40 short & weak deals

[mstirton]

Without getting into a caliber war since I am already convinced 9mm is the best mm, I have picked up a couple more 40s to add to my 226. They seem to run a good $50-$100 less than the 9 models these days. Since I am mostly a hobby shooter, I enjoy firing a variety and I started with 40 several years ago. This was not because I wanted something other than 9 and 45, but I had cleared out a couple Wal Mart shelves prior to an ammo price hike about 8 years ago. The 40 was about $8 so I figured why not buy about 2k. I had gotten a 226 and 229 in 357SIG on a whim some time earlier so I just bought a 226 40 barrel. Turns out it was fun to shoot but never enough to warrant more 40 purchases until now.

Anyway, I just picked up a Steyr M40A1 ($370) and fns40 w/night sights, 3 14 rd mags ($360) total after ship/transfer (and eventual $50 Steyr rebate). 50 rds through each with blazer brass 180 was very tame and both fit my hand comfortably. I'll bring some ranger 155 next week and see if it makes a difference. The recoil was not too much more than the new 9mm ppq I trying out along with them ($395 after $100 Walther rebate) and probably better than the 9mm shield ($240 after s&w rebate).
Triggers are all good except shield but I'm not target shooting with that one.
Walther>Steyr>FN>S&W. Steyr would be#1 but the reset is hardly noticeable (although so short I doubt I'd ever be able to release pressure and not have it reset). Accuracy was plenty good for 12" steel @ 20-50m and I'll test that more next week as well.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

It will be interesting to see what, Glock in particular, manufactures do to adsorb the large number of police trade ins that may hit the market in .40 as people go back to the 9mm.
I'm not a fan of the round but if I can buy them right I will.

 

[gotboostvr]

I agree with the general sentiments of this thread.

The 40 isn't "my thing" as I've standardised on CZ's in 9mm and 1911's in 45acp but I'm tempted to pick up something like a P226 police trade-in in 40 and grab an extra 357sig barrel just to be able to run any ammo I find on sale.

 

[JONWILL]

I agree with the general sentiments of this thread.

The 40 isn't "my thing" as I've standardised on CZ's in 9mm and 1911's in 45acp but I'm tempted to pick up something like a P226 police trade-in in 40 and grab an extra 357sig barrel just to be able to run any ammo I find on sale.

Same as me. I love my CZ's.

 

[Deanimator]

The ridiculously sharp recoil of my 2nd Generation Glock 22 put me off of the .40S&W for years...

until I replaced the standard recoil spring with a captive 22lb. spring and stainless steel rod assembly.

It's an ENTIRELY different gun now. It now feels like a full sized M1911 with moderately powerful self-defense ammunition.

I don't have the money right now, but when I do, I plan to buy a used Glock 23 and do the same thing.

 

[mstirton]

I never tried an early Glock 22, 23, or 27 so with my limited experience I never really understood when people spoke of a particularly sharp recoil from 40. I don't get a chance to practice/train much so the slightly more controllable 9mm makes me feel a bit more comfortable but I still keep a USP45 for my home defense pistol and I've carried the 226 before. I wouldn't hesitate to carry the FN or Steyr - I've just heard it's hell trying to find holsters. Right now I'll concentrate on getting the proper holster for my Shield although I've been pocket carrying it in a leather G26 holster that works pretty well.

 

[Jim NE]

I'm not sure I've ever completely understood the antipathy towards the .40 S&W. The only drawback I've ever found is that sometimes the truncated bullet shape might make some guns a bit less reliable when compared to 9mm. But usually with some experimentation you can find a good match of gun to ammo. Even my most problematic .40 pistol now runs 100% because I've taken the time to find the right ammo and dial in the mags. Beyond that?

I find it funny how, even in the same conversation, some people will call the .40 "short & weak" and complain that the recoil is too snappy. I don't find the .40 uncomfortable to shoot, though after 100 to 150 rounds my forearm will get more tired then it will with 9mm.

But I can't complain about other people's complaint, as this has resulted in some good deals on .40's over the last year or two. Got a Smith M&P surplus for $299. A brand new Taurus 740 Slim for about $199 or so. A used 10 round Sigma for $185. And last week I got a barely used FNS 40 compact for $350. I love the way that gun feels in my hand.

The biggest reason I'm drawn to .40 is that during the great ammo drought of 2013, .40 S&W was one of the last ammo calibers to disappear from the shelves.

 

[Kingcreek]

I own a g23. No complaints but no passion either.
I always saw the .40 as just what it is. Half way between the 9 and the .45 in both capacity and recoil, and maybe in terminal performance too.

 

[gotboostvr]

I know most 40 pistols can be converted to 357sig without issue and can be made to work with 9mm.

Is there any that work particularly well when converted to 9mm? I may be intrested in a 40s&w base gun for a multi-cal "just to shoot whatever ammo is available" kinda gun.

 

[Deaf Smith]

'Short and Weak' ain't so weak. One can reload the .40 S&W to get a 180gr JHP at 1200 fps (they say it's best to use fully supported chambers for that!) Even if you only get the 180 at 1150 fps that is .357 Magnum territory.

I have a Glock 22 that is my 'big' carry gun. With Montana Gold 180s and Unique power I get 15 yard groups the size of a QUARTER from that Glock 22, standing using two handed Isosceles stance.

I use CCI Gold Dot 165gr factory loads and they are plenty for anything here in Texas (two or four legged.)

Deaf

 

[JFrame]

I know most 40 pistols can be converted to 357sig without issue and can be made to work with 9mm.

Is there any that work particularly well when converted to 9mm? I may be intrested in a 40s&w base gun for a multi-cal "just to shoot whatever ammo is available" kinda gun.

Just anecdotal experience on my part... I have a KKM 9mm conversion barrel for a Glock 27, and a Bar-Sto barrel for a SIG P229. Both work fine on the range with standard ball ammo (no other modifications like springs, extractors, etc. -- the 229 even uses the same magazine). I haven't tried them with any brand of hollow-points, and they go back to being .40 caliber pistols after the range. But, of course, YMMV...

.

 

[gotboostvr]

Just anecdotal experience on my part... I have a KKM 9mm conversion barrel for a Glock 27, and a Bar-Sto barrel for a SIG P229. Both work fine on the range with standard ball ammo (no other modifications like springs, extractors, etc. -- the 229 even uses the same magazine). I haven't tried them with any brand of hollow-points, and they go back to being .40 caliber pistols after the range. But, of course, YMMV...

.

That's good to hear. Especially about the 229 as I am already leaning towards one. I've never shot a Sig and that is the model I'm leaning towards. There's been some 40 trade ins that might make good shooters and a cheap way to get my foot in the door.

 

[Sig Bill]

I Have a Glock 29 10mm with barrels for 40sw and 9x25 Dillon. Because of the power of the Underwood 9x25 I use a Wolff non-captive 21# RSA. It also handled the power of Underwood 10mm ammo.

One day I forgot to change back to stock spring for the 40sw ammo. Surprised me that it shot well and the recoil was well tamed. I just kept the Wolff spring in for everything that I've shot.

Underwood 40sw 155 XTP is my fav carry ammo for my G29. Rated at 1300 fps for 500+ me it'll cause serious problems for the baddies.

 

[the duck of death]

Good deals on 40 SW--fine w/ me I have no time for 9mm. I do carry the 9s big brother--a G29 10MM.

 

[edmo01]

The 40 S&W round is short? Maybe... Weak? Not so much...

I've been a big fan of the 40 S&W round since the mid-90s. The 40 caliber guns I currently have and carry are a GLOCK Gen4 G23 and a Gen4 G27. My first 40 caliber handgun was a GLOCK Gen2 G23 which has a bit snappier recoil than the dual sprung Gen4s. However, when compared to the recoil of my 4" 629 44 Magnum they are all just pop guns!

With today's better defensive bullets the 9mm may now be an "adequate" round for two legged threats, but that doesn't make the 40 any less capable. I would say the advancements in defensive bullets make the 40 better as well.

Carry what makes you happy... OBTW, 40 S&W is one of several carry rounds which makes ME happy.

Edmo

 

[stchman]

I love it when people keep bashing 40, keeps them prices dropping.

 

[Sig Bill]

The problem with the 40sw was that they put it on the 9mm frames and yet folks complain about the recoil which is not surprising and dis 40sw because of it.

The 40sw is a very capable caliber that can do the job.

 

[Rubber_Duck]

I'm not a fan of the .40 but I picked up a SIG SP2022 in .40 just to have something in .40 in case there's ever an ammo panic or something, because I remember seeing .40 everywhere when nothing else was available. The only downer is the ammo costs literally the same as .45 ACP around here, even at Walmart. But the SP2022 shoots like a dream and makes the .40 feel like a 9mm, it doesn't have the typical .40 snap. Again, not my favorite caliber, but I think it's useful to have a .40 in the stable.

 

[Propforce]

If you examine Lucky Gunner's most recent ammo test data, you will find while 8 out of 52 ammo tested in 9 mm expanded to greater than 175% of it's initial diameter (75% increase), there were 13 out of 40 ammo in 40 S&W expanded to greater than 175%. Only 3 of the 9 mm ammo was capable to expand to 0.7 inch diameter (the 175% expanded diameter in 40 S&W). Another word, MORE 40 S&W HP Ammos expand, making bigger holes, than 9 mm.

One possible explanation is in recent years because the FBI and the majority of law enforcement agencies have switched to the 40 S&W, the major ammo manufacturers have developed its bullet technologies into the 40 S&W. Now on the market there are more 40 S&W ammo that performs BETTER than the 9 mm.

 

[Swing]

I've noticed a trend in the last year or two to denigrate the .40 S&W. Such pronouncements are, frankly, a load of crap. The Forty is a damn fine automatic pistol cartridge. Anything a 9mm can do, it can do at least, arguably, slightly better. And it holds its own, and then some, with the venerable .45 ACP. Is it the be all, end all, final answer to the intensely stupid pistol caliber debates that it has been billed as by some? Probably not, but let's be real, no cartridge is. There is no perfect caliber and perfect load, but the .40 S&W is as at least as good as its peers.

 

[Hanzo581]

Judging by the thread a while ago that made us choose two calibers out of 9mm, .40s&w and .45acp it looked like no one cared for .40, then I see quite a bit of action in here. I've been tempted myself by great deals on .40s&w pistols, as the OP said, they are in some cases substantially lower than their 9mm counterparts. For me it came down to ammo price, I don't reload so if I am spending .40s&w prices, I'll just spend a bit more and get .45acp which to me personally is more enjoyable to shoot.

 

[JO JO]

If you buy bulk ammo what are we talking 40 dollar difference between 9 and 40 per 1k ?

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

I picked 9mm and .45 over the .40 in that thread for one simple reason- you could only pick two and we have more 9mms and 45s than we do .40's. Nothing against the .40 at all; it has proven to be a good defensive round over the years. I actually got a .40 because I was offered a Hi-Point in that caliber for $75. Surprisingly it turned out to be a decent shooter, and if I ever run out of bullets I could beat a water buffalo to death with it. I also inherited a G23, and the one issue wasn't recoil- it was the slide chewing on my hand. I fixed that with an aftermarket snap-on beavertail. It's a nice gun; snappier than a 9mm or .45 but not objectionably so.

That being said I will be purchasing a 9mm barrel and some appropriate magazines for the G23 for purely logistical reasons. We shoot a lot a lot more 9mm because Linda's bum wrist doesn't favor the .40. I like the G23 and it has sentimental value, and in 9mm I'll shoot it more if I don't have to buy or reload ammo just for it.

 

[Sig Bill]

If your 40 is snappy change the ammo.

 

[Tallball]

Yeah, the deals on police turn-in 40 caliber pistols are very good right now. My FiL got a full-sized Glock and a full-sized S&W in the low $300's in the past month or so. One of them looked like it had been carried a little bit, but not too much. The other one appeared to be NIB.

Monday night I bid on a Beretta PX4 surplus 40 caliber pistol and won it with a $193 bid! I did not expect that. It should arrive at my FFL tomorrow.

Jump on these great prices while you have the chance. They won't last forever.