Cartridge comparison
.40 S&W vs .45 ACP
.40 S&W and .45 ACP are both in the reference; see the full spec comparison below.
Side by side
| .40 S&W | .45 ACP | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Pistol | Pistol |
| Introduced | 1990 | 1905 |
| Bullet diameter | 0.4″ | 0.452″ |
| Case length | 0.85″ | 0.898″ |
| Max pressure | 35,000 psi | 21,000 psi |
| Recoil | 10–15 ft·lb | 9–14 ft·lb |
| Effective range | 50 yd | 50 yd |
Highlighted cells hold the clear edge where both sides have a number. Every figure is a range maximum from the reference; typical loads run lower.
Case profiles, to scale
Drawn to the same scale, so the proportions are true. Physical size varies with your screen.