The irony of the .40 Cal ?

[Guest Lester Weevils]

The problem is how you quantify "power". There are so many variables it is hard to make apple to apple comparison. Generally though from what I've seen across the board 9mm through .45 are relativley identical in how much damage and "one stop shot" power they deliver to the target using their best loads. BTW the type of ammo and barrel length make a HUGE difference. Here is a chart that I've used as a general idea. It is not the only one but a good comparison. It does not account for some of the newer bullets on the market.

Thanks Smith

My question is ill-defined. Not especially concerned with the fitness of each caliber for any particular purpose. More along the lines of perhaps a ft-lbs ranking, using "really hot" ammo in each pistol. Though a velocity ranking might also be interesting/useful. Or maybe there are alternate "better" objective measures of brute power. And then an overall "shooting discomfort" ranking.

Impractical slightly fuzzy questions that perhaps can be somewhat-objectively answered? Ferinstance, is a 5" barrel .44 Mag more of a "hand cannon" than a 5" barrel 10mm? Or is the 10mm more of a "hand cannon"? Which causes the sorest wrist after a day at the range?

Edited March 8, 2012 by Lester Weevils

[RobertNashville]

I don't think your overall question works or more to the point, I don't think if can really be answered.

It's like testing the performance of what are supposed to be performance cars....what variables count...how do you eliminate the differences because of "drives" or the weather during the testing...etc. You try to be consistent and do the best you can but often, the "conclusion" is based more on opinion than objective measurements.

I have wheel guns in 38, 44Mag and 454 Casull and autoloaders in 357 Sig, 45 and 10MM...I love all of them; for different reasons!

As for the 10MM/44 Mag; my 44 Mag is a Dirty Harry (S&W Model 29 with full 8 1/3 barrel); and a G20 and a couple of 1911s in 10MM...I've never noticed that either is "more" of a hand cannon than the other and neither has ever made my wrist sore. I will say with the 44; you "feel" like you are holding a cannon but it really isn't...it's just cool to shoot.

Edited March 8, 2012 by RobertNashville

[Guest Nunya]

Only thought I have is to ask where you are seeing them sitting around cheap on gunboards ?

I haven't seen any here sell for cheap at all.

###.com

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Thanks Smith and Robert

Smith, I think you added your tables after I made the previous response. Those look good.

Agreed it may be somewhat a meaningless question. This afternoon if I can get some work done, might try making a few ranked tables "for the heck of it" out of Smith's data, and post the results "for the heck of it".

[Patton]

. Our lovely govt. agency ICE carries HK's in .40, I believe the PK2000 and USP Compact .40 LEM which is what I carry. A buddy of mine is ICE in Arizona.

They are being faced out for Sig 229 40's and i believe they are the DAK. Homeland Security is going SIG across the board. I can't remember if DEA falls under DHS but they still are majority Glock.

Actually this revolves around what becomes of the poor CS Sig has given The Air Marshals over the P250 that never really made it into the field.

Edited March 8, 2012 by Patton

[k9wh91984]

Glock, Sig, HK, pick one lol pretty much all the same. I think it falls under who gives the weapon cheaper to the govt.