40 S&W and 9mm are two of the most popular handgun cartridges in the world. But which caliber is best for you? We help you decide in this caliber comparison.
The 9mm Luger and .40 S&W are two of the most capable and reliable rounds available for handgun owners. These cartridges can deliver consistent performance in a self-defense situation, but they are also popular for recreational target shooting and competition. So let’s dive into this 40 S&W vs. 9mm analysis.
Fast Answers: 9mm Luger vs .40 Smith & Wesson
Can’t wait for the details? Here are the quick results from our 9mm Luger vs .40 S&W comparison:
Benefits of the 9mm Luger:
- Lower price
- More ammo options
- Less recoil
- Easier concealment
- Higher capacity
Benefits of the 40 S&W:
- Faster speeds
- More stopping power
- Better for hunting
.40 S&W vs 9mm
40 Smith & Wesson delivers more energy toward your target. Shooters consider it to have more “stopping power” than 9mm. That said, 9mm is cheaper to shoot with friendlier recoil for the shooter, making follow-up shots more likely to land on target.
When comparing the two, you’ll find a bunch of similarities. There are, however, distinct differences that make each round unique. There’s a reason these are two of the most popular pistol calibers in the world.
| 9x19mm Luger (9mm Parabellum, 9mm NATO) | .40 Smith & Wesson (.40 S&W) | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 1901 | 1990 |
| Bullet diameter | 0.355 inches | 0.4 inches |
| Neck diameter | 0.38 inches | 0.423 inches |
| Base diameter | 0.391 inches | 0.424 inches |
| Rim diameter | 0.392 inches | 0.424 inches |
| Case length | 0.754 inches | 0.85 inches |
| Total length | 1.169 inches | 1.135 inches |
| Bullet weights | 70- 150 grains | 120 - 200 grains |
| Common firearm | Semiautomatic pistols | Semiautomatic pistols |
| Common magazine capacity | Up to 20 rounds | Up to 15 rounds |
About the 9mm Luger (AKA 9mm Parabellum)
The 9mm Luger, also known as the “9mm Parabellum” or simply “9 millimeter” (although it’s not the only 9mm round), is one of the most successful handgun cartridges of all time. Released in 1901, this round has stood the test of time, delivering reliable performance for law enforcement, military, and self-defense purposes.
It is a low-cost, readily-available cartridge that gives users a strong balance between power and manageable recoil. While the round was used for many purposes in the early 20th century, its popularity skyrocketed in the 1980’s and 90’s, as police and military forces began adopting the round. 9mm remains one of the most popular rounds in the world. It’s possible that more 9mm Luger rounds have been fired from handguns than any other cartridge. (With the possible exception of the .22 long rifle)
About the .40 Smith & Wesson
The .40 Smith and Wesson, commonly written as .40 S&W, is a newer round that was developed specifically for law enforcement. A ton of handgun owners adopted it since its introduction. Most of those new owners are concerned with personal protection.
The goal of the designers was to create a round that has superior stopping power without limiting the cartridge’s load capacity. Essentially, they wanted a stronger bullet that was not so large it couldn’t fit into reasonably-sized handguns without limiting load capacity.
The round is larger in diameter and generally packs heavier bullets than the 9mm Luger, giving it tremendous stopping power and lethality.
.40 S&W vs. 9mm Luger
Price Comparison
Pricing is an important factor for ammunition selection. If a cartridge is too expensive to fire regularly, you won’t get the practice required to be a responsible and proficient handgun user. While neither of these two cartridges is expensive, the 9mm Luger tends to have a better price.
As of writing this article, the most affordable .40 S&W on Ammo To Go was $0.28 per round, while the 9mm could be purchased for $.22 per round. The most expensive .40 S&W was nearly $2.50 a shot, while the 9mm only went to $2.10. If cost is a concern, the 9mm Luger holds a slight advantage. (Prices used for context only and do not represent a price offer. See our site for official prices.)
Winner: 9mm Luger
9mm Luger vs. 40 S&W: Velocity
| 9mm Luger | Muzzle (fps) | 25 yards | 50 yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 115-grain VOR-TX TAC-XP (Barnes) | 1,125 | 1,079 | 1,040 |
| 124-grain Golden Saber Defense (Remington) | 1,125 | 1,074 | 1,031 |
| 135-grain Personal Defense Hydra-Shok (Federal) | 1,060 | 1026 | 996 |
| 147-grain Gold Dot (Speer) | 985 | 957 | 932 |
| Average | 1,074 | 1,034 | 1,000 |
| .40 S&W | Muzzle (fps) | 25 yards | 50 yards |
| 130-grain XRG Defense HP (Sellier & Bellot) | 1,247 | 1,164 | 1,097 |
| 140-grain VOR-TX TAC-XP (Barnes) | 1,120 | 1,066 | 1,018 |
| 165-grain Golden Saber brass JHP (Remington) | 1,150 | 1,089 | 1,040 |
| 180-grain Gold Medal Action Pistol FMJ (Federal) | 950 | 926 | 904 |
| Average | 1,117 | 1,061 | 1,015 |
The speeds are close, but overall we see an advantage for the .40 S&W. The 9mm Luger performs well and has enough speed to deliver high-quality ballistics and terminal performance. It starts around 1,000 fps at the muzzle, with some cartridges going over 1,100 fps. At 50 yards, it still hovers around 900 to 1,000 fps.
The .40 S&W is just a touch faster, with an average muzzle speed above 1,100 fps. In our sample, the fastest .40-caliber has an initial velocity approaching 1,250 fps, while the fastest 9mm was at 1,125 fps. Even at 50 yards, the .40 S&W is a faster cartridge.
Winner: 9mm Luger
Energy for the .40 S&W and 9mm Luger
| 9mm Luger | Muzzle (fps) | 25 yards | 50 yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9mm Luger | Muzzle (ft-lbs) | 25 yards | 50 yards |
| 115-grain VOR-TX TAC-XP (Barnes) | 323 | 297 | 276 |
| 124-grain Golden Saber Defense (Remington) | 348 | 317 | 293 |
| 135-grain Personal Defense Hydra-Shok (Federal) | 337 | 316 | 298 |
| 147-grain Gold Dot (Speer) | 317 | 299 | 284 |
| Average | 331 | 307 | 288 |
| .40 S&W | Muzzle (fps) | 25 yards | 50 yards |
| 130-grain XRG Defense HP (Sellier & Bellot) | 449 | 391 | 347 |
| 140-grain VOR-TX TAC-XP (Barnes) | 394 | 353 | 323 |
| 165-grain Golden Saber brass JHP (Remington) | 484 | 435 | 396 |
| 180-grain Gold Medal Action Pistol FMJ (Federal) | 361 | 343 | 327 |
| Average | 422 | 381 | 348 |
The 9mm Luger is not known as a high-powered handgun cartridge, so it’s really no surprise that it has less energy than the .40 S&W, which has a reputation for excellent stopping power.
These stats show the devastating potential of the .40-caliber cartridge. The average muzzle energy is 422 ft-lbs, but individual cartridges perform even better. For example, the 165-grain Golden Saber from Remington has a muzzle energy of 484 ft-lbs; that’s a heavy amount for a pistol round.
Even when the .40 has a lighter cartridge, it’s more powerful than the 9mm Luger. (Thanks to higher speeds.) In our comparison, the 140-grain VOR-TX .40 S&W product has a muzzle energy of 394 while the 147-grain 9mm starts at 317 ft-lbs.
While it falls short of the .40 S&W, the 9mm Luger performs well, showing its potential as a reliable defense round. In fact, this well-balanced power (not too much, not too little) is one of the main reasons for the round’s popularity.
But if we look strictly for high power, the .40 S&W wins.
Winner: .40 S&W
9mm vs .40 S&W: Trajectory
While trajectory is a larger concern for distance target shooters and long-range hunters, it does make a difference in handguns. For this comparison, the clear difference in bullet size is largely the determining factor, as the heavier bullet of the .40 S&W tends to drop faster than the 9mm. However, if you find two products with similarly-size bullets, you may actually find that the 9mm Luger drops more because it has a slightly smaller propellant load.
Winner: 9mm Luger (when using lighter bullets)
9mm Recoil vs. 40 Smith & Wesson
For any self-defense weapon, manageable recoil is essential. While the .40 S&W is not the hardest-thumping cartridge available, the 9mm is generally considered a round that has manageable recoil while still delivering a lethal strike to any threat. For smaller, weaker, or less-experienced shooters, the 9mm Luger is often a good choice. Recoil can also be important for training, as long afternoons firing a hard-hitting cartridge can be tiresome on the hands.
Winner: 9mm Luger
Potential Capacity
There is a never-ending debate over load capacity. How many rounds is enough? What is the ideal round capacity for an effective conceal-carry or home-defense weapon? For most people who are serious about personal protection, there is never too many, as long as the gun is not too large.
When shopping for a handgun, you’ll find there is a slight advantage for the 9mm Luger. Many 9mm handguns pack up to 20 rounds, while the .40 maxes out at roughly 15. (Assuming a standard-length magazine.) So while the .40 S&W delivers more power, the 9mm Luger allows shooters to place more bullets on target.
Winner: 9mm Luger
.40 S&W vs. 9mm Luger: Our Conclusions
If you are concerned with price or recoil, the 9mm Luger is your best choice. It tends to have lower prices, largely due to widespread availability and a smaller profile, which means less material. It also delivers a lighter recoil than the .40 S&W, making it more comfortable to fire while creating greater confidence in shooters.
The .40 S&W, however, simply has more speed and energy, resulting in greater stopping power. It delivers superior ballistics to the target, drives larger, often deeper wound channels, and generates more lethality. (This is not at all to say that the 9mm is a weak cartridge. It is, after all, the world’s favorite defense round.) For this reason, people who want more power prefer the .40 S&W over the 9mm Luger. There is, however, some momentum from federal agencies and self-defense experts pushing 9mm over .40 S&W. In fact, the FBI switched to 9mm from .40 S&W in 2015. This is a strong indication of the round’s capabilities, but the numbers don’t lie: the .40 S&W is more powerful.
Of course, no matter what you decide, we urge you to practice with your firearm. A strong shooter with a smaller, slower cartridge typically fares better than a weak shooter with poor marksmanship.
