The .40 S&W (Smith & Wesson) is a popular handgun cartridge developed in the early 1990s. It was designed to provide a balance between the stopping power of larger calibers and the manageable recoil of smaller ones. The cartridge is widely used by law enforcement agencies and civilian shooters for self-defense and sport shooting. The .40 S&W is based on a shortened version of the 10mm Auto cartridge, allowing it to fit in standard-sized 9mm handgun frames. It typically fires bullets weighing between 155 and 180 grains, achieving velocities that make it effective for various applications.