9mm Vs 40 S&W Summary And Ballistics GunData.org

9mm vs 40 S&W Summary and Ballistics

Article Posted: September 26, 2014

The 9mm and the 40 S&W are two of the most popular pistol cartridges carried by both law enforcement and general public alike. Most people know the primary difference is carrying capacity and hitting power, but let's take a closer look at the numbers as well as a few other deciding factors.

9mm History

The 9mm Luger also known as the 9mm Parabellum and even the 9x19mm NATO is the most popular and widely carried pistol cartridge in the world as of the time of this writing. As denoted by the sometimes used 9x19mm NATO term it is the primary pistol cartridge carried by NATO forces and has replaced the commonly used 45 acp most likely because of the advances in powder technologies combined with the improved carrying capacity. This cartridge was created in 1902 by Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken.

40 S&W History

The 40 is nothing more than a short 10mm, in fact the 10mm is it's parent case having been developed in the 80's for the FBI. Problem was however the round was to "hot" for most of the agents to handle so they settled for slightly less "kicky" 40 Smith & Wesson.

9mm Ballistics vs 40 S&W Ballistics (Suggested Carry Loads)

A A 9mm Luger (9mm Parabellum) (9x19mm), Cor-Bon JHP +P, 115gr

B B 9mm Luger (9mm Parabellum) (9x19mm), Remington Jacketed Hollow Point +P, 115gr

C C .40 Smith & Wesson, Cor-Bon JHP, 135gr

D D .40 Smith & Wesson, Winchester Silvertip Hollow Point, 155gr

Range	Drop (inches)		Velocity		Energy		Wind drift (inches)		Time (milliseconds)
Range	A	B	A	B	A	B	A	B	A	B
0	-1.4859	-1.4853	1349	1249	465	398	0.0000	0.0000	1	1
50	0.0887	-0.0989	1171	1112	350	316	0.0000	0.0000	120	128
100	-4.6742	-5.7299	1049	1018	281	265	0.0000	0.0000	256	270
150	-17.3197	-19.7364	967	950	239	230	0.0000	0.0000	406	423
200	-39.2530	-43.3632	905	896	209	205	0.0000	0.0000	566	585
250	-71.7958	-77.8042	854	851	186	185	0.0000	0.0000	737	757
300	-116.2610	-124.2536	809	810	167	168	0.0000	0.0000	917	938
350	-173.9975	-183.9369	769	774	151	153	0.0000	0.0000	1108	1127
400	-246.4202	-258.1330	732	740	137	140	0.0000	0.0000	1308	1326
450	-335.3583	-348.5197	698	708	124	128	0.0000	0.0000	1518	1534
500	-441.8412	-455.9369	665	678	113	117	0.0000	0.0000	1738	1750
Range	Drop (inches)		Velocity		Energy		Wind drift (inches)		Time (milliseconds)
Range	C	D	C	D	C	D	C	D	C	D
0	-1.4857	-1.4849	1324	1205	525	500	0.0000	0.0000	1	1
50	0.0354	-0.1780	1147	1095	394	413	0.0000	0.0000	123	132
100	-5.0403	-6.1050	1030	1017	318	356	0.0000	0.0000	261	274
150	-18.2951	-20.4265	951	958	271	316	0.0000	0.0000	413	426
200	-41.1640	-44.2169	890	910	237	285	0.0000	0.0000	577	587
250	-75.0141	-78.5066	839	868	211	259	0.0000	0.0000	750	756
300	-121.2196	-124.3187	794	832	189	238	0.0000	0.0000	934	932
350	-181.2051	-182.6907	754	798	170	219	0.0000	0.0000	1128	1117
400	-256.4774	-254.6903	717	767	154	202	0.0000	0.0000	1332	1308
450	-348.9883	-341.7426	682	738	139	187	0.0000	0.0000	1548	1508
500	-459.8732	-444.4356	649	711	126	174	0.0000	0.0000	1773	1715

9mm Platforms

The 9mm wins in the platform category as most handguns are released in 9mm and then later in 40. The most popular 9mm platform is of course the Glock 19 and the Glock 17.

40 S&W Platforms

There are less pistols chambered in 40 smith and wesson, but most every popular handgun has a 40 version so don't let this weigh to heavily on your mind.

9mm Ammo Prices

9mm is the cheapest ammo out there most likely because it is the most mass produced. Even smaller rounds like the 380 acp (also called 9mm short) cost more than the 9mm cartridge. 100 round value packs can easily be had at Wal-Mart for around $26 (not carry ammo just a good practice round). You can shoot more often with those prices.

40 S&W Ammo Prices

40 ammo of course cost a bit more than the 9mm because it's not as widely produced. 40 prices are still less than the smaller 380 acp cartridges so that's good. The 40 S&W 100 round value packs usually run around $33 or $36 more than the 9mm value packs but still very affordable plinking cartridges.

9mm vs 40 Carrying Capacity

In the most common (Glock platforms) the 9mm of course wins. In the full size Glock 17 the capacity is 17 + 1, while in the Glock 19 it's still 15+1. In comparison the 40 smith & Wesson the Glock 22 Full Size holds 15+1 while the slightly smaller Glock 23 holds 13+1. All in all the capacity is fairly similar and we are not sure 2 rounds is going to make a world of difference.

Best 9mm Defense Loads (use)

The 9mm is available in standard pressure load along with the +P load. The +P load should only be used in firearms that were made after 1985. They should also be used sparingly compared to standard loads. There are special loads available to law enforcement personnel, but commercial loads are just as good and in some cases better than the restricted loads reserved for law enforcement officials.

The 9mm Luger is considered the best self-defense pistol to use with Cor-Bon 9mm 115 grain +P Jacketed Hollow Point bullets. This is the most powerful cartridge available and a proven man stopper for the 9mm caliber of bullets. The muzzle velocity is 1,340 ft/s and the high pressure round is more effective than the non-commercial market rounds law enforcement officials have at their disposal.

Unfortunately, it is also likely to jam many older guns. For this reason I add a table at the end of the 9mm section discussing round suitability for different guns. Modern hollow points may either (a) jam, or (b) be too powerful for some older guns. This load is suitable only for First Class pistols.

The Federal 115 grain JHP (98P) is the best standard pressure 9mm cartridge on the market. It is effective and accurate, which makes it the set-standard across the globe.

Worst 9mm Defense Loads (avoid)

Federal Gold Medal 9mm 147 grain JHP (9MS)
Federal Hydra-Shok 9mm 147 grain JHP (P9HS2)
Winchester 147 grain 9mm Silvertip Subsonic JHP (X9MMST147)
Winchester 147 grain 9mm Super-X Subsonic (XSUB9MM)
Remington 147 grain 9mm JHP (R9MM8)
Remington 147 grain 9mm Golden Saber JHP (GS9MMC)
Remington 140 grain 9mm JHP (R9MM7)
Remington 88 grain 9mm JHP (R9MM5) this bullet is far too light.
CCI Lawman 147 grain 9mm PHP "Plated Hollow Point" (3619)

Best 40 Self Defense Loads (use)

The real-world shooting database clearly favors the lighter 135-155 gr. JHP loads. It is recommended owners carry the potent Cor-Bon 135 or 150 grain jacketed hollow point or the Winchester Silvertip 155 grain jacketed hollow point (X40SWSTHP). The 135-155 grain JHP kicks less and has higher kinetic energy and stopping power than the 180 gr. JHP loads. The 135 gr. JHP appears to be a real stopper. In short, you cannot go wrong with the .40 S&W - unless you carry ball. Choose a good hollow point and stick with it. Leave the ball for practice (the CCI Blazer 180 grain TMJ is a good inexpensive practice round)

Worst 40 Smith & Wesson Defense Loads (avoid)

No data found please suggest crappy loads in comment section below and we'll add them here.

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