What is the best .40 sw firearm?
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commygun
Member
I’ve owned the Glock 23 & 27, Beretta 96, 8040, and 9000, Firestar M40, Sig 229 & 239, Kahr MK40 & CW40, the S&W 411 & the M&P 40C.
The only one I still have, the one that checked all the boxes in terms of function, size, weight, capacity, comfort, trigger, reliability, and ergonomics, is the 40C.
The only one I still have, the one that checked all the boxes in terms of function, size, weight, capacity, comfort, trigger, reliability, and ergonomics, is the 40C.
.455_Hunter
Member
I like the 4006 variants (like the TSW CHP) and the P239 (.40 and .357 built with larger slide assembly than 9mm version).
Quite embarrassing that they got beat to the market..
If you want something really different there's the discontinued Mauser M2.
Or the current production Grand Power P40.
Kevin Rohrer
Member
I have a custom BHP in .40 and it shoots and carries like a dream.
Just say, "No" to craptastic plastic guns.
Just say, "No" to craptastic plastic guns.
sparkyv
Member
In a hammer fired (non-revolver) the BHP is pretty good, the CZ P-09 is better. However, I'm warming up to the SIG P320!
100% agree! I have the 4", such a fine handgun, even better with full house 10mm loads!
100% agree! I have the 4", such a fine handgun, even better with full house 10mm loads!
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tuckerdog1
Member
Recently bought a Beretta 96A1, intending to use it as trade material ( not a fan of 40 S&W ). But after a day at the range & a couple hundred rounds down range, I liked it enough, that I intend to keep the pistol. The only other 40 I've fired, was a friend's Glock 27, which I hated.
Nipty
Member
Well the only 40 I own is the S&W SDVE 40. Bought it from a guy at work for 250 with a decent holster and 100 Rds of the Federal Law Enforcement Ammo ,w/ 2 mags. Said he put a box through it when he bought a few years prior , just did not like it. I have been trying to get range time with it. It feels ok in the hands. I do like shooting it. Something to learn. Shot a Springfield XDS once at the range, fellow said here try this. Nice gun , seemed well balanced. Fit good in the hands. Action cycled great. He had an optic on it. Like most guns after I shoot it , I think yep I want one.
BJung
Member
I like my 40bhp because it fits in my hand close to my 9bhp and is accurate too.
My only experience is the M&P40 1.0 and the SD40VE. The M&P needed help from an Apex trigger kit, along with Hi-Viz adjustable sight. With a total cost over $900 (it has a 9x19 and 357 SIG barrels + mags with it, plus increased recoil springs), it shoots accurately.
The SD40VE leaves a little to be desired. But I think it needs a better recoil spring to tighten the slide when in battery. I wouldn't have gotten if the guy wasn't needing $. But I'm not very good about selling things either.
Anyhow, the P226 is one I would like to find a deal on.
The SD40VE leaves a little to be desired. But I think it needs a better recoil spring to tighten the slide when in battery. I wouldn't have gotten if the guy wasn't needing $. But I'm not very good about selling things either.
Anyhow, the P226 is one I would like to find a deal on.
THEWELSHM
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WestKentucky
Member
The complete list of .40sw guns I would consider is below. Based on price, quality, form, and fit. Affordable, durable and dependable, hammer fired metal frame, feels good in the hand.
1911 in 40sw
Used Sig pistols
Taurus PT101
Witness pistols (exclude witness P)
S&W pistols
Charter bulldog
Taurus 405
Gp100 10mm with moons
there may be others, but these are the ones I have narrowed down to. Leaned heavily towards the gp100 until I got my 10mm RIA. Truthfully if I were seriously searching for a 40 I would be looking most likely at officer or commander 1911s from RIA. The guns in the $600 range seem pretty solid but so do the witness pistols for just a tick more.
1911 in 40sw
Used Sig pistols
Taurus PT101
Witness pistols (exclude witness P)
S&W pistols
Charter bulldog
Taurus 405
Gp100 10mm with moons
there may be others, but these are the ones I have narrowed down to. Leaned heavily towards the gp100 until I got my 10mm RIA. Truthfully if I were seriously searching for a 40 I would be looking most likely at officer or commander 1911s from RIA. The guns in the $600 range seem pretty solid but so do the witness pistols for just a tick more.
There was a write up about the GP100. They tried 40s in it, but got inconsistent primer strike. IIRC, the gun relies more on the step in the chamber than the moon clips for the pin to make good contact with the primer. I believe they had someone make thicker moon clips for better contact, and it improved somewhat.
WestKentucky
Member
Going from memory here so feel free to correct me. I remember reading that. Seems like TK customs made the heavier ones. Not sure who made the originals, but TK makes a bunch of them so it’s likely that they made the originals. Wouldn’t be a huge issue for reloaders because we would just use a softer primer (if we stocked up early enough to still have them) and gun tinkerers would probably put in a heavier mainspring to give it a more enthusiastic whack. Being I fit both categories I dove in pretty deep looking at all I would have to do to make the gun work for me. Spring kits, speed loaders, moonclips, custom ammo, would produce a gun with less than stellar accuracy (per reports I read) but good enough for killing paper targets and steel hangers with 40sw and improved accuracy with full house 10mm loads.
Somewhere in there is why I didn’t chase the $1000 gun and was perfectly happy with a $400 10mm and the other $600 to still wonder which .40sw I wanted. I still wonder, but now the wonder is if I actually even want to buy a 40 at all. I reload 10mm and can load light to mimick 40 or load hotter for “real” 10mm. I don’t pretend to think a 1911 frame is really going to hold up to full power 10mm for long before it’s beat and battered so I stay towards the middle of the road 10mm loads. I will say though that there are advancements in the 1911 that have made it much more durable in the last few years. Bull barrel 10mm setups slow slide motion a bit due to more moving mass and that greatly reduces frame battering. The 2 ton recoil spring does a lot too.
jeff-10
Member
I am something of a 40 S&W aficionado. I have one of each of the ones that were the mainstay back when every Fed, cop and gangster carried one. I am very much a 90's guy. I have a 4006, Glock 23, Beretta 96 and 229. That being said my favorite, and the most modern, is the HK VP-40. It is a step above the aforementioned. Honorable mention to the Glock 23, 14 rounds of such a powerful cartridge in such a compact and lightweight package was too revolutionary for anyone to ignore.
bangswitch
Member
I agree, and looked a long time to find one. Finally, and it shoots as good as it looks.
I haven't seen anyone mention Ruger's SR40 or 40C. I have the SR40C (compact), it's my usual CC. Double stack holds,10+1, just like the full-size BHP .40.
WestKentucky
Member
3 pages in and no mention of the Keltec p4d. Wonder why…
nah, I know why. If a p3AT has a reputation of wringing a stinging a wrist then shoehorning a 40sw into a p11 isn’t going to end any better. I would still like a chance to try it though.
nah, I know why. If a p3AT has a reputation of wringing a stinging a wrist then shoehorning a 40sw into a p11 isn’t going to end any better. I would still like a chance to try it though.
Dan-O
Member
its up there with full tilt 125gr .357’s from a 340
That is good to know, thanks. From what can be seen on HK site, that is also their newest .40 S&W model. Very cool with night sights option in burnt bronze / black. Will have to research this pistol a bit more as I am very similarly a longtime .40 S&W aficionado. Thanks for the heads-up.
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