.45 ACP vs .40 Cal Which one do you think is best?

[IronButt]

.40 or .45?

I have a P229 in .40 & a P220 in .45. Either will do, but I just plain like the 220 better, so that's my carry gun. The capacity of the 220 isn't as much as my .40 or 9mm guns, but if 9 rounds of .45 in the gun & two 8 round reloads in my mag pouch don't get the job done, I don't need more capacity. I need close air support.

[TXDMERC73]

I prefer .40 S&W.

More accurate, has a longer effective range, higher velocity and penetrates better than .45 ACP.

but the .45 ACP makes a bigger hole!

[Pete D.]

I prefer .40 S&W.

More accurate,

I also take exception to that. In Bullseye Match shooting - which places an emphasis on precision - the Center Fire match courses are open to the .40 S&W. I have never seen a .40 cal gun on the line. 9mm, .32 cal, .45 - yes, to all. No 40s. If it were more accurate, some one would be shooting it.
Pete

[F16vipers]

The only true 'advantage' of a .40 S&W round is that it can be chambered in a 9mm size FRAME. 45 ACP usually requires atleast a larger magazine well for doublestacked mags because the casing is noticably larger. Of course the .45 GAP was introduced to counter this issue.

I carry a Glock 23 (.40 S&W) and it shoots as straight as any handgun on the market. IMO you should carry whatever allows you to hit the target with the most accuracy. This may be different from person to person. Any round can be a 'man stopper' if you put it in the right place!

[RHGregory3]

.45 ACP for me

trying to remain unbiased .40 S&W is a great round. Having shot a good amount of pistols that offer both calibers in identical setups I feel follow up shots are generally easier with a .45 acp as the recoil is more of a "push" than a "snap"

Specifically, I do not like the muzzle flip experiences I've had with .40s however they are IMO the next 100-year + round.

Again, I'm a 1911 guy too. So there's really no question for me, congrats on the XD-45 though, I also own one and they are phenomenal pistols that have very little felt recoil in the "4 service models.

[jakebrake]

own one of each. have (and still) carry one of each (not at the same time). trust my life with either.

[Neko456]

I like both when I look at my collection they dominate the selection. I like 40 cal because it offers big hole, high velocity (which assure mushroomin) and high capacity mags.

I like the 45acp because its big hole, big mushrooming bullet, 1911 platform, easy to reload and because of its long tradition as a fighting cartridge.

I lean slightly toward the 45acp, though I voted 40 cal.

[brian]

for example, a Sig 226 holds 12 rounds of .40S&W compared to 8 rounds of .45ACP in the Sig 220 (I don't top off) -- that's a 50% difference in the amount of ammo available.

.

uhh, i always thought 6 was 50% of 12.

[Finch00]

depends what you want

.45 if bigger but .40 generally has more capacity

i have a G26, .38 Model 15 and a 1911 I don't feel unarmed with any of them. However the Model 15 Doesn't get carried much (its Hugeness doesn't really get me anything the 26 or 1911 dont have)

[Edg]

OK someone has to say it so let the old fart.
About 100 yrs. of use to back-up the .45acp as a defense round with few complaints. Taking nothing away from the .40S&W but it does not in my mind do anything that can not be done just as well by the 9mm or .45acp.My experience is that the recoil is way sharper than a .45acp. or a heavy 9mm. This made the Glock 22 have the shortest stay at my house of any handgun.

REALLY? Why is it so popular then.