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Though I don't remember seeing anything about this previously, in the past two days I have happened upon a handful of discussions (weird how stuff like this seems to come in groups) on the wear-and-tear that different cartridges put on pistols (specifically autoloaders). They all go like this:
Modern, high pressure cartridges like the .40S&W will wear out a gun faster than "standard" (or "low pressure") cartridges like 9x19 or .45 ACP.
Now, I did a little research (SAAMI specs), and while the .45 ACP is indeed a lower pressure round (at 21000 PSI), both the 9x19 and .40S&W have the exact same spec at 35000 PSI. Why then are people calling .40 "high pressure" and, in the same breath, saying that a round that "isn't" "high pressure" (9mm) is a better choice for firearm longevity?
Is this some kind of superstition, something that's been repeated enough that it's dogma? I could see the .40 causing more damage than the 9mm over time as a more powerful cartridge (it has a greater case capacity by about 45%, so burns more propellant). This, however, has to do with the energy released upon firing, not with the pressure difference (of which there is none).
Modern, high pressure cartridges like the .40S&W will wear out a gun faster than "standard" (or "low pressure") cartridges like 9x19 or .45 ACP.
Now, I did a little research (SAAMI specs), and while the .45 ACP is indeed a lower pressure round (at 21000 PSI), both the 9x19 and .40S&W have the exact same spec at 35000 PSI. Why then are people calling .40 "high pressure" and, in the same breath, saying that a round that "isn't" "high pressure" (9mm) is a better choice for firearm longevity?
Is this some kind of superstition, something that's been repeated enough that it's dogma? I could see the .40 causing more damage than the 9mm over time as a more powerful cartridge (it has a greater case capacity by about 45%, so burns more propellant). This, however, has to do with the energy released upon firing, not with the pressure difference (of which there is none).