40 caliber handguns

40 Caliber Handguns - For decades, the FBI argued that the .40 Smith & Wesson was optimal for personal defense. But the 9mm vs. .40S&W continues. (Photo by FBI)

But for those who aren't yet emotionally attached to a single cartridge, let's talk about the 9mm Parabellum and the .40 Smith & Wesson.

40 Caliber Handguns

It is an oft-promoted myth that the .40 S&W was developed for the FBI because the 9mm failed in the famous Miami firefight in 1986. However, the FBI's standard pistol at the time was the .38 specialty pistol.

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FBI Director James Comey introduces a three-panel commemorative exhibit that tells the story of the "1986 Miami FBI shot". It was this exchange of fire that gave birth to the .40S&W round and the decades-long debate about which round is best. (FBI photo)

9 mm rounds were involved in this firefight. And one reportedly stopped just inches from the perpetrator's heart.

But after a firefight in Miami, the FBI decided they should replace their revolvers with semi-automatic pistols. Semi-automatic pistols have more rounds and are easier to reload.

And since they were about to replace all the guns, they thought they'd try some new cartridges too.

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The FBI is considering a long 9mm barrel for a new standard gun. However, the FBI also tested hand-loaded 10 mm ammunition from the special agent in charge of the FBI's firearms training unit, John Hall.

After these tests, the FBI decided they wanted something like a 10mm round with a slightly slower muzzle velocity than standard ammunition.

The FBI ended up using the .40 S&W for nearly 30 years before adopting the 9mm in 2015.

Both rounds have been used by the military, other government agencies and civil defenders. So it is difficult to determine a clear winner. Or is it?

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However, an instructor of firearms and defense tactics at the Ohio police department once did a solid analysis of real-world shootings:

Since you can't fire 2.45 or 2.36 rounds, the numbers must be rounded up to all subsequent rounds. Which means everyone (including the .45 shooter) takes an average of 3 shots to reach incapacity.

In fact, study author Greg Ellifritz concluded that the difference in lethality between the different handgun cartridges was negligible.

Several years ago, the FBI released a study confirming that 9mm was the best cartridge for its agents. (Photo by FBI)

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However, Newton's third law does exist. And that means if a gun fires a bullet with enough energy to knock someone over, its recoil will be strong enough to knock you over when you fire it.

Wherever you go, the general rule is that shot placement matters more than what caliber you shoot at.

But that doesn't mean caliber doesn't matter at all. Very small balls may not penetrate the sternum or other bones.

And saying caliber is irrelevant means you can use a BB gun as long as you hit it in the right place.

Glock 23 Gen5 .40 S&w, 4.02\

Important caliber. However, the emphasis on shot placement is a reminder that if you miss, you are effectively firing a zero caliber round.

That's only 5 cents difference. But, it adds up. Over 1000 rounds you can pay $80 more for ammo if you shoot the .40.

Regardless of your budget, you'll get more practice for your money and therefore become more proficient with your gun if you shoot 9mm - which helps with overall bullet placement.

Since the .40 S&W is essentially just a short 10mm cartridge, it has a higher penetration pressure than the 9mm and .45 ACP.

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However, high-pressure cartridges tend to produce a more rapid recoil impulse, which may be uncomfortable for some shooters. Shooting with one hand can also be more challenging.

Can you improve your shooting skills enough to handle recoil and shoot .40 S&Ws really well? Very.

However, if you spend the same amount of training resources shooting the same pistol with the 9mm cartridge, you will probably get faster and more accurate with the 9mm cartridge. There is very little recoil energy to absorb and control in the 9mm cartridge.

Also, many manufacturers use the same frame on their 9mm and .40 S&W pistols. This causes longevity issues because 9mm frames are not designed to withstand the recoil of .40 caliber rounds.

Two Handguns, A 40 Caliber Pistol And A 357 Magnum Revolver With 40 Caliber Bullets On A White Background Stock Photo

In a self-defense context, reloading may not be possible. So it's best to reduce the chances of having to reload.

The 9mm has always had a higher magazine capacity than the .40 S&W, assuming you are comparing two guns of the same size. So in almost any context a 9mm gun allows you to outperform a .40 S&W.

Now, before everyone rushes out to defend their pet .40: there's really no need to defend yourself. The S&W .40 is a very decent round for self-defense.

Switching weapons takes training time and money. So if you're ready to shoot your .40 S&W, it may be most efficient and economical to stick with it, depending on how much you shoot.

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However, if you shoot often and want to shoot better for less money, or if you're thinking about using a pistol for personal or home defense, pick up a 9mm and shoot. You save time and money without sacrificing defensive performance.

GearScout contributor Jay Chambers is a professional business owner based in Austin, Texas. Having survived several natural and more than a few man-made disasters (hello 2008), she believes resilience and independence are essential in an increasingly unpredictable world. That's why he started a business! Jay writes for the Minute Man Review.

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Times are changing and that certainly applies to the world of weapons. The current trend we're seeing now is the rise of the 9mm at the expense of the .40 S&W.

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For example, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently switched from the .40 S&W to the Luger 9mm, specifically from the Glock 22 and 23 to the Glock 17 and 19. The United States military seriously considered switching to the .40, but ultimately stuck with the 9mm when they chose the SIG Sauer M17 as their new service weapon. And police departments across the country trade their .40 pistols for the 9mm.

It's not hard to see why. While the 9mm FMJ is a relatively weak round, there are a large number of very effective self-defense hollow charges available today to civilians and law enforcement. As a result, the need for the .40 is greatly reduced, plus the 9mm gun carries more rounds and has less recoil.

You see, the whole reason the .40 was developed was to give law enforcement a more powerful pistol than the 9mm. Yes, the .45 ACP is out, but the .45 pistol capacity is also very limited. This is why the 10mm was developed, but when the recoil created from the cartridge was too much for some, it was shortened to the .40 S&W we have today.

The S&W .40 has served well for many years and will continue to do so for many years, but as just discussed, the switch to cartridges with termination potential has improved significantly and in a lighter, more maneuverable package. why are we seeing the .40 pistol start to be replaced by the 9mm.

Beretta Models 96 Steel I .40 S&w Semi Automatic Pistol....

But at the same time, this move away from the .40 means that there are plenty of surplus .40 pistols on the market today, many of which are available at below-average prices. And just because the .40 caliber itself isn't as popular as it used to be doesn't mean it isn't a viable option for defense.

In fact, .40 is the third most popular caliber today, after the 9mm and .45 ACP, and it's still very easy to find. For this reason, the .40 caliber handgun remains a more than viable option for self-defense or home defense, and again, the abundance of surplus guns and police interchangeability means you have plenty of options at low prices.

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