.40 S&W Ammo Prices

Oh, the .40 S&W. A compromise from the start. Many were lured into the .40's promises only to return to 9mm later on or make the big jump all the way back to .45 ACP. Some went completely wild with disappointment and pivoted to .357 SIG. But that is another story.

The .40 S&W was the 1990 child of the 10mm story — a shortened case that fit 9mm-sized pistols and fed American law enforcement for two decades. Then the agencies went back to 9mm and the .40 became the used-market bargain of the century: excellent pistols cheap, and ammunition that stays in full production.

Loads run 155 to 180 grain. Price sits between 9mm and .45 ACP, and surplus-heavy supply occasionally throws real deals. Contrarians get good deals here as the .40 declines further in popularity.