Is .40 S&W really dying?

[Anchorite]

Terminal Performance, by whichever name , and whichever measure . Always rightly of interest , never reached a consensus definition . Never reached a consensus ranking either by caliber or specific load . And not insignificant number of observers/ commentator insist that differences only exist between broad categories, or even no difference at all between any caliber at all .

Disclaimers out of the way , my takes and observations .

There are differences . Albeit among ( duty / defensive calibers, using what l consider top performing loads ) , the differences can be small enough to not be a big deal . And individual Loads of say 9mm can overlap with certain individual loads for say .40S&W. ( Other calibers similar situation ) .

It is my * opinion * ( but l can make good argument ) , that many , if not majority , of users / PD selected the less than best choice of bullet weight for .40 .

From the experiences of " urban medium " size PD of my intimate acquaintance , and my digging into available testing, l can point to a handful of 155 / 165 gr duty loads ( that l believe ) to outperform any 9mm duty load .

[ No , l'm not saying good 9mm loads suck , or might not be rational choices to use / issue . I have no issue saying that good 9mm can be "plenty good " , or carrying 9mm . But claims that 9mm is "Better" than
40 , 10 , .45 , .357 , etc irk me .]

All this talk about terminal performance is really just ballistic masturbation. Things get interesting when you get to the 12 guage size, and then I tend to check back in on the comments of the peanut gallery.

 

[Bassbob]

All this talk about terminal performance is really just ballistic masturbation. Things get interesting when you get to the 12 guage size, and then I tend to check back in on the comments of the peanut gallery.

Sure but 12 gauge is hard to EDC. Even in my 5.11 tactical cargo pants. And trust me, I've tried.

 

[HansGruber]

Sure but 12 gauge is hard to EDC. Even in my 5.11 tactical cargo pants. And trust me, I've tried.

Can confirm.

I’ve seen the pictures.

 

[HansGruber]

Ironically, today I picked up another .40…

HK USP Expert

 

[Belt Fed]

Ironically, today I picked up another .40…

HK USP ExpertView attachment 90524

Don't think i ever seen mags like those.

 

[OldGrunt]

Don't think i ever seen mags like those.

I had to do the double take on those mags myself. Thought it was wet Tupperware at first!

 

[HansGruber]

Don't think i ever seen mags like those.

Translucent HK high capacity mags (standard capacity for a USP40 is 13rds; these are 16), standard for all models with the “Jet Funnel” magwell…also necessary, as standard cap mags won’t seat properly with the funnel installed.

9mm are the same, but 18rd capacity…and perfectly interchangeable with .40.

 

[trader]

Sure but 12 gauge is hard to EDC. Even in my 5.11 tactical cargo pants. And trust me, I've tried.

so ah Bass ole buddy. Seriously bro - that shotgun down your pants must've attracted quite the attention of the fairer sex, If I had to guess. Don't post pix please.

 

[Bassbob]

so ah Bass ole buddy. Seriously bro - that shotgun down your pants must've attracted quite the attention of the fairer sex, If I had to guess. Don't post pix please.

As luck would have it I picked up another 500 this morning. Priced VERY right. This one has a threaded receiver and an 18" barrel. So the plan is to take the old pistol grip from the Cruiser out of the drawer, swap everything on my current 500 over to the drilled and tapped receiver and wind up with same 21" 500 I already have only with the ability to put a pic rail on it and an 18" pistol grip pump.

 

[SL66]

I hear that there is a guy that uses "A ****ing pencil"!

 

[Bassbob]

I hear that there is a guy that uses "A ****ing pencil"!

He's who you send to kill the bogeyman.