Please help me choose a 40 cal. pistol ...

Which 40 cal. pistol is softest shooting (recoil/muzzle flip)

  • Glock 23

    Votes: 19 15.0%

  • Beretta 96FS

    Votes: 12 9.4%

  • Beretta PX4 Storm

    Votes: 9 7.1%

  • H&K USP Compact

    Votes: 10 7.9%

  • Smith & Wesson M&P 40

    Votes: 28 22.0%

  • Sig Sauer P226

    Votes: 20 15.7%

  • Sig Sauer P229

    Votes: 10 7.9%

  • Other - please specify

    Votes: 19 15.0%
  • Total voters
    127
  • Poll closed .
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G

GSY

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Joined
Jun 5, 2012
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Hello,

I live in NJ and purchasing handguns here is limited to only one a month and requires permit applications each time (pain in the a**) so I want to make sure I make the right choice. Renting before buying is not an option because there are no ranges near me with rentals.

I have a number of 9mm pistols which I shoot very well but want to add a 40 cal. to my collection. I did borrow a Glock 22 once and shot it well but feel that the Glock 23 is more similar in hand feel to my G19 which I like a lot.

What I am looking for is the "softest shooting" 40 that feels as close to a 9mm (muzzle flip/recoil) as possible. Below are the pistols I am considering and I am looking for opinions on which comes closest to what I'm looking for.

Glock 23
Beretta Px4 Storm
Beretta 96FS
HK USP compact
Sig P229
Sig P226
Smith & Wesson M&P

I appreciate any opinions offered, even if describing a pistol not on my list. Thank you all in advance.

GSY
 
Glock 23 is probably a good choice. My personal preference would be that or the M&P. Keep in mind that unless you want one of the worst SFA triggers known to man, you're going to want to get an APEX kit on the M&P. With the kit it works pretty good.

I have a M&P 9C with the APEX kit, and I like it a lot. I don't own any Glocks, but I haven't had any problems with them. I'm half considering Glock over M&P for my next pistol.
 
I always go with "hits are better than misses," so get what you shoot best.

Go with the Glock if it feels best to you and you shoot your 19 well.
 
You probably already knew this, but a .40 caliber Glock can shoot .357 Sig with just a barrel swap. Also, you can buy a 9 mm conversion barrel for a G23 which would allow it to shoot 9 mm. I have a Glock 32 (compact .357 Sig) and have barrels for all three calibers.

I believe other brands also have similar options (Sig, S&W, etc.)

TMann
 
I would go with either the P226 or the USP "Compact", both are very close in price.. the P226 Std. is slightly larger than the USP in length with obvious longer barrel length...the Sig for about $100 more you can add the SIGLITE Night Sights, whereas the USP as far as I know does not have that option from the factory.
I voted though for the P226.
 
I asked a similar question on at least one forum recently, and the S&W M&P40 received most recommendations, but the only other candidates were G22, G23, P226, and P229. The P229 has notably more muzzle flip than a G22, which I learned when switching from the G22 to P229 for police duty pistol purposes. At that time, the increase in muzzle flip did not bother me, and I shot the P229 more accurately. One of my wrists, however, with age, wear, and tear, is not tolerating the P229's cumulative muzzle flip too well these days, even if the afflicted hand is the support hand, so I posted the question, as I ponder switching to a kinder, gentler duty pistol.

I did not vote in the poll, as the only .40 pistols I have fired are the Browning Hi-Power, G22, G27, and P229. I feel I would need more experience to provide a qualified response.

Edited to add: I owned my .40 Brownings in the mid-1990s, and cannot remember how their recoil compares to the other .40 pistols I have fired.
 
I have a G22, just sold a G23. Since you like the G22 you tried, that would be my choice. To me, the G23 will not shoot as soft as any 9mm. The 23 and 19 are similar in size, but that is where that similarity ends. With this said, the G23 is a great pistol, do your best to try one.
 
Pains me to say it, but of those listed, the Glock. What can I say ... they work.
 
"I have a Glock 23 now.And it would already be traded for a XD long ago if I wasn't already upside down on Glock magazines and holsters."


Now is the time to sell those GLOCK mags. Ebay auctions for 10 rd mags are getting insanely high bids. Saw 2 10 rd G21 mag sell for $130 today.
 
Last edited:
Not on your list, but consider the CZ SP01 Tactical in 40sw. I have the same gun in 9mm and its sweet! It's a heavy gun, probably 2lbs and all steel which will soak up the snappy 40 round. I own a sr40 and thats also a good choice.


Posted from Thehighroad.org App for Android
 
I voted "other" and that would be for the Smith & Wesson Model 4006- now discontinued but still available in good condition as "police trade-ins" and elsewise at very affordable prices. This "third generation" Smith variant is a traditional da semi-auto with decocker and slide-mounted safety. It is relatively heavy due to its all s/s construction but this aids in controlling recoil for quick repeat shots. The Model 4006 is one of the original .40 cal. pistols, is built like a tank, plenty accurate and is as reliable as a baby's wet diaper. I recommend it highly.
 
not on your list but its my carry gun and range gun and also has a 9mm & 357 Sig BBls.
the Sig P239-40
 
A full-size .40 will have the recoil of a compact 9mm. A compact .40 will have the recoil of a subcompact 9mm. A subcompact .40 will have the recoil of a pocket 9mm. So, if you're used to a G19, a G22 will have similar recoil.

The Beretta 96 is a pretty light recoiler... got to shoot one once. The Sig 226 would be my guess as the lightest of the bunch.

I do think the recoil of the .40 is way overstated, though. I have never noticed a difference in performance in comparably-sized 9mm, .40sw, and .45acp.
 
Thank you for all the responses - all good and I have a lot to consider..

I'll post in a few weeks after I've made a selection. Thank you again.

GSY
 
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