The two cartridges have some substantially different characteristics. For example, the . 40 caliber cartridge typically sports a heavier bullet with loads between from 135 to 180 grain, compared to between 115 and 147 grain for the 9mm. … Another difference is that the 9mm round is in pistols around the globe.

Besides, Is 40 more powerful than 9mm?

40 S&W has more energy, delivering superior ballistics to the target which results in larger, more lethal wounds to a threat. (This is not at all to say that the 9mm is a weak cartridge.) For this reason, many people who want more power prefer the . 40 S&W over the 9mm Luger.

Keeping this in mind, What has more stopping power 9mm or 40 cal? The 9mm releases about 10 – 12 % less energy than its competitor. Also, there are ammo manufacturers that say their 9mm can match up in stopping power against other 40 cal. … Most gun manufacturers use the same 9mm pistol frame for both calibers. Glock is notorious for this.

Which caliber is best for self defense?

The most common caliber for a home defense handgun is 9mm. This does mean that your gun will penetrate through walls and can possibly harm your loved ones during a home invasion. Also, many experts recommend hollow point ammo because of the power, and they are a bit safer to shoot in a home defense scenario.

Which is better 9mm 40 or 45?

Light bullets shed velocity and thus energy faster, both in the air and in the target. Retained energy aids in penetration of the target. … 40 has 122 percent more bullet weight than the 9mm, and the . 45 has 161 percent more bullet weight than the 9mm.

What is easier to shoot .40 or 9mm?

9mm is also much easier to find, is cheaper to shoot, and kicks less than the . 40 while offering much greater ballistics than it used to.

What handgun caliber has the best stopping power?

So, the answer is simple, right? Everyone should buy a magnum-powered handgun in . 357 or larger caliber and feel completely secure that he or she has the best stopping power.

What has more stopping power .45 or 9mm?

Since a 9mm is smaller and lighter than a 45, it moves more quickly than a 45. So, upon impact, the 9mm will penetrate the target much deeper than a 45. It is shot out of the barrel at a much higher velocity, so it takes more stopping power to halt the bullet. A 9mm also has a greater capacity.

What caliber is 9mm equivalent to?

357, . 380 auto and 9mm ammunition are all the same caliber. (Caliber is the size of the projectile, or bullet.) The different names are for marketing reasons or because of where the cartridge was developed.

Will a .22 stop an attacker?

22 bullet doesn’t cause CNS disruption or extensive blood loss, it won’t physically incapacitate an attacker.

Is a .40 or .45 better?

40 is much more than a . 45. People who have used both these guns have described . 40 recoil as “sharp and snappy” and slower to get back on target for follow up shots..

What caliber has the most stopping power?

45 ACP and the 9mm. However, others say that the lowly . 22 LR has the best stopping power, since it stays in the target’s body and bounces around, shredding arteries and punching holes in internal organs.

Is 45 more effective than 9mm?

45-caliber round is the bigger bullet, so it has the “knock down power” to neutralize any adversary with one shot; while pistols that fire 9mm rounds are generally more accurate and can carry more bullets.

Is a 40 or 45 more powerful?


40 S&W exceeds standard-pressure

. 45 ACP loadings, generating between 350-foot-pound (470 J) and 500-foot-pound (680 J) of energy, depending on bullet weight.



Comparison chart.

.40 S&W .45 ACP
Velocity 900-1449 FPS 700 – 1150 FPS
Maximum pressure 35,000 psi (240 MPa) 21,000 psi (140 MPa)
Designed January 17, 1990 1904

Do police use 9mm or 45?

“While many law enforcement departments and agencies still use . 357, . 40, and even . 45 caliber guns, most have already switched or are switching to 9mm,” says Joel Harris, SIG Sauer’s director of media relations and communication.

How much more recoil does a .40 have than a 9mm?

40 would have 27% greater recoil. Given that a . 40 typically has slightly higher pressure, a larger cross-section and a steeper pressure curve, it’s pretty easy to see why the felt recoil of a . 40 is a good bit ‘snappier’ than a 9mm.

What is the best handgun caliber for self defense?

The most common caliber for a home defense handgun is 9mm. This does mean that your gun will penetrate through walls and can possibly harm your loved ones during a home invasion. Also, many experts recommend hollow point ammo because of the power, and they are a bit safer to shoot in a home defense scenario.

What caliber do most police use?

45 ACP and the 9mm have their fans, these days, most law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, have chosen Glock pistols for their standard issue sidearms.

Is a 45 ACP more powerful than a 9mm?

With a good modern defensive ammo, the 9mm is just as powerful as any . 45, just in different ways. When comparing the two handguns, it’s important to note that the 9mm hasn’t become better than the . 45 ACP…it just caught up to it.

What has more stopping power 9mm or 357 Magnum?

Sticking with the two Federal Hydra-Shok products, we see that the 124-gr 9mm rounds deliver a muzzle energy of 345 foot-pounds (ft-lbs). At 25 yards, it maintains 315 ft-lbs; certainly enough to stop almost all threats. … 357 Magnum has a muzzle energy of 539 ft-lbs. At 25 yards, it still has 494 ft-lbs of force.

Is a 40 cal more powerful than a 45?

The . 40 S&W was built as a compromise cartridge to offer more power than the 9mm, with less recoil and more capacity than the . 45. … The FBI also acknowledges modern bullet technology has all but eliminated the terminal performance differences between these cartridges.

Is a 9mm or a 45 more powerful?

With a good modern defensive ammo, the 9mm is just as powerful as any . 45, just in different ways. When comparing the two handguns, it’s important to note that the 9mm hasn’t become better than the . … new self-defense 9mm ammo opens up to create some nasty possible wound channels to stop attackers in their tracks.

Is 9mm really as good as 45?

Reason: Current 9mm ammunition has more consistent and better barrier penetration than . 45 ACP. … If a barrier is involved, a 9mm +P load is superior. You can carry a lot more 9 mm rounds in the mag, and it is easier to shoot well.

Is a 45 harder to shoot than a 9mm?

Your pistol is a soft shooting 9mm, but since . 45s are generally a little heavier the felt recoil is fairly close, in as much as neither one is punishing at all. The 9mm is higher velocity, so it tends to be a little snappier.