The Quest Part 3

A long time ago in a land far, far away, there existed 2 handgun calibers. The first caliber was .357 and launched bullets from between 95 and 200 grains very fast. The second caliber was .429 and used bullets weighing between 180 and 300 grains. Of course, this was the .357 and .44 magnums. Someone decided that a round was needed that offered a compromise between the 2 magnums. The result was the .41 magnum. It was .410 in caliber and used bullets in the 160 to 210 grain range. Supposedly it was more powerful than the .357 magnum and more pleasant to shoot than the .44 magnum. I personally have nothing against the .41 magnum. However, performance wise, it may be more than the .357, but it doesn't do anything the .44 didn't already do. If you load your own ammo, use the lighter weight .44 bullets and don't load them so hot. If you can't take the .44 magnum recoil, the .41 is probably going to be too much for you also. On the other hand, buy the heaviest framed .357 magnum you can find, and it will be more pleasant to shoot. The .41 magnum has enough devotes that it still exists, but it never caught on. Parially because it was a clone of the previous magnums, I think, and had no parent cartridge. You can plink and practice with light .38 special rounds in the .357 or .44 special rounds in the .44 magnum. I think I remember hearing about someone wildcatting some .41 specials by trimming down .41 magnum cases, but that could be voices in my head talking. Anyway, the .41 magnum was originally intended to be a law enforcement cartridge, but became primarily a hunting cartridge.

In 1983, Norma and Bren introduced the 10mm cartridge and the Bren Ten autoloader. The gun was a beefed up variation on the excellent CZ-75. The cartridge was designed to improve on the 9mm and .45 ACP. It was supposed to combine the velocity and capacity of the 9mm with the stopping power of the .45 ACP and improve on both in penetration, trajectory, and range.

The .45 ACP doesn't even attempt to reach it's full potential. Inherent weaknesses in the cartridge case make loading it to extreme pressure dangerous. Several cartridges including the .451 Detonics, the .45 Super, ect. have existed just to try to show what the old cartridge could do if it wanted to. The 9mm operates at a much higher pressure, there isn't a whole lot that can be done there beyond the +P+ rounds already offered.

The 10mm in full power offers a flat trajectory, good accuracy and good range. It uses .400 diameter bullets in the 160 to 200 grain range, and pretty much rivals the .357 magnum in ballistics. It falls a little short of the .41 magnum equivalent that some like to claim. It has proven an excellent hunting cartridge and a few law enforcement agencies use it. Most commercial loads are on the weaker end of the spectrum, because the cartridge has a lot of muzzle blast and recoil. It offers a few more rounds than the .45 ACP in the same sized package. The Bren Ten had some production problems, and failed, but Colt released the Delta Elite based on the 1911 design. Several other handgun manufactures also jumped on the wagon. Now the 10mm's that were basically just beefed up .45's had some issues, which may have hurt sales. The 10mm's that were designed for the cartridge didn't though. The FBI adopting the round resulted in a lot of the sudden flood, and the FBI adopted a Smith and Wesson, but then discovered that not all their agents could handle the big round. The result was the "FBI" or reduced load. This load would still offer the penetration and expansion demanded, but cut back on recoil and muzzleflash. This gave Smith and Wesson an idea.

The 10mm fans like the .41 magnum has its fans and they are a loyal lot. It hasn't ever caught on with the general public, but it is a good cartridge in the right handgun. The 1911 design seems a good fit and the Delta Elite had a good reputation. Glock also chambers for this cartidge and rumor has it that it is a good fit. Of course, Smith and Wesson got the FBI contract, so I assume they still build 10mms.

Smith and Wesson decided that they could shorten the 10mm round, use a 9mm size frame with a beefed-up upper, and produce the FBI Load ballistics in a 9mm size package. It worked. The result was the .40 S&W. The 10mm only offered a couple of more rounds than the .45 ACP. The .40 being closer in size to the 9mm offer a significant increase in capacity. A full size service automatic usually held around 12 rounds versus the 9 of the 10mm. And it was easier for a small-handed person to use. This has become the most popular law enforcement cartridge currently offered. I think almost every handgun manufacturer offers a line of .40's. It is also fast catching on with both the civilian and thug markets. Civilians like to carry what cops carry and thugs like things that are shiny and fit into rap music. Apparently "forty" sounds at least as good as "nine" when rapped. I'm not a fan of the .40 yet. That might change, but I like my 9mm and I like my .45. The .40 might give me the best of both worlds, but I like the light recoil and the 15 round clips of my 9mm. If I want more, the .45 offers more boom, more recoil, and more weight. It is a solid slab of comfort. My wife doesn't like my .45. She likes her .380. I plan to get a 9mm set up similar and see if I can move her up. If she likes the 9mm, then I might move her to the .40.

There are however alternatives to the .40. First, IMI introduced a cartridge in 1986 that fired a .41 caliber bullet but had the same rebated rim as the 9mm called the .41 action express. It offered very similar ballistics to the .40 and was available in a gun called the Jericho. It never generated much press, and is now obsolete.

If you take the .40 S&W case and pop a 9mm bullet in you have the .357 Sig. Not really, the .357 Sig case is thicker, because it works at higher pressures. The goal was to create the ballistics of the 125 grain .357 magnum hollowpoint out of a 4 inch barrel in a service autoloader.
With light weight bullets the Sig is a match for the .357 revolver, but it falls behind with heavier bullets. It offers a different recoil than the .40. It isn't heavier, but seems sharper. This bottlenecked cartridge offers a lot of penetration, and is well suited for penetrating body armor. It is seeing some use from law enforcement and is being adapted by several firearms manufacturers.

Lastly, Glock introduced the a shortened, strengthened .45 ACP case called the .45 GAP. Using 180 grain bullets the GAP is supposed to duplicate the .45 ACP performance in a 9mm size package with increased magazine capacity. Initial findings seem to be that it works with the 180 grain bullets, but that performance wans with heavier rounds. Several companies have started chambering weapons for it, though.

At the moment, the .357 Sig holds most of my interest, although the GAP is interesting too.