What is a "pre-tensioned barrel" on a 9mm? I understand the term on rifles and .22 pistols, but not how it works on a short recoil auto.
Code Name: JET STREAM
Respectfully, to compare the .357 or the .40 to the .41AE is a huge stretch. The .41AE never had any wide spread adoption like the other cartridges. I understand the point though. The demand is dwindling, especially on the .357.
In my area, the .40 is still very popular with LE, with a few just recently updating their issue sidearms. I wonder if, ironically, down the road those that wish to stay .40 will be forced to go 9mm due to lack of availability of modern .40 offerings.
Per a discussion w/ my SIL officer and SWAT team member, .40 is definitely dieing. He is a solid 5'10" and maybe 180# and he doesn't even like shooting it. His chief is looking to switch from .40 to 9mm mainly so officers can qualify better. As most of us know the % of officers who are gun people is pretty small. His experience is that officers who don't shoot much do much worse qualifying w/ .40 compared to 9mm. His thought is that the extra snap that they know is coming, has them flinching etc.
I don't disagree, but I do see it going away. It really is not a pleasant cartridge to shoot (.40S&W), and .357SIG, while a neat cartridge, is not that much better (I say this as the owner of two 8357 Cougars and a few 229s in .357 for giggles).
FWIW, if there is demand, the .40 will be available, but as of today, the demand does not justify it for most SKUs.
Used to make pasta, now I make waffles.