45.ACP or 40. S&W?

[Anthony Williams]

In respect to stopping power, has it yet to be determined which is the better cartridge?

A.W.

 

[pps]

Whichever one you can shoot the bestest...the fastest...and have not left in the gun safe

 

[Tellico]

In respect to stopping power, has it yet to be determined which is the better cartridge?

A.W.

No, Idon't think so.
Between .40 and .45 the bullet design and shot placement would decide best stopping power. The .357 125 gr. still has the most one shot stops for h/guns. A .40 or .357 may or may not expand but a .45 is still .45. Check Taylors TKO formula.
http://www.handloads.com/calc/quick.asp

 

[Hammerdown77]

Shot placement trumps all.

The bullet needs to have enough power to punch through clothing and muscle and fat and bone to hit the vitals (assuming you have good shot placement). Both of those cartridges have plenty of power to do that, given sound bullet construction.

Pick the one you like to shoot, and/or the one you shoot better. They have different characteristics in the way they feel when firing.

 

[buck460XVR]

 

[mattsbox99]

One of each?

 

[WESHOOT2]

The Remington 40 S&W 155g S-JHP, as used by the US Border Patrol, has a proven performance record.

The 230g Golden Saber, as used by certain no-name units, has a proven performance record.

Same for certain 357 SIG and 9x19 choices; proven performance record.

Bottom line? Hit 'em with your car.....

 

[Ruber]

Bullet choice can be the driving factor.

Couple interesting articles...

http://www.chuckhawks.com/40SW_praise.htm

http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/ayoob93.html

http://www.chuckhawks.com/ammo_by_anonymous.htm

 

[tomisu]

On paper, the energy of both are about the same. The 40 S&W is faster, but a lighter bullet. Old military training tactics using the .45 was simple - the first shot was to knock them over and once down the second shot to complete the job. Hit someone with a .45 and it will knock them over even if you do not hit a vital.

On the other hand, I was told by a State Police they switched from 9mm to 40 S&W because of the stopping power, in his words - "The 9mm is a great caliber for the second shot placement, with the 40 S&W the second shot is not necessary".

Either are good and will do the job

 

[WESHOOT2]

Conventional wisdom is not.

 

[Tommy Kelly]

It's up to you. I kept a 1911 as my bedside gun until I got the glock 40. I have several 1911's and really like them. The 45acp is a great shooting round that I really enjoy using but after shooting the 40 cal some I moved the 1911 to the gun room and put the glock in it's place at bedside. I'm not sure if it's the 16 round capacity without a reload and no safety to fool with or what reasoning I used for switching but the main point I think is the night sights on the glock. I'm not a big fan of projecting a laser beam at my target in the dark in my opinion that's just giving away your position. The night sights are only seen by the shooter. The first light the intruder sees is the muzzle flash of a well placed shot.

 

[454PB]

The main advantage to the .40 is......free brass!

Over the last few years, I've picked up buckets of .40 S&W brass, but only a few hundred .45 ACP.

 

[swindler1]

Pull the trigger three times, aim for center mass. 45,40 either one will stop the threat or if nothing else give you time to find cover.

 

[glockman99]

Hit someone with a .45 and it will knock them over even if you do not hit a vital.

That goes against the law of physics: "To every action, there is a positve and equal reaction.".

In other words, if the .45 had the "power" to knock a man over, it would also knock over the person firing the gun that launches the bullet.

 

[glockman99]

I'll take the .357 magnum over either the .40 or the .45. My Police Service Six is loaded with the 158 grain Federal Hydra-Shok...I "trust" this load to "get it done"...It may not be as "sexy" as some of the 125 grain JHP's, but I do like the heavier bullet, aa well as the Hydra-Shok design.

 

[Lee Martin]

Both are proven stoppers.

 

[revhigh]

Tell you what ... give me a .22 ... then come at me and let me shoot you ... I'm betting you STOP ....

Just pick one ....


REV

 

[gunners]

 

[gunners]