.40 vs .45

[Luckyforward]

Which is the better cartridge - .40 or .45 - and why?

I would really appreciate your feedback.

[Guest Astra900]

Are you trying to stir up trouble?:D

I'm a .45 man all the way, but the "which is better" Q's always bring out a forums animosity.

I like the .45 because I believe "bigger the better". Inevitably someone will give the "shoots like a football" slur.

I have never had a .40 so I don't know. I know a .45 works, so i am less than inclined to choose it.

Now someone chimes in with the .40 S&W means SHORT and WEAK. THat's BS too. Hopefully us TN boys can act better than that. Other forums.....not happening. I'm new here but not to forums. So far everyone here seems civil. Can't tell you how happy it would make me if it stays that way.

IMHO, 230g .45acp Even if the criminal/mutant/zombie/thug is still living after two to the chest, they will have a change of heart on their intentions...Provided they still have an intact and functioning heart that is:tough:

[Guest bkelm18]

Screw that nonsense. Get a real man's caliber: 10MM.

[Guest Verbal Kint]

Which is the better cartridge - .40 or .45 - and why?

Best/Short Answer: Whichever you're more proficient and comfortable with.

It's really a matter of preference, and another can of worms to debate. IMO, I like the .40S&W better (for carry use) due to the increased magazine capacity and higher penetration.

Those two points are actually why I sold my HK45c and went with the Glock 23. I've been looking more and more at LEO jobs lately, since getting out of the military, and also a couple armed courier jobs. The .40S&W was a better choice... 13+ rounds vs 8 rounds and better penetration should I have to fire into a car/wall/etc or a perp wearing body armor or extra layers of clothing.

The .40S&W was the answer that the FBI came up with, after the Miami incident. They did a series of tests at the time and found that the 10mm cartridge had the best penetration and terminal ballistics of all the other configurations they tried. The only issue was that the 10mm had a lot more recoil than the other rounds. To offest this the FBI started loading the 10mm rounds a little lighter. It didn't take the industry long to realize that if LE was going to load light, they didn't need such a large case... thus the .40 S&W was born, by taking the 10mm bullet and sticking it into a shorter case.

Plus, in my situation the .40S&W was much more "force friendly". It's generally accepted and carried by most LEO's, whereas the .45ACP isn't always allowed.

Edited October 26, 2008 by Verbal Kint

[musicman]

Yanno... I used to be on the .40 bandwagon... seems like you can get more energy out of them, more rounds in the mags too. However, I keep reading more and more reports of the .40 failing, even with multiple center mass shots. I don't hear too many of those reports about the .45.

I don't have a favorite of the two anymore. I'm wanting a DW CBob in 10MM. That should take care of any problems!

[Luckyforward]

Wow! As usual, EXCELLENT feedback on TGO!

So what is the biggest difference in a .40 and a 10mm?

[TGO David]

I think it just depends on your comfort level, proficiency with the cartridge in question, and where and how you will be deploying it. Marswolf was a fan of the .40SW in urban settings because of the round's ability to punch through intermediate barriers and not lose too much of it's velocity or mass.

[Guest canynracer]

Wow! As usual, EXCELLENT feedback on TGO!

So what is the biggest difference in a .40 and a 10mm?

Powder, shell size is bigger...more powder...with a 40 cal bullet

I carry a 40 BTW...I have HUGE confidence in its abilities.

[Guest Verbal Kint]

So what is the biggest difference in a .40 and a 10mm?

Felt recoil.

[Luckyforward]

.40 is sounding better and better . . .

[Guest canynracer]

Felt recoil.

[Luckyforward]

BTW . . . y'all are PUSHING ME closer and closer to an XDM . . . *as my wife screams in the background*

[Guest canynracer]

hahaha....would be a good choice!

I am not sure it takes as much "push" as youre making it sound...LOL

[TGO David]

I really liked my 40's and will have another one of these days. Not sure which.

[Luckyforward]

hahaha....would be a good choice!

I am not sure it takes as much "push" as youre making it sound...LOL

LMAO . . . you are correct, Sir, . . . it is NOT as much of a push as you say!!!

Just creating an excuse to PURCHASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Luckyforward]

Is an XDM too large for concealed carry? Opinions, please!

*with apologies to Tungsten because I have been asking questions on .40/.45 issues for months before I spend a dime!*

[Guest Verbal Kint]

Is an XDM too large for concealed carry? Opinions, please!

It's doable... not sure you'd want to.

Might be better off with a compact XD, if you want to go that route.

[TGO David]

With the right holster, sure you could carry the XD-M. The grip length isn't much longer than that of the Glock 19 and barrel length is rarely an issue unless you're talking about an 8" revolver or something.

[Guest canynracer]

it all depends on HOW you carry, IWB, paddle, leather...I know plenty of people that can conceal them... a lot of it is the holster...spend more, you will be more comfy and you will conceal better...

you can get the XD45 compact which is easy to conceal cause it has the sub-compact grip.

[Guest canynracer]

dammit tung!!!

I need to type faster...

[Luckyforward]

You guys are GREAT!

[fizik]

With the right holster, sure you could carry the XD-M. The grip length isn't much longer than that of the Glock 19 and barrel length is rarely an issue unless you're talking about an 8" revolver or something.

then just appendix carry.........8"+8"=guaranteed to get laid lol

Edited October 26, 2008 by fizik
inches sign added for clarity lol

[Guest truthsayer]

I'm late to the party (stupid rockstar job....), and I'm a big fan of the 40 for my purposes. I can carry a ton of them in a concealable, controllable package. Living in the `hood and having to work in some unsavory parts of town, I like knowing that I have 15 chances to get out alive.

[Guest Todd@CIS]

.40 vs .45acp?

Caliber-wise, I'll take the .45acp. If we can agree that they are both equally effective (my opinion), I'll take the less recoil of the .45acp.

If you need more bullets, get a 9mm. Shot placement is everything.

If I could choose my duty weapon, it would be a G19 loaded with either Speer 124gr+P Gold Dots or Winchester 124gr+P Ranger-Ts.

However, my second choice would be a G23. Not because of the caliber, but the gun. Glock doesn't make a .45acp that I'm crazy about.

Edited October 26, 2008 by Todd@CIS

[TripleDigitRide]

Personally, I prefer the .40S&W for many of the reasons already mentioned. That's what I carry.

As far as the XDM goes, I sold mine before putting a single round through it. I'm a pretty damn big guy, and I thought it was too big for carry purposes. I'm sure it's a great range/competition gun, but not so much for carrying. I decided to stick with my XD40 4" Service Model. There couldn't be a more pefect carry gun for me. If there is, I haven't put my hands on one.

In the end, it matters little what we think. Our opinions may shed some light on the situation, but in the end, YOU have to be comfortable with the choice you make.