Which .40 S&W Product Lines Are Most Common?
Current observed prices are in the 30-day price summary at the top of this page, recomputed from tracked retailer listings. The table below lists common product lines by type, grain, and use.
| Product Line | Type | Grain | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blazer Brass .40 | FMJ | 180gr | Range / Training |
| Federal American Eagle .40 | FMJ | 180gr | Range / Training |
| Winchester White Box .40 | FMJ | 180gr | Range / Training |
| Federal HST .40 | JHP | 180gr | Self-Defense |
| Speer Gold Dot .40 | JHP | 180gr | Self-Defense / LE |
| Hornady Critical Duty .40 | FlexLock | 175gr | Self-Defense / LE |
What .40 S&W Ammo Types Are Available?
- .40 S&W FMJ / Range ammo — Full metal jacket training and target loads
- .40 S&W Hollow Point / JHP — Expanding defense and duty loads
How Much Does .40 S&W Ammo Cost Per Round in 2026?
The .40 S&W was developed in 1990 as a compromise between 9mm and .45 ACP for law enforcement, and its pricing reflects an interesting market position: it's often cheaper than you'd expect because declining demand has created buyer-favorable conditions.
As of November 11, 2026, .40 S&W ammunition shows a median observed price of $0.620 per round across 31 tracked retailers, with most in-stock listings between $0.403 and $1.75 per round (30-day window, 10,418 daily-best observations across 457 products). By purpose, range/practice (FMJ-class) ammunition has a median of $0.375 per round and premium/defensive (JHP, hunting, match) has a median of $0.974 per round. FMJ range ammo typically costs somewhat more per round than 9mm. The standard range load is 180gr FMJ, though 165gr options exist. Blazer Brass and Federal American Eagle are the most common training options.
JHP defense loads: Federal HST and Speer Gold Dot in .40 S&W are common defensive hollow point lines in this caliber.
The .40 S&W market shift: Since the FBI's 2014 decision to return to 9mm, most law enforcement agencies have followed suit. This has created an unusual buyer's market for .40 S&W: used duty pistols (Glock 22, Glock 23, S&W M&P 40) are available at significant discounts, and ammunition manufacturers occasionally run promotions to move .40 S&W inventory. For budget-conscious shooters willing to accept sharper recoil and lower capacity, the .40 S&W platform offers genuine value.
.40 S&W Market Trends
The .40 S&W is in a slow, structural decline. New gun sales in the caliber decrease each year as 9mm dominates. However, the caliber is far from dead — millions of .40 S&W pistols are in circulation, and all major manufacturers continue full product lines. Pricing has actually improved for buyers as production capacity exceeds demand.
Caliber Comparisons
- 9mm vs .40 S&W — The FBI transition, surplus market, and why .40 still has value
Related Calibers — 9mm, .45 ACP, 10mm Auto
- 9mm — Lower recoil, higher capacity, lower cost, dominant market position
- .45 ACP — Larger bore, subsonic by default, classic big-bore handgun
- 10mm Auto — The .40 S&W's parent cartridge, significantly more powerful. Compared head to head in .40 S&W vs 10mm Auto.
- .380 ACP — Compact carry alternative with much lower recoil
- .357 SIG — Often swappable via barrel change on the same frame. Higher velocity, higher pressure.
.40 S&W Ammo Brands — Federal, CCI, Winchester & More
- Federal — American Eagle range ammo and HST duty loads. Extensive LE track record.
- CCI — Blazer Brass .40. Budget brass-cased range option.
- Winchester — White Box FMJ and Ranger duty loads.
- Speer — Gold Dot .40. The standard LE duty round for decades.
- Hornady — Critical Duty FlexLock. Barrier-blind defensive loads.
Where to Buy .40 S&W Ammo Online
- Lucky Gunner
- Target Sports USA — Free shipping on case quantities for members
- Palmetto State Armory — Frequent sales and surplus LE deals
- MidwayUSA — Wide selection across all brands
- Sportsman's Warehouse — Online and in-store pickup options