Why Did The Police Ditch .40 Cal?

Published on December 31, 2022
Duration: 27:57

Law enforcement agencies are transitioning back to 9mm from .40 S&W due to advancements in modern ammunition. While .40 S&W was adopted after the 1986 Miami Shootout for increased stopping power over 9mm, modern 9mm rounds now offer comparable or superior terminal ballistics. Factors like higher magazine capacity, reduced recoil, and lower training costs make 9mm a more practical choice for many.

Quick Summary

Law enforcement agencies are returning to 9mm from .40 S&W because modern ammunition technology has significantly improved its terminal ballistics, making it comparable or superior to .40 S&W. This shift is also driven by 9mm's practical advantages like higher capacity and lower recoil.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: The Caliber Cycle
  2. 01:18Why Law Enforcement is Ditching .40 Cal
  3. 02:38History: 1986 Miami Shootout Catalyst
  4. 04:04The Rise and Fall of 10mm and .40 S&W
  5. 05:50Modern Ballistic Advancements in 9mm
  6. 07:41Penetration and Hollow Point Technology
  7. 09:17Expansion and Scoring Comparisons
  8. 11:11Medical & Forensic Perspectives
  9. 12:37Practical Advantages of 9mm

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are police departments switching back to 9mm from .40 S&W?

Law enforcement agencies are returning to 9mm because modern ammunition technology has significantly improved its terminal ballistics, making it comparable or superior to .40 S&W. This shift is also driven by 9mm's practical advantages like higher capacity and lower recoil.

What event led law enforcement to adopt .40 S&W?

The 1986 Miami Shootout was a major catalyst. The perceived failure of 9mm rounds to immediately incapacitate suspects during that incident prompted the FBI and other agencies to seek more powerful handgun calibers, leading to the adoption of 10mm and later .40 S&W.

How has 9mm ammunition improved to rival .40 S&W?

Advancements in bullet design, such as Speer Gold Dot G2 and Hornady Critical Duty, have enhanced 9mm's penetration and expansion capabilities. These modern rounds meet FBI standards for terminal ballistics, offering similar or better performance than older .40 S&W loads.

What are the practical benefits of using 9mm over .40 S&W?

9mm handguns typically offer higher magazine capacity, less felt recoil for faster follow-up shots, reduced weapon wear, and lower ammunition costs for training. These factors contribute to better overall performance and efficiency for law enforcement and civilian users.

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