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"Power scale" is a truly ambiguous term. If you are referring to penetration, then the 40 wins, I believe, depending on the load. 45 acp and 9mm are basically tied in this regard, again, depending on the load. If you are referring to what some might call "wounding potential", or "killing power", then there might be no clear winner, in many real world circumstances.
What is pretty clear is that, on your 1 to 10 scale, 45 would not be "10"....and 40 and 9mm somewhere below it. Actually, in most cases it would more like the 40 would be the "10".....with 45 and 9mm a bit below. However, 45 and 9mm would be, in real world circumstances, an 8 or 9....if 40 is the "10".
The three cartridges do the same thing, but in slightly different ways :
9mm: Light bullet/ high pressure/ high velocity
40 S&W: Medium weight bullet/ high pressure/ high velocity
45 acp: Heavy bullet/ low pressure/ low velocity
There isn't always a clear winner, but very often, I believe the 40 would have a bit of an advantage.
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