Would it be wise to switch from 40 to 9?

[BugI02]

Interesting. I did a little research and it would appear that you are right and .40 is quite common still as a LEO caliber. I had just made the assumption, from the lack of love for the caliber on INGO and elsewhere, that folks in general had moved away from .40 but I see this is not so. Our local LEOs used to have the option to carry .45, and many I know personally did so, but the dept has required standardization again recently. I even carry .40 (FNP 40) about half the year in the colder months. Guess I had just bought in to the end of .40 is near threads.
I haven't drilled down too far into the belief system of the preppers I know. They are good people, right thinking on firearms and 2A, and i would trust the ones i know to have my back. As far as I know I think their concept of SHTF is more martial law and military and guard taking a prominent roll, which is why they prefer the calibers I mentioned. Firearms and 2A are not the only things we agree on, but like friends of differing religion we don't go too far beneath the surface most of the time. I hope and pray that things won't get as bad as they are certain will come to pass.

 

[Birds Away]

I think the use of .40 is declining.

 

[Leo]

I think the use of .40 is declining.

For reloaders price of ammo is not an issue. I buy my reloading supplies in bulk. The price difference for reloading .40 over 9mm is measured in 10ths of a cent to a penny. There is still plenty of .40 S&W brass left all over the ground at ranges.

 

[Birds Away]

I don't think the end is in sight or anything like that. I just believe it isn't as popular as it once was. With that said, I am getting back into .40 after a brief hiatus. I consider it one of the four or maybe five if you count .38 +P, viable self defense rounds for handguns.

 

[RustyHornet]

I might get another .40 someday, but it won't do anything my 9, 45 or 357 won't do.... I will say the 40b in the classies is one hell of a great shooter! Handles .40 very nice.

 

[Birds Away]

I might get another .40 someday, but it won't do anything my 9, 45 or 357 won't do.... I will say the 40b in the classies is one hell of a great shooter! Handles .40 very nice.

It is a smoking deal for a very nice shooter.

 

[RustyHornet]

It is a smoking deal for a very nice shooter.

Yes, once you get past its current owner it's a very sweet shooter.

 

[Birds Away]

Yes, once you get past its current owner it's a very sweet shooter.

Don't let the bully façade fool you. He is really an old softy.

 

[RustyHornet]

bully. He is really old.

That's all I read.

 

[Birds Away]

That's all I read.

Well, close enough.

 

[bjenkins]

Well, close enough.

He must still be sleeping or doing his household chores?

 

[223 Gunner]

Enjoy.......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuiePszwaho

 

[Arthur Dent]

What's the reasoning behind this? It's not like you're going to be able to go down to the local NATO armory and request an allocation. Is the thinking that there will be ammo to scavenge off of bodies if NATO invades? I think being a NATO round would make it less appealing instead of more appealing. I'm not trying to be argumentative about this, but have heard this over the years and never quite understood the reasoning behind it.

The only difference between "regular" ammo and "NATO" ammo is that the NATO variety is loaded for a bit more pressure, thus velocity. Otherwise the size specifications are identical. Thus what we call 9mm is 9x19mm or 9mm Luger, but is still a NATO caliber and size. Also NATO ammunition is a specific variety of calibers so that NATO forces from different countries can use the same ammunition. So they don't have forces from one country fielding a .40sw and another fielding 9mm. Creates logistical problems as well as shared supply problems.

 

[Harleyrider_50]

FOH-tee........

 

[frenchiectfd2203]

I have moved from the .40 caliber only due to cost of shooting and the fact to me that it seems easier to make a faster follow up. But to each his own.

 

[VERT]

I was looking at factory ammo at WalMart Saturday evening. Good news is that 40 was in good supply, all flavors. Bad news is that the price was $3-$4 box higher then 9mm and only about $1-$2 less then 45. A few years ago I determined that shooting a healthy diet of 45 acp would require reloading. Looks like 40 is following suit. Good news for the reloader is the 40 is a pretty versatile cartridge.

 

[88E30M50]

I was looking at factory ammo at WalMart Saturday evening. Good news is that 40 was in good supply, all flavors. Bad news is that the price was $3-$4 box higher then 9mm and only about $1-$2 less then 45. A few years ago I determined that shooting a healthy diet of 45 acp would require reloading. Looks like 40 is following suit. Good news for the reloader is the 40 is a pretty versatile cartridge.

I hate to think of how little I'd shoot if not for reloading. .40 is easy to reload and the brass is easy to come by. I need to fit a .40 barrel to my DE so I can shoot without worrying too much about losing precious 10mm brass. I can shoot .40 all day long and not worry about missing brass during clean up. With 10mm, I sometimes spend more time chasing brass than I do shooting.

 

[varkman]

Yes.

 

[U.S. Patriot]

The capacity is a moot point in my opinion. I got out of .40, simply to only have to buy one caliber. As a reloader, I only have to reload one pistol caliber. Given the choice, I'll take 9mm every time. I see no advantage of .40 over 9mm balistically.

 

[chezuki]

The capacity is a mute point in my opinion. I got out of .40, simply to only have to buy one caliber. As a reloader, I only have to reload one pistol caliber. Given the choice, I'll take 9mm every time. I see no advantage of .40 over 9mm balistically.

But...but... Don't you see?!?? It's bigger-er.