[aikimo]

Dear all,

I recently got into guns, and am absolutely loving it! I now own a gen 4 Glock 17, a h&k p30 (in 9mm) and just bought a Ruger sr22 for my wife. I am thinking about about getting a 40 caliber semi automatic pistol and would like some input/wisdom from all of you who have been into guns for a while for some suggestions.. Would like something med sized...

Thanks in advance for the help
Mo

 

[kiabe1]

get the ruger sr 40 excellent gun and in the unlikely situation that theres a problem with the gun its backed by rugers excennent customer service

 

[sparky80]

If you like the Glock you own I would suggest a 23.

 

[bige91603]

M&P 40c would be a great gun

 

[shouldazagged]

The only pistol, of all the ones I've owned over the years, that NEVER hiccuped was a Glock 22. Still miss that soft-shooting gun.

 

[Chase127]

Why would you want a .40 they are all plagued with being either under power for the weight of the gun or having a lot of muzzel jump and just ....lacking in general either get a .45 or stick with the 9mm...the .40 smith & wesson was created due to the fact that there are more female police officers out there and was targeted at police departments who primarily use .45 ACP as a carry weapon well its been 15 years and the 9mm has become the predominant handgun round in the universe.FYI i know alot of cops male and female they all hate the .40 s&w they either still carry .45 ACP or they carry a 9mm mall security guards don't even like them it was a nice idea that fizzeled out along time ago don't waste your money

 

[kiabe1]

Why would you want a .40 they are all plagued with being either under power for the weight of the gun or having a lot of muzzel jump and just ....lacking in general either get a .45 or stick with the 9mm...the .40 smith & wesson was created due to the fact that there are more female police officers out there and was targeted at police departments who primarily use .45 ACP as a carry weapon well its been 15 years and the 9mm has become the predominant handgun round in the universe.FYI i know alot of cops male and female they all hate the .40 s&w they either still carry .45 ACP or they carry a 9mm mall security guards don't even like them it was a nice idea that fizzeled out along time ago don't waste your money

I would tend to agree the 45s percieved recoil is mainly backwards making followup shots much quicker whereas 40 is up causing slow followup

 

[bige91603]

I would tend to agree the 45s percieved recoil is mainly backwards making followup shots much quicker whereas 40 is up causing slow followup

That can all be curved with proper practice, government and police departments don't use it because it sounds cool

 

[SouthernMan]

Love my XD40, no problems with recoil or followup shots. Also haven't had a problem buying ammo, cant find any for my sr22 tho!

 

[Jpyle]

I would tend to agree the 45s percieved recoil is mainly backwards making followup shots much quicker whereas 40 is up causing slow followup

Snappiness of the .40 S&W compared to the .45 ACP is mainly due to the differences in weight, 185 gr versus 230 gr. A 185 gr bullet will typically move quicker than the heavier 230 gr. Since muzzle energy calculation halves weight and squares velocity, the .40 will typically have more energy coming out of the muzzle...hence more recoil. Weight of the pistol is typically an issue as well, most .40 S&W pistols are polymer whereas most .45 ACP are metal.

Average muzzle energies for common pistol cartridges
Cartridge Muzzle energy
ft-lbf joules
.380 ACP 199 270
.38 Special 310 420
9 mm Luger 350 470
.45 Colt 370 500
.45 GAP 400 540
.45 ACP 400 540
.40 S&W 425 576
.357 Sig 475 644
.357 Mag 550 750
10mm Auto 650 880
.44 Mag 1,000 1,400
.50 AE 1,500 2,000
.454 Casull 1,900 2,600
.460 SW 2,400 3,300
.500 SW 2,600 3,500

 

[aikimo]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I was considering the 40 because I wanted something with more punch than the 9mm, but I did not want the recoil or cost of the 45. 40 seemed to be a good compromise between the two. I also shot a friends sig 40 and did not find the gun to be all that 'snappy'.. Does anyone have any experience with the sig? I believe it was the p226? Or 229? I do not want to start a caliber war, just looking for some experience/thoughts on the 40...

Thanks again.
Mo

 

[Jpyle]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I was considering the 40 because I wanted something with more punch than the 9mm, but I did not want the recoil or cost of the 45. 40 seemed to be a good compromise between the two. I also shot a friends sig 40 and did not find the gun to be all that 'snappy'.. Does anyone have any experience with the sig? I believe it was the p226? Or 229? I do not want to start a caliber war, just looking for some experience/thoughts on the 40...

Thanks again.
Mo

I have shot a Sig 226 in 40 S&W and I own an XD 40 S&W. The extra weight of the Sig and the bigger grip does tame the recoil compared to the XD. Choosing a gun is really a matter of personal preference...what I like you may hate and vice versa. Try out a few models in 40, if you like it buy it.

 

[Kraj]

I just got a glock 35, which is pretty sweet Imo. I was also in the market for a 40 and I like glocks so it worked for me

 

[kiabe1]

Sigs are excellent especially the 226 and 229 my only problems with sigs are purely ones of personal preference in that i prefer a manual safety but overall excellent firearms

 

[chloeshooter]

The recoil on a .40 SW will uncover any bad habits one has with their grip. Try the SR40. The design of the pistol reduces recoil and shoots more like the 9mm. These are very accurate guns as well

 

[Jagermeister]

I just gave this advice to another post. Please take from it what relates to your question.

Try various guns before buying. If you can not shoot it accurately and comfortable, then it is not for you. A one for all gun must be able to function and fit each role it plays. For caliber, the same advise. I recommend the compact USP in 40. Compact because of concealed carry. If you open carry, go with full size. 40 because it is a manageable round that not subsonic like a 45, but has a bigger bullet than a 9mm. Plus you get an more rounds in the magazine than a 45. It is polymer to stand any weather conditions and environments. It has a safety and decocker, and fires and can be carried in double action or single action. These features allow you carry various ways to meet the jack of all trades criteria. The three dot sights are high quality, unlike the crappy Glock sights that break easy. Plus you can fire the gun limp wristed if you are injured or in awkward position. You can not do this with many Glock 17 or 19. Finally you are getting quality German engineering from a company that sells its products to militaries and police forces around the world. A USP is a fine battle pistol and defensive pistol.

 

[gr8oldguy]

If you want a nice .40 get one chambered in either 357 mag or 45 acp!

 

[chloeshooter]

Lotta 40 haters - I think it's a great round but thats personal preference and I'm also newish to handguns. It is well documented throughout this thread why it exists etc. I think the 40 is the result of needing to replace service 38s and wanting to leap-frog the 9mm, get into the semi auto world

Think about it though, with the average distance of a home defense situation being what, 8 ft? - what matters is your aim

 

[SigArmored]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I was considering the 40 because I wanted something with more punch than the 9mm, but I did not want the recoil or cost of the 45. 40 seemed to be a good compromise between the two. I also shot a friends sig 40 and did not find the gun to be all that 'snappy'.. Does anyone have any experience with the sig? I believe it was the p226? Or 229? I do not want to start a caliber war, just looking for some experience/thoughts on the 40...

Thanks again.
Mo

I have owned a Sig 226 extreme in 40.for just about 5 years now.You will find the recoil light as the weight and size and balance of the pistol all play a part in the natural handling.I can pull rapid fire drills @ 15 yrds grouping at about 4" within the ten.You will find most heavier well built pistols will handle this calibre better than their polymer counterparts.I also have a PX4 Storm that is my edc and I've learned to tame the snap in that little light weight pistol.Not to the point of the Sig mind you but enough that I am willing to bet my life no my training.There alot of guns out there check out the cz line it doesn't have to be expensive to handle the calibre you're shooting. I suggest something that you are comfortable shooting that's what plays a major role in any of my firearms purchase.

 

[j4454]

Don't buy 40 at all go 45. 40 is the worst of both worlds