.40 S&W opinions please

[kismet1113]

Okay guys, since we all love throwing our opinions around...here's your chance!

I'm in the market for a new .40. I'd love to find a Charter Arms Pit Bull because I just prefer revolvers...but they're hard to come by, even on GunBroker. My other half (who reminds me constantly "you only have 2 hands, why do you need more than 2 guns) has given me a price limit of $500 because we're remodeling our house. That gives me a few decent options based on what is available at Bud's and locally...

1. CZ P-07
2. Glock 22
3. Magnum Research Baby Eagle
4. Steyr M40-A1 or S-A1 (others in family)

I've handled and used or owned a Ruger SR40, a Sigma, a Bersa Thunder Pro and even a Hi Point...and don't laugh but the Hi Point was the most accurate shooter of the lot based on POA and POI. I want a solid, reliable gun that handles most ammo, is known to be accurate, and can take a beating and keep on shooting. So guys, opinions in 3, 2, 1...

[MOUNTAINORACLE]

If you like revolvers why not consider a S&W 610.

You can shoot both 40 [Short & Weak] and 10mm through the 610.

[Posit]

I suspect most people are gonna recommend the Glock - which meets your stated requirements. Note, however, most people prefer to change the sights... which can be a deferred $60 - $100 expense.

IMO, the difference in recoil in a 40 S&W between a plastic and all metal pistol is significant. The CZ, for example, is much more comfortable to shoot than a Glock. On the other hand, the Glock is much easier to work on for the home 'wanna be' gunsmith.

Just two factors for consideration.

[GeneralWashington]

Okay guys, since we all love throwing our opinions around...here's your chance!

I'm in the market for a new .40. I'd love to find a Charter Arms Pit Bull because I just prefer revolvers...but they're hard to come by, even on GunBroker. My other half (who reminds me constantly "you only have 2 hands, why do you need more than 2 guns) has given me a price limit of $500 because we're remodeling our house. That gives me a few decent options based on what is available at Bud's and locally...

1. CZ P-07
2. Glock 22
3. Magnum Research Baby Eagle
4. Steyr M40-A1 or S-A1 (others in family)

I've handled and used or owned a Ruger SR40, a Sigma, a Bersa Thunder Pro and even a Hi Point...and don't laugh but the Hi Point was the most accurate shooter of the lot based on POA and POI. I want a solid, reliable gun that handles most ammo, is known to be accurate, and can take a beating and keep on shooting. So guys, opinions in 3, 2, 1...

-Glock 23 - Personally owned; prefer the size to the 22; would be my best recommendation.
-Beretta Storm PX4 - Comfortable and uses a rotating barrel system; accessories a bit harder to find.
-M&P40c Can use X-Grips/Full size magazines and is a good alternative to the Glocks.

I would highly recommend that you stay AWAY from Charter Arms. The only trustworthy revolver I've seen from them is their 44 special. I wouldn't go with a revolver for this cartridge at all but I'd go with the Taurus 405 before I went with a Charter Arms, but I've not seen any acceptable accuracy out of any of those. If you would want to go with a revolver the S&W 610 is really the only good choice.

The CZ has too much plastic and just feels too cheap to me.

[animalmother85]

My first two pistols were 40s. USP Tactical and USP compact. If I could do it over again, they'd be Glocks...and not in 40. My two 40s sit in the safe now while I use my 9mm the most, 45 the second most.

40 S&W is kind of like the Supermoto of pistol cartridges. It's not a real good motorcycle and it's not a good dirtbike...or the cross over SUV, not a real good SUV and definitely not a pickup truck.


Here's my opinion (since you asked);
The 40 is a watered down 10mm. It was made for females back when bullet design truly lacked. Right now, it really offers no advantage over a good 9mm bullet. It has a lower capacity and is a higher pressure round. They are used by LEO agencies, however, most non-LEO types carry them because they truly feel that extra .045" and 40 extra grains is going to make a dramatic difference. However, what is gained in weight and diameter, is sacrificed in speed. If I were into selling guns, I may offer to sell you one of my almost new 40 S&W USPs.


Out of the guns you listed, If you are dead set on a 40 S&W, I'd go with the Glock. None of the other offerings you listed would even be considered.

[RBELARDI]

I have a M&P 40c and I love it . . .

[animalmother85]

I have a M&P 40c and I love it . . .

M&P would be my second choice.

[Nucking Futs]

My first two pistols were 40s. USP Tactical and USP compact. If I could do it over again, they'd be Glocks...and not in 40. My two 40s sit in the safe now while I use my 9mm the most, 45 the second most.

40 S&W is kind of like the Supermoto of pistol cartridges. It's not a real good motorcycle and it's not a good dirtbike...or the cross over SUV, not a real good SUV and definitely not a pickup truck.


Here's my opinion (since you asked);
The 40 is a watered down 10mm. It was made for females back when bullet design truly lacked. Right now, it really offers no advantage over a good 9mm bullet. It has a lower capacity and is a higher pressure round. They are used by LEO agencies, however, most non-LEO types carry them because they truly feel that extra .045" and 40 extra grains is going to make a dramatic difference. However, what is gained in weight and diameter, is sacrificed in speed. If I were into selling guns, I may offer to sell you one of my almost new 40 S&W USPs.


Out of the guns you listed, If you are dead set on a 40 S&W, I'd go with the Glock. None of the other offerings you listed would even be considered.

I wish my glock was a 9mm. 40 S&W is just too expensive to shoot regularly.

While I would agree that the 40 is a watered down 10mm, I almost never see .40 in stores, let alone 10mm, if I were to buy a 10mm handgun it would be just a carry gun, it would almost never make it to the range due to the cost and the hard time finding ammo.

If I could do it all over again, I would buy a 9mm to plink with, and a 10mm to carry.

OP, go with a Glock 23. You wont be disappointed.

[Armor Snail]

If the Baby Eagle is steel framed that would be my first choice.
Will last 3 lifetimes easily.

Otherwise

P07
Baby Eagle
Steyr
Block

Funny how you have the two strikers with the bestand worst ergos.

[Shisno]

I would do the cz-75 instead of the p-07. That's an all metal gun with a decent capacity and, well, it's a cz.

I would also stay away from charter arms. Every revolver I've held of theirs has felt about as cheap as a child's toy. No thank you