40 S&W was introduced to replicate the performance of the 10mm round but in a slightly smaller and friendlier consumer package. In the past three decades it has become a popular choice with handgun owners, and that has made it increasingly difficult to find during the pandemic.
What bullets do a Smith and Wesson 40 take?
Best . 40 S&W Ammo
- Winchester 180 gr Ranger Bonded. A newer round from Winchester, the 180gr Ranger Bonded is showing off the latest in bullet technology.
- Remington 180 gr Ultimate Defense.
- Winchester 165 gr PDX-1.
- Winchester 165 gr Ranger Bonded.
- Blazer Brass – Assorted – 165/180 gr FMJ.
- PMC – Assorted – 165/180 gr FMJ.
What kind of ammo does a 40 use?
. 40 S&W
| Bullet mass/type | Velocity | Energy |
|---|---|---|
| 10.69 g (165 gr) Federal FMJ | 1,130 ft/s (340 m/s) | 468 ft⋅lbf (635 J) |
| 7.45 g (115 gr) Cor-Bon Glaser | 1,400 ft/s (430 m/s) | 500 ft⋅lbf (680 J) |
| 10.04 g (155 gr) Federal HST | 1,160 ft/s (350 m/s) | 463 ft⋅lbf (628 J) |
| 8.74 g (135 gr) Underwood JHP | 1,400 ft/s (430 m/s) | 588 ft⋅lbf (797 J) |
Is S&W 40 A good gun?
40 S&W is a perfectly viable self-defense round. If you have a . 40 pistol that you’ve trained extensively with, switching calibers isn’t an urgent need. It takes training time and money to change your gun.
What’s the difference between a 40 caliber and a 10mm?
The . 40 S&W is sparked by a small pistol primer, while the 10mm uses a large pistol primer. The larger and faster 10mm will give 624 foot-pounds of muzzle energy when sending a 180-grain bullet at 1,250 fps, while the . 40 S&W will give a slight advantage in the energy department over the .
Is there a big difference between 9mm and 40?
40 caliber cartridge typically sports a heavier bullet with loads between from 135 to 180 grain, compared to between 115 and 147 grain for the 9mm. The heavier bullets of the . 40 caliber will be a little slower in velocity. 40 also delivers more felt recoil and has a slightly higher recoil velocity.
