Personal Defense World
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Police News
    • Politics
    • Gun Facts & Laws
  • Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
    • Shotguns
    • Specialty Guns
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
    • Rifle Ammo
    • Shotgun Ammo
  • Parts
    • Handgun Parts
  • Accessories
    • Holsters
    • Optics & Sights
    • Lasers & Lights
    • Suppressors
  • Gear
    • Knives
    • Flashlights
    • Storage
  • Lifestyle
    • Shooting 101
    • Training
    • Concealed Carry
    • Home Defense
    • Personal Defense
      • Self-Defense
    • Competition Shooting
  • Videos
    • Video Series
      • At The Ready
      • Everyday Carry
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Personal Defense World
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Police News
    • Politics
    • Gun Facts & Laws
  • Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
    • Shotguns
    • Specialty Guns
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
    • Rifle Ammo
    • Shotgun Ammo
  • Parts
    • Handgun Parts
  • Accessories
    • Holsters
    • Optics & Sights
    • Lasers & Lights
    • Suppressors
  • Gear
    • Knives
    • Flashlights
    • Storage
  • Lifestyle
    • Shooting 101
    • Training
    • Concealed Carry
    • Home Defense
    • Personal Defense
      • Self-Defense
    • Competition Shooting
  • Videos
    • Video Series
      • At The Ready
      • Everyday Carry
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Personal Defense World
No Result
View All Result
 
*FREE GUN FRIDAY* Enter to WIN >> IWI Zion-15 Rifle & Black Hills 5.56 Ammo

.40 S&W vs .45 ACP: It’s Time to Settle the Big-Bore Auto Debate

Caleb Giddings by Caleb Giddings
April 26, 2022
in 40 S&W, 45 ACP, Ammo, Handgun Ammo, News, Police News
0
If we're debating 40 vs 45, we have to talk Glock 35
3
SHARES
2.4k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Ever since the .40 S&W cartridge hit the market, shooters have been debating which is better, the .40 S&W vs .45 ACP. It makes sense because both cartridges basically do the same thing. Let’s break down the pros and cons of .40 S&W vs .45 ACP.

Proper practice techniques help to improve shooting skills more than just sending rounds downrange.
RELATED STORY

10 Tips to Improve Your Shooting at the Range

.4​0 S&W vs .45 ACP: Does it Even Matter?

L​et’s get this part done first: no it doesn’t. Handgun stopping power is a myth. With modern, well-made defensive ammo, .40 S&W vs .45 ACP is kind of a pointless debate. Look at the data on Speer Gold Dot, for example. There’s a 180-grain Gold Dot for the .40 S&W and a 185-grain Gold Dot for the .45 ACP. In independent ballistic tests, both meet the FBI minimum penetration standards, and both expand to over 0.60 inches. And that’s after defeating 4 layer denim.

The results don’t really change if you change bullet weight either. A 230-grain Federal HST in .45 ACP expands a bit more than a 155-grain HST in .40 S&W, but that’s it. Interestingly, despite the .45 ACP having a larger bullet diameter than the .40 S&W, in the case of 230 grain vs 155 gr HST, the expanded diameter difference is smaller than 0.05.

To put the bottom line up front, there is no debate. Pick whichever you like best and vaya con dios, amigo. But then this article wouldn’t be very long, so let’s get into it.

You Should Pick the .40 S&W Because It Holds More Rounds

The biggest argument in favor of the slightly smaller round in the .40 S&W vs .45 ACP debate is that .40 S&W holds more rounds in pistols of similar size. For example, a single stack 1911 holds 8 rounds of .45 ACP but can hold up to 10 rounds of .40 S&W in a magazine that’s still concealable. If we’re keeping score in .40 S&W vs .45 ACP, that one is a clear win for the shorty .40 S&W. More ammo is always better, right?

You Should Pick the .45 ACP Because it’s Nicer to Shoot

40 vs 45 ACP, this Colt only holds 8 rounds
This was the author’s personal carry gun for a year

I have shot a ton of both rounds. Over a 3-year period, I shot 13,000+ rounds of .45 ACP through a bunch of different semi-auto platforms, most of which was a Glock 21. Over the same period, I shot about 7,000 rounds of .40 S&W, almost all of which were through Glocks. I can say with absolute certainty that I enjoyed shooting the .45 ACP a lot more. Most shooters agree as well, that the recoil impulse on .45 ACP is more pleasant despite it being a larger caliber, especially in polymer-framed pistols than the recoil impulse on the .40 S&W.

.40 S&W vs .45 ACP Is a Silly Debate and You Should Get a 9mm Pistol

O​f course, if the only difference in .40 S&W vs .45 ACP is that .45 ACP is nicer to shoot and .40 S&W holds more rounds, the real answer is to get a 9mm. It’s nicer to shoot than both calibers AND it holds more rounds than either. But if you’re really committed to this discussion, we’ll make a recommendation.

Editor’s Choice: .40 S&W

T​his one makes sense, at least to me. First, you do get more rounds with .40 S&W. Secondly, with careful ammo choices, such as Federal’s 205-grain Syntech Action Pistol round, .40 S&W is just as nice to shoot as .45 ACP. Lastly, thanks to law enforcement agencies in America switching to 9mm, there are loads of affordable, high-quality .40 S&W semi-autos floating around the secondary market right now. A police trade-in Gen 3 Glock 22 is a great gun, and with some of the current prices it just makes sense. With caveats, if the question is .40 S&W vs .45 ACP, then I’m going .40 S&W.

Didn't find what you were looking for?

CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS

Related Posts

Nexbelt Adds the Supreme Appendix EDC Gun Belt in Black Camo.

Nexbelt Adds the Supreme Appendix EDC Gun Belt in Black Camo

The CZ DWX Compact.

First Look: CZ DWX Compact Comes in a Concealed Carry Size

Credit Card Companies Help Democrats track Gun Purchases.

UPDATE: Florida Signs Law to Prohibit Tracking Gun Sales Via Credit Card

Two Tisas 1911 models.

Turkish Gold: Testing Two Budget-Friendly Tisas 1911 Models

Load More

PERSONAL DEFENSE WORLD VIDEOS

Discussion about this post

FEATURED POST

Study Proves the Good Guy with a Gun Theory.

Good Guy with a Gun: Study of CCW Holders Stopping Mass Shootings

Following the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas, gun control advocates have taken the anti-gun narrative to a fever pitch. They insist...

Read more

TRENDING

gm, general motors, general motors stabbing

Michigan: Concealed Carrying Valet Saves GM Worker In Stabbing

...

We tested three of the most popular 8-shot revolvers on the market today.

8-Shot Revolver Showdown With S&W, Ruger, and Taurus

...

Two Tisas 1911 models.

Turkish Gold: Testing Two Budget-Friendly Tisas 1911 Models

...

The Magnum Research 1911.

Magnum 10: Shooting the Magnum Research G Model 10mm 1911

...

PICK A CATEGORY

CONCEALED CARRY SPOTLIGHT

Nexbelt Adds the Supreme Appendix EDC Gun Belt in Black Camo.

Nexbelt Adds the Supreme Appendix EDC Gun Belt in Black Camo

Nexbelt has brought innovation and performance to the gun belt arena in recent years. Fortunately, the company isn’t just a...

CONCEALED CARRY SHOWCASE

Wisconsin To Get a New Firearms Training Center, Mission94, in Early 2024.

Mission94 Firearms Education Center to Open in Early 2024

The Grey Man Tactical Safe Door Organizer.

Store More with the Grey Man Tactical Safe Door Organizer

25 firearm storage device options for keeping your guns safe.

Safe & Secure: 25 Fortified Firearm Storage Options

Memorial Day 2014 tribute

Memorial Day: Honoring Our Fallen American Heroes

CEO of Fenix Ammo Delivers Conditions for Free Ammo to MTOA.

Fenix Ammunition CEO Torches MI Police After Free Ammo Request

The Premier Body Armor Home Shield.

Premier Body Armor Home Shield – Protection You Can Get Behind

The Beretta 92XI SAO.

Beretta Expands Its Popular 92 Line with the 92XI SAO

Using paper targets during shooting practice for immediate feedback.

Shred It: Shooting Paper Targets Provides Important Feedback

AMMO SPOTLIGHT

handloading, handloader, handloading tips, handloading ammunition, handloading ammo

5 Common-Sense Handloading Tips

A rundown of five essentials every handloader must know before he starts rolling his own ammunition.

  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
Call us: +1 234 JEG THEME

© 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.

No Result
View All Result
  • Guns
    • View All Guns
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
    • Rifles
    • Specialty Guns
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
    • Rifle Ammo
    • Shotgun Ammo
  • Parts
    • Handgun Parts
  • Accessories
    • View All Accessories
    • Holsters
    • Optics & Sights
    • Laser & Lights
    • Suppressors
  • Gear
    • View All Gear
    • Knives
    • Storage
  • Lifestyle
    • View All Lifestyle
    • Shooting 101
    • Training
    • Concealed Carry
    • Home Defense
    • Personal Defense
      • Self-Defense
    • Competition Shooting
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Police News
    • Politics
    • Gun Facts & Laws
  • Videos
  • Subscribe

© 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.