The round was developed by Smith & Wesson in 1990 by shortening the casing of the very powerful 10mm Auto. Even though it's only been around for nearly two decades, it has already achieved as much
popularity in the US as the 9mm and .45 Auto, which have both been around for over a century.
Basically the round was created to solve a problem that never existed. It was developed to bridge a supposed "gap" between the 9mm and .45 Auto even though both rounds have substantial power as it is. The round appeals to a certain number of semi-auto enthusiasts who are dumb enough to
believe that the 9mm is a pee-shooter, yet are too
intimidated by the .45 Auto, which only has slightly more recoil. Still, it is a great round for self-defense.
Know-it-all: Don't buy a 9mm for self-defense, I've heard stories of 9mm bouncing off
windshields and not being able to
take down raging 6' 6" hoodlums on crack. Get a .40.
Me: And can you give me an example of a .40 S&W getting the job done?
Know-it-all: Ummm...no. But 9mm is still wimpy
because I said so.