40 Cal Ammo | 40 S&W Ammo | Ammunition Depot

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50rounds / $0.45per round

Blazer Brass 40 S&W 180 Grain FMJ (Box)

$22.29

About 40 Cal Ammo

Developed in 1990 by American firearms manufacturers Smith & Wesson and Winchester, 40 Cal ammunition is a rimless pistol cartridge designed to duplicate the performance of the FBI's reduced-velocity 10mm Auto cartridge.

Different names - Same Ammunition: "40 Caliber" is commonly used to refer to any ammunition with a .40 caliber bullet designed for use in semi-automatic pistols. This includes 40 Auto and 40 S&W ammo.

First intended for law enforcement personnel, the popularity of 40 S&W has continued to grow over the years. The ammunition is now utilized by civilians for home and self-defense and by police forces worldwide.

Although initially intended for law enforcement personnel, the caliber quickly gained favor amongst gun owners for its accuracy and effectiveness at both close and long ranges.

Over the years, 40 caliber ammo remains popular for self-defense, law enforcement, and recreational shooters.

Common Names for 40 S&W Ammo

Since its initial release over 30+ years ago, 40 caliber ammunition has had many different name variations. Some of the most common include:

40 Caliber Ammo
40 S&W Ammo
40 Auto Ammo
40 Cal S&W Ammo
40 Cal Ammo

Regardless of your preferred terminology, 40 S&W Ammo has gained massive popularity over the years and is available in the lineup of every significant American ammo manufacturer.

Popular Guns that Shoot 40 Caliber Ammo

GLOCK
Glock 22
Glock 23
Glock 27
Glock 35

SMITH & WESSON
M&P 40 M2.0
S&P SDVE 40

SIG SAUER
Sig P226
Sig P226
Sig P229

BERETTA
PX4 Storm
Model 96A1

40 Cal Ammo Features

STOPPING POWER
40 S&W ammo delivers greater stopping power compared to similar-sized calibers.

When fired, 40 Cal ammo alsodelivers a significant amount of energy to the target, making it an effective choice for self-defense and law enforcement purposes.

MODERATE RECOIL
While 40 Cal ammo can produce significant recoil, it is generally less than other high-powered pistol cartridges, making it easier to shoot accurately for extended periods of time.

GOOD PENETRATION
40 S&W ammo typically has reliable expansion and deep penetration, allowing the round to penetrate deeply into a target.

Like all ammunition, the overall penetration of 40 caliber ammo will depend on the specific load, bullet weight, and velocity.

VERSATILITY
40 Cal ammunition is a versatile cartridge that can be used for a variety of purposes, including self-defense, law enforcement, and competitive shooting.

Popular bullet types include Full Metal Jacket (FMJ), Hollow Point (HP), and Frangible.

PERFORMANCE
40 S&W Ammo combines an energy advantage over the 9mm and the 45 ACP with less recoil than the 10mm.

Shooters typically get a muzzle velocity of around 990 fps, meaning a 180-grain bullet delivers 392 ft-lbs of energy out of the muzzle. That’s nearly 33 percent more energy than the minimum estimate for what a self-defense round ought to achieve.

AVAILABILITY
With a steady following among law enforcement and a growing popularity amongst gun enthusiasts, 40 S&W ammo is considered a readily available caliber in-store and online.

With countless firearm models to choose from and ammunition being available in bulk, you'll have plenty of options for finding the type and quantity you're looking for.

40 Cal Ammo FAQ

QUESTION: What is 40 Cal Ammo?

ANSWER: 40 S&W ammo is a popular handgun caliber developed as a joint project by Smith & Wesson and Winchester in 1990 to create a lower velocity 10mm firearm round.

40 Cal ammo uses a 40-inch bullet in a rimless straight-cased configuration and achieves similar performance to the FBI's prior 10mm round but in a 9mm-size gun frame.

QUESTION: What is the difference between 40 Cal and 40 S&W?

ANSWER: There is no difference between 40 Cal Ammo and 40 S&W Ammo. Firearm owners use the two names interchangeably because they refer to the same round.

Using 40 Cal instead of saying 40 S&W mainly comes down to preference, much like using auto instead of ACP.

QUESTION: Is 40 S&W ammo good for self-defense?

ANSWER: Absolutely. With the growing number of firearm owners using 40 Cal / 40 SW handguns for self-defense, manufacturers have produced new and innovative ammunition to meet the demands.

Popular self-defense rounds include Federal 40 S&W, Hornady, and Magtech.

QUESTION: What is 40 S&W Ammo used for?

ANSWER: 40 S&W was initially developed as a law enforcement cartridge and designed to duplicate the performance of the FBI's reduced-velocity 10mm Auto cartridge.

Furthermore, 40 Cal Ammo could be retrofitted into medium-frame (9mm size) semi-automatic handguns, adding to its appeal.

Today, 40 caliber pistols are often used for home defense, concealed carry, self-defense, or as a casual range gun.

QUESTION: Why does 40 Cal ammo have a flat nose?

ANSWER: The flat nose of the 40 S&W cartridge is designed to impact the bullet’s ballistics, stopping power, and wounding capabilities.

Similar to jacketed hollow points (JHP), meplat tips allow the bullet to expand more on impact, creating more significant internal damage and reducing the risk of overpenetration.

QUESTION: Can I buy 40 S&W ammo in bulk?

ANSWER: Most definitely. Thanks to the caliber's continued popularity, 40 S&W is generally readily available in bulk quantities at most ammunition retailers and online sellers.

At Ammunition Depot, we carry a vast selection of 40 Cal ammo, specializing in self-defense and target practice.

40 Cal Ammo / 40 S&W Ammo

About 40 Cal Ammo

Common Names for 40 S&W Ammo

Popular Guns that Shoot 40 Caliber Ammo

40 Cal Ammo Features

40 Cal Ammo FAQ

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