Shopping for a .40

[Guevara]

Hi everybody,

I am in Canada (and as you know, our government is careful not to allow us to own anything more dangerous than string...) and I was planning on buying a Steyr M40. However, it appears it is a prohibited weapon because the barrel length is 4 inches only. Canada prohibits any handgun with a barrel length of 4" or less because it is too easy to conceal...

So, I shopped some more and am now torn between three pistols:

Beretta Brigadier 96
H & K USP
Walther P99

(All three chambered for S & W .40)

I'd like your input on what would be the best buy, most reliable, cost-effective, etc.

Thank you!

 

[CP220]

Hello fellow Canadian,

I would go with the USP. I've used all 3 of those suggested by you, and by far my favourite was the USP. I was not a big fan of the Beretta, it just did not feel right in my hand, and I didn't like the way it shot.
The Walther was a very good pistol, but I'm not a big fan of hammerless pistols. Is the one you're looking at the P99, P990, or the P99QA?

My best suggestion would be the USP, followed by the P99.

 

[bluesoftail]

Go with the P99. You won't be sorry. They shoot great right out of the box, plus the changeable backstraps allow you to make it fit you.

 

[Modifiedbrowning]

P99 is the way to go.

 

[lunde]

I would vote for the P99, too.

 

[1goodshot]

hk usp has my vote,how about a glock 22

 

[notbubba]

H & K USP
or the
Beretta Brigadier 96

They are both very good choices.

 

[bountyh]

Those are pretty good guns. Before you buy, you might want to consider a 1911. For a couple hundred dollars more, check out a hand made match-grade beauty that STI sells:

http://www.rushusa.com/html/products/sti/trojan.html

I own a Beretta and it's OK, but I like the STI Trojan better.

 

[Shake]

H&K USP

Shake

 

[Guevara]

Thanks for the tips: so far, close battle between H & K and Walther...

But here's another thing: I continued my shopping and heard much complains about .40 caliber handguns in general...

Is there really a problem with .40 handguns?

Thanks!

 

[Slabside]

Guevara:

In addition to some fine recommendations you already have, I'd like to suggest the Browning Hi-Power in .40 cal. The MKIII is a fine weapon, accurate, and very reliable. The barrel is 4-3/4" long. I've never had a problem of any kind w/ all types of ammo.

Link to website... http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/hipower/hipower.htm

Regards,
Slabside

 

[bokchoi]

HK USP all the way

If the situation was a 9mm, all three of those guns you listed would be excellent, but I'm going to vote for the USP for .40. At the range, the only rental gun that's still chugging along is the USP, long after the Beretta and Walther have died.

In my experience, the Walther P99 in .40 had some serious problems that weren't present in the 9mm version, but this was only in about 4 or 5 cases that I've heard of (2 firsthand). In general, .40 is not quite as reliable or failsafe as 9mm due to high pressures, but with modern guns these differences are pretty miniscule and for the most part you won't find too many quality .40cal guns scaled up from 9mm that will give you serious problems.

As for the USP, it was designed for .40, not scaled up from existing 9mm designs. While extremely reliable, your only possible problem may be getting used to the somewhat mushy trigger, which isn't as good as your other two options, IMHO. Pick whatever suits you, whether you be looking for durability or shootability.