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40 S&W Ammo / 40 Cal Ammo
About 40 S&W Ammo
Developed in 1990 by American firearms manufacturers Smith & Wesson and Winchester, 40 S&W ammunition is a rimless pistol cartridge designed to duplicate the performance of the FBI's reduced-velocity 10mm Auto cartridge.
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.
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 Cal Ammo | • 40 Caliber Ammo | • 40 SW |
| • 40 Auto | • 40 Cal S&W | • 40 Cal |
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 S&W Ammo?
| Glock | Smith & Wesson | Sig Sauer | Beretta |
| • Glock 22 | • M&P 40 M2.0 | • Sig P224 | • PX4 Storm |
| • Glock 23 | • S&W SDVE 40 | • Sig P226 | • Model 96A1 |
| • Glock 27 | • Sig P2290 | ||
| • Glock 35 |
40 S&W Ammo Benefits
Due to its high popularity and low manufacturing costs, 40 S&W ammo / 40 Cal ammo is relatively inexpensive and is available in multiple quantities (including bulk) from all the top-brand manufacturers.
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 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.
40 S&W Ammo FAQ
What is 40 S&W Ammo?
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.
What is the difference between 40 Cal and 40 S&W?
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.
Is 40 S&W good for self-defense?
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.
What is 40 S&W Ammo used for?
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.
Why does 40 S&W have a flat nose?
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.
Can I buy 40 S&W ammo in bulk?
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.
