Lindcott Armory Pistol · SAAMI
.40 S&W
Law enforcement favorite in 1990s-2010s.
- Caliber
- 0.4″ · 10.16 mm
- Introduced
- 1990
- Case
- Rimless
- Parent
- 10mm Auto
- Primary use
- Self Defense, Target
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1990
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Smith & Wesson / FBI
- Manufacturer
- Smith & Wesson
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Common
- Case capacity
- 19.3 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:16
- Primer
- Small Pistol
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 35,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 50 yd
- Recoil
- 10–15 ft·lb
Ballistics
Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Hornady American Gunner XTP HP 180 gr, 1,015 fps, BC 0.170 G1 · 25 yd zero.
| Range | Velocity | Energy | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 yd | 1015 | 412 | -0.9″ | — |
| 25 yd | 984 | 387 | 0.0″ | 0.1 |
| 50 yd | 957 | 366 | -1.3″ | -2.5 |
| 75 yd | 932 | 347 | -5.0″ | -6.4 |
| 100 yd | 909 | 330 | -11.2″ | -10.7 |
| 125 yd | 888 | 315 | -20.0″ | -15.3 |
| 150 yd | 868 | 301 | -31.6″ | -20.1 |
| 175 yd | 849 | 288 | -46.1″ | -25.1 |
| 200 yd | 831 | 276 | -63.6″ | -30.4 |
Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →
Performance
Buy links open .40 S&W ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.
Terminal ballistics
490 FBI-protocol gel tests on record (Auto Glass, Bare Gelatin, Heavy Clothing, Denim, Wallboard, Plywood) — 342 passed the 12–18″ penetration window.
- Median penetration
- 14.9″ (bare gel)
- Median expansion
- 0.680″
- Protocol pass rate
- 342/490
Published FBI-protocol results (bare gel + barriers), not Lindcott testing. Pass = 12–18″ penetration with reliable expansion.
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 10.16 | 0.400 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 10.74 | 0.423 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 10.77 | 0.424 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 10.77 | 0.424 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.40 | 0.055 | ✓ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 21.59 | 0.850 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 28.83 | 1.135 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .40 S&W is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 486 active loads across 77 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 494 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady | American Gunner XTP HP | 155 | XTP HP | 1,180 | 479 | 0.160 G1 |
| Hornady | American Gunner | 155 | XTP HP | 1,175 | 475 | 0.160 G1 |
| Hornady | Custom XTP | 155 | XTP JHP | 1,175 | 475 | 0.160 G1 |
| Hornady | Critical Defense FTX | 165 | FTX | 1,175 | 506 | 0.162 G1 |
| Federal | Premium HST JHP | 155 | HST JHP | 1,160 | 463 | 0.160 G1 |
| CCI | Personal Protection | 165 | JHP | 1,150 | 484 | 0.160 G1 |
| Aguila | FMJ Training | 165 | FMJ | 1,135 | 472 | 0.162 G1 |
| Federal | Hydra-Shok Deep | 165 | Hydra-Shok Deep HP | 1,130 | 468 | 0.160 G1 |
| Federal | HST | 165 | HST JHP | 1,130 | 468 | 0.160 G1 |
| Federal | Punch | 165 | JHP | 1,130 | 468 | 0.160 G1 |
| Hornady | Critical Defense | 165 | FTX | 1,110 | 451 | 0.162 G1 |
| CCI | Blazer Aluminum FMJ | 165 | FMJ | 1,100 | 443 | 0.162 G1 |
| CCI | Blazer Brass | 165 | FMJ | 1,060 | 412 | 0.162 G1 |
| Federal | American Eagle | 165 | FMJ | 1,060 | 412 | 0.162 G1 |
| Hornady | Critical Defense 165gr FTX | 165 | FTX | 1,050 | 404 | 0.162 G1 |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Suitable powders
37 reloading powders listed for .40 S&W, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .40 S&W
12 models in the database chamber .40 S&W. Browse all →
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Developed in 1990 as FBI's solution after 1986 Miami shootout. FBI wanted 10mm power but agents couldn't handle recoil, so S&W shortened case. Dominated LE for 20 years before agencies returned to 9mm.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .40 S&W use?
- .40 S&W typically uses a 1:16 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .40 S&W?
- .40 S&W uses a 0.4″ (10.16 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .40 S&W still in production?
- .40 S&W is active; typical availability is common.
- What is .40 S&W used for?
- .40 S&W is primarily used for self defense, target.
- What is .40 S&W based on?
- .40 S&W is derived from the 10mm Auto case.
- What are the best powders for .40 S&W?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .40 S&W include Bull's-Eye, Clays, Vihtavuori N320, American Select, among 37 suitable options.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 486 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured; terminal-ballistics figures are published FBI-protocol results. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →