.40 S&W vs .45 ACP
When it comes to choosing a mainstream handgun round beyond the iconic
9mm, two contenders rise to the top: the
.40 S&W and the
.45 ACP. These two cartridges are well-known for their history as service cartridges and Both have their merits and drawbacks, and the debates around these rounds can become heated. We are going to examine both cartridges and delve into various traits, features, and other considerations. Without further ado, let’s talk about .40 S&W and .45 ACP.
What is .40 S&W?
The
.40 Smith & Wesson cartridge was introduced in 1990 as part of a collaboration between Smith and Wesson and Winchester. The round is typically denoted by its full name, as
.40 S&W, or simply as
.40 cal. The cartridge’s development was driven by the desire to duplicate the performance of the FBI’s reduced velocity
10mm loading for use in midsize handguns. The resulting cartridge would be a shorter than the
10mm Auto, optimal for use in midsize handguns.
While effectively a shorter and milder version of the 10mm Auto, the .40 S&W is often compared to the
9mm and
.45 ACP. The round boasts a greater overall length and projectile size over the 9mm. The .40 S&W is capable of higher velocities than the .45 ACP and is ultimately slower than most
9mm Luger loadings. Due to its velocity to projectile size ratio, the
.40 S&W cartridge is capable of imparting a greater amount of energy on impact. As far as recoil goes, the .40 S&W is noticeably snappier than the 9mm and .45 ACP while recoiling less than 10mm Auto.
What is .45 ACP?
The
.45 ACP, or
.45 Automatic Colt Pistol, cartridge is the brainchild of prolific firearm designer John Moses Browning. Originally developed in 1904, the cartridge is closely associated with the 1911 pistol, an iconic service pistol chambered in
.45 ACP. Beyond its use in handguns, the cartridge is well-known for being used in submachine guns such as the Thompson and M3 “Grease Gun.” The
.45 ACP notably served the United States and allied nations throughout both World Wars and in many of the conflicts throughout the 20
th century.
The cartridge is primarily used in semi-automatic and fully-automatic firearms. Because of this fact it is shorter than many of the cartridges which preceded the
.45 ACP such as the
.38 Special and
.45 Colt. While it is shorter than some of the rounds that came before it, it is longer and larger than other cartridges intended for use in automatics such as the
9mm Luger and
.40 Smith & Wesson. Generally speaking, most
.45 ACP loadings will feature a stout yet manageable recoil impulse. This is due to the fact that the larger projectiles of the cartridge are traveling at subsonic velocities. These factors make
.45 ACP recoil more akin to a rearward push as the snappy muzzle rise associated with higher velocity rounds is not present.
Purchase .40 S&W Ammo
Ballistics: A Snapshot
- .40 S&W: Average muzzle velocities can range from 1,050 to 1,200 FPS.
- .45 ACP: Typical muzzle velocities are between 850 and 1,100 FPS.
Of course, these figures are just general values which can differ based on a variety of factors. Things such as barrel length, altitude, and traits of specific loadings can contribute to the actual, achievable velocities and energies of these cartridges.
Projectile Considerations
General Bullet Weights:
- .40 S&W: 150 – 200 grains
- .45 ACP: 185 – 230 grains
Both pistol cartridges can be found with similar projectile types. General-purpose loadings will feature full metal jacket, of FMJ type projectiles. Other common projectile types include jacketed hollow point, or JHP projectiles which are optimized for self-defense. Additionally, these calibers can be had in specialty form such as solid copper, frangible, or lead-free form.
What is .40 Smith & Wesson Used For?
The round is utilized by many end users for a variety of purposes. Recreational shooters often utilize the
.40 Smith & Wesson for range use. The plentiful nature of
ammunition and firearms in the caliber makes it a great choice for recreational shooters. The cartridge is also utilized by many competition shooters in a variety of shooting disciplines. Numerous race guns are available in the caliber which are suited to many types of shooting and divisions. Reflective of the cartridge’s origins, the
.40 Smith & Wesson is a popular choice for concealed carry, self-defense, and duty use.
What is .45 ACP Used For?
Throughout its existence, the
.45 ACP has been employed by a variety of end users and shooters of all types. Recreational shooters have enjoyed the cartridge in the form of various pistols, carbines, and even revolvers. The cartridge has also been utilized in competitions throughout the round’s existence, specifically in multigun matches and single stack division competitions. Echoing the cartridge’s legacy in service use, the
.45 ACP has also been utilized for concealed carry use and for duty use by generations of shooters.
Availability of Ammunition
At this point in time, shooters will find ample stock of ammunition for either pistol cartridge. This is to say that shooters can easily find either
.40 S&W or
.45 ACP ammo for sale at most places where
ammo is sold. The two cartridges are two of the most common semi-automatic pistol rounds, meaning that one will find no shortage of general-purpose or specialty loadings for either caliber. Companies such as
Federal,
PMC,
Aguila,
Sellier & Bellot, and
Winchester to name a few. Specialty loadings for use cases such as self-defense can be had from companies such as
Corbon,
Speer,
Barnes, and
Hornady. Shooters will be able to find and acquire
bulk ammo offerings of either caliber easily, making it easy to stock up on either cartridge.
Purchase .45 ACP Ammo
Availability of Firearms
Currently, shooters can choose from many types of firearms in either
.40 S&W or
.45 ACP. These firearms are most commonly found in the form of semi-automatic handguns of various sizes and styles. Shooters can find .40 S&W and .45 ACP chambered firearms optimized for specific use cases such as concealed carry or competition. Handguns can be found in striker-fired, single action, and double action form, allowing for shooters to find a model in either caliber which fits their preference.
Additionally, there are a number of pistol caliber carbines chambered in either round in various configurations. Of course, there are a number of police trade in handguns in either caliber which provide shooters with the opportunity to acquire a discounted service pistol. As far as milsurp offerings go, one will find old service handguns such as 1911s in .45 ACP for sale from time to time. These old war surplus handguns have become quite collectable as time goes by. In short, one will be able to find firearms in either caliber with ease.
Conclusion
And there we have it. Both the
.40 S&W and
.45 ACP cartridges are well-known and employed by shooters of all types in the United States for various purposes. One cannot go wrong with either cartridge as long as they are using them for their appropriate use cases. We here at True Shot Ammo carry both
.40 S&W ammo and
.45 ACP ammunition for sale in our large inventory. Whether you want to
buy .40 S&W ammo or
purchase .45 ACP ammo, we have you covered. Regardless of whether you want to
buy bulk ammo or individual boxes of either caliber, we can help you get stocked up. As always, happy shooting.
