Lindcott Armory Compare / .40 S&W vs .45 ACP
Cartridge comparison
.40 S&W vs .45 ACP
.40 S&W is faster (1,200 vs 1,000 fps); .40 S&W carries more energy (500 vs 450 ft·lb); .45 ACP recoils less.
.40 S&W →Representative trajectory · 25 yd zero0–200 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
.45 ACP →Representative trajectory · 25 yd zero0–200 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
| .40 S&W | .45 ACP | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Pistol | Pistol |
| Introduced | 1990 | 1905 |
| Bullet ⌀ | 0.4″ | 0.452″ |
| Case length | 0.85″ | 0.898″ |
| Velocity | 1,050–1,200 fps | 850–1,000 fps |
| Energy | 400–500 ft·lb | 350–450 ft·lb |
| Max pressure | 35,000 psi | 21,000 psi |
| Recoil | 10–15 ft·lb | 9–14 ft·lb |
| Eff. range | 50 yd | 50 yd |
FAQs
- Is .40 S&W faster than .45 ACP?
- .40 S&W is faster — up to 1,200 fps versus 1,000 fps.
- Does .40 S&W hit harder than .45 ACP?
- .40 S&W carries more muzzle energy (500 vs 450 ft·lb).