Who Makes .40 S&W Ammo?

Who Makes .40 S&W Ammo?

Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to go over who makes .40 S&W ammo today. The cartridge has seen use among various users since its introduction in the 1990s. Shooters have employed the cartridge in roles ranging from competition to law enforcement or recreation. Today we are going to delve into the cartridge’s background, explore ammo types and manufacturers, and other considerations. Without further ado, let’s talk about who makes .40 S&W ammo.

What is .40 S&W Ammo?

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 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 loadings. Due to its velocity to projectile size ratio, the .40 S&W 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. The round is utilized by many end users for a variety of purposes. Recreational shooters often utilize the .40 S&W 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 S&W is a popular choice for concealed carry, self-defense, and duty use. Purchase .40 S&W Ammo

What Firearms Use .40 S&W Ammo?

Currently, there are many firearms on the market which use .40 S&W ammo. These types of firearms are most commonly available in the form of handguns. Handguns chambered in .40 S&W can easily be found various shapes and sizes, optimized for different use cases. Shooters can find .40 caliber pistols in many configurations such as service pistols or concealed carry pistols. Additionally, offerings such as Glock 35 handguns represent offerings optimal for competition. Beyond handguns, shooters will also encounter offerings in the form of pistol caliber carbines (PCC) or subguns. Companies such as Glock, Beretta, Smith & Wesson, Kriss, and CMMG are among the producers of .40 caliber firearms. Offerings from these companies and more can be had at various price points, catering to all budgets.

What is .40 S&W Ammo Used For?

Shooters employ .40 S&W ammo in various use cases and roles. Current availability of ammo and cheap .40 S&W ammo make the cartridge well-suited to plinking and training. Simply put, common and affordable ammunition is conducive to many well-spent days at the range. Due to the round’s widespread use in law enforcement, many loadings are available for range and training use. Shooters can easily employ the .40 S&W recreationally or to help develop their skills. Additionally, the cartridge sees use in competition roles. The cartridge is often utilized in defensive roles and for duty use. As mentioned earlier, the cartridge has been utilized by law enforcement personnel for decades. At this point in time, many .40 S&W loadings can be found in forms optimized for defensive use. These loadings take advantage of the high velocity of the cartridge and are generally designed to stop and expand within a target upon impact. Many of these loadings also are designed to minimize the potential for overpenetration.

Who Makes General Purpose .40 S&W Ammo?

At this point in time, general purpose .40 S&W ammunition is produced by a number of companies. This is to say that these offerings are typically made to stringent standards in accredited facilities. These loadings will generally feature full metal jacket, or FMJ type projectiles. PMC, Magtech, Sellier & Bellot, and Aguila are among the producers of general purpose .40 S&W ammo. Ammunition of this type is well-suited for plinking, training, and even competition use cases. This type of .40 S&W ammunition is also the most common type one will encounter as standard loadings vastly outnumber specialized ones.

Who Makes .40 S&W Defensive Ammo?

Beyond general-purpose loadings, there are a number of companies who produce .40 S&W defensive ammo. These loadings are optimized for self-defense use and are designed to stop threats and minimize potential collateral damage and overpenetration. Loadings of this type depart from traditional FMJ projectiles and feature projectiles ideal for defensive use. Projectiles are typically going to be in the form of hollow points or other bullets conducive to self-defense. These types of loadings prioritize terminal ballistic performance, often featuring projectiles conducive to expanding within the target. Federal, Corbon, Speer, and Hornady are among the producers of defensive .40 S&W ammunition.

Who Makes Specialty .40 S&W Ammo?

Specialty .40 S&W ammo is produced by a number of companies for various purposes. Shooters utilize specialty .40 S&W ammunition for many use cases such as training, hunting, and suppressed shooting. Loadings are available in various grain weights and with purpose-built projectiles suitable for specialized tasks. For example, solid copper frangible loadings are well-suited for training and utilizing steel targets at close ranges. Additionally, subsonic loadings are also available with heavier projectiles and low velocities optimal for use with suppressors. Speer, Hornady, and Federal produce various types of specialty .40 S&W ammo. Purchase .40 S&W Ammo

Is .40 S&W Ammunition Expensive?

Generally speaking, like most calibers and ammo offerings, price is contingent upon the specifics of a given loading. It is also worth noting that cost of materials and labor come into play when it comes to ammunition as well. This is why general-purpose loadings tend to be cheap and affordable while more specialized offerings tend to demand higher prices. For example, traditional FMJ loadings intended for practice are going to cost less than their solid copper counterparts designed for defense. One can expect FMJ ammo to be cheaper than ammo made for self-defense. Of course, one can save on ammo when purchasing bulk quantities as there is usually a price break at the case level. Additionally, prices are often subject to change and fluctuation factors such as supply and demand come into play. As mentioned above, the .40 S&W is well supported by the industry in the way of firearm and ammunition options. Naturally, some .40 S&W ammunition is going to be economically priced while other loadings are going to be more expensive. In short, shooters have access to a wide range of .40 S&W ammo at various price points.

Is .40 S&W Ammo Easy to Find?

Currently, .40 S&W ammo is common and easily accessible. This is due to the fact that loadings are being produced by many ammo companies. Loadings are available in many forms such as full metal jacket range loadings and specialized loads for specific use cases such as suppressed shooting or defense. One can purchase .40 S&W ammo in various quantities such as individual box offerings to bulk ammo offerings. Bulk .40 S&W ammo offerings are available in forms like battle packs and case quantities from various manufacturers. Additionally, if one elects to shop for .40 S&W ammo online, their options become even broader. This can come in handy if one is looking for a specific loading for specialized use cases such as hunting or precision shooting. One will have no issue finding .40 S&W as it is one of the most popular handgun calibers in circulation.

Conclusion

All in all, the .40 S&W cartridge remains a popular handgun caliber and is employed by shooters of all types. With loadings tailored for various use cases, shooters can find a loading best suited to their needs. We here at True Shot Ammo offer .40 S&W ammo in addition to our inventory of ammo for sale. Our inventory of ammunition for sale encompasses popular calibers and gauges like 9mm, 5.56, 12 gauge, and .22 Long Rifle. Put plainly, we carry a wide range of pistol, rifle, rimfire, and shotgun ammunition optimal for shooters of all types. Whether you want to buy .40 S&W ammo or purchase bulk ammo of a different type, we have got you covered. As always, happy shooting.