9mm VS .40 VS .45 👉🏻 Federal HST (Long Slides) 👍🏻 FINALLY a FAIR Ballistic Test

Testing out the Federal HST from my long slide pistols in 9mm+P, .40 S&W and .45 ACP+P. I am doing a ballistic gel test, accuracy and velocity test (5 yards) a wood penetration test and a 25 yard practical accuracy test. Guns: S&W M&P 9 2.0 5", S&W M&P 40 2.0 5" and Glock 41 5.3". Always appreciative of any channel help :) www.patreon.co...

[@DanTheWolfman]

THIS is MORE IMPORTANT than PEOPLE REALIZE Further Proves CLEAR is NOT REAL GEL, BUT SAME MDF+CLEAR W/O adding extra Pen for MDF MAKES THIS a Cheap TEST that MORE ACCURATELY REFLECTS Real Gel Tests in Comparing different Calibers & Rounds to each other! While Penetration is not the SAME, THE VERY IMPORTANT TISSUE CRUSH VALUES Are Very Similar to VISTA's/Federals 4 Layer REAL GEL FBI SPEC DATA (& you used longer barrels yet still almost Same in each). People Need to watch my 4 part 9mm vs .45 Series & Realize How Important Tissue Crush is! Your MDF Results 9mm=3.734 cu " TC(Vista Real Gel=3.799), .40=5.665 cu" TC(Vista Real Gel=6.283), .45=8.105 cu" TC (Vista Real Gel=8.08). Vista Data these rounds .45 is 2.126X more Damaging than the 9mm round, & 1.286x More TC damage than the .40. Gun Sam's MDF Data this .45 round is 2.17X more than this 9mm, and 1.43x More than this .40 round. Vista's 180 gr .40 Data is 1.653X more TC then this 124plus P 9mm, and Gun Sam's MDF Data 1.517x More than this 9mm round. Overall very Similar Results as to the VERY REAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN Expanded Bullets THROUGH THE ENTIRE PATH through the body. ALL GREAT Rounds, probably the very best...but there is a very REAL DIFFERENCE! PLEASE SAVE THIS DATA maybe Pin it Sam because this is scientific Proof to your MDF Testing making Clear Gel Testing way more Valuable in comparing one to the other. Obviously Penetration numbers are not the same, Clear Gel is WAY LESS DENSE and Rips vs Thick & Stretchy REAL Bodies & REAL GEL FBI STANDARDS.

[@DanTheWolfman]

@@libra7624 which Real Gel simulates and clear doesn't....but clear plus MDF4 layer is much closer to real comparison then just plain clear gel as I proved.

[@DanTheWolfman]

@@libra7624 yes obviously people like me and Sam know all that. And if ur talking about 34 rounds of .45 14 were hits 9 I believe were Fatal good hits...but pistols suck and bp loss takes 1 minute often

[@spconrad9612]

As long as one is testing through the same medium, with similar barrel lengths it gives people good information. Paul Harrell's meat target is by far the best indicator. He is using clothing, front and back, leather for skin, flesh, bone, simulated lung tissue medium and of course the new and improved high-tech fleece bullet stop. Will the rounds kill the intended target w proper shot placement? Yes, that's all that matters.

[@DinoNucci]

TLDR Also, find your caps lock button FTW.

[@SoWavvyy]

Honestly i wanted to read this but the caps made me not want to

[@tedforrester1948]

I will never understand the amount of hate the .40 gets. Fantastic round.

[@Silidons91]

it sucks to shoot

[@Firefuzz11]

@@Silidons91it’s really not that bad to shoot. I’ve put hundreds of 180 gr rounds through my full size M&P40 and it’s great. Even did a bit of a torture run when I first got it and ran 200 rounds in one session. My hand stung a little bit afterwards, but I had no issues with recoil control and kept rounds in tight groups.

[@M4A3]

Because when you know the truth, most don't want to shoot a round created because Federal Agents were too wimpy to shoot the 10mm.

[@gcanada3005]

Losers with tiny little woman arms who can't handle the recoil. Ever see how unathletic the majority of "men" are today. Especially under 30, it's obscene. Now you understand the hate

[@justinvillanueva4624]

​@M4A3 While that may be true, the entire thing was kicked off because 9mm didn't get the job done.

[@765outdoors]

Never had a problem with .40 in the reliability department. Something to do with the bullet shape being the same between fmj and hollowpoints are a plus and no +p so no worries on those either

[@daves5765]

Yup, still love the .40. Seems to be the most consistent through various materials with impressive expansion and energy.

[@paulscountry456]

I always thought 40 really is pretty perfect for duty or carry unless you are a complete wimp it can outperform even plus p plus nine easily if you research the terminal ballistic.

[@chromosomehoarder6927]

40 for the hoods 10mm for the woods

[@GATILLERO99]

I liked how the 9mm did in this video.

[@paulscountry456]

@@GATILLERO99 Great they let you out,and no I don't want a mixed drink....lol

[@mgsharnhorst]

40 and 45 both out performed the 9mm ! Good test

[@rossgreenzweig]

Awesome test Sam, id say the 40 did best as well, the 9mm does well but 40 like I've told people has a bit more punch on it, looking forward to more test! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@GunSam]

I think .40 loaded right, like the way it was meant to be like target ammo power, is perfect. Your energy isn't greater than 9mm+P but it don't need to be. Has the right balance of momentum and energy and diameter to do everything well.

[@rustyshackleford9637]

People don't put enough stock into the shape and dimensions into the bullet itself and only look at numbers on the box. Where momentum isn't to be found anyway.

[@timclaus8313]

That 40 S&W is really nasty.

[@pkjdm]

.40sw best weight should be 165 or 155, but great test anyway....

[@LA_Commander]

Yeah, I think he was trying to use the "most common" weights you would see out there. The 45 would also be a lot better by dropping that 230 grain round for a 185 grain.

[@marccolantuono2341]

I agree my Duty loads were 155 hydrashok, those were incredible at punching through almost anything.

[@pkjdm]

@@marccolantuono2341 155 grain at 1200/1250 fps or 165 grain at 1150/1180 fps = true 357 magnum Power level(out of 4 inch)...

[@DinoNucci]

40 is the correct answer vs human sized questions.

[@TooManyChoices1]

The only real advantage the 180 gr loads have for me is they seem to have a much softer recoil impulse than the 155-165gr stuff. I don’t feel under gunned carrying either weight though.

[@scottkain8977]

Great video Bud! I love all 3 calibers. But I still prefer to carry my .40 cals wherever I go. Most consistent for me. TY.

[@gunner4373]

The 40 just does it's job. To compete with it's terminal performance with just about any projectile the 9 and 45 have to be +P or ++P. Too bad recoil has scared away the rookies.

[@GunSam]

Don't worry, I have more revolver content coming. Good stuff too! Also at 10:35, "Five and a half for the 9mm" should have been "Six and a half for the 9mm".

[@joemorganeatmyshortschannel]

i love hst and punch they are decent rounds for not alot of money or were i have alot of american gunner +p 124 grain too i find that the 124 grain 9mm seems to do almost everything i need well enough

[@mikematerne4579]

As far as I'm concerned, .40 for the win! Awesome Video.

[@shooter-vx7xy]

I'll stick with my .40s.

[@inmyopinion_3672]

You would think by now that Glock would send you a new gun. Nice tests.

[@GunSam]

Thanks.

[@northshores7319]

Looking at the tiny hole made by the 9mm compared to the 40 and 45 shows why the two larger calibers are demonstrably superior. With consistent training and building grip, hand and forearm strength anyone can master the big boys which is why they should be your first choice. Good show as always.

[@staceyward9841]

180 gr for the 40 is too heavy! For the best performance try 155gr to 165 gr .

[@geraldlocklear4373]

I agree. If you are using 180 grains in the comparison, 147 should be what is used in the 9mm

[@toddmichaels42]

Agree... especially since the 40 cal was designed to shoot a 155 gr round, as I understand it. People seem to want to turn it into something that it's not. it is not a 10 mm pistol ( you know what I mean). It is not a 45. I wish the people would test it using the 150-155 gr - which seems to be the sweet spot for the 40, ballistically, (going by the numbers). Shoot 40 in a pistol designed for it ( S&W, Styer, VP40) and it is not "snappy" like in a Glock, Walter,, Ruger et al.... which were designed for a 9mm then retooled. It makes a big difference... also in longevity.of internals. I've heard the Beretta 96 has been beefed up pretty good. Probably a good choice, also, if you like Berreta. Just ticks me of when people who should know better don't blame bad designs choices... no... They blame the round. Long live the 40.

[@Bowstringdotcom]

This is what I love about the 40 S&W. I think its ideal for self defense, similar or more power than a 45 ACP (the only 45ACP that compares to it is the +P loads, and even then, several 40 loads are slightly more energy) and it has magazine capacity like a 9mm. Don't get me wrong, all 3 are fantastic and could be trusted to do what they are designed to, but that 40SW has always just really impressed me.

[@troy9477]

Nice test. That is not the first 45 round we ha e seen fail to expand. The 9mm and 40 both did very well. It looks like u definitely want to hit bone whenever possible- it aids expansion and helps reduce the chance of overpenetration. I have always been fond of the 40, and it was my duty gun for almost all of my LE career (Sig P229, i owned it). It was more than accurate enough, and usually quite accurate with good ammo. Never did carry a 9- went straight from 357 mag to 40. Ah, memories. Glad to see the HST's rep is mostly deserved

[@maxtheroofer8004]

i like your videos man, you put alot of effort into these.

[@GunSam]

Thanks!

[@DinoNucci]

40 is the correct answer vs human sized questions.

[@keithmcconnell3165]

I carry 40. Just feels safer

[@45.Slanging]

I think a 155/165 .40s&w and a 185/200gr+p 45acp would be better

[@masonmcneill3969]

I appreciate the attention to detail on this, the title did not lie as it being a fair test, I carry a 9 but .40 has been growing on me

[@spencermichaelson1882]

Same here. One you master the 9 and have that cheap utility, 40 is like 9mm +p+++

[@masonmcneill3969]

@@spencermichaelson1882 and the opposite is true that once you master 40, 9 is a walk in the park

[@michaeldaniels4938]

Out of all the gun channels I watch ,I like your caliber comparisons the most. Good Job.Thank you

[@ethanmac639]

.40 s&w is my favorite cartridge caliber and ideal!

[@dangerman007]

Fair test. I would be fine with any of them but the .40 seemed to have an edge, as it does with most loads I've seen tested.

[@rustyshackleford9637]

If they used 165gr .40 HSTs, I think the results would have been more clear in the .40's favor.

[@320jasont]

But does it? The 9 is almost there ballistically and in a potential self defense situation where you absolutely will have some level of panic you can put more shots down range end of the day. I don't hate the 40 I just feel like If I'm going to go with that bullet size I'm going to get a glock 20 or equivalent.

[@SoWavvyy]

@@320jasont I edc a glock 19 gen 5 9x19 I trust the 124+p hst or the 147 standard hst. This is my only handgun for right now. 9mm did good and it’s definitely effective and low recoil. I still think the 40 did better and that’s not my opinion the proof is in the video. I might be getting a 40 next when I have the money. Still want to keep my 9mm though. You never know which one you like better if you haven’t shot both of them.

[@Gsmooth10455]

@@320jasont How many more rounds of 9mm are you talking about? 5,10,15? We're literally talking about TWO more rounds in the G17 and G19 compared to the G22 and G23. And I don't hate the 9mm, I just feel like if I'm going to go with that bullet size I'm going to get a Glock 31 or equivalent.

[@SoWavvyy]

Edit: I now EDC a Glock 29 Gen 4 10mm with 200 grain HST’s 😬 lone wolf conversion barrel I can shoot 40 out of it no problem 😌

[@terrymattson3587]

This is why I carry my .40 with that same federal ammo. It has a bigger hollow point hole as well.

[@johns3153]

What type of 40 hand gun are you using because these like to jam on my ruger sr40c it's the only ammo that dose this about like in the video with his 45ACP

[@terrymattson3587]

Glock 27

[@johnelder9919]

Great video and test. I love my .40 Glocks, carried them for years, but now that I'm retired, it's a j-frame .357 or .38 with a .380 backup/NY reload. But, if I have to go places where it is possible I would need more gun, it's .40 all the way. Great round, a little snappy maybe, but for a 9mm frame sized gun, as you just showed, that's some pretty darn good performance. I've got big paws so the Glock fits my hand just fine. I think the .40 gets a bad rap because small handed folks, especially young LEOs, don't like it's snappy recoil.

[@rustyshackleford9637]

It's all about the diversity hires not being able to qualify with .40 So they moved the goalpost and went back to 9mm, even though 1986 Miami proved that cartridge to be lacking.

[@furryhatsgunsunicorns3219]

@@rustyshackleford9637 Da fuq? Diversity hires? Sorry dude, but Latino and Black cops are going to have generally the same range of hand sizes as your typical White cop. It has nothing to do with diversity and more to do with what a young training cadet has as prior experience in handgun shooting. If they are accustomed, for example to shooting .45ACP or big-bore revolvers like .357 magnum and .44 magnum, they will adapt to .40 just fine. I'm Latino and shoot .40 cal pistols just fine. But I still shoot 9mm better. I also shoot .45ACP better than both of those but can shoot 9mm a tad faster. Still my favorite gun is my RIA 1911a1 GI Model. Superbly accurate, super reliable (when kept clean) and just a feels amazing to shoot in my small paws. All that being said, for most police officers, most will shoot 9mm better than .40 cal pistols. Less recoil always equates not necessarily to better accuracy, but rather faster sight alignment, and faster accurate shots on target. It's why, while I love my 1911 .45ACP pistol, my main home defense pistol is a CZ P-07 9mm. I can do controlled pairs significantly faster with 9mm.

[@cbisecurity-utpma7369]

Umm a .357 is more gun than a .40

[@SuperD00D]

@@cbisecurity-utpma7369underwood 135 gr nosler .40 has entered the chat. I mean yeah a 6” hot .357 still has more energy but Sam hit 600 fpe with that load out of this 5” and its rated at 588

[@dk1480]

Would love to see more .40

[@DinoNucci]

40 is the correct answer vs human sized questions.

[@shockwave6416]

40 40 40! 😋

[@SoWavvyy]

@@DinoNucci Even critters. 10mm for big game out of a 6 inch barrel. 220 hardcast 10mm 1200+fps 690-700+ FPE. 40+ inches of penetration. 10mm and .40 the little brother is the best option I think.

[@randomgamer-st1ie]

As someone who doesn't like Glocks, I loved seeing the 45 jam. The gun that all the fanboys just love to tout as "it just works" and "never jams", and the fuckin thing don't work, and jams every round. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@GunSam]

I have had the two Glocks I owned Jam. I have had three S&W autos and none have jammed, total for all 3 in jams is zero. Total in Glocks outside of my 10mm conversion, is probably like 25.

[@CharliesGarage]

Nice test. My carry gun in the woods is a 40SW Glock 35. I put an extended tungsten guide rod, trijicon tritium sights, and an enhanced mag well on it. Great gun.

[@dancollins9307]

you should just use stock internals man. the tungsten guide rod may eventually cause problems.

[@ethanmac639]

180gr was always too heavy for the .40 s&w, great for 10mm auto though, between 135gr minimum and 165gr maximum parameters is best for the .40 s&w, with 155gr/150gr being the ideal bullet weight for the .40 s&w.

[@ocalavictory3728]

I agree. Unless someone is concerned with barriers. Then it's the 165's.

[@scubaguy007]

I liked this test. I was shocked the gut shot of the .45 didn’t expand. I was hoping you’d take another shot just to see if it happened again. Oh well, the HST is a good round regardless. I appreciate your efforts.

[@danielaramburo7648]

45acp is a tricky bullet to expand because of its lower velocity. But still plenty deadly enough.

[@scubaguy007]

@@danielaramburo7648 I’m familiar with it, I reload and I like to do hot 230gr XTP to help guarantee the expansion. I was shocked the gut shot didn’t expand yet the one with particle board did, I would have expected the opposite.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Would be fun to see a Speer Gold Dot example of this same test in the three calibers.

[@mizzoupatriot8814]

@@danielaramburo7648 45acp sure don't shrink tho wether it expands or not lol.

[@cpprcrk1833]

Love this ! Right in my Wheel House . Do you have an extra Glock .45 mag ? Most times it seems it's a mag issue . Love seeing box's of 50 HST available again ! It's kinda funny watching you brag on the 9mm while holding your nose at the same time ! ( I've noticed that most of you Revolver guys do that ) Keep up the great work Gun Sam !

[@metaldamnation276]

So you tested +p against a standard.40 ?

[@Jason-bd5iq]

Here we go

[@ryanranard5187]

😂 .40 doesn’t have a +p designation per sammi specs.

[@GunSam]

funny

[@metaldamnation276]

I know you can’t get +p .40 but you can buy 9mm 124 grain no. Plus p.😊

[@TooManyChoices1]

I’ll take the .40S&W but step down to the 165gr HST. The only benefit I see in the 9mm is either off hand shooting or single hand shooting, and if I’m doing that, the target is probably close enough that I want that extra energy. Fed .40 165gr HST = 1130fps and 468ft.lbs out of a 4” barrel, and not +p 🤔… 155gr Speer gold dots = 1200fps and 495(!!)ft.lbs 🥴Yikes!!

[@GunSam]

I like 9mm best out of these 3. The reason is because I have shot a lot of semi autos, and no matter what the gun, it tends to be the most reliable.

[@TooManyChoices1]

@@GunSam Respect I just recently put together my first 9mm pistol. PSA Dagger slide, lone wolf Alpha wolf G19 barrel, and my G23 frame. Those 9mm mags are loaded with 124gr+P HST🤓. Still haven’t shot it yet but the two tone is sexy 😅…

[@charliecochran3035]

FYI...Lightfor caliber +P versus heavy for caliber is not a fair test. It never makes sense to use 180grain in .40 unless you're using 147 in 9mm. Edit...that came out kinda dickish and wasn't meant to be. There are always factors affecting gun and ammo choices for these videos that the audience wasn't party to. Plus I could make my own freakin video if I don't like yours, right? Well, I liked it fine. I just know .40 pretty well and get frustrated at times with how they get compared...usually the max, juiced up, +P 9mm in a light load versus 180grain in .40 which is always weaker than 165 grain loads.

[@rippertrain]

The 40 hit hard. I don't know why people hate on it so much

[@biggunshandguns3687]

That's exactly it the and the 45 require the shooter to shoot it to become proficient. Some are able to go right to it and shoot well. But today's leo or general person would rather play video games and only shoot when required or qualifying. That's why the 9mm is so popular the recoil is negligible the muzzle blast almost non existent. So much less effort to shoot well

[@BigFunkyy]

Lol. I'll stick with my little pocket pistol and leave the full-sizes at home. My hornady ftx .380 out of my ruger max thru 4 layers of denim consistently hit 12 inches+ of depth. Very similar wound channels. Less reliable expansion out of my little 380 and I'm not engaging anyone at 20 years, but is the normal guy carrying his big ol full size?

[@JohnDoe-du6yi]

I didn’t even know you owned a 40. I’ve been wondering if you were ever going to to a video on 40.

[@GunSam]

Well over the course of a few years I got a lot of requests to test .40, so I went and bought one.

[@JohnDoe-du6yi]

@@GunSam well you bought an awesome M&P. I’m looking forward to some videos with it.

[@bigsean2473]

no the 9mm wouldnt be twice as powerful as 45 acp as its 124gr vs 230gr bullet weight plays a factor a lot more than giving credit for. my poit is your using the best 9mm and 45 acp against regular 40cal. so using the 155gr or 165gr 40 gives it better performance as it will be lots faster

[@thealarmclock9307]

Was not fair.. you used the heaviest in the 40 and 45. The used The mid weight 9mm an it was + p That's giving the 9mm every advantage. A fair test with would have used standard pressure 147 grain vs the others. Or a 185 grain 45 and a 165 grain 40..

[@mgsharnhorst]

40S&W is an awesome round.

[@gtoexpress8111]

Not wrong with a 9mm but it's no match for the 40 on power/penetration - People being shot by a 9mm over 5-9 time still living to plenty of these factual encounters - never heard of a living victim living thru the 40 or 45 with 5-9 shots thru-out there bodies that lived -

[@rondouglas5147]

You may have done it, but how about ther same test with federal HSTs out now na 3 in. barrel? I have a 9mm and a .45 with 3 in and a Sig p229 with about a 4 inch.

[@theoriginalOSOK]

I carry a 40 - a G22. However, all three are good rounds and the HST is obviously a great load.

[@parasuper1]

I would take the 45 because of accuracy and it is already 45 caliber, I have been shooting the 1911 5 inch since the 70s and have found it to be more accurate than the others

[@jonclark8155]

Your doing just fine buddy. Good test. I’m thinking for the average shooter in mind it’s spot on.

[@anthonyanzalone9742]

I don't Know. Call Me Old Fashioned. I'm A 45Cal ONLY 1911 Man.

[@BigFunkyy]

I've got to call bullshit about reliability. If you are firing with a weak wrist in any caliber you are going to have issued. This is why training the fundamentals needs to be focused on above all else.

[@GunSam]

I'm tired of trying to answer comments about my Glock jamming with this particular ammo. This video is not a video about a gun, it's an ammo test video, the one shot I needed at a time still worked. BTW it is rare to get a jam with .45 ACP in this pistol despite having a couple in a recent video. The gun is fine.

[@DanTheWolfman]

THIS is MORE IMPORTANT than PEOPLE REALIZE Further Proves CLEAR is NOT REAL GEL, BUT SAME MDF+CLEAR W/O adding extra Pen for MDF MAKES THIS a Cheap TEST that MORE ACCURATELY REFLECTS Real Gel Tests in Comparing different Calibers & Rounds to each other! While Penetration is not the SAME, THE VERY IMPORTANT TISSUE CRUSH VALUES Are Very Similar to VISTA's/Federals 4 Layer REAL GEL FBI SPEC DATA (& you used longer barrels yet still almost Same in each). People Need to watch my 4 part 9mm vs .45 Series & Realize How Important Tissue Crush is! Your MDF Results 9mm=3.734 cu " TC(Vista Real Gel=3.799), .40=5.665 cu" TC(Vista Real Gel=6.283), .45=8.105 cu" TC (Vista Real Gel=8.08). Vista Data these rounds .45 is 2.126X more Damaging than the 9mm round, & 1.286x More TC damage than the .40. Gun Sam's MDF Data this .45 round is 2.17X more than this 9mm, and 1.43x More than this .40 round. Vista's 180 gr .40 Data is 1.653X more TC then this 124plus P 9mm, and Gun Sam's MDF Data 1.517x More than this 9mm round. Overall very Similar Results as to the VERY REAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN Expanded Bullets THROUGH THE ENTIRE PATH through the body. ALL GREAT Rounds, probably the very best...but there is a very REAL DIFFERENCE! PLEASE SAVE THIS DATA maybe Pin it Sam because this is scientific Proof to your MDF Testing making Clear Gel Testing way more Valuable in comparing one to the other. Obviously Penetration numbers are not the same, Clear Gel is WAY LESS DENSE and Rips vs Thick & Stretchy REAL Bodies & REAL GEL FBI STANDARDS. PLEASE Copy this DATA YT deletes my comments after an hour or two Sam or Pin it! This also shows how important Momentum is after going through bone! .38 and up 124 gr. seems to be lightest you want to go (other than 9bple 115 plus p plus). Also if you can retest a couple rounds, and standard pressure .45 if you have it to see if not expanding is a fluke...I've watched tons w standard as short as 3.3" and still expands, even slower from a modified Revo.

[@mtower235]

You are the one who brings it up in the videos. I’ll fix this how dare we ask questions for ya.

[@blckandwhtknight]

The hollow point cavity on the HST is enormous, the result is a very flat meplat. Great for expansion and wounding, bad for feeding. Would recommend looking at the feed ramps on your Glock. Glocks tend to be steep. I had to an a secondary bevel to my .40 P30L for just this reason. If you ride the slide while feeding the cartridge it should show you if its sticking. Do it a few times and it should leave a copper mark on the spot its binding on the feed ramp.

[@TheTmshuman]

You limp wrist every shot. The barrel never returns to its original position telling me you are soaking up a good portion of the recoil. Being as these are recoil operated semi automatic pistols you could see the problem.

[@jfrog1979]

@@Rundu1987 I’m not tryna bag on the dude at all but his grip could definitely use a little work for sure. But if it works for him then it works for him ya know.

[@fast80z28]

You lost me at 9+P, typical 40, and 45+P.

[@ryanranard5187]

They don’t have a “+p” .40 in the HST. There really is no sami spec for a +p .40. That’s why 99 percent of manufacturers don’t advertise or make it.

[@natereinhold6180]

I would really like seeing the .40 135gn federal hi-shok... as long as it's not the "low recoil" variation. I want the blistering 1400+fps that a 135gn allows for.

[@templebrown2669]

I don't understand why everybody's testing 4 and 1/2 and 5-in gun barrels. Most people that are carrying concealed or caring about a 3-in barrel. And these tests mean nothing if you aren't shooting it out of a 3 inch barrel.

[@matthewanderson9912]

Great test buddy. Very interesting results. If not for the malfunctions I would pick the 45 based off these results. I mean you were killing it for accuracy at 25 yards. Even with the failure to expand it didnt really penetrate more than the 40. Odd that you had trouble though. I’ve never seen that with your gun shooting 45s. So based off that I probably would give the edge to the 40. It seemed more consistent and was plenty accurate enough. This sounds crazy based off the 9s performance in the wood penetration test but I almost worry that it could under penetrate in an “intended target” if it hit something hard. That was a pretty big difference in penetration without the fiber board. Great test though. I know this was a long winded comment but it was very interesting results. I could make a case for each one winning the competition and at the same time losing the competition.

[@Vaderfan-jv5md]

How is comparing two +p rounds fair against a 40 which is not a +p round considered fair? So many 40 haters

[@bjs301]

I sort of retired my Glock 23 when I bought a P365XL, but this reminds me what a great round the .40 is. It's still the go to for cold winter weather. You should try some limp wrist tests. I never thought about that issue. When I carried a .40 as my duty gun, it never had problems with the various drills we did, but I don't recall ever trying to limp wrist it.

[@mizzoupatriot8814]

The G23 was my first handgun and I kick myself for parting with it. I carry a G21 now with Underwood 185 grain +p jhp's and I like it just as much if not more than the G23.

[@smokey-qq6hd]

Still think for all things considered 9mm is hard to beat. All round

[@melanehme3661]

The speaking deadheads: "9mm is better" ... not hardly

[@landofparadise2295]

Always 9 mm and 45 used +P this ammo is the best but 40cal.not used a superior ammo in this test 40cal.is the best

[@terrykern397]

How many of you noticed when the 45 hit the plate it moved it considerably more than the 40 or the nine

[@Beastt17]

A very informative demonstration. People seem as subjective in defensive handgun ballistics as they are in music and religion so each person will take the data for what it's worth to substantiate their preconceived favorites, but you've still provided useful data. I tend to favor lighter loads and less penetration. The 1986 Miami shoot-out sent a lot of people in what I consider to be the wrong direction, when the FBI declared that the 9mm failed to penetrate far enough to stop William Matix but seemed to sideline the fact that by the time he finally bled out during the fight, he'd sustained a total of 5 lethal wounds. The 9mm entered under the arm and traveled across the torso, rather than front to back. Matix was simply motivated, perhaps crazed, and didn't seem to mind that he was going to die and simply wanted to kill as many FBI personnel as he could. Ballistically, I rate the .40 as the clear-cut leader as it delivers substantially more energy with good accuracy, reliability, and with a good hollow-point, isn't likely to over-penetrate (over-penetration wastes energy and presents a hazard for secondary targets). That said, my accuracy is better with the 9mm which gives me more confidence, and with a good 115gr +P+, can deliver energies comparable to the other two. In the final analysis, of the three calibers tested, if one makes a careful choice of cartridge and can hit their target, they should have no concerns of being insufficiently armed as far as handguns go.

[@DanTheWolfman]

My new .45 HST vs Critical Duty "Modern Meat Target" test with both short and medium barrels kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKm3hHqNf5KrgbM

[@jamesmatthews3041]

i never thought the 45 was weak until i shot 10mm i thought 45 was thors hammer until i tried using it to hunt took six shots ti kill a deer my 10mm kills deer with 1 round

[@jlarosa888]

Nice test. I carry a hellcat pro 9mm with the red dot and i love it. I do keep a G22 and a sig SP2022 at home. Both are .40

[@juicev25]

I have a blast shooting my .9mm at the range. But if someone tries to get crazy in my house, they’ll see my .40 cal.

[@hypervigilance1465]

.40 is the best.

[@tedcollins4684]

Nice shooting with that 45 indeed! I would be more worried about falure to feed than 1 not expanding.

[@Mrmigo8703]

Was thinking that it would be cool to see the Underwood 155 grain xtp 40 s&w tested some serious energy on that one. This darn ammo shortage though.

[@metaldamnation276]

I agree.. I feel that every time I see the comparison with the .40 people always put plus in the race. 9mm + p or .45 +p

[@mizzoupatriot8814]

I carry Underwood 185 grain +p 45's and they hit like a sledgehammer. Almost 600 ft lbs of energy at the muzzle. If I connect center mass with only 1 round....It's all over for that criminal. Energy is on par with your average 357 magnum only with a much bigger bullet.

[@YellowHammer26]

Thanks Sam, my wife and I both carry the 124 gr 9mm hst non +p in our pistols. It's been very good and accurate ammo.👍👍

[@GunSam]

I put that in this 9mm as I had some left with the 50 round box and needed to take out the Gold Dot I had in it for another test!

[@kencanada6119]

@@GunSam The 147 gr 9mm would have been more fair

[@nickfederico]

I really wish you would do another shot without denim when a round fails to expand. Again, just to see if it’s a velocity or barrier based failure.

[@joeblowfromidaho3642]

He shot it into a chewed up blob of gel already destroyed by the other 2 calibers. Common sense would have dictated shooting at the upper third of the gel, but what do I know ..;

[@dalemaloney255]

@@joeblowfromidaho3642 amen! joe! what do we know about nothing?

[@DinoNucci]

Again?

[@kickadams8908ass]

I am really a Fan of the 40 Glock perfection 😂

[@christrong3046]

Awesome !!! I have all three calibers and love them all. But my 357 mag is definitely king, and my go to!! Keep up the great work.👏👏👏

[@kentwilliams4152]

We found in the U.S.B.P. that the .40 S&W in either 155 grain or the 165 grain were significantly better (more efficient) than the 180 grain. They are louder, being transonic, but it is a small price to pay for increased efficiency.

[@rustyshackleford9637]

What would you say is the difference in the recoil between the difference bullet weights? I carry 180gr in the winter and 140-165gr in the summer.

[@GLOCKCOPG23]

@@rustyshackleford9637 not much

[@TooManyChoices1]

@@rustyshackleford9637 The 155-165gr .40 in the same bullet design is usually “snappier” but the felt recoil is not that great, just a different impulse if you ask me. The 180gr rounds feel closer to a .45 ACP to me in compact and sub compact frames, while the 155-165gr ammo (depending on loading of course), feels like the recoil jumps more.

[@lanesworld4000]

Please do this again with 147gr. 180 and 230 is heavy for caliber so why not go heavy for caliber with 9? 147 is better for long barrel. 124 seems better suited for shorter barrels. Great video!

[@paulsmith9497]

Good consistent performance by federal

[@steel2234]

Actually the 9mm will malfunction before the 40 when it comes to grip and limp wrist. Because of the low pressure of the 9mm that’s why a lot of people like the plus p for the G19. It’s actually a more reliable then standard pressure 9 in a Glock the 40 and 357 sig don’t really have those limp wrist malfunctions .

[@keiferpantke669]

Love the Jays shirt!! Go Michigan!!

[@joemarchinski7798]

40 was developed around the 165 grain the 10mm was developed around the 180 grain...if you want to see true capabilities of 40 the use the proper load

[@jasonvoorhees2701]

Am I the only one that wants. 357 mag HST ?

[@GunSam]

I have for some time. What I always imagined was a short barrel .357 Mag load, like if they make it they way they make the .38 version with the bullet recessed, they could push that 130 gr bullet at about 1,100 FPS from a snub with a 9mm powder charge. This would be perfect as the recoil would be low.

[@mikethefarrier]

Those 45s really had that target rocking 😂

[@pewpewTN]

.40 .45 .9mm But all three are good rounds & I enjoy shooting them all.

[@richardcolligon4277]

Great video! 97% of the time I practice head shot's since I'm in a wheelchair I want them to go down.

[@danielaramburo7648]

A hole in the watermelon will definitely put down a big strong criminal. But a double tap to the chest will convince 99% of criminals that maybe they go home and leave you alone. Shattered chest bones are not something criminals enjoy.

[@richardcolligon4277]

I just believe in head shot's because I can't move around like I used to. There's a retired police officer who has written a book on head shot's only. After years of shooting at the body he started doing head shot's only. When my son was in Iraq his buddy and him with an M9 put 17 rounds into an insurgent who was drugged up. I watched a video on one shot and drop. The 357 was 1.75 to put an attacker down. The 38 special was 1.87, 45acp 2.05, and 9mm was 2.45 shots to stop someone. I carry a 357, but after reading that I switched to 38's. My hand's have arthritis bad, so less recoil is much better for me, along with my head shot's. Have a great night.

[@danielaramburo7648]

@@richardcolligon4277 you know your abilities and skills. If you feel confident in effectively landing head shots, I wish you the best, of course I hope you never actually have to shoot someone.

[@richardcolligon4277]

@@danielaramburo7648 I pray about it all the time. But I did in the military because I was coming home.

[@UserFormelyKnownAs_hjkh]

@@richardcolligon4277 remind me not to put a speed bump in front of your wheel chair😉🤣

[@plasticglock]

Great video Sam. I sure thought that 45 would expand. Lucky Gunner tested that +p load and had 4 of 5 shots expand. They were using a Kahr compact with a 3.64" barrel too. Just shows how things can change. Also maybe blur out your gun during editing if it jams. Like how you would blur out a license plate? Maybe people will talk about it less. I know it irritates you. It's an ammo test not a gun review! Thanks for the video Sam!

[@bigsean2473]

why does everyone also use +p rounds when comparing 9mm and 45acp to 40cal? 9mm and 40 have the same pressure so the high pressure thing is out the window. use 155 40 if you going to give the others a crutch

[@GunSam]

Simply saying +P VS non +P based on pressure alone is not apples to apples. Like, .357 Mag is not +P but still beats a 9mm+P as it's a combination of powder charge and pressure that give an edge. Like, a ".40 S&W+P" if loaded to 38,500 pressure (9mm+P pressure) could blow up a gun eventually, because of the combination of powder and pressure. The 9mm+P uses a smaller powder charge, so being at 38,500 PSI is nothing. It's just at it's best potential. I used all 3 of these as they are their best potential. Again, pressure alone does not cause more power. If that were the case than the 9mm+P should have been twice as powerful as the .45 ACP with it being near twice the pressure.

[@glocktard-ei8is]

@@GunSam I think what is looked over on this pressure to caliber thing is... I'm a handloader... With different powders you can have a lot of psi and not be a problem. Example: slower powder builds pressures slower and by the time the bullet leaves the case you extend the volume of said pressures. I have a load I made for my 34 that shoots a 115gr. fmj at 1500+ fps. and have only had two or three cases above my limit of .393 case head expansion. Are you in Michigan? I seen your Jay's Sporting Goods shirt.

[@colt10mmsecurity68]

Nice video. Personally, I prefer my 147gr HSTs in ALL of my 9mm duty and off duty guns. …especially in my M&P 2.0 5” FDE. My employer allows us to carry either Federal 147gr HST or the Winchester Ranger T 147gr for 9mm. We can also carry other calibers as well and at our choice.

[@jetjaguar4285]

Love my .40 M&P!

[@ditto1958]

1911 has 5 in barrel Why wouldn’t Fed make the 45 acp go at their advertised speed in a 5 in barrel?

[@ditto1958]

Oh, and did I mention I like .40 S&W?

[@GunSam]

Someone on here said that Glock's polygonal rifling may have slowed the velocity.

[@mdd1963]

there can easily be 25-50 fps velocity differences from one 5" pistol to the next, even with equal barrel lengths....; there are some 'fast' barrels, some slower...

[@bigsean2473]

u said 9mm will be most reliable in a shoot out when hold the gun in one hand loosely. that has nothing to do with the round but the quality of the gun build. if you have gun built equal the will be reliable in calibers 9mm 40 and 45acp

[@ramseycattn5941]

That was a fun video. Those 9’s are hot! Coming pretty close to .357 Sig performance. Impressive. .40 did great. Somehow people think the .40 is like the worst cartridge ever devised by man. I don’t get it. That non-expanded .45 was a head scratcher. The bullet didn’t expand and didn’t go through the MDF yet penetration equaled the nearly 3/4 of an inch expanded slug through the MDF. Very strange!

[@bobjarrard]

Suspect the extractor or the magazine. Ten mm in a 45 can ding the extractor. Bob

[@mizzoupatriot8814]

More than likely the extractor. I think the G20 uses a different extractor than the G21 does if I remember correctly.

[@jamescox7537]

Surprising, I thought the 45acp would fare better. Thank you for taking the time and expense of making me this video. OUTSTANDING VIDEO !!

[@JD-nc7yb]

Love your videos! Check your front sight alignment on the 40. I have two M&P's where the front sight was not centered in the dovetail. I had the gunsmith at my local range drift the front sight back to center. Now both guns shoot dead center.

[@GunSam]

I tried to drift mine but could not. Even the rear sight should be driftable, but with the screw out it just does not move.

[@JD-nc7yb]

@@GunSam I think there is a special tool to drift sights. I pretty sure the smith put mine in a padded vice and used a sight tool.

[@azcoueshntr]

That is the one thing I hate about S&W autos. They don’t take the time to center the front sight correctly. I have two & both required a bench mounted vice, brass punch and a small sledge hammer. They are very difficult to drift.

[@ReeveHelalV]

My friend has an m&p and it had the same problem. Front sight visibly not centered and windage was off by a good 3-4”. I couldn’t get it to move with a brass punch and smallish hammer.

[@southernarsenal908]

Yall keep trying to make the 9mm as powerful as the 40 or 45!! Lol even using +p ammo it couldnt show up either…

[@davidhechler5882]

Hi Sam, I really like your videos. A concern I have on gel block results is that many times you shoot different calibers where the bullet travels the same track the previous round did. Wouldn't that the second and subsequent rounds to travel farther into the gel if it is traveling the same path as a previous round? It would seem that subsequent rounds traveling the same path as a previous round has less resistance and would give a different result. I have no experience with shooting gel so I am just curious Sam.

[@nathanlambshead4778]

That would be the case if the would channels actually converged. But shot placement next to or over/under each other do not effect it.

[@frankhinkle5772]

Thanks for that test. These are three calibers that I am especially interested in. My primary carry gun has been a 1911 in .45ACP. It might not be the best, but the ergonomics and that SA trigger pull work for me. If there is any time where "shot placement" is going to be THE FACTOR then I want the 1911 in my holster. That being said, if I can find a more modern design that I shoot as well as I shoot the 1911, then 9mm or .40S&W might become my primary. Thanks.

[@Dixoncider1973]

this is why i carry 25 acp and know that it will kill anything that walks flys or swims.

[@GunSam]

Not an elephant lol

[@pkjdm]

I believe that hot .40sw vs full load 357 mag would make a great test...

[@GunSam]

Filmed that yesterday with Gold Dot. It was a fun test.

[@DinoNucci]

40 is the correct answer vs human sized questions.

[@charlesphillips5906]

Repeat with short carry length barrels please.. I have long slides in all three calibers, but alas they don’t pocket carry too well. Maybe for Captain Kangaroo?

[@SuspiciousGanymede]

I have an M&P9C 2.0 that absolutely hates all flavors of HST, never had a handgun that didn't like them. They are so off target I max out my windage adjustments and compensate 4" high at 50yds. I don't have that problem with my other handguns or different brands of ammo.

[@GunSam]

Happens sometimes. No gun is the same, even the same make and model will have one gun shooting a certain ammo fine and the other not so much. So it's good you know your guns.

[@SuspiciousGanymede]

@@GunSam I usually buy several different brands of HP to test in carry guns before I use them, but with the current situation I've been limited in selection and price range. Bought a few half cases of assorted HST years ago because most of my guns liked them except this one. I'm currently working on figuring out which duty HP this M&P likes. A bunch of cheap brands are exceptionally accurate but fail the 4 layer denim/gel tests.

[@SuperD00D]

How on earth can they pack not only the same energy into a 9x19 as a .40, yet also similar final expansion size? It honestly just doesn’t make sense. There are older rounds like .38 acp that are even bigger than 9mm that are way weaker, or on par for energy with other rounds with way more case capacity like 7.62 x 25mm tokarev. They just do mad voodoo wirh 9mm. It’s like they literally extracted every single bit of performance physically possible lol and then sacrificed to the 9mm gods and extracted some more.. If .40 didn’t lose popularity what could they do with that?? I think I actually have a solid answer: about 700-800 foot pounds of energy seems possibly if they really pushed it like 9mm. Not quite as much as 10mm, but more than the 588 or 582 rated fpe maximum from Underwood and Buffalo Bore. And that’s what I’ve seen people safely hot-rod .40 up to in Glock 22’s with aftermarket lone wolf barrels is they get 155 gr up to 820 fpe and 180 gr up to 560 or so. I believe current max factory 180 gr is around 440 fpe or something like that? Either way, 180 is limited in .40 even hot-rodding it. But the 155’s can get up to some insane numbers, like 820 fpe