When I started any serious pistol purchase was a Revolver or a 1911. The majority of 9mm were imported junky stuff, old war stuff (from the side that lost) or a Browning High Power for the more eccentric. I was a late comer to the .40 S&W. Most of the early offerings were glocks with serious design defects. Urban legion was it was because of the round having super high pressure. Once other makes were available, the .40 round no longer was difficult to handle. I bought a couple of metal framed .40 pistols to get a major power factor round and the extra capacity. They have never given me a moments problem.
I have found that from a reloading point of view, the .40 can be just a versatile as about any round out there. From 135 grain powder puff target loads to 180 grain max velocity, the round performs fine. It is my opinion that if the original 1911 was chambered for .40 S&W, we would consider it America's classic round. For a reloader, the price of reloading 9mm, .40, .38spl, or .45acp is essentially the same.
In an equal comparison, like maybe Winchester Ranger 9mm vs. Winchester Ranger .40 S&W, the .40 is still more. Does the average shooter need the extra? That could be debated. The round itself has no defect. For a shooter that does not have the need or desire for the additional muzzle energy, the additional cost is pretty significant. That is the only real drawback I can see.
I have found that from a reloading point of view, the .40 can be just a versatile as about any round out there. From 135 grain powder puff target loads to 180 grain max velocity, the round performs fine. It is my opinion that if the original 1911 was chambered for .40 S&W, we would consider it America's classic round. For a reloader, the price of reloading 9mm, .40, .38spl, or .45acp is essentially the same.
In an equal comparison, like maybe Winchester Ranger 9mm vs. Winchester Ranger .40 S&W, the .40 is still more. Does the average shooter need the extra? That could be debated. The round itself has no defect. For a shooter that does not have the need or desire for the additional muzzle energy, the additional cost is pretty significant. That is the only real drawback I can see.