Difference Wiki

.40 S&W vs. .45 ACP

The main difference between .40 S&W and .45 ACP is that .40 S&W has more pressure as compared to the .45 ACP. Its pressure is 35,000 psi as compared to the 21,000 psi of the .45 ACP.

Key Differences

In most of the states, law enforcement agencies, and other institutes use .40 S&W as compared to the .45ACP.
.40 S&W carry twice the amount of rounds than the .45 ACP as compared to the .45 ACP.
Aimie Carlson
Dec 04, 2016
.45 ACP is suitable for those with less shooting experience while .40 S&W is for the professionals.
Janet White
Dec 04, 2016
.40 S&W has better-stopping power as compared to the .45 ACP.
.40 S&W is a 10mm and better than .45 ACP that is of 9mm.
.45 ACP is best because having more of a push whereas the .40 S&W is more of a snap.
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.40 S&W has a higher chance of a one stop shot as compared to the .45 ACP.
Harlon Moss
Dec 04, 2016
.45 ACP is considered as favorite caliber and perfect for bowling pins as compared to the .40 S&W.
.40 S&W offers the best double stack round count as compared to the .45 ACP.
Harlon Moss
Dec 04, 2016
.40 S&W is normally used in small pistol while .45 ACP is used in the large pistol but can also be used in the small pistol in small
Neck diameter of .40 S&W is 10.7 mm that is 12 mm in the case of .45 ACP.
Rim diameter of .40 S&W is 10.8 mm. Rim diameter of .45 ACP is 12.2 mm. Rim thickness of .40 S&W is 1.4 mm while rim thickness of .45 ACP is 1.2 mm.
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.40 S&W has more pressure as compared to the .45 ACP. Its pressure is 35,000 psi as compared to the 21,000 psi of the .45 ACP.
Harlon Moss
Dec 04, 2016
.40 S&W bullet diameter is 10.2 mm. .45 ACP diameter is 11.5 mm.
Aimie Carlson
Dec 04, 2016
.40 S&W is also called as American Round, and the .40 ACP is regarded as Snappy.
.40 S&W recoil is lighter as compared to the .45 ACP.
Janet White
Dec 04, 2016
.40 S&W case capacity is of 19.3 gr H2O while the case capacity of .45 ACP is 25 gr H2O.
Harlon Moss
Dec 04, 2016

Comparison Chart

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It is a rimless pistol cartridge manufactured jointly by American firearms manufacturers Smith & Wesson and Winchester
It is a pistol cartridge designed by John Browning and official pistol of Untied States Army since 1911
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Recoil

Lighter
Relatively high

Felt Recoil

Sharp and snappy and slower to get back on target for follow-up shots
Heavier and pushes one's hands backward instead of up. Doesn’t have enough muzzle flip.

Cor-Bon 135 gr. JHP

1366
1403

Federal 135 gr. Expand’g FMJ

1159
1189

155 gr. Hydra-Shok JHP

n/a
1107

Speer 180 gr. Gold Dot Short Barrel

1042
984
Harlon Moss
Dec 04, 2016

What is .40 S&W?

In light of perfect terminal ballistic execution in arms gelatin amid lab testing in the late 1980s and mid-1990s, the .40 S&W earned status as “the perfect cartridge for individual resistance and defense purposes.” Aside from the flawed relationship between weapons gelatin ballistics and genuine ceasing power, faultfinders indicated the diminished force of the round contrasted and the 10mm Auto it depended on. Ballistically the .40 S&W is practically indistinguishable to the .38-40 Winchester presented in 1874, as they have a similar slug width and projectile weight, and have comparative gag speeds. The vitality of the .40 S&W surpasses standard-weight .45 ACP loadings, creating between 350 foot-pound and 500 foot-pounds of vitality, contingent upon slug weight. Both the .40 S&W and the 9mm Parabellum work at a 35,000 pounds for each square inch SAAMI most extreme, contrasted with a 21,000 pounds for every square inch greatest for .45 ACP. The .40 S&W has been noted in various cartridge case disappointments, especially in more established Glock guns because of the moderately expansive range of unsupported case head in those barrels, given its high working weight. The nourish slope on the Glock .40 S&W guns is bigger than on different Glocks, which leaves the back base of the case unsupported, and it is in this unsupported region that the cases fizzle.

What is .45 ACP?

The .45 ACP is a compelling battle gun cartridge that joins exactness and ceasing power for use against human targets. The cartridge additionally generally has low gag impact and glimmer, and also direct force. The standard issue military .45 ACP round has a 230-grain slug that goes at roughly 830 feet for each second when discharged from the officially sanctioned M1911A1 gun and around 950 feet for each second from the M1A1 Thompson sub-automatic rifle. The cartridge additionally comes in different strength rounds of changing weights and execution levels. It works at a moderately low most extreme load weight rating of 21,000 psi (145 Mpa) (contrasted with 35,000 psi/241 Mpa for 9mm Parabellum and .40 S&W, 37,500 psi/259 Mpa for 10mm Auto, 40,000 psi/276 Mpa for .357 SIG), which because of a low jolt push develops benefit life of weapons in which it is utilized. The downsides for military utilize incorporate the cartridge’s substantial size, weight, expanded material expenses in contrast with the littler, compliment shooting NATO standard 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge, which utilizes less powder, metal and leads per round. Due to its huge width and straight-walled plan, the .45 ACP geometry is the most astounding force per-weight creation, rehashing round in presence. This is a result of the higher forces achievable with .45 Super, and +P loads. As a result of these characteristic low weights of the standard weight round, be that as it may, compensators and brakes have little impact until +P and Super loads are used.

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