Least Snappy Choices in .40?

I've tried M&P, XD, Sig (p226, p250) and Ruger SR40c in .40 and hated them.

The only one I've liked to shoot is the Glock 23.

That said, I still prefer 9mm or .45 ACP.
 
My Sig229 and FNS40 both seam to be controllable enough. I agree on the little guns and took a long time to even warm up to the 40 at all but I believe in mid size autos it's a good choice.
 
never been a fan of .40. I have no problem with people that do like it, I just cannot shoot it as accurately as a .45 or a 9mm. I have a shield .40 that's been sitting in the box for over a year that I put two mags through. if I was going to get one though, it'd be this


I haven't actually used the .40 model of the tangfolio t95, but I did shoot a 10mm for an entre day and found it very comfortable, so I can't imagine .40 would be much of a problem. but not light, at 2 pounds unloaded
 
Given that you've tried small-and-light .40s and not liked them, and a big-and-light one that you didn't like, it's time to try big-and-heavy, especially because you like the big-and-heavy 1911.
 
I've got a full sized Px4 Storm in .40. The rotating barrel design really does cut back on felt recoil. It feels comparable to a 9mm.
 
I like the .40, even though it's not in vogue anymore and lots of folks will basically call me a moron for liking it.
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LockedBreech, you're talking to a guy who proudly carries a torch for .327 Federal Magnum. A few years back, I asked my favorite local gun smith about ordering something in .327. He stopped cold in the middle of his work. His eyes slowly rolled up and stared at me through those bushy white eyebrows like I stepped on his cat. He said: "What in the world do you want with a lady's magnum?" and went back to his work. I guess that's better than the "Don't you mean .357?" I've heard once or twice. I think you .40 fans have it pretty good. :rolleyes:
 
In my experience, no feature of a semi-automatic pistol tames recoil better than weight. As such, if you want a "soft-shooting" .40 you should probably look for something with a steel frame like a CZ-75 or 3rd Generation S&W. Also, while my experience with the .40 is admittedly limited, it seemed to me that the heavier 180 gr loadings had a recoil impulse that was more analogous to the slower push of a .45 while the lighter, faster 155-165 gr loadings seemed more "snappy" to me (I never shot any 135's so I have no impression of them).
 
Of the .40's I've shot, my p229 is the most comfortable. The recoil impulse is noticeably softer.
Another soft shooting .40 is the steyr m40. It has a very low bore axis and comfortable grip.
 
The first 40 I ever shot was a CZ 75, and I remember thinking how it felt about the same as a polymer 9mm. I liked it so much I bought one in 9mm, simply to save on ammo costs.
 
AustinTX said:
Just goes to show how subjective felt recoil is. I feel safe in saying that this is distinctly a minority opinion. Complaints about the "snappiness" of the .40 seem disproportionately more common with Glocks than any other.
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This a thousand times; in my experience, felt recoil has more to do with ergonomics than bore axis or even weight (though weight does matter).

I used to hate the M&P because it always felt like the gun would jump right out of my hand, and then I got to fire one that had been stippled really well. Suddenly, it felt solid in my hand, and I barely noticed the recoil. Same model, same ammo, same grip geometry, but wildly different ergonomics led to a very different feeling.
 
Out of the limited .40's I have owned, I would have to say the most pronounced recoil was out of my SW99, whereas the other two were equally soft shooting, and felt almost like shooting a 9mm; Beretta 96D Centurion and Stoeger Cougar. FWIW, I can't imagine the .40 PX4 being much different from it's siblings in that respect, as my 9mm full size is without a doubt the softest shooting handgun I have.
 
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P229 is a pussycat in 40cal
EASY!

The Shield in 40 is suprisingly light

I have shot a few 40s that kicked more......

CM40
Bersa UC40
 
Cosmodragon said:
LockedBreech, you're talking to a guy who proudly carries a torch for .327 Federal Magnum. A few years back, I asked my favorite local gun smith about ordering something in .327. He stopped cold in the middle of his work. His eyes slowly rolled up and stared at me through those bushy white eyebrows like I stepped on his cat. He said: "What in the world do you want with a lady's magnum?" and went back to his work. I guess that's better than the "Don't you mean .357?" I've heard once or twice. I think you .40 fans have it pretty good
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Now that's what I call optimism! :D
 
Complaints about the "snappiness" of the .40 seem disproportionately more common with Glocks than any other.
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That and small carry guns. Many newbies buy into the hype and pick up a .40 for their first gun/carry gun, then they shoot said gun and end up selling or trading it for the same thing in 9mm. I browse the buy/sell/trade forums for my state and one of the most frequent things you will see is people looking to trade their like new Shield or PPS .40 for a 9mm, or a Glock 23 or 22 for a 19 or 17. At the same time I will very rarely see anyone looking to trade their 9mm for a .40.

To get back to the OP's question, softest shooting .40 I have ever shot was a 229. Admittedly I have only fired a handful of guns in .40 and have never owned or have a desire to own one.
 
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