The .40 S&W
 

Nation	Year	Max. press.
U.S.A.	1990	36200psi

This may turn out to be the ideal defense round, not because it excels in any particular category, but because it pulls off so many compromises so well. This round may be thought of as a grown up 9mm or a shrunk down 10mm. It is a fairly small cartridge physically, so that a large, bulky gun is not required, and a double column magazine may be used. It operates at a high enough pressure that high velocities and energy levels may be reached, yet it remains controllable. This round may do for present and future shooters what the old .45 A.C.P. has done for generations of shooters in the past. The round itself approximates the ballistics, and energy levels of the .357 magnum, but it is chambered in semi autos, some with magazine capacities in excess of a dozen rounds. Any pistol which can physically handle the 9mm is a suitable candidate for this fine round. Most of the major weapon makers are already offering their standard 9mm pistols in a model modified and rechambered for the 40 S&W. This assures the longevity and future development of this potential laden cartridge.