[little_scrapper]

I was just wanting to start a discussion on one vs the other. In my reading over the last 6 months I have noticed a vast majority have the FNX 45 over the 40 an 9mm and was just wondering why one chose it? I think the answer may be rhetorical but Ill ask anyways.

In the minority; the reason I chose my 40 over the 45 was a simple choice of availability of ammo (and $$$). Thanks to the DHS contract for 40S&W I had access to virtually unlimited amounts of 40 S&W at sickeningly low prices. I stocked up on P40HST3 primarily. Several others as well. While at the same time the availability of 45 was hit or miss and 9mm was downright scarce.

How about you guys?

 

[thecatch83]

I would spend more time doing research on ballistics for 9/40/45 and then come to a determination. Ammo is a wash, because most people reload and the price difference for plinkering range ball ammo is hardly anything these days. I just don't enjoy shooting 40 s&w, especially in a compact or subcompact as it is just too snappy. 45 ACP is way more manageable and is the perfect all around ammo for the range, self defense etc. It seems like 40 s&w has really fallen out of favor in recent years......especially with the advancement in 9mm ballistics.

 

[Jutt77]

I was just wanting to start a discussion on one vs the other. In my reading over the last 6 months I have noticed a vast majority have the FNX 45 over the 40 an 9mm and was just wondering why one chose it? I think the answer may be rhetorical but Ill ask anyways.

In the minority; the reason I chose my 40 over the 45 was a simple choice of availability of ammo (and $$$). Thanks to the DHS contract for 40S&W I had access to virtually unlimited amounts of 40 S&W at sickeningly low prices. I stocked up on P40HST3 primarily. Several others as well. While at the same time the availability of 45 was hit or miss and 9mm was downright scarce.

How about you guys?

I have a 9mm if I want to shoot something similar to a 40, especially as the other poster mentioned, given the performance in current 9mm ballistics. I went with the FNX45T because I already have a lot of 45 ammo and familiarity with the cartridge from shooting 1911s.

That said, I also have a Sig 229 in 40 cal due to the fact that 40s&w is easy to find (and costs less than 45) when the other two calibers aren't. Also, for insurance if, for whatever reason, something were to happen and I can't get my hands on 9 or 45, I like the fact that I could probably find 40. If I had access to cheap 40 cal HST like you do then I would probably consider another 40 cal weapon as I don't really mind shooting 40 but it wouldn't replace my 9 or 45 weapons.

I guess my short answer is to have all 3 calibers covered

 

[Alpha-17]

In general, I prefer .45 over .40. Bigger, meatier cartridge, with more power. (How much, and the practicality of that is open to debate, of course). I own several .45s, and the number one reason why I went with the FNX was capacity. Hard to beat 15+1 rounds of .45.

I do plan on picking up the FNX 40 at some point, as I do own and carry other .40s, and I have shot friend's FNX 40s, but if I had to pick one, I'd go with the FNX 45.

 

[djv38]

Can't be 15+1 of 45. The 40 is 14+1. I'm also not a fan of 40. And I don't own an FNX-9 because I already have an FNP-9, which covers the same use area. I wouldn't mind having an FNX-9, but it's not high on my priorities and the FNX 9 came out a few years after I got my FNP-9.

 

[thecatch83]

I wouldn't mind an FNX 45 compact......

 

[CPTdaz]

If you're going to start down that path, then why not ask why the fnx40 and not the fnx9?

 

[thecatch83]

If you're going to start down that path, then why not ask why the fnx40 and not the fnx9?

Which path are you referring to?

 

[LimaCharlie]

I bough an FNX-45 Tactical because I already had a Glock G20 SF. If FNH made a FNX-10 Tactical, I would trade in my Glock.

 

[CPTdaz]

Which path are you referring to?

Picking platform based on availability and cost of ammo.

 

[thecatch83]

I bough an FNX-45 Tactical because I already had a Glock G20 SF. If FNH made a FNX-10 Tactical, I would trade in my Glock.

agreed 100%........I think Sig is coming out with a 10mm (P220) but an FNX 10mm would be killer! I have absolutely no desire to own a Glock, let alone a hot round 10MM Glock with an unsupported chamber.

 

[aquaticpig]

I currently exclusively own and shoot 40 cal. however, I don't have an extensive collection. However, I do intend to eventually pick up a FNX-45 as i want the tactical. Excited about running a red dot. I guess i could do the same and mill the slide on my 40's and go with a FNX40 (I currently own a FNS40).

 

[graylon]

I would like a fns 45

 

[kanewtervalve]

I have always liked the shooting the .45, it shoves my hand rather than snap it, as stated above.

 

[gtguard]

I guess I never bought into the .40 caliber being awesome thing. To me it seemed like a compromise I didn't really care for. If I want capacity I go 9mm, if I want big lead I go .45, and if I want to go bigger then .44 magnum. Maybe someday I'll pick up the S&W 500 and some dies just for range fun.

 

[marshal kane]

My FNX-45T is only one of several guns I have chambered for .45 ACP. I do not have any guns chambered for .40 S&W. I reload for .45 ACP so as long as I can obtain components, the price of factory ammunition or availability means little to me. Hence my choice went to the .45 ACP when I shopped my FNX.

 

[Chitty Chitty Bang Bang]

Just as I enjoy both chocolate and vanilla ice cream I enjoy both my FNX .40 and FNX .45. I cannot say I have a favorite and I shoot both of these firearms and calibers quite a bit as well as 9MM in FN and others. I admit I shoot more .40 than really any other caliber but I really like shooting a bit of .40 and then shooting a bit of .45 and/or 9MM as it almost helps me with my second and third shots to "step down" a bit from the snap that has been mentioned earlier. Now let's talk .357 :smile:.

 

[fmjblack]

The argument for smaller calibers is often that you have increased magazine capacity, but this is not the case with the FNX40 vs FNX45 since the 45 actually has a higher capacity... score one point for the 45. If you want a factory tactical model with a threaded barrel, milled slide and raised sights... two points for the 45. If you reload, .45acp is one of the easiest and most forgiving cartridges to reload, whereas .40 is a bit more sensitive to bullet seating depth and slight variations in powder charges... three points for the 45. If you want maximum suppression while shooting suppressed, most 45 ammo is subsonic... Four points for the 45. For self defense, it's hard to argue with the track record of the .45 and it's actually a pretty soft shooting round (contrary to urban legend), five and six points for the 45.
I own the fnx9, fnx40 and fnx45 tactical and the only advantages that I can think of for the 40 over the 45 are that if you don't reload, .40 ammo is cheaper and as a carry piece the fnx40 is smaller and easier to conceal. I've never had a problem finding .45 ammo in stock and even if it was hard to find for a while, I also reload 45.

 

[AzB]

I have both. I prefer the 45 just because I shoot it better and it's a tad quieter when suppressed. But the 40 is a nice gun too.

I just wish they'd come out with the compact 45. They've been talking about it for 3 years. Let's see it already!

Az