot with the same speed and accuracy, snappy guns usually are easier to shoot fast than slow heavy guns, as long as its has a fullsize grip, all you need to proper grip and stance

 

[abomb60]

Had a Walther P99c in .40SW I replaced with a Glock 26. Never regretted doing that.

 

[jkelly]

For me personally, I'm enjoying learning to keep the muzzle down with 40s&w, and I'm just getting into action pistol shoots with it.

For some caliber/gun combinations are a very emotional subject.

I shoot Pins, Steel, USPSA and IDPA, among others and use the caliber/gun combination (single stack, double stack, 9mm, 40 S&W and 45 ACP) that is called for dependent on the game. Occasionally, I just feel like shooting a gun because it’s fun, although not the best choice for the game.

To me the 9mm is a soft recoiling round, the 40 S&W is a bit snappy and the 45 ACP just a bit harder recoiling. My failure drill time and accuracy is the essentially the same with all three rounds and similar platforms.

All three calibers are suitable for carry.

Which action pistol sport are you getting into?

Respectfully,
jkelly

 

[wacky_doug]

Which action pistol sport are you getting into?

I did my first "Action Pistol Shoot" at Independent in Foxboro a couple of weeks ago. Podium, poppers and ringers, and other stages where I moved through a course. It was great practice.

http://independentclub.homestead.com/pistol.html

 

[M1911]

Ironic isn't it? The 40 was created because the 10mm had too much recoil, and yet the 40 is still a lot to handle.

Try a hot .40 in my Kahr K9. Then try a hot 10mm in my Colt Delta Elite. I'll pick door number 2, and I think you would, too. The recoil of .40 just seems to be snappy. .45 is more of a push and far less unpleasant, even in my aluminum-framed Kimber Compact.

 

[kevin9]

The .40 was invented by French women so they'd have something to shoot while their husbands cooked.

There's a reason EC is a mod.

 

[jkelly]

I did my first "Action Pistol Shoot" at Independent in Foxboro a couple of weeks ago. Podium, poppers and ringers, and other stages where I moved through a course. It was great practice. http://independentclub.homestead.com/pistol.html

I shot that match also, they put on some fun shoots.

Respectfully,
jkelly

Try a hot .40 in my Kahr K9. Then try a hot 10mm in my Colt Delta Elite. I'll pick door number 2, and I think you would, too. The recoil of .40 just seems to be snappy. .45 is more of a push and far less unpleasant, even in my aluminum-framed Kimber Compact.

In determining relative felt recoil of different rounds the weight of the gun is very important. I think a Kahr K9 is about a pound lighter then the Delta empty.

Respectfully,
jkelly

 

[Jose]

.357 Magnum guys:

40 S&W guys:

 

[wolf223]

 

[M1911]

In determining relative felt recoil of different rounds the weight of the gun is very important. I think a Kahr K9 is about a pound lighter then the Delta empty.

Exactly.

 

[jkelly]

.357 Magnum guys:

40 S&W guys:

I know the top shooter, I'm guessing the bottom one is a friend of yours.

 

[Lugnut]

This thread really just makes me laugh.

 

[Speedway]

.357 Magnum guys:

40 S&W guys:

HAHAHAHAHA!

 

[wahsben]

Any round you choose to shoot is good.

 

[kevin9]

Any round known as a "foh-tay" doesn't cut it for me.

 

[drgrant]

Any round known as a "foh-tay" doesn't cut it for me.

Especially when... "You're the only one professional enough.... "

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKJH00zph9U

 

[Jose]

I know the top shooter, I'm guessing the bottom one is a friend of yours.

I carry a .357 Magnum, silly boy.

You must be one of those .40 S&W emos......

Enjoy your wine spritzer.

I'm off to smoke my pipe and drink whiskey.

 

[jkelly]

Still you have his picture, emos.

 

[dwarven1]

Try a hot .40 in my Kahr K9.

Not in mine, and not even in YOUR K9. First off, I'd rather not have to hammer the round into the chamber, and second off, it'd likely go all Glock and explode.

I wouldn't mind trying a hot .40 in your K40, though.

 

[jkelly]

Not in mine, and not even in YOUR K9. First off, I'd rather not have to hammer the round into the chamber, and second off, it'd likely go all Glock and explode.

I wouldn't mind trying a hot .40 in your K40, though.

Nice pick up Ross, I had no idea.

Respectfully,
jkelly

 

[SKS Ray]

I carry a Glock 23 with a 10 round mag and could care less what anyone thinks about it.

You carry what you want, 380, 9mm, 38, 45, etc. Bottom line is if you put a handful of holes in someone's chest at close range... the party's over.

 

[EddieCoyle]

I carry a Glock 23 with a 10 round mag and could care less what anyone thinks about it.

In a purse?

 

[SKS Ray]

In a purse?

Nah, Don Hume IWB holster. Guys with little johnsons worry about purses and how big a round they carry.

 

[EddieCoyle]

Nah, Don Hume IWB holster. Guys with little johnsons worry about purses and how big a round they carry.

I'm sure they do. I carry a 9mm.

Just the cartridge, not a gun. If somebody pises me off enough to use it, I'll insert it manually.