9mm vs. .40 vs. .45 vs. who cares anyway? - Tactical Advantage

American Handgunner, July, 2002 by Ken Hackathorn

We've learned quite a bit over the years about the .40 and the 9mm. if you are a police officer, keeping in mind that the odds are high you'll be involved in a shooting around, near, or through a vehicle, rounds like the 147 gr. JHP Hydra Shok may have merit. Remember that one of the key issues for the FBI selection of the 147 Hydra Shok was the fact most FBI shootouts statistically involved automobiles. Light, fast 115 and 124 gr. JHP rounds often fail to penetrate auto bodies and safety glass.

When the .40 S&W round was first marketed, it was typically a 180 gr. JHP with a muzzle velocity of 950 fps. After a few years of use on the street, not all the results from shootings and gunfights had proven the .40 to be a great improvement. When the ballistic testers went to work on this problem, one of the first things noted was if the .40 S&W bullet was reduced in weight to the 135 to 165 gr. range, a higher velocity could be used. This resulted in far better results in actual shootouts.

Today, most savvy .40 S&W users select either the super hot 135 grain loadings or the 155 gr. rounds. When velocities reach the 9mm range, the .40 S&W round performs much better. But at a price. The .40 is a high pressure cartridge and occasionally this pressure can create some spectacular results, if you have a good nine, use it and avoid potential problems.

But, there's more. With good 9mm ammo, depending upon your needs, try the 115 to 135 gr. range. Whether it be the Corbon 115 JHP I use, or Federal, Remington, Winchester, Pro Load, Black Hills or Gold Dot, you're probably as well armed with your 9mm as you would be with a .40 S&W.

As a matter of fact, there is quite a bit of evidence around showing a superior 9mm round will often perform as well as, or better than, many popular .45 ACP cartridges. Imagine that.