40 cal autos

[hardluk1]

since concealability is mentioned down pass on the larger tp40 kahr. Thin makes for easier hiding on your buddy and enough mass to be controllable even with 155gr 1302fps underwood ammo. If not on your buddy or atleast not under a coat or jacket full time a glock mid size or m&p, xd.

 

[Fiv3r]

Depending on deeply you want to co conceal, I've really become smitten with my FNS40. For me, it has less perceived recoil than other 40s I've shot. It's reliable, accurate, and while duty sized the 4" barrel doesn't make it impossible to hide.

I like it more than my Glock.

 

[tarosean]

I've sold off every 40 with exception of a BHP. That's the only one that has been perfect and soaks up 40 like it was nothing.

Beretta 96 also tames 40 quite well but it's a little large for concealed carry..

 

[decoy562]

Like my G23 and I have Storm Lake 9mm and 357 sig barrels.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

My preference is for no manual safety and striker-fired for the "ultimate" in self-defense/carry guns... and this from a Sig Sauer fan. No matter how I try to think of it, I always revert back to the following:

Glock
Springfield XD(or XDM)
Smith & Wesson M&P

All 3 come in various sizes, and all in .40sw. My preference is also for as big a pistol as can be carried. Most don't like to conceal full-sized pistols. If you can and do, then perfect! Glock 22, and full-sized XD, XDM, and M&P; if not, then move to the "compact" models, ie, Glock 23; if not, then move to the "sub-compact" models, ie, Glock 27. After determining the biggest you want to carry, then decide which of the 3 brands you like best.

Best of luck!

 

[matrem]

Glock
Springfield XD(or XDM)
Smith & Wesson M&P

That exactly mirrors my experience with "go to" .40s

After determining the biggest you want to carry, then decide which of the 3 brands you like best.

That does too.

 

[Mike J]

I own 2 .40's one is a Ruger P94 that is bulky & DA/SA. Although a decent gun it is bulky & I don't really like the slide mounted safety (I wish I had gotten a decock only model).

The other is a XD-40 I bought new in 2007. It is an accurate reliable gun & works well. I have shot my neighbors 3rd generation Glock 23 & I liked the way it shot & handled. The Glock has a lower bore axis than my XD so it has less muzzle flip but the recoil is somewhat more pronounced. There are a lot of good options out there you just have to figure out what works for you.

 

[RBid]

I dislike subcompact pistols in .40, but I am a fan of the round in service pistols. The smallest I would use for concealed carry would be the Glock 23. I'm also a fan of Glock 22, S&W M&P 40, and Sig P226. Despite being a Walther fan, I don't like them at all in .40.

 

[Ryushin]

Gee, no one seems to like the Beretta PX4 Storm Compact. I'm a safety kind of guy, and when the safety is on, it's essentially a brick. Rotating barrel is not a gimic and it really soaks up recoil. I guess I just like being different.

 

[TestPilot]

I'd start with examining M&P and Glock.

M&P40 handles recoil better than Glock22. However, M&P does not come in Glock23 size.

If you desire manual firing inhibitor thumb levers, then SR40 can be a choice.

There is also FNS40, but I cannot comment on how well it works.

H&K USP works, but H&K pistols have a high bore axis. Not much of a problem in 9mm, but quite noticable in 40S&W. USP works fine in 40S&W, but I cannot comment on recent ones like P30 because most perfornace tests on publications involves 9mm, and while they are better at quality control than most, even H&K put out malfunctioning pistols at times.

SIG has a proven track record with good 40S&W pistols. P226, P229, and SP2022 works very well with 40S&W. Those SIG absorb recoil better than any other pistols I've shot, although it does come at a price of increased muzzle rise due to the high bore axis. However, due to the heavier weight and stiff recoil system, it is lot more controllable than H&K plastic framed pistols.

CHP is very partial to M4006. There is also Beretta M96. It shares all the good things of M92, but bad things also. 9mm M92 locking mechanism durability never got a good reputation, and it can only be worse with 40S&W.

Finding a right one may not always be easy. It should be noted that while 40S&W has been around for a while, except for a few companies, it is only recent times that companies started properly designing pistols for 40S&W. Glock just managed to get one right with Gen 4 only recently, and there are companies that still do not have an idea how to properly build one.

 

[sfed]

Ruger SR 40

I rotate my carry guns very now and then, I carry a Sig Sauer SP2022 in 9mm and the Ruger SR 40, both are excellent shooters and both are basically the same size. I also vary carry position from a vertical position shoulder holster to an outside the waistband retention holster. I have carried inside the waistband but it is more comfortable outside the waistband. Not hard to cover either so in the 40S&W either the SP2022 in a 40 cal or the Ruger SR40 full size would work well. The Sig SP 2022 is a little more accurate but not by much. I know a lot of people sell the Ruger short, but that is not my feelings at all.

 

[zeke4351]

A Glock 27 with full power .40 S&W loads kicks like a mule. Get a Sig 239 or P229 or a similar sized gun if you want to shoot .40. If you are going to shoot the watered down loads I would not even buy a .40.

 

[TestPilot]

If you are going to shoot the watered down loads I would not even buy a .40.

Totally agree. Why go through the trouble of getting a 40S&W gun, paying more for 40S&W ammo, then shoot a power equvalent of a 9mm out of it? Unless it is strictly for fun.

Do not get a 40S&W gun if you're not going to shoot full power ammo out of it.

 

[TUBBY1]

Shield m&p in 40 will fill your need for about 450.00 . Been pleased with mine. You should check it out.

 

[hardluk1]

No watered down loads in my 40. Underwood 155gr that chronies at 1302 fps from a 4" barrel. No 9mm can deal with that and even the 357sig fall behind when compared to the 147gr loads.

 

[gym]

A Glock 23 is kind of the standard of self defense guns in 40.

 

[Byrd666]

EMP .40 PERIOD

End of debate :_)

 

[epoletna]

My carry gun is a Sig 226. I'm very happy with it.

 

[gym]

I have had an EMP 40 and a Glock 23, the 23 is superior because of the 14 round capacity as a tactical gun. The Emp is a carry and range gun

 

[Robbins290]

I would agree with golden saber. I would look at the m&p's. Better ergo's then a glock. Very simple design. But i would go with 9mm

 

[armsmaster270]

I prefer a Sig

 

[Trunk Monkey]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB9kEc9S8ac

It's weird to me that 47 posts into this thread no one has even mentioned the .40 S&W pistol the S&W 4006.

It is the only .40 I will carry, It is the most accurate pistol I own and as noted in the video the all steel frame soaks up the recoil of the .40 S&W round.

 

[MikePaiN]

I have an M&P Shield and G23 in .40. I love them both but the Shield gets the most use. The Smith is just much easier to carry and have on hand while having the same "shoot-ability" and reliability as the Glock.

 

[USAFret]

I like my M&P 40C but always suggest that folks should do lots of hands-on research to find what 'they like'!!

 

[RBid]

I have an M&P Shield and G23 in .40. I love them both but the Shield gets the most use. The Smith is just much easier to carry and have on hand while having the same "shoot-ability" and reliability as the Glock.

Having run them both (the G23 in both Gen 3 and Gen 4 versions), I feel compelled to point out that the G23, especially in Gen 4, is better suited to shooting fast than the Shield .40. I freely admit that it handles the .40 very well for a single stack sub, but it is not the same at speed.