My CC gun of choice is a Glock 27 (40s&w). I also shoot an SW40VE. My next pruchase will be a Glock 35 Practical/Tactical (40s&w). I have 1 9mm & 1 45acp. I have adopted this round because it has the power I want in a carry gun, the ammo is readily available (even during the ammo shortage), and the price of the ammo is acceptable to me.
.40 S&W
- Thread starter Shoot-this 1
- Start date
What kind of .40 were you shooting and what kind of .45 were you shooting? The difference in muzzle flip can be as much the issue of the gun as the caliber.
Most .40s are polymer framed, and most .45s are steel framed. Alot of people shoot a .40 glock then shoot a 1911 .45 and think that all of the difference in recoil is due to the caliber alone.
Reason I say this is I have a Beretta 96 and I notice very little muzzle flip due to the extra weight of my all steel Beretta.
Recoil of often percieved differently by different folks. To me, the .40 is very easy to shoot, and very controllable.
I'm not even a big guy, since I stand 5'7", and weigh 140 lbs. I've shot quite a few larger, harder recoiling handgun cartridges, and the .40 pales in comparison. It's just a matter of building up hand and wrist strength for most shooters.
That said, if you suffer from carpal tunnel or some such medical limitation, then it's very understandable that any extra recoil would cause problems.
Daryl
armsmaster270
New member
I have 2 - 9mm's, 2 - 40 S&W's, & 3 - .45 Auto's. I like them all but I carry my Sig 226 .40 with a 357 Sig barrel in it. With the proper ammunition I would not feel under gunned with any of them.
I have to respectfully disagree with WeShoot on this one. Don't ignore taurus. But do your research, the Taurus pt100 is a great gun in .40 cal if your looking for a full size pistol. I cant say its great for concealed carry due to its size, but I can say it is a great pistol, from personal experience.
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LockedBreech
New member
I would understand Taurus if they were budget-priced, but from what I've seen there are usually quite superior guns in the same price range.
Though I have also heard the PT92/PT100 are less nightmares than their fellow Tauri.
Though I have also heard the PT92/PT100 are less nightmares than their fellow Tauri.
Another .40 fan
I have been a fan of the .40 ever since I bought a Glock 23 ten years ago. Since then I have added a Sig P229 and H&K USP40c to the collection, and shoot them all frequently at the range. I shoot best with the Sig, but find the Glock easiest to carry. There are many nice guns in the market chambered in .40, and the ammo is readily available at a good price.
I have been a fan of the .40 ever since I bought a Glock 23 ten years ago. Since then I have added a Sig P229 and H&K USP40c to the collection, and shoot them all frequently at the range. I shoot best with the Sig, but find the Glock easiest to carry. There are many nice guns in the market chambered in .40, and the ammo is readily available at a good price.
LockedBreech
New member
pogo2, what is the slide finish on that Glock 23? Looks fantastic.
Shoot-this 1
Inactive
I really like the Beretta 96a1 and the S&W M&P 40
But the XD is nice to
But the XD is nice to
Love the 40
I recently purchased the XDM 40 and have no regrets. The gun is sheer pleasure to shoot. As for recoil, not even worth discussing as it's so minimal. My wife is petite and loves shooting it.
Sarge wrote an informative review on this calibre. and with this gun I may not be able to group as tight as him but I have 16 attempts.
I recently purchased the XDM 40 and have no regrets. The gun is sheer pleasure to shoot. As for recoil, not even worth discussing as it's so minimal. My wife is petite and loves shooting it.
Sarge wrote an informative review on this calibre. and with this gun I may not be able to group as tight as him but I have 16 attempts.
Thank you all for the kind words on the .40 S&W article. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
The original XD is a useful design but I could never get one to group really well; and we had two of them. The were quite reliable with anything except SWCs, which are a staple reloading item for me.
I'm hearing good reports on the XDM's and I hope yours works out well for you, Tyrant.
The original XD is a useful design but I could never get one to group really well; and we had two of them. The were quite reliable with anything except SWCs, which are a staple reloading item for me.
I'm hearing good reports on the XDM's and I hope yours works out well for you, Tyrant.
N.H. Yankee
New member
I jumped on the 40S&W bandwagon early on, buying one of the first S&W's at my local shop as well as a couple Sig's when they became available. I also bought a Shorty Forty S&W performance center 3rd generation pistol. As far as accuracy I find the 40 to be as accurate as any 9mm or 45acp. My Shorty Forty is a ragged hole shooter at 25 yards from a rest.
I also feel while it has recoil it is by no means worse than a 45acp and some 40 loads are not as bad as a 9mm+P+ in the same weapon model. AS far as carry I still carry a 9mm most of the time but when hiking it always one of my forties. I have a XDm and a FNP that are also incredible accurate and 100% reliable. I think many stories of inaccuracy may be attributed to the shooter and not the gun.
I feel the 40 fills a role between capacity and power that was missing. No defensive caliber is adequate without the shooter doing their part. I have always felt if you shoot a 9mm better than a 40 or 45 you are better armed with that 9mm.
I also feel while it has recoil it is by no means worse than a 45acp and some 40 loads are not as bad as a 9mm+P+ in the same weapon model. AS far as carry I still carry a 9mm most of the time but when hiking it always one of my forties. I have a XDm and a FNP that are also incredible accurate and 100% reliable. I think many stories of inaccuracy may be attributed to the shooter and not the gun.
I feel the 40 fills a role between capacity and power that was missing. No defensive caliber is adequate without the shooter doing their part. I have always felt if you shoot a 9mm better than a 40 or 45 you are better armed with that 9mm.
Less bulk in .40SW? I guess it all depends on what gun you pick. My Sig P226/40 is bulkier than my 1911s and and the same as my Sig P220 (45). I do agree that it gives more rounds than a .45 and better ballistics performance than a 9mm.
The 40SW has a "snappier" recoil than a .45. In two similar sized and weight guns (Sig P226(40), P220(45)), the amount of recoil is similar.
I own one, but personally I've never taken to it. My P226(40) has been a safe queen, I still have half of the 500 rounds that I bought with the gun a dozen years ago. Why do I keep it? Well I've learned that too often when I sell something, later on I want to try it again. Keeping it in the safe prevents that, LOL.
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