You see, the whole reason .40 was developed was to give law enforcement a more powerful pistol than 9mm. Yes, the .45 ACP was out, but .45 pistols were also very limited by capacity.

A shooter loads 1911 magazines with .45 ACP. Tanner Denton Ballistic Properties of the 10mm Auto Similar to the .45 ACP, the 10mm Auto typically uses projectiles in the 180- to 200-grain range.

It took an average of 2.45 9mm rounds to achieve incapacitation. It took an average of 2.36 .40 S&W rounds to achieve incapacitation. Some touted this as a great, decisive victory for the .40 S&W.

Invented in 1905 by prolific firearms designer John Moses Browning, the .45 ACP was the standard caliber of the Colt M1911 pistol, and remains so to this day.

Ruger’s latest LC Carbine proved to be a handy little firearm. Aside from being a tremendously fun little plinker, it ate all of our .45 ACP range fodder with impunity.