.40 Smith & Wesson - The "Goldilocks" cartridge?

[@grantorino2009]

LE buddy of mine has been in 2 OIS’s. Both with G22 .40 using Bonded Golden Saber 165 grain. He told me that the first felon, armed with a knife at close range, was hit in the chest. Fell like a stone and never breathed again. Superb performance for a handgun cartridge. The second was identical. The .40 is a top shelf self-defense cartridge; maybe even the best.

[@elgato9534]

I gave you a thumbs up.

[@mikekillin1860]

Hard choice 10 mm or 40

[@shanescatsandcannabisfarm2965]

10mm IS more powerful... But the guns are heavy too. I like the .40 because you have plenty of enough power and a 9mm frame..... I mean, if 10mm puts doen bears then .40 should be more than enough for 200 lb humans ​@@mikekillin1860

[@gdmofo]

Agree

[@losi8ightyew]

@@mikekillin1860 Yeah but you can get .40 in some really tiny guns! You cant get 10mm in that small of a frame! .40 is the best CCW round money can buy!

[@iratezombiemann]

I have a glock 23 with 14k rounds through it, still going strong. You wouldn't guess the round count if you saw the internals. Everything from 50 grains up to 200 grain monsters clocking about 1100. Hotter .40 caliber loads creep up on .357 mag in terms of power and they do it with a bigger, heavier bullet. I'm a massive fan of this cartridge.

[@SonnyCrocket-p6h]

based upon what? have you timed your repeat hits on the chest at 10 ft or so? Have you shot a lot of live targets to see if 1100 fps jhps actually expand in flesh and blood (they might, might not) ditto 1200 fps 9mm loads. 147 gr jhp 9mms dont, in lung tissue, and neither to 230 gr .45 ACP jhps. The needed velocity is just not present.

[@riju2294]

@@SonnyCrocket-p6h Any rounds to the chest will do the same for the most part. And split times in a SD situation I don't think really matter with any caliber. The first lethally placed shot is what counts. Unloading multiple or excessive rounds can have a bad look in court as well. So there's that. Let some videos of you practicing with a. shot timer and see how that presents in court.

[@Gumby56]

On jumped on the 40 shortly after it came out and in retirement, I still carry it.

[@roykiefer7713]

Dick, I greatly enjoy and respect your videos. Thank you. With regard to the .40 S&W, I agree with your “Goldilocks” finding, although I’ll express my conclusion somewhat differently. I’m 77, I’ve been shooting for many decades, my father was an FBI SA and firearms instruction, and I spent two decades as a Naval officer, followed by two more as Lockheed Martin’s Director of Navy TacAir Programs. My responsibilities in the last years of my Navy career and at Lockheed focused on Systems Engineering. Consequentially, I’ll apply my Systems Engineering education, training and experiences to the .40 S&W cartridge. Many have commented the “the .40” is a “compromised” round, but I’ll assert that it is an “optimized” one. To illustrate this, please consider that: > Most similarly sized sidearms chambered in .40 have capacities slightly greater than their .45 ACP brethren, and slightly less than their 9x19mm brothers . . . that’s capacity optimization. > Similarly, the .40’s mass (particularly the popular 180 grain) is essentially about 30 grains greater than the 9mm’s 148 grain loads and 50 grains lighter than .45 ACP’s 230 grain rounds . . . that’s weight optimization. > Velocity is also optimized, as is autoloader power, size, grip circumference, and trigger reach. So, as you indicated, the .40 is THE optimized “Goldilocks” cartridge. Does this suggest that the 9x19mm or the .45 ACP are poor? Certainly not; in fact, all three of these primary semiautomatic defensive rounds will (to quote Clint Smith) “poke holes” in the adversary . . . they are all marginal rapid criminal stoppers, and none factually compares to the efficacy of most defensive long-guns. Most of my EDCs are 9mm, but on my nightstand an Sig P226 - chambered in .40 S&W - often sits, ready to protect innocents. Why, because it is the optimized weapon that provides the best combination of attributes, compared with the .45 ACP and the 9x19mm.

[@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb]

Tough to argue with an engineer. Glad you like my stuff, Sir, thanks for your service.

[@roykiefer7713]

@@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb . . . and I thank you for your service.

[@bluesoverlord]

This is quickly becoming my favorite gun tube site. Your knowledge base is great and your advice and assessments are gold. Thanks!

[@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb]

Thank you!

[@bluesoverlord]

@@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb By the way, I find it interesting that you call the .40 the Goldilocks cartridge, but choose a 9 mm or a .45. I can understand the 9 mm for the more compact pistols that make concealment easier, like a p365. But, can you go into why you pick the .45 over the .40 if it is reliable AND a Goldilocks AND a smaller frame? Is that just happenstance or a conscious choice? I can understand for a trooper maybe wanting the biggest piece of lead to be able to go through glass, but as a civilian are you just carrying that over?

[@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb]

@@bluesoverlord Fair question. I cut my pistol teeth on a Colt Government Model .45, so when I had the option to choose my duty-size gun it was a 1911 pattern. While some .40 models were made in 1911s, they quickly died out. There is something about the geometry of the .40 that doesn't work well with a standard 1911. That is why Springfield Armory created their EMP, a 9mm-sized 1911. The .40 works fine in a 9mm sized pistol, but I'm not aware of anyone making a .40 caliber 1911 anymore. So, I guess the .45 has always been my default for full-sized pistols. If a .40 is good, a .45 is better, to me.

[@JustDefense]

Have to agree.

[@johnlacasse8893]

Rock Island makes a pretty solid 1911 in both 40 and 10 mm in both single and double stack configurations... 16+1 in either 40 or 10... lots of firepower... Just offering it up. That said, I chose their 14+1 45 ACP for my go home defense... I figure if they walk through 15 rounds of 45, it's just God calling me home after that... 😂😂😂​@@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb

[@kentwilliams3326]

We switched to the .40 S&W in 1996 after three years of testing. We determined that the 155 grain JHP .40 S&W was significantly better than the 180 grain JHP. Later at the National Firearms Unit (U.S. Border Patrol) we began receiving phone calls from police agencies because of 180 grain JHP failures and requesting info on the 155 / 40. I was sharing that with a local sheriff's department firearms trainer and he mirrored our good experience with the 155 grain load, but stated that he had mistakenly ordered the 180 grain JHP during his last purchase. Subsequently a male and female sheriff's unit responded to a call and encountered a male subject who, during the encounter sucker punched the male deputy knocking him unconscious and jumped the female. During the struggle she fired three 180 grain .40 S&W rounds point blank into the assailant's chest causing him to break contact. He ran ~50 yards and sat down against a tree. When her backup arrived the subject was complaining that he was having difficulty breathing and when EMS arrived he had stopped breathing.

[@KCBluesJams]

3 180 jhp at close range right in the chest and the guy walks 50 yards and is talking he must have had a vest or have been very lucky 😉

[@kentwilliams3326]

@@KCBluesJams Until that 180 grain shooting the S.O. had experienced 1 shot stops with the 155 grain .40.

[@digirole60]

Frankly 40SW has long been my go to self defense cartridge. Thans again great video.

[@gradybird3336]

AMEN! I've said for years that recoil was mental. It's the "boom" that causes the flinch. Even a .45acp isn't painful. Of course it's different in big magnums, they can actually hurt, but for a duty sidearm the recoil is fine. If there were no noise, I think recoil would be a non-issue for most.

[@bilbobagginssword3926]

Vastly underrated comment

[@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb]

I once hot swapped pistols with a female officer on the range who thought a .40 would be too much recoil. When she finished the string with the .40, thinking she was firing a 9mm, I asked her if she noticed a difference. She said the .40 was louder but couldn't tell the difference in recoil.

[@robertcolpitts4534]

The .40 S&W is my standard EDC. Started with it in 2010. Prior to this, I carried a .45 ACP. People keep telling me that the 9mm has lower recoir than the .40 in equivalent pistols. Quite frankly, I really can't tell the difference between the recoil from a 9mm and a .40 S&W in a compact or subcompact pistol. It's a superb round.

[@sg51psd04]

Binge watching your self defense caliber videos, best few hours on video in a long time. Thank you.

[@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb]

Thank you, I hope they were worthwhile.

[@000one]

Thank you very much for a true and fair video on the 40S&W. Coming from someone with your background and expertise. FINALLY !

[@cgsimons1187]

The 1994 AWB was in effect when I first became a firearms owner. At that time the mag capacity advantage of pistols in .40 S&W and 9mm were unable to be fully realized. The .45 ACP and .357 Magnum gained my interest and held my respect since then.

[@SonnyCrocket-p6h]

based upon what criteria? Have you timed your repeat hits with th e 357 on say, a pie plate at 10 ft? .35+ seconds does not hack it, when you can get .17 second repeat hits with a 9mm.

[@SonnyCrocket-p6h]

everyone misses a lot, gets poor hits, etc, when they are actually being shot-at. You aint Audie Murphy. There can easily be more than one attacker. So please dont come at me with the bs about 'I only need one shot", ok?

[@cgsimons1187]

@@SonnyCrocket-p6h I have yet to obtain a weapon that is limited to only one-shot capacity.

[@cgsimons1187]

​@@SonnyCrocket-p6h My point about the AWB was that when I first became interested in firearms that ban limited the capacity of all magazines to 10 rounds. If you avoided that experience, that is nice. I might have gravitated towards the 9mm if 15+ round mags were commonly(and reasonably priced) available at that time. Hopefully such a ban will never be allowed to return.

[@losi8ightyew]

Try some of the .40 loads that imitate .357 mag! The 135 gr loadings come to mind, 600 ft lbs while still keeping some weight behind em, expansion, wound tracts and penetration is identical to 125 gr .357 mag. Thats the badass thing about the .40, you want to sling big heavy bullets 180gr-200gr...or you can lighten em up, match .357 sig and pretty closely follow .357 mag even. .40 moves a 135gr pill about 1400+ fps.

[@cliftonwhittaker260]

I have the perfect .40 S&W for me. Points like pointing my finger and fits my hand perfectly. It is fun to shoot and is extremely accurate. It is easy to load for and functional at any power lever up to max loads taken from several different loading manuals. I usually use a medium load for range use. The gun is a S&W Model 646 from the S&W Pro-Shop and provided by Lipsey's Distributors. It uses 6-shot moon clips and has rubber S&W boot grips which distribute the little bit of recoil comfortably in the palm of the hand. If you try one, you'll love it.

[@joelee2371]

My 3 favorite pistols are the S&W metal frame autos. I have 3 in 9mm, 40, & 10mm, and the latter two have replaced my Model 39-2 as EDC. The 40 has a little more recoil than the 9mm, which a natural consequence of more power, but it is not objectionable. The big ten has even more recoil, but being a Model 1006 in all stainless helps mitigate the recoil, and it is quite manageable. With either the 40 or the 10mm, or the RIA compact.45 that I carry for backup, I feel quite confident of one-shot stops. For those who think it takes a lot of muscle to handle these calibers, I point out that I am 78 years old, and not overly strong.

[@bullpup33]

I am still rockn 40, love it! Great time to be a 40 fan. Cheap buy backs, companies selling them for cheap and ammo still on the shelf. ❤

[@lennylemer3256]

Great video, Dick! I'm a retired LEO from the east coast and we were slow to adopt the semi-auto and the 9mm that came with it, finally catching on in 1989. I come from a very large department and accordingly, it seems that we were always last to the party. We started with a FMJ, 115 gr, and eventually evolved to 147 gr JHP's. In 1996 I was involved in an OIS and the 9mm JHP did its job, and the two bad guys were neutralized; but God was with us that night. I have since retired and my EDC is a .40cal., Glock 27, topped with Bonded Golden Saber 180 gr. rounds. I couldn't agree with you more. Although, I love the .45 cal, and own several 1911's in that caliber, I sleep with a Glock 22 with a Streamlight TLR 8, light and laser next to the bed. And as a bonus, I've found that .40 cal surplus ammo is available since LE is misguidedly moving to the 9mm and trading in pallets full of the stuff. My next purchase is going to be a Glock 23, which I believe to be the perfect .40 cal EDC handgun. Please keep the videos coming! Your insight is invaluable.

[@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb]

Thanks for your service and kind words.

[@lynch6642]

Still have my Sig P226 Blackwater in 40 cal and I have about 10 magazines and all full of black talons, during the pandemic the ammo never slowed down a bit

[@robpayne183]

I retired with my Glock 22 and carry a G27 as my EDC

[@derrickbecton7526]

The 40 is my EDC I love it

[@therond.patron4959]

My EDC is the Glock G35 because it gives me 16 rounds of .40 caliber in the same size gun as an 8 or 9 round full size 1911 in a lighter gun. The .40 does better against barriers as you said such as windshield, glass and especially human bone where it will break it or go straight through. My game time ammo is the 155 grain Speer Gold Dot with a match grade barrel I am getting 1250-1270fps and in my opinion that's hard to beat. You called the 45 ACP reliable long before this video. I said that the 40 out of a 5-in barrel mimics a 45 ACP

[@yesterdayshero7403]

Dick, i carried a G22 for 20 years in my big city department. It was a huge upgrade from the 147 9mm's i started with. Thanks for your excellent, informed content.

[@chrisgundermann]

Well done Dick & thank for your time with this. - being a retired State Trooper SWAT Commander, Marine Corps Captain I don't comment much, but I appreciate your thoughtfulness with this. I was a full time SWAT Sergeant when our team was asked to assess a better penetrating round for Trooper involved vehicle shootings. We historically carried a 6" S&W .357 Magnum (cross draw) and the Beretta 92F with +P+ loads... At the end of the day, we adopted the .40 Cal, when our team data had the .357 Sig as the best penetrating round into motor vehicles. That round obviously didn't pan out... I have carried both the .45 Cal 1911 and a 9MM 92 Berretta in the Corps. And for roughly half my career carried the Beretta 92F 9MM on Patrol & SWAT and the .40 Cal HKs pistols both for Patrol and on SWAT. Carried the S&W M&Ps in .40 for the later half of my 26 years and retired an Ass. Chief. I reviewed many officer involved shootings during crime scenes/administrative investigations and know historically what works. As a SWAT sergeant Team Leader and as the Commander, I personally purchased & carried an HK USP Compact .45 ACP which was hybelo ported in a Team Leader vest. Great fireworks during night shoots! If memory serves me correctly, one of the few .45 ACP Factory guns that can shoot .45 Super. A bit Guchi... Have used my SWAT MP-5 9MM twice during a SWAT warrant service and have a definite opinion on penetration through residential structures... As a Team Sergeant, I elected to use an MP-5 because of its precision and rate of fire after carrying Colt 5.56 variants forever... SWAT Sergeants carried new Colt M4 s & Troopers carried the 9MM HK MP-5s. That choice, saved a biker's life twice because I was shooting 9MM over 5.56 from an M4 from subgun variants. Thanks again for your presentation and keep up on the good wisdom you impart. 🙏

[@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb]

Thanks for the kind words and your long, impressive service.

[@chrisgundermann]

My thanks to you sir

[@BlueRidgeCritter]

Thank you for another great video! I did the opposite of most - been a 45 guy all my shooting life, then a back injury made me switch to 9mm (even single stack .45's are just heavy and big, and it hurts to carry it on an all-day basis.. BUT...I've never felt comfortable with it, especially when I became a dad to 3 little girls, and the papa bear thing happened. So a lot of research, and talking with Massad Ayoob, and I ended up only carrying the hottest 9 I could find (usually plus P) around here...and it got to bothering me that in order for a 9mm to be acceptable, you pretty much have to use 9mm loaded to where it has one foot out of the envelope and pushes voiding warranties. Then I started paying attention to police cam videos. Seems to me like an awful lot of cops shoot the bad guy, unload the whole mag into them, and the bad guy eventually DOES stop, but usually they just go sit down and expire. None of the "sudden stops" I've always heard of with other calibers. It really got me to thinking about it, and yesterday, I did something that will probably land me on a Red Flag list - I bought my first .40 as an early birthday present . Why carry a souped up 9mm that's pushing it's luck, when I can get a .40 and still have the smaller pistol size?

[@raysobremonte5444]

I'm somewhat in the same boat there. My daily carry is currently always a Colt Python .357 magnum, I think it's a wonderful cartridge and it's a favorite. However, there are times when I want something a tad smaller or lighter. I own a full size 9mm but honestly, the more I shoot 9mm, the more I realize I don't like it as much. I want slightly more power. And I have a baby on the way so I understand that feeling of the 9mm not being up to snuff compared to a larger caliber. So currently I'm on the fence between a 40 and a 45, and want to sell my 9mm

[@markpaolino4264]

I was a federal uniformed police officer with the D.O.D., and initially, we had a Beretta DAO in 9mm, then we switched to an S&W, M&P in .40 cal. I loved it so much that I purchased one for myself. You are correct. They have more stopping power and are better on barriers. I am looking at an H&K 30L in .40. Little tidbit, the H&K USP was originally designed spifically for the .40. I am relocating to Wyoming, so I also plan to purchase a 10mm for hiking around in the back country.

[@Lexicologist1971]

I have a USP40. It is a sweet shooting gun.

[@kyrozudesoya1829]

Apparently the Beretta PX4 Storm was also designed with .40 in mind, might make a cheaper alternative if you don't want to fork out for H&K. The gun is designed to be easy to shoot in general and in 9mm the compact shoots easier than some full size all metal guns. Just make sure to put grip tape on the frame, that's the only real weak point on the gun.

[@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb]

I would be back living in God's country (Wyoming) if not for some family obligations. You'll love it.

[@Ammo08]

During my four years in Wyoming, over 50 years ago, I generally carried a 357 Magnum revolver or a 1911 when out camping in the mountains. I bought my first 40 S&W in the early 1990s, a Glock 23. I still have that pistol and I still carry it often, especially in Winter when I can carry it under a coat. If I'm carrying a 40 S&W or a 45 ACP, I'm happy. When I was a young airman I asked one of our officers why we couldn't have 45s like the Army; he responded something to the effect that, "If you are shooting the enemy with a pistol, you are in trouble."

[@joelee2371]

That man failed in leadership by fogging the issue rather than answering your question; the best answer he could have given would have been the honest one, that is to say that he didn't know. I suspect that it has to do with economy, and supply issues, in which there weren't enough 1911s to go around. As far as trouble goes, the 45 is more likely to get you out of that trouble than a 38.

[@danielgreen6547]

Vindication!!!! 👏 The only real gripe I ever had about .40 was that historically, in *most* full sized duty type pistols *other* than the Glock 22, the magazine capacity was usually 12 rounds or less. The full sized HK USP held 13, but that was an outlier. Beretta 96s back in the day only held 11 rounds, SIG 226s and 229s in .40 held 12. With modern factory or reliable aftermarket magazines/extensions, this is not really an issue any longer.

[@linkbond08]

Smith & Wesson M&P40 15 Rounds it's a full full size gun.

[@danielgreen6547]

​@@linkbond08 Yes, but that came out around *2005* or so. Throughout the 1990s, Glock and HK were the only 2 major manufacturers (that I am aware of, at least) that offered more than 12 rounds of .40 in their factory magazines for full-sized duty handguns...the Glock 22 had 15 rounds, the HK USP held 13 rounds.

[@linkbond08]

@@danielgreen6547 oh so when you said historically you meant *Historically,* got ya.

[@ThrashTillDeth85]

Historically sure. That’s why S&W was the next one to do that. Things change at least somewhat. If a company was inclined to now they could probably make a 40 fit 16 rds flush fit in a full sized frame, 13 in a compact, and 10 in anything smaller. But most companies don’t care to, and would rather keep making it as if it was still the 90s

[@linkbond08]

I like the 40, my first pistol was one, at the time it was a bit expensive so I switched my M&P40 1.0 to 9mm with a barrel and magazine swap and it became very calm and flat, but after a while a little boring. So when my money got better I went back to the 40, then I decided to try something different and switched to the 357sig with a barrel swap and I fell in love, sight in at 25yd and hit dead on out to 150yd, same capacity as the 40 with ridiculous more speed 1400fps on a 125gr XTP. And easily make brass from 40sw, yes it's a little short but my full house loads don't care, and the vermin I hit don't seem to tell the difference.

[@64samsky]

I'd worry about the short case causing pressure problems.

[@linkbond08]

@@64samsky 500 rounds I've had 1 split case mouth, no failures of any kind, no carbon on the primers, or other usual pressure signs, I'm using H-110 got the recipe from a Guns and Ammo Magazine September of 96.

[@RJ-hv6fr]

I'm a 40 fan. The windshield testing alone sold me over 25 years ago. There is no debating the test results.

[@joelbabcock2952]

Love your channel, no BS approach, backed up by professional experience. The 40 S&W is my favorite cartridge. Today. Tomorrow it will be the 45 ACP! Around the house or when I go to town, my Springfield TRP is at my side. When I travel, it’s my Glock 22 and Underwood 155 loads. I own 3 9mm’s and like them. But I prefer the 40 and the 45.

[@mkshffr4936]

Identical ballistics to the 150 year old .38-40... Good ideas always seem to come back into style eventually.

[@victorrichardson3027]

Best overview of the American 40 on the interweb!

[@jimmiefarris4218]

Thanks for your honesty on the 40cal. Contrary to most I've been told it's an inadequate cartridge. I never believed as much and have felt comfortable carrying one. I prefer the extra ooomph I get with the 40. Thanks to you for reaffirming my opinion of the 40S&W.

[@colt10mmsecurity68]

The FBI has a history of lying about a lot of things. Just ask Trump. Anyway… I carried the 9mm for 28 out of a 34 year LE career in Los Angeles. During those 34 years, there was a window of time for 6 years when I switched to a Hk USP .45acp for duty work. Well, after that “window” in time, I decided to go back to the 9mm until I recently retired. I 💙 the 9mm with 147gr HST’s, but as of late, I now EDC either a .40 or a .357 Sig, depending on my mood for the day. My 9mm’s are pretty much “safe queens” now. The .40’s bigger “oompf” and bigger, heavier bullet is just better. Currently I’m carrying the 180gr Ranger-T’s and I just love that caliber/bullet combo. The bullet opens up to above .70” in diameter and penetrates within the 12-18” criteria that the Fan Belt Inspectors (FBI) call for. I’ll take the .40 over a “.380 magnum” (9mm) any day.

[@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb]

Thanks for your service.

[@colt10mmsecurity68]

@@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb Ditto, as you as well! 🇺🇸

[@robertclark972]

If you are looking to Mr. tRump for truth on any subject , I suggest you look for another starting point .

[@colt10mmsecurity68]

@@robertclark972 Ok, how about your POTUS… Is Biden any better?

[@robertclark972]

I am old enough to know that ALL politicians lie . It's the soup in which they swim . But of all the thieving, lying, disgusting con-men this country has ever produced ,tRump outdoes them all . If you believe in His Orangeness to any degree ,I actually feel sorry for you , you are being duped . Have fun paying for Melania's stylists and Donald's ineffectual attorneys .

[@twister6909]

Glock 23 fan. I have gone from gen1-gen4 and loved them all. The 23 conceal really well . Not to mention during the 2020 ammo shortages. 40 ammo was available when 9mm was next to impossible to get. Its a keeper and never understood the resent dislike of it. Do not listen to all the hype about 9mm being the all seeing, all doing cartridge the .40 is better.

[@chriskirk2780]

The Glock 23 was the first pistol I ever bought and 23 years later I'm still shooting it and carrying it.

[@SuburbanRifleman]

Best explanation of the .40 I've ever heard. Thank you! Subscribed.

[@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb]

Thanks for the sub.

[@JonFox-t5x]

I have to agree with you on the 40 S&W cartridge. My daughter bought me an H&K VP40 for Christmas this past year. When I first shot it I was wondering what all the talk was about the added recoil. I own and have shot pretty much all of the other handgun calibers. I honestly have to say that this particular gun is the one I shoot most accurately. Throw in the Buffalo Bore 155 grain +p loads and you have a round equal to or better than most factory 10mm ammo. 1300 fps and 582 ft/pounds. I definitely don’t feel unarmed to say the least. With 6 thirteen round magazines I should hope I can hit something 😂. 52 rounds at 10 yards produces a three inch hole centered on the X. And that’s fast fire. Thank you for stating your opinion of this cartridge. Many others would have you think it’s not worth the trouble. Great videos and so much useful information.

[@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb]

Thanks for the kind words.

[@JonFox-t5x]

@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb You’re very welcome sir.

[@JonFox-t5x]

@@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb I really enjoy your videos more than the so called unpaid and unbiased ones who own enough guns and ammo that they plainly can’t afford it. Plus you don’t try to sway anyone towards particular products. Just honest advice. God Bless!

[@user-lo6cf3df1x]

I felt that way for quite a few years now.About the forty cal . the best of both

[@stevenessary7986]

Great Video, with much knowledge, backed by real experience. Thank you! When I went into LE, many years ago, in a small town department, we had to buy our own equipment, including our side arm and back up gun(if we wanted one). I bought a Sig model 220 45 acp as my duty weapon, having always had much respect for the proven 45. I bought a S&W airweight 38 spl as my backup. At that time, I had very little knowledge of the 40 S&W, or I might would have considered it. Some of the 30 officers in my department did carry the 40, most carried 9mm and two others carried 45 acp and one carried a 357 mag. My two favorite calibers after all of these years is 45 acp and 357 mag. I do own a Glock 23, 40 cal and I do respect and trust it, after gaining more knowledge of it over the years. I agree with you that the FBI is wrong about the 9mm being able to do what the big bores will do. No matter how much advancement there is in ammo, the 9 will never out preform the 40 or 45. I do believe the 9mm has it’s place, which in my opinion is in the smaller frame pistols for better concealment, if a larger caliber cannot be concealed well enough for the job. Keep up the good work with these videos, you are provided a great service.

[@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb]

Thanks for the kind words and for your service!

[@bernardconeghen]

its what you prefer to many in the 9mm crowd think whats the problem we have at least 15 rounds it means nothing if you are wasting to many rounds on one attacker and you have more attackers the 40 is a 45 on steroids shot placement is everything regardless of what you are carrying great review

[@lefmk7085]

I genuinely looked forward to this video. Thanks for the work/research sir.

[@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb]

I have several more coming in the series.

[@TheMhannah100]

I bought a Delta Elite way back when it first came out. With some loads, Winchester Silvertip, being one, I felt it was a bit hot for that frame. Reminded me of my 44 mag recoil. With tamer loads it was fine. At least to me. I traded it off. I still haven't found a handgun that feels as good as a 1911 in my hand.

[@navchaps3449]

Another great, clear bit of instruction. I was considering a 40S&W handgun but wanted to know more. Thanx!

[@johnmorganjr769]

(Just do it!)

[@Revolverman38]

I concur 🇺🇸

[@CarolinaRimfire]

Thanks for your hard work! I've been looking forward to this episode for a while now. One of my favorite pistols to shoot is my S&W 4046. A little dated and clunky, but they don't make them like they used to 😂 Thanks again!

[@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb]

Glad you liked it.

[@GLOCKCOPG23]

You are absolutely correct that they don’t make them like they used to. I am a BIG FAN of S&W 3rd gen autos (4006, 4506, 5906, etc) for reliability and shoot ability. My S&W 40’s will feed empty casings from the mag. Try it out for yourself….impressive. My Glocks, Sigs, HKs, Berettas, FNs, and 1911s can’t do that. I have several variations but the 40’s are my favorite.

[@stephenrogers9437]

I bought my first Sig P229 in 2013 in .40S&W, it's still my favorite pistol. I prefer 155gr Federal HST for it and 165gr for my all stainless P226. I have both platforms in 9mm as well. Great channel !

[@hamspud35]

Hmmmmm, being an old guy (B.1955) brought up with 45 acp and Colt; eventually caught up in 9mm/Glock craze, this video has raised my curiosity to maybe try a 40. Thank you again for a well thought out and great presentation

[@netravler1]

For those of us living behind the Communist lines in the United States where 10 round magazines are maximum, capacity is a Sum-Zero factor. In this situation, the 40 Smith & Wesson makes even more sense.

[@Luke_0]

Amen!

[@arapahoetactical7749]

Great series! I carried a S&W M&P Shield in .40 for a few years when I first stepped away from .45 for concealment. However, from a gun that small and light, it was a bit much and I found it harder to shoot than 9mm and even .45. I also had a Glock in 40 that handled it very well, but that was moving back to a duty sized gun. I could see why LE likes it. In a full size gun it's easier than 45 and more powerful than 9.

[@AMXSShirt]

Thanks for the work as always sir. .40 SW was an acquired taste for me. Glad I opened my mind a bit. Stay safe over there across the big muddy.

[@neospiderbh]

Great video sir, thank you for the information and history. Worth every minute!

[@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb]

Glad you liked it.

[@matthabir4837]

Had a Glock 22 Gen 4. After about 1500 rounds, the pins started walking out. Changed the recoil spring and solved the problem. It was supposed to last till 3000 rounds. Fortunately recoil springs are cheap...

[@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb]

Like I said, the .40 is at the upper edge of what a 9mm frame can handle. We generally replaced recoil springs every 3 years, which would work out to 1,500 rounds or so, makes sense.

[@davidno1minton997]

Dam,good,job

[@ronaldbarnes8302]

Carried an Sig 226 40 cal on duty for several years. Bought the Sig when we switched to 9mm, one of if not my favorite pistol. Always liked the 40 cal and no doubt it hits harder than the 9mm. Thanks for the video!

[@davewinter2688]

I’ve been watching these videos on the pros and cons of various cartridges for law enforcement and civilian use, but not in the order you released them. I’m strictly a civilian. 71 years old. Been hand loading over fifty years. Shooting and hunting somewhat longer. Regarding the 45 ACP I commented that one of my carry gun is a Springfield Armory XD-E 45 ACP DA/SA with the combination decocker and manual safety which makes it very versatile because of the different modes it can be carried in. The most accurate (for its intended purpose) for me semiautomatic pistol I ever owned was the Springfield Armory XD-40 subcompact, but I am one of those who could not get comfortable carrying a striker fired pistol without a true manual safety. With that in mind, if Springfield had made the XD-E in 40 S&W I would have chosen that. Not because I like it better than 45 ACP, I just like the 40. Now Springfield has a version of the Hellcat with a manual safety but it’s only available in 9x19, so that’s a negative for me. There is one of the older S&W Shileld in 40 available to me, but I prefer the double action first trigger pull of a revolver or the DA/SA semiautomatic. I wonder if going to something like the Shield just to get a 40 would require too much mental adjustment or could my “muscle memory” take over when drawing that type of pistol to fire in a high stress situation. I have no trouble switching from driving a vehicle with an automatic transmission to one with a multi speed manual like a truck but I’ve been doing that for a long time.

[@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb]

When double-action-only (DAO) semi-auto pistols started to come on line I conducted a research project using college law enforcement users - no handgun experience. We found the DAO pistols produced FAR better results than the traditional DA/SA trigger systems, given the same amount of training. I think that applies to the striker guns as well ... a consistent trigger pull is easier to master than one with different pulls for the first, then subsequent shots. With a little trigger time, I think you will master something like a Shield just fine.

[@AuthorizedDealer]

My agency uses Glock 22. I’m so much used to it. I have one for my personal protection. I have shot both 9mm and .40 side by side. Can’t tell the recoil difference. But the Gen 5 are a little bigger than Gen 4, and it’s counter part Glock 17. There is no Serpa level 2 holster for G22 Gen 5.

[@rodgerhoffman307]

Thank you for your excellent analysis of the 40 and the COMPARISONS to the 45 and the 9mm. I like the 40. and have an HK VP that shoots the 40 , the 357 sig and the 9mm with just a change of barrels. how can you beat that.? An excellent gun that handles 3 great cartridges (except the 45). I also have a brace of 1911 's for that deal. i like my Commander size the best. We are so lucky that the founding fathers set this up for us. They were really smart. ( I also like the 10mm). thanks again for your well thought out presentations. The 40 is indeed the GOLDILOCKS CARTRIDGE.

[@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb]

Thanks for your kind words. I have a Colt Lightweight Commander in .45 (frame dates to '53). With a second slide and two barrels (and different magazines, of course) I can fire .45 ACP, 9mm Luger and .38 Super. I'll do a video on it later this summer when I work up some "Super 9" loads for the .38 Super barrel which will equal the performance of the .357 Sig.

[@Freetospeak71]

Hmmm…I’ve been pondering this. I got into the .40 in the 1990s when a friend shooting competitions (major) sold me on its accuracy and power. Totally loved my G23 and others. A few years ago I tried out the “new and improved” 9mm. As you say, for the subcompacts the 9mm makes a lot of sense. But in the G19 size I’m not good enough to see the fractional second advantage of the 9mm over the .40. Especially if you go with 124 gr loads rather than the lighter 115 both going about 1,150fps. I’m going to start shooting both as regular and consider switching back to .40 in the G19/17 sizes. Especially with the new Gen 5 .40s that shoot a bit smoother. Very sweet guns.

[@dexternorman6283]

Awesome video

[@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb]

Thanks

[@greybone777]

Great history. Interesting historical figures.

[@MrGsteele]

While I have long been a fan of the .45 ACP and the 1911 - at least in part because it was the first handgun my dad ever showed me, being the sidearm he carried in WWII and brought home - the .40, I feel, is a better compromise in a carry gun. The first .40 S&W I bought, a S&W 4006, I did not like. In fact, I bought it from a competitive shooter who also did not like it, finding it to be too punishing on his wrist, causing him an RSI; he was going back to 9mm. It was heavy and unpleasant, but it did have magazine capacity, was stainless and easy to maintain, and was DA/SA so you could carry it with a round in the chamber (it had a decocker). But despite its weight, it was not as controllable as you'd think. With a high bore axis and an upright grip angle, I came to believe that the reason people moved away from the .40 was at least in part because of that gun's poor ergonomics and controllability. That belief, for me, was to be confirmed dramatically when I later bought a lightweight, compact, Taurus G2c in .40 after having purchased one in 9mm and liking the concealability and feature set. The Taurus was MUCH more controllable, faster in follow-up, and softer in recoil despite being a full pound lighter than the Smith. Lower bore axis, lighter slide weight, and less slide cycle impact. I was hooked, and remain so. When I saw your "Goldilocks" title in reference to the .40, it struck me as being right on point: not too small, not too big - just right. P.S. And you can fit 10 rounds in even a compact .40's magazine - which is important to those of us trapped in a tyrannically-controlled, Constitution-ignoring state (Rhode Island) where the ruling class does not deign to allow the serfs more than 10 rounds in a magazine lest the earth fly off into the sun. So a high-capacity 9mm DS magazine offers no added value.

[@carlosbonefontphd2591]

Great informative content. Thank you for sharing your knowledge on the subject.

[@languagesource355]

I enjoyed the video, but wanted to especially thank you for mentioning that primer streak. I first noticed it on my M&P 2.0 10mm and nobody at the range knew what it meant. I have since upgraded to a stronger RSA (they used weak springs for whatever reason) and haven't paid attention, but will examine the spent brass again next time at the range. Very useful info!

[@Marcus-rg7bg]

Those shirts are so comfy in winter. I can't find them around here built decent. I notice Kansas and westward I found them more often. Sorry, just a thought out of context of video.

[@Gieszkanne]

Also its very versatile. With some 135gr loads you can get 1400-1500 fps and have the same performance as a 357 Sig but you could also go up to 200gr loads. I think th main reason why the FBI and other LE went to 9mm is just cost.

[@kevinward8915]

Bought my first .40 s&w in a Glock23 in 1990, great cartridge also have a G22

[@johncoleman2495]

I always enjoy your content! Even when its not necessarily something I agree with. Ive never liked the .40 S&W. And this takes us back to 1990. S&W was having great success with their 3rd gen semi auto pistols and i was a fan. The first 9mm i ever owned was a 5906 and ive seldom been without one since. Previous to this pistol i had owned a 4" 586 .357 and an old beat to death commercial colt 1911. So to me this new pistol was the cats meow! Shortly thereafter i bought a .4506 and was immediately enamored with it as well! To a young guy new to the handgun shooting game all this power of the mythical .45 auto was fantastic! And many of my shooting friends were all on board with these new state of the art firearms. Then came the 10mm and all the fanfare in the gun press and magazines! I had to have one! So i let that 1911 slip away as a deposit on my new S&W 1006! Now i had the power of my venerable .357 magnum in a brand new stainless semi auto....and these guns were really becoming popular with my friend group and shooting friends. It seemed everyone was following suit in one way or another and every one of us had bought into the 3rd gen S&W. And the last one on board bought the then new 4006. After all the fanfare surrounding its release and the talk of the FBI switching from 10mm to .40 i couldn't wait to try it. And i remember like it was yesterday the evening after i shot it thinking, well its no 10mm.....as a matter of fact it really wasn't even a .45. silhouette shooting was all the rage at the time and my local range had a bunch of old silhouette targets swinging at various distances on the pistol range and the hits between the 10mm and .40 made a distinctly different sound. And the movement in those targets, especially the chickens was noticeably different too! So the following weekend after a weeks long discussion about it we took turns shooting these chickens with 9mm, .40, 10mm, and .45. and every one of us agreed that not only did the 10 hit harder, it hit noticeably harder. As did the .45. I couldn't help but think to myself....what is it good for? It was every bit as loud and snappy as the 10 and louder and considerably snappier than the .45 with less down range effect than either! Ive ignored it for years! Much later in life when i was playing around with having a 1911 chambered in every caliber you could fit in it i decided i need to fill the .40 S&W hole in my collection. I found a like new used Para ordnance 5" .40 for a great price. A solid year of tinkering and 2 different gunsmiths(that had previously helped me with multiple 1911 caliber conversions successfully) that thing never ran! It eventually became another 10mm until just recently when i bought a .357 sig barrel and some new SIG magazines and it runs flawlessly. So after all the years of it nearly killing the 10mm, And resulting in pud loaded 10mm ammunition, It simply reaffirmed my dislike of the .40. I am happy to see it die! I still have that original barrel so I no longer have the hole in my collection. But I don't even keep .40 ammunition on hand even though I do now own one of the CHP 4006 pistols 😉

[@Xenophon1]

I think the .40 180gr recoils about as much as a 9mm+P and is an ideal service load. In a mistaken quest for even more power, the hot 165gr JHPs ended up turning off a lot of non-gun people- IMHO.

[@64samsky]

Thanks for this video! I carry a Glock 32c in 357Sig, but I have a .40 Cal barrel . I reload, so no problems for me.

[@fortyofforty5257]

Thanks for this video. To give a brief timeline, I came into LEO work when 9mm had replaced .38 and .357. As soon as it was approved, I switched to a personal .40 S&W. This was around 2000. The .40 was harder on pistols, and certainly was harder for some shooters to handle during quals. As Dick says, I, too, saw many broken locking block pins on our GLOCKs. I even saw one broken locking block, and a breech face separation. Eventually, I switched to a 9mm GLOCK 26 for daily carry, due to reliability issues with the G27. The agency wholesale switched back to 9mm. Now that I can carry what I want, I did switch back to a .40 S&W. There is a lot of propaganda claiming the 9mm is now equal or superior to the .40 AND .45. Seriously. It is not, as Dick says. Shot for shot, 9mm is probably good enough. .40 is a bit better. .45 is the king of the hill. Pick your compromise. And train. Again, what a great, no nonsense (no bullshit) video.

[@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb]

Thanks for your kind words and for your service.

[@fortyofforty5257]

@@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb Same to you, sir.

[@jjbs58]

Good Video Dick... and accurate as it all occurred.... I was there.... back in the 80s 90s to present. Your facts are on point and this video about the "wimpy" 40... well our local PD used to issue .40 Sigs 226 and 229s for several years ago... and every shooting we had was a one shot stop that usually was a fatality. Now one thing you did not hit on was ammo.... and the ammo issue in the .40SW was its "downfall" if you'd call it that. The 180s in a 40SW, ESPECIALLY the fucking low bid ammo houses that most PDs seek out for a low price on ammo, in my opinion, was the problem. AND the reason was that we found that most low bid ammo manufacturers, used a quick burning powder, and the 180 bullet. It was learned that if the bullet was loaded too low, or sunk some, in the case, the pressures skyrocketed to the point where weapon damage occurred after hundreds of rounds fired, especially in full automatic weapons such as the venerable HK MP5. I still have my gen 3 glock g22 and 27 still and after thousands of rounds fired, but with low bullet weight -nothing heavier than a 165gr bullet- they are still in pristine shape. AND i used to handload for it but never with a 180gr bullet. It was later found, I believe by HK, that if a low budget 180gr bullet was used continuously, the remanufacturer would usually use once or twice fired .40cal brass, where the case mouth strength was reduced after 1 or 2 firings, would loose gripping power on the heavy 180 gr bullet, and from the recoiling of the semi-auto or full- auto firearm the bullets coming up from the magazine, the bullet would sink even a few thousands of a centimeter in the case. The cartridge mouth would loose some of its gripping power and just enough to sink the 180 gr bullet in the case -still fire able- but the pressures at case detonation would skyrocket enough where the bullet would fire but the weapons suffered from a serious increase of recoil battering. And, after so many rounds, - maybe just a few hundreds would start showing locking block, or barrel or frame cracking taking the weapon out of issue use and off to the shop or manufacturer it would go for warranty repairs. So moral of the story is if you got a .40sw you like - just shoot low bullet weight ammo in it and it should out live yer grand kids!

[@theoriginalOSOK]

I currently carry a G22 Gen 3 (LE trade in) in a Kydex holster strong side. I find it easy to control, accurate and with the Federal HST 180 load, I am extremely confident it will do the job if called on. Thanks Dick - another great presentation.

[@kevinramsey3490]

I agree with you 100%

[@ekklesialifeapplicationbib7352]

Great video, my very first handgun was a 40cal!

[@jacobramirez9869]

Just past my cancelled carry class using a .40 it’s a good caliber good gun if I do say so myself

[@bidkid2020]

Enjoy the video thanks for the information

[@markwallace5274]

I must first say thank you Dick for sharing your thoughts and opinions backed with years of experience and research we live in an age where people can share their thoughts and opinions easier than ever before so to find someone like yourself that I believe is actually qualified to speak on this topic it means a lot !! I passed up the .40 s&w and went straight to the 10mm auto in my Gen5 Glock 20 but with that said I’m comfortable with the recoil of a 10mm where as my Wife is not she doesn’t want anything to do with it but loves 9mm and can tolerate the .40 so I have to agree with you 100% when you say it’s just right as far as semi auto pistol loads are concerned. Thank you again for sharing your knowledge much respect.

[@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb]

Thank you for the kind words.

[@DesertHusker]

I've carried my Glock 23 Gen 4 since it was released by Glock in 2008 and feel nothing but confidence in it as my EDC.

[@JustDefense]

Thanks Dick. Good stuff. If you have time, pass along your thoughts on the .357Sig after your revolver caliber vids. Appreciate your content.

[@fritzd2116]

I did not know the reasoning behind the decision to use a small -pistol primer in the 40 SW? That’s very interesting indeed.

[@BRLaue]

You have my vote come March.

[@raymondkoehler9299]

Thank you , great job and info .

[@paulm.6966]

Great video. Good job. I really enjoy all of your videos so far and I am definitely going to watch this one a few times. The 40 caliber is my very favorite cartridge in auto loading guns and I have no problem shooting it very well. Excellent cartridge. We’re only one Miami Dade event away from them switching away from the nine again. The thing about the 9 mm you have to find these exotic exotic +p++ rounds or whatever . But I am glad they have better ammunition now in the 9 for recoil sensitive people!

[@keithdorset3824]

I am not a cop. I don't have public money or manufacturers throwing guns at me. Not having to buy new guns is a big civilian factor. I like my .40s and can shoot them well. One has conversion barrels. There is a difference between 9 vs. 40. I'm not an over built guy. Average. I don't find .40 recoil unmanageable. Even in the light, single stack Kahr. .40 was waning when I bought it at half the price of the 9 down the counter.. With crime in my area increasing, frankly, I feel better than ever when I can carry a .40.

[@ArtofHunter]

From what I've seen in my life while a 9mm may be easy to shoot and quick to get follow up shots it fails terribly against any harder barriers and even thicker canvas clothing in colder climates. Often causing a deviation or a failure to expand. While as the 40 and 45 do very well in hard barrier and seem less susceptible to failure afterwards.

[@Luke_0]

I live in CA, i can only have 10+1, so yeah, I carry a G27 with 10rd mags.

[@ultrafuel2559]

The 357 Sig recoil is slightly lighter, probably because of the lighter bullets, but the muzzle blast is more. Grizzly Ammunition makes a 40SW with 200 grain bullets that shoot at 1000 fps.

[@timt8029]

New sub here. I agree. Your presentations are spot on and the history is well delivered.

[@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb]

Thanks for subscribing.

[@carlostrujillo4750]

I really enjoy your input.i am a new subscriber

[@Bullelk44M]

.40 and 10mm shooter and reloader of both here- one for 2 legged defense and 1 for 4 legged defense w specific loads. Thx!

[@johnstokes7797]

I have heard you mention the dragging firing pin in several videos. I have an assortment of Smith and Wesson M&P pistols in 9mm and 45 ACP and in different sizes. They all exhibit that characteristic. I have close to 80,000 rounds through one 9mm that I shot in competition for years and it is still going strong. The fact that you have mentioned this several times has me concerned about these pistols. Comments please.

[@languagesource355]

I like 40, but since it doesn't fit into smaller platforms like P365, it's more of a woods carry for me. How do you feel about a Glock 22 or M&P40 with heavy hardcasts for defense against say black bear or feral pigs?

[@RebelByNature]

Loved the video, now let's go get some of those precious metals!

[@kennethkeefer9080]

I’ve never owned one but I’m kicking over buying a 10mm thanks for the video brother

[@SwampOperator]

If you get a glock, it opens the world to all kinds of stuff . On that 10mm frame you can run 10, and 40. ( a conversion barrel makes that more reliable, but it will usually run 40 just fine from the 10mm barrel...you can run 45 acp with an upper and ejector swap. From that 45 upper you can buy a 40 super conversion barrel ( true 41 mag power). If your 45 acp barrel gas enough chamber support, you can run 45 super from it. 10mm power with a 45 caliber bullet. There are just so many fun things you can do with the large frame glock... It's similar with a small frame glock and 9mm, 40sw, 357sig ect.....10mm, 40sw, 40 super, 45 acp, 45 super/450smc, 460 Rowland, are all possible off the large frame. I really want a 40 super

[@tacman2893]

I like the 40 S&W cartridge! I used it for IPSC in a Para Ordnance P16 1911 pistol. I also carried it in a Glock G22 as a duty cartridge. It always worked well and for me was very accurate. We have just transitioned to 9mm in my service. No issue with that, get a few more rounds, but not sure I notice much difference in any aspect vs the 40 S&W other than capacity. Some say the 9mm recoils less, I never thought the 40 recoiled much! Guess everyone is different.

[@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb]

I'm like you, I never thought the .40 had much more felt recoil.

[@Sniperfox1]

Maybe I missed it but I was hoping you would address the subject of Glocks having kabooms with the .40 S&W. I was qualifying with a Gen 2 G23 about 7 years ago when it happened to me during night fire. The cartridge case ruptured at the 6 o’clock position at the rim. It blew the magazine out of the pistol and cracked the frame. It stung my hand but I wasn’t injured.

[@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb]

That sounds like a classic ammo failure - case blew out over the feed ramp. Like you said, magazines blow out and are often wrecked. Polymer frame pistols often have a section near the top of the frame blown out. Metal frame pistols like the .38 Super I had two blowouts with won't be damaged but your hand will sting like hell. Most of the Glock "kabooms" I know of, of any caliber, trace back to bad ammo. I discuss the blowout phenomenon in my upcoming "Super 9s" ammo video in a couple of weeks.

[@Sniperfox1]

@@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb I am wondering if ammo quality may have been a contributing factor along with the much discussed unsupported part of the chamber.

[@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb]

Glock chambers are no more unsupported than most others. A 1911 pistol with the traditional two-part feed ramp is more unsupported than most. Blowouts are almost always a pure ammo problem. Many years ago some Egyptian once fired 9mm brass found its way into the reloading programs of a couple of companies and those cases were soft as butter and were almost guaranteed to blow. We had local cops loose a couple of blown Glocks at out range with the Egyptian brass. The ammo companies always bought them a new pistol. I had a 10mm blowout a few years ago and it was traced to an ammo company using brass from a company who had never before produced pistol brass (they made brass plumbing fittings). The brass shortage at the time caused the loader to use the untested product, which had been annealed at the HEAD of the case, not the mouth, again, guaranteeing a blowout. That was in a Nighthawk 1911 with a ramped barrel, the best possible design. The company called back the few boxes that got out of the plant and destroyed them AND never did business with the plumbing company again.

[@GLOCKCOPG23]

Glock added more chamber support at the feed ramp in VERY EARLY 3rd gen models and is no longer a subject of concern. On 3rd gen pistols, with the better supported chamber, you will see a little hexagon roll stamp on the side of the chamber near the caliber designation roll stamp. Today Glocks are good to go as far as kabooms. Just buy a 3rd gen on forward and rest easy.

[@dwheeler016]

The .40 is great round in a duty gun. Hard to conceal in a smaller pistol due to the thickness required. I had to carry a G27 in an IWB holster while flying several trips. It was painful.

[@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb]

When I had to fly a lot to transport prisoners I used a Jackass shoulder rig (ala Miami Vice) which carried the pistol and spare magazines up above the arm rests. Wedging my fat ass in a coach seat with a belt holster one time was enough to learn my lesson!

[@SDMacMan]

If you want thinner, get the Shield 40. Also happens to be extremely reliable.

[@johns3153]

If you can still find them the ruger sr40c is thin and has a 9 round mag and 15 round mag

[@kevinrichardson8859]

Then change the shield 40 to a 357sig...for a REAL powerhouse ​@SDMacMan

[@johns3153]

@@kevinrichardson8859 357sig is super hard to find and not more powerful than 40s&w if you look at 357sig ammo weight like 125GR you get the same performance in 40s&w with that light weight or if you go with NovX 40s&w +P you can get 1,700+fps

[@Swampytheroot]

Raleigh NC PD went back to 45 because their female officers had a problem qualifying with 40. They couldn't qualify with 45. So they dumbed it down to 115gr 9mm so the least able could still qualify

[@gradybird3336]

I never jumped on the .40 S&W. When it came out I was already reloading for 9mm and 45 acp, along with some revolver cartriges. And I'd been sucked into the "latest" before. Great idea, but I'll continue to pass on the .40.

[@craigbenz4835]

It's sad that Sig no longer make a 40 or 357 Sig.