[PatrioticAmerican]

"Can anyone identify the "nitch or void" that the 10mm/.40cal was meant to fill? "

Size & weight. The 40S&W gives a 9mm sized gun with 45 power in a weight more comparable to the 9mm vs the 45. Not that the 45 really was too big or heavy in the first place, but many girls couldn't shoot it very well and the 9mm was a bit weak. Stupid politics more than anything else. If the girls couldn't shoot the 45 then why do they have jobs that need a 45? Get a bigger girl.

[river rat]

"size and weight"

I think that is a poor trade off - giving up a proven round for a smaller or lighter piece..

Folks should really check out the super light weight and small Kimbers (and others) that are available -- and still in .45 cal.

My 60+ (lots plus) 125 lb wife with tiny hands and skinny fingers --- has NO problem at all with the 3" bbl Kimber CDP with Aluminum frame.....

In fact, when she first saw it -- she thought I had bought it for her, since she thought it looked like a "girls" gun... So small and "cute" - with an authoritative BIG voice..

Recoil is NOT objectionable -- even with the 3" bbl.. I don't know how Kimber managed that...

Semper Fi

[harpseal]

I have known a 4'8" girl who if she weighed 90 lbs it was amazing who could shoot a .45 acp with accuracy. She went from a .22cal to a .32 cal and worked her way up to the .45 acp and now even the .44mag. It is training not size taht makes a woman or man able to handle a .45 or any other caliber.