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.45 acp vs. .40
bald_co
Member Posts: 21 ✭✭
I have been a revolver shooter all my life, but am considering buying a pistol. I know that there is a huge following supporting the .45acp and the 1911 pistol. My question is: if the pistols were the same why would I buy a .45acp at 850fps / 18,000 cup when I could have a .40 at 1300fps / 36,000 cup? It seems that the .40 is the more potent round all things equal. What am I missing, and its not bullet weight because you can get 200gr .40 bullets?
Comments
The reason for the 40 is that you pack more ammo in the same size gun. You also have a gun that provides more potential barrier penetration although this has been superseded by the 357SIG. All other things considered the 45 is still numero uno if you aren't contending with getting a round through a car door and the like. I also think it's easier to shoot a 45 than the 40, easier to reload as well, and has many more gun and ammo choices as well.
I like both calibers, but the 45 remains a more overall versatile choice for a shooter.
have a .40 at 1300fps / 36,000 cup? It seems that the .40 is the more potent round all things equal. What am I missing, and its not bullet weight because you can get 200gr .40 bullets?
Seems to me that the above data regarding heavy bullets at 1300fps, is 10mm data not .40 S & W. The bullet diameters are the same, but the 10mm cartridge is able to propel the heavier 180 & 200 grain bullets at higher velocity with less chance of a KABOOM! A number of manufacturers either have made or are now making 1911 type pistols chambered for the 10mm. Forget the 40 S & W, if your intending on shooting heavy bullets at high velocity, go with the 10mm.
I have been a revolver shooter all my life, but am considering buying a pistol. I know that there is a huge following supporting the .45acp and the 1911 pistol. My question is: if the pistols were the same why would I buy a .45acp at 850fps / 18,000 cup when I could have a .40 at 1300fps / 36,000 cup? It seems that the .40 is the more potent round all things equal. What am I missing, and its not bullet weight because you can get 200gr .40 bullets?
If the guns were the same they would have to be large 45 frame size guns. If you want to carry that big a gun, I'd rather have the 45acp for defensive purposes.
Only real advantage the 40s&w has is it will fit in a smaller frame size(9mm size) gun that is lighter in weight and easier to conceal.
To make 1300fps in the 40 you'd have to drop down to around a 130gr bullet like the one Nosler makes, and 200gr bullets don't load well in the 40. If you want that heavy a bullet go with the 45acp.
Just my .02 cents...................
The 45 ACP does 1,050 with 185 JHP & & 950 fps with a 230 JHP. I think that's a little better.
10mm 175gr 1290fps 649ft/lbs Winchester Silvertip JHP
.45acp 200gr 1055fps/494ft lbs Hornady XTP+P
First off it has a bigger whole the second it hits
Also it would not overpenerterate and all of its energy would be dumped in the the target.
Also for practice there is plety of cheap ammo...
...and the 45ACP has a wider bullet selection.
Basicly the 45 is king, slow but steady
PB45165/20 45 AUTO +P 165 GR. PB 1225 FPS 550 FTLBS 5.0
http://www.dakotaammo.net/products/glaser/powrball.htm