.40 S&W cartridge

Also known as

40 S&W
40 Smith & Wesson
.40 Smith & Wesson

.40 S&W is an American centerfire semi-automatic pistol cartridge introduced in 1990 by Smith & Wesson and Winchester Ammunition. C.I.P. records it as a U.S.-origin cartridge with a 21.59 mm case length and 28.83 mm overall length, and Browning's Hi-Power owner manual specifies .40 S&W cartridges for .40 S&W Hi Power pistols.

.40 S&W cartridge, Semi-automatic pistol cartridge, Munitions

Image source: Cartridge .40 S&W CC BY-SA 4.0 by Grasyl.jpg

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: United States
Built by: Smith & WessonWinchester Ammunition
Type: Semi-automatic pistol cartridge
Service note: Introduced in 1990; still in production
Unit cost: Varies by load, manufacturer, and retailer
Produced: 1990-present

cartridge portable small arms

Specifications

Cartridge family: .40 S&W / .40 Smith & Wesson
Case type: Centerfire, rimless pistol cartridge
Case length: 21.59 mm
Overall length: 28.83 mm
Bullet diameter: 10.17 mm
Maximum pressure: 2250 bar

Compatible Firearms

Browning's owner manual says .40 S&W Hi Power pistols must be used only with .40 S&W cartridges.

Compatible item

Item type

Compatibility evidence

Browning Hi-Power pistol, 9x19 mm single-action semi-automatic pistol, Infantry Weapons

Browning Hi-Power pistol

Semi-automatic pistol

Browning's owner manual says .40 S&W Hi Power pistols must be used only with .40 S&W cartridges.

Sources: Hi Power Pistol Owner's Manual - Browning

Federal Handgun Calibers

Federal lists .40 S&W among its popular handgun calibers.

Compatible item

Item type

Compatibility evidence

Handgun/pistol, Handheld small arm / sidearm, Infantry Weapons

Handgun/pistol platform

Federal lists .40 S&W among its popular handgun calibers.

Sources: Shop products in Handgun today | Federal Premium

Compatible Firearms

Browning's owner manual says .40 S&W Hi Power pistols must be used only with .40 S&W cartridges.

Firearm	Type	Evidence
Browning Hi-Power pistol	Semi-automatic pistol	Browning's owner manual says .40 S&W Hi Power pistols must be used only with .40 S&W cartridges.

Compatible Handguns

Federal lists .40 S&W among its popular handgun calibers.

Handgun/pistol	Type	Evidence
Handgun/pistol	Handgun/pistol platform	Federal lists .40 S&W among its popular handgun calibers.

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Commercial handgun ammunition for .40 S&W chamberings, including Browning Hi-Power variants.

Media

.40 S&W cartridge Images

.40 S&W cartridge, Semi-automatic pistol cartridge, Munitions - view 1 — Source: Cartridge .40 S&W CC BY-SA 4.0 by Grasyl.jpg

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Sources

The Short, Happy Life of the .40 Smith & WessonPublisher: American Rifleman | Note: Supports the cartridge's 1990 introduction and Smith & Wesson / Winchester origin and manufacturer context. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Shop products in Handgun today | Federal PremiumPublisher: Federal Premium | Note: Supports background context that Federal lists .40 S&W among its popular handgun calibers. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 40 S&W TAB. IVPublisher: C.I.P. | Note: Supports the U.S. origin, standard cartridge dimensions, and maximum pressure data for the .40 S&W cartridge. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Browning Hi-Power .40 S&W 10-Round Steel Magazine | Nickel | Mec-Gar MagazinePublisher: Galati International | Note: Supports the Browning Hi-Power .40 S&W 10-round magazine listing and the direct compatibility link to the cartridge page. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Hi Power Pistol Owner's Manual - BrowningPublisher: Browning | Note: Supports the owner's manual ammunition guidance stating that 40 S&W Hi Power pistols must be used only with 40 S&W cartridges. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Cartridge .40 S&W CC BY-SA 4.0 by Grasyl.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the primary .40 S&W cartridge photograph. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 .40 S&W.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a .40 S&W cartridge dimensions image. | Accessed: 2026-06-27