I'm on board with a lot of billt's points of view. But, the only reason .40 exists is the market was saturated with 9mm, and .45. So how do you move product? Compromise them both and market it as "the best of both worlds". At it's heart, that's ALL .40 is. A compromise. If you mix shi# and gold, all you've got is a shiny turd. BUT, when the gun magazines and tv shows talk about nothing else, weak minded buyers are suckered right in.
Why's 9mm not completely extinct? In a word. Movies! Actors are typically the type to be intimidated by .45's behavior when fired. Then ninja's see their favorite actor using it, and walla! Sale complete! Evidence to those who wonder how many movie ninja's there are in the world opposed to rational thinking persons seriously concerned with practical self defense. My favorite thing to hear is "Well, my 9mm holds 17 rounds! Your .45 hold what? 10?" You go ninja! SERIOUSLY, what is the scenario where you need even 10 rounds?
Your thinking of movie scenes already aren't you? All that said. Yeah, I'm tempted to buy a 9mm just because billt is 100% right.
While I LOVE it, .22 gets pretty boring at the range after a few magazines worth. And everybody likes a bigger "BOOM"! Do I wanna burn through 500 rounds of .45acp every trip to the range?
HECK YEAH!!! Wait, It's not worth having to get a second mortgage on my house to fund.