Smith & Wesson 4006 and History of 40 Cal Cartridge

Published on September 3, 2018
Duration: 19:15

This video provides a historical overview of the 40 S&W cartridge and the Smith & Wesson 4006 pistol, detailing their development in response to law enforcement needs. It covers the cartridge's origins from the 10mm Auto, the joint development with Winchester, and the pistol's design features. The presenter also demonstrates the field stripping and reassembly process for the 4006, highlighting its construction and safety mechanisms.

Quick Summary

The 40 S&W cartridge was developed by Smith & Wesson and Winchester after an FBI incident highlighted the need for a more powerful duty round than 9mm. The Smith & Wesson 4006 pistol was designed concurrently and released around 1993-1994. Early ammunition included Winchester Silvertip and FMJ, with Federal Hydra-Shok and Speer Gold Dot becoming popular for law enforcement.

Chapters

  1. 00:05Introduction: S&W 4006 & 40 S&W History
  2. 00:11Origins of 40 S&W: FBI Shootout & 10mm Auto
  3. 01:15Developing the 40 S&W Cartridge
  4. 01:40Smith & Wesson 4006 Pistol
  5. 01:56First 40 S&W Ammunition
  6. 02:08First Pistols Chambered in 40 S&W (Glock Model 22)
  7. 03:09Pistols Designed Around 40 S&W (SIG P229, HK USP 40)
  8. 04:0740 S&W Cartridge Success
  9. 04:20Winchester Black Talon Cartridge
  10. 05:59Popular Law Enforcement Ammunition (Federal Hydra-Shok, Speer Gold Dot)
  11. 06:5910mm vs 40 S&W Power Comparison
  12. 07:02Smith & Wesson 4006 Pistol Overview
  13. 07:184006 Construction and Sights
  14. 07:36Magazine Disconnect Safety
  15. 08:504006 Magazine and Slide Mounted Safety/Decocker
  16. 09:204006 Field Disassembly
  17. 09:384006 Barrel and Recoil Spring
  18. 10:10Inside the 4006 Frame
  19. 10:3740 S&W as a Good Thing
  20. 10:4340 S&W Adoption by Departments
  21. 10:594006 Market Performance vs. Glock/SIG
  22. 11:234006 Law Enforcement Use (CHP)
  23. 11:31Federal Agency Use (ATF, FBI, Secret Service)
  24. 11:42HK USP 40 Cost and Market Performance
  25. 12:15Modern Combat Pistols vs. 4006
  26. 12:23Smith & Wesson Discontinues Hammer Series
  27. 12:32Smith & Wesson Sigma Series Issues
  28. 13:10M&P Series and S&W's Return to Market
  29. 13:424006 vs. Other S&W Auto Pistols
  30. 13:59S&W Model 411 and Aluminum Frame Variants
  31. 14:23Double Action Only Variant
  32. 14:314006's Place in History
  33. 14:364006 Reassembly
  34. 15:34Range Test of Smith & Wesson 4006
  35. 18:06Final Thoughts on the 4006 and 40 S&W
  36. 18:28Personal Appreciation for the 4006
  37. 19:02Conclusion and Call to Action

Frequently Asked Questions

What led to the development of the 40 S&W cartridge?

The 40 S&W cartridge was developed following an incident where FBI agents were outgunned by criminals using high-capacity pistols and rifles. The FBI sought a more powerful duty cartridge than 9mm, initially considering 10mm Auto but finding its recoil too substantial for widespread agent use.

Who developed the 40 S&W cartridge and the Smith & Wesson 4006 pistol?

The 40 S&W cartridge and the Smith & Wesson 4006 pistol were the result of a joint development effort between Smith & Wesson and Winchester. The 4006 was designed in conjunction with the cartridge's creation and released around 1993-1994.

What were some early popular ammunition choices for the 40 S&W?

Early popular ammunition for the 40 S&W included the Winchester Silvertip and 180-grain Full Metal Jacket rounds. For law enforcement, Federal Hydra-Shok and Speer Gold Dot became prominent choices, with Gold Dot eventually gaining more widespread adoption.

How does the Smith & Wesson 4006 field strip and reassemble?

To field strip the 4006, unload the firearm, pull the slide back to expose the slide stop, push the slide stop forward, and remove the slide. Separate the barrel and recoil spring. Reassembly involves reversing these steps, ensuring the slide stop is correctly reinserted and performing a function check.

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