This cartridge was designed to have better handling and manageability than the .45 ACP, and to have more stopping power than the 9mm Parabellum. The .40 S&W Ammo For Sale cartridge was built with these goals in mind by technicians from Smith & Wesson and Winchester.
According to Smith & Wesson/Winchester, the finished round weighs between 105 and 200 grains (gr), and features a rimless, 10x22mm bullet with a lead bullet weighing between 105 and 200 grains. In terms of stopping power and recoil, this ammunition is considered middle ground since it is powerful enough for home defense and concealed carry, while still being approachable and manageable – even for individuals with smaller frames.
Its casing is .85 inches long and .424 inches wide. It is loaded to an average pressure of 35,000 pounds per square inch, while a standard 10mm cartridge is loaded to 37,500 pounds per square inch.
There are other names for the cartridge, including the .40 Cal, .40 Cal S&W, .40 Auto, and 10x22mm.
A key asset to .40 caliber ammunition is that it’s a middleground round. While some consider it an alternative to the .45 ACP, others view it as a useful round all on its own.
The .40 Caliber round is more powerful and has more downrange energy than its 9mm counterpart, although a 9mm pistol with the same size may be able to hold more rounds since the cartridge is smaller. While a pistol chambered in the .40 S&W holds more rounds than it can with a .45 ACP, its muzzle energy is significantly higher than that of .40 caliber ammunition.
As a result of extensive testing by the FBI and many other agencies – which led to widespread adoption of the .40 S&W among police agencies – it strikes the right balance between muzzle energy and magazine capacity. The U.S. Coast Guard has also adopted the .40 S&W as their primary issue handgun.
There is a vast array of bullet types and loads available in .40 S&W ammunition, the majority of which are available in bulk .40 caliber rounds. Some of the most popular .40 caliber rounds include:
Typically, FMJ bullets are enclosed in a harder metal to maintain their shape as the projectile travels toward its target; FMJ bullets are the most common round for target shooting in most calibers.
A TMJ ammunition protects shooters by covering the lead bullet in a harder metal, while leaving the FMJ exposed at the base; some ranges require TMJ ammunition.
.40 S&W JHP ammo is often used for self-defense and duty; JHP bullets are enclosed in a metal casing but have a hollow point that helps with expansion, wound size, and stopping power.
Brass-encased BEB bullets limit lead exposure when shooting; many of them were designed specifically for controlled environments and have non-toxic primers.
The CMJ bullets are encapsulated with lead, limiting exposure; they also don’t release as much smoke as TMJ bullets.
Fangible bullets, made up of copper powder and shatter on impact, are often used when over-penetration is a concern. This type of bullet not only protects bystanders but also eliminates ricochets.
It was developed to bridge the gap between .9mm and .45 ACP after the FBI requested a new round. It was designed and developed by Smith & Wesson and Winchester in collaboration with Winchester to have greater stopping power than the 9mm and greater handleability than the .45 ACP. The cartridge contains a .40 inch (10mm) bullet and is loaded to a pressure of 35,000 pounds per square inch (psi). Other names include .40 Cal S&W, .40 Cal, .40 Auto, and 10x22mm.
As opposed to the 9mm Parabellum, this cartridge is significantly more powerful. Due to the larger bullet (.40″ versus .380″), the .40 S&W round penetrates deeper and expands more when compared to the 9mm round (although this may not apply in all circumstances). Although the .40 S&W has a greater amount of power, it does have more recoil (although not as much as the .45 ACP), and it is often described as “snappy.”
There is no difference between a .40 caliber bullet and a .40 Smith & Wesson cartridge. .40 Cal refers to a bullet of .40 caliber and .40 S&W refers to the round’s technical name, the .40 Smith & Wesson.
Feel free to contact us at +1(213) 410 – 2992 if you have any questions about our ammunition inventory or ammunition for .40 S&W.
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