Which .40 cal?

N

Nesued

Inactive
Very useful site! Thank you all for your excellent postings.

My question is as follows:

I am in the market for my first .40cal auto and have read and read until I am blue in the face regarding "pros" and "cons" of the many several contenders. Currently, I am seriously looking at a S&W SW99, a Walther P99 (yes, I know, virtually identical), a Beretta 8000 cougar, or a Beretta 96 (if I want to go the "full size" route).

My overall goal is not to go the "C+C" route, so size in not really an issue with me. I really want a nice, accurate "recreational" .40 more than something I will be walking around with on a day-to-day basis. However, based upon my above mentioned choices, you can see my bias.

I've read the "issues" regarding quality control with S&W but I've only read that in a few locations, not an overall blanket opinion from what I can see.

Any input/suggestions would be greatly helpful.

Thanks in advance!
 
You should find a range that will rent you the guns your interested in and try them all out. Everybody is different,not all guns fit all people. Get something that feels good in your hand and shoots well. Just buy a name brand gun and you should be happy.I would choose a glock 22 over the guns you listed but thats me, the glock doesnt fit everyone. Good luck and have fun shooting.
 
I just got my first 40, a Kimber Pro carry. I love it, it's my 4th Kimber, the others are all in .45, so I sort of knew what to expect. I've only shot reloaded ammo in it, but it's cycled everything without a hiccup, and is incredibly accurate!! That would be my recommendation. Ron
 
Nesued:

You should shoot each of these weapons befoer you buy to find out how each fits you. It will be a big eye opener, and save you the headache of buying the wrong fit.

You can go to a range that rents them, a gun club will ususlly have many regulars who mayl be happy to let you shoot their pets if you buy the ammo.

Personally I prefer the HK USP40c. I couldnt shoot it worth beans at first, but now am in a committed love affair with this extremely fine and accurate weapon.

Best wishes, Shoney
 
Thanks for your quick replies!

Sorry, I failed to mention that I have indeed fired all of the above mentioned handguns.

I was wanting opinions of those who may have more experience than I with regards to their perceived accuracy, reliability, etc.

Again, sorry for the confusion :)

- Nesued
 
Don't forget to take a look at the CZ 75B in .40 caliber. One of the most accurate handguns I own. It's just a bit more accurate that my CZ 75B in 9mm.

--
Mike
 
Nesued,

As far as I know the .40 S&W comes in only one handgun, and that'd be a P229. I did hear that other manufacturers wanted to get in the market with entries in this caliber, but since they couldn't improve on perfection they decided to make fishing line. :cool:

Remember: I HAVE A BITING SENSE OF HUMOR!!!;)

In reality, I am sure any name brand is probably as good as the rest, personal preference is all that separates 'em.

Take care,
Elvis
 
The stainless Beretta 96 a very good full-size .40 S&W pistol. The Taurus PT100 and PT101 (adj. sights) are also very good, and less expensive. The safety and decock configuration is better on the Taurus, but the finish is better on the Beretta. Otherwise, they are almost identical. Both are very accurate.

For a compact .40 S&W, consider the Glock model 27. Everyone I know who owns one speaks highly of theirs.

My $.02
 
Your main issues seem to be accuracy and quality control. In terms of quality, you won't get better than SIG. Other major brand manufacturers are also excellent, but I think SIG has them beat for mechanical quality. However, in terms of quality of finish, they fall short. They have improved, but there are better.
Accuracy is a funny thing. Put them all in a bench a test. Sig wins. Do it again tomorrow, Walther wins. Change brands of ammo, or temperature, or humidity, or the way you hold your jaw and somebody else wins.
You mentioned 'recreational' shooting. Do you have a budget? Have you considered price of ammo? How many hours you will be shooting?
My personal favorite is the 229, but for allaround fun, I think I'd look long and hard at the CZ 75 B. In either 9mm or .40, they are incredibly durable, accurate, and comparatively low in price to buy. I'd recommend the 9mm.
Word of caution - Don't try to pick one, all around perfect for - or nearly perfect for - everything. Doesn't exist. You'll drive yourself and everyone you know crazy trying to find it. I'm not kidding here, but be prepared to buyu several handguns and get the one's that fullfil each use the best.
 
From your list;
1)Beretta 8000 Cougar
2)Beretta 96
3)
4)
.
.
.
12)Walther P99
.
.
.
18)S&W SW99

Go with the Couger
 
I shoot (and carry) a Beretta 8040F Mini Cougar (li'l bro to the 8000 Cougar in .40 cal)

I love the gun... and would HIGHLY recommend the Cougar...
 
have shot the glock 22, sig 229 and beretta 96 extensively and the bertta worked the best for me in balance, recoil control and accuracy (especially accuracy)

tried a friend's cz and it felt great in the hand, had a nice trigger, put all shots together, but the sights seemed small (hard to pick up)

if you decide to go with a beretta, i would also recommend the elite series (heavier slide, better sights...) as it tames the .40 even more.
 
Well, here is my take on the situation-

I have owned the following .40 caliber handgun's: Sig P229,
Glock 23, and Glock 27. Here's a quick rundown on the like's
and dislike's of each:

A. Sig P229- in general, very well made firearm.
.40 caliber muzzle blast's and recoil are stout
with factory fodder. Grip is too short, resulting
in some discomfort to the shooting hand. With
the stainless slide, gun seems unbalanced or
top heavy.


B. Glock 23- good choice for most CCW situations.
Unsupported chamber*, but used with a
word of caution; should not be a problem.
Worst accuracy of the three makes and models
mentioned, as it would not shoot to P.O.A.


C. Glock 27- best of the litter. Great accuracy from
a sub-compact package; consistently shooting
the smallest unmeasured group's. The most
pleasant of the group to shoot. Muzzle blast's
and recoil are hardly noticeable, even with
factory ammunition. Best of the three for CCW
purpose's.

* Glock 27 also has an unsupported chamber.


And there you have my input on the .40's. It might be noted,
I sold all of them cuz I did'nt care for the caliber; preferring
the .45 ACP instead. I guess you might say I'm in "the bigger
is better" crowd.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, Life Member N.R.A.
 
I have a USP in .40 cal and you can't hit the side of the barn with it from inside the barn. I think this is the caliber, not the guns fault, as a buddy has a USP in .45 and it is a tackdriver and I have fired the 9mm version and it is accuate too. The only accurate .40's I've fired have been the Beretta 96 and Taurus.
 
I just bought a Springfield Extreme Duty 40 a few weeks ago and really like it. If any local dealers have one on the shelf check it out and it might surpise you.
 
For entirely selfish reasons (that of knowing there's yet another Glock owner in this world), I suggest you get a Glock 22. I have owned mine for several years and believe me (why should you, right? ;) ), I have never been happier with the way this paragon of firearms operates flawlessly, accurately, and (almost) indestructibly. My two cents' worth.
 
Nesued:

I'll give you an option that will not cost you as much money & also permit you to sneer at all those guys with their high $$ pistols :p :

Look at the TAURUS PT940

pt940bgrNEW.jpg


Personally, I would not buy the gun with the gold plated controls - mine is plain black. It has 10+1 capacity, weighs just over 28 oz (alloy frame), can be carried Cocked & Locked or hammer down/DA, has a 3.75" long barrel so it is reasonably compact, and will be as accurate as anything mentioned here if not more so.

As for being an inaccurate caliber, I can shoot my PT940 just about as accurately as my 5" Kimber .45ACP, and depending on the day maybe more so than my 3" Kimber Ultra CDP. It's easy to see the similarity of the slide to a SIG & it uses the same type lock up. I think the accuracy of a .40S&W has a lot to do with the gun. I know I was surprised at the performance of mine.

Any of the pistols mentioned here would probably serve you well - even though I am not a fan of plastic guns :p - but I would recommend you give the Taurus a look before you make a decision.

This gun should cost you less than $400.
 
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