1911 or BHP in 40S&W?

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DMK

DMK

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I'm considering getting a full size, steel framed, .40 S&W gun that I can just shoot the snot out of in USPSA matches and general playing at the range. I want something tough and reliable with basic, easy to see combat sights.

I really like 1911s and so I'm leaning that way. Since I carry a 1911 and a CCW, I figure the more practice I can get with 1911s, the better.

OTOH, the BHP is a good classic design and has interested me for a while. It would fill a hole in my collection.
 
I would go with the BHP.
I'm not sure at all how many 40Smith 1911s there are out there!! I was under the impression that they were kinda an exotic thing!! I know that STI makes (or made) one...if they are still in business!! Methinks Kimber makes one, but that's about it!!

You will have better luck finding a BHP in .40. Cheaper too, I'll wager!! ;)
 
I'm not sure at all how many 40Smith 1911s there are out there!!
Click to expand...
Actually, I was thinking about a Para maybe.

Another great full size gun I can't believe I forgot about is the CZ-75 in .40S&W. Now I just need to get lucky and come across one of these three ....
 
I have two BHP's in .40S&W and one in 9mm. The .40's are fine guns, as good as anything else in .40S&W. However, I would buy all my BHP's in 9mm if I had it to over again, they are just better feeling guns and you get mega round capability. Same with the CZ's.

If I was going to buy another .40S&W I would go with a XD-40, 4 or 5 inch, a Sig Pro 2340, a Glock 35 (about the only Glock I would own, always wanted this one) or one of the Smith's.

So you'll know, I went through the senario I just explained and bought the XD-40 4" service pistol with NIGHT SIGHTS.


Good luck on your venture! :)
 
Why does it has to be one or the other?....get them both. I've got (2) BHP 40's and love them.
 
1911. There is no comparison in the triggers. The BHP trigger can be made to approach that of a 1911. The 1911 trigger will be most likely be as nice from the box as the reworked BHP trigger.
 
I have a 40 S&W BHP and it is my most problematic pistol. It jams way too much for me to trust it and I always figured I would send it off to a well known smith one day for a reliablity package to be done on it. That being said, I would still choose the BHP over the 1911 for a 40S&W. Most people have better luck with them than I do.
 
I picked up a LNIB Browning Mk III earlier this year in .40 that has been great to shoot. My favorite SA handgun. Very nice trigger even with the mag disconnect installed. From a pure shooting perspective, there's been no reason to remove the mag disconnect with this gun.

--
Mike
 
Zak's right ...


... the .40S&W in a full-size 1911 will feel like a very tame kitty.

But, if it were me, I'd get the new Kimber Eclipse in 10mm and then get a spare .40S&W barrel for it from Bar-Sto. I'd have my 'smith hand-fit the .40 barrel to the Kimber, and then I'd use that set-up for the USPSA matches. (In 1911s, the .40 and 10mm can use the same single-stack mags, and there are several makers of such 10mm mags around).

When the gun-games are over and it's time to get serious for CCW purposes, just re-install the factory 10mm barrel, insert a mag full of your preferred 10mm defensive HPs, and you're good to go. :)

Two barrels, two calibers, one gun. Lot's of versatility. ;)

:cool:
 
if you're going to shoot USPSA, go with the 1911 style.
There is a reason all the top shooters in Limited and Limited 10 use that design in 40cal
Dont go off wasting money trying to reinvent the wheel.
If you go with the Para, get the Limited Series.
You'll also find high cap mags and their increased capacity base pads available for the 1911 style guns, the Paras, the STI and the SVI, you'll be hard pressed to find the same availability of parts and customization choices for any other gun.
 
DMK,

As a short diversion before answering your precise question, when comparing a single-stack 1911 in 40SW to a BHP in 9x19 (both shooting full power ammo), the 1911 will have less recoil and less muzzle flip. (I conclude this effect is even more noticable comparing a BHP in 40.) Heck, the same is true of a 1911 shooting 45ACP. The reason, I think, is due to the barrel link and weight distribution of the 1911. There's something about the 1911 that handles the recoil disproportionally well. A SIG in 357SIG has very much more muzzle flip and recoil than a 1911 in 9x23 (both shooting full-power, 125 @ 1450fps).

Now besides the better handling of recoil, the 1911/2011/SV/STI designs have advantages over the BHP: the 1911 style trigger is superior; the magazine capacity is higher (for Limited); and the guns last longer (I'm not sure if this last point has been tested recently).

-z
 
There's something about the 1911 that handles the recoil disproportionally well.
Click to expand...
Well, that is something I didn't know. I've never compared my 1911s to other 45ACP guns as an apples to apples comparison.

Thanks for answering my question Zack.
 
I think the difference will be more noticable in higher-pressure calibers, like 40SW, 10mm, 9mm, or 9x23/38Super.

The only other 45 I've shot is a Glock 21, and it was pretty mild. Comparing 357SIG, 40SW, and 9x23 in non-1911's vs. 1911's, though, the 1911's were milder every time.


-z
 
I sold my .40 hi-power because its recoil was a bit too sharp. imho. The gun performed well, but my hands tired too quickly, for a lot of practice. I have sinced moved to a 9mm hi-power, and am quite pleased. I am not sure why the hp has more percieved recoil than some other guns, but it is not as comfortable to shoot as a sig or glock or xd. To me, it feels about like shooting a 10mm 1911.
I think a 1911 in .40 would make a better choice for competition, because of
its trigger and comfort.
Just my thoughts,
john
 
dmk- the 40 sw is just better in a full size 1911 style gun.
The advantages it has over the hp are-
accessories
trigger
mag capacity- you aren't going to find a limited division legal 20 round Hp mag.
felt recoil is so much lighter in the 1911 style gun.
the Safety on a 1911 is positioned so you can sit your thumb right up on there when you're shooting, allowing for a higher grip.

a 9mm high power is all well and good for production, but using a 40 in limited or lim 10 would set you back against everyone else shooting the limited guns with long dust covers, weighted guide rods, 2 pound or less trigger jobs with no creep, polymer framed guns (the SVI and STI) large capacity mags, big mag wells, schuemann AET barrels.....
 
If you are looking for something to shoot in USPSA do some searches and read around www.brianenos.com. Many people have already asked the question.

You'll find Matt and Zak are on target in their advice on want guns to play the game with.

In .40SW (in a doublestack, which is the way to go), you'll find the majority shooting the STI/SVI or the Glock 22/35.

Go to a match, ask around, and try before you buy.
 
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