Lindcott Armory Compare / .40 S&W vs .45 GAP
Cartridge comparison
.40 S&W vs .45 GAP
.40 S&W is faster (1,200 vs 1,000 fps); .45 GAP carries more energy (512 vs 500 ft·lb); .45 GAP recoils less.
.40 S&W →Representative trajectory · 25 yd zero0–200 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
.45 GAP →Representative trajectory · 25 yd zero0–200 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
| .40 S&W | .45 GAP | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Pistol | Pistol |
| Introduced | 1990 | 2003 |
| Bullet ⌀ | 0.4″ | 0.452″ |
| Case length | 0.85″ | 0.755″ |
| Velocity | 1,050–1,200 fps | 850–1,000 fps |
| Energy | 400–500 ft·lb | 297–512 ft·lb |
| Max pressure | 35,000 psi | 23,000 psi |
| Recoil | 10–15 ft·lb | 3–5 ft·lb |
| Eff. range | 50 yd | 50 yd |
FAQs
- Is .40 S&W faster than .45 GAP?
- .40 S&W is faster — up to 1,200 fps versus 1,000 fps.
- Does .40 S&W hit harder than .45 GAP?
- .45 GAP carries more muzzle energy (512 vs 500 ft·lb).