45 or 40 caliber... newbie help
- Thread starter Crue4
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trueblue1776
Member
Both are great rounds as far as I'm concerned. I personally would get a .40 though, slightly cheaper than .45 and higher cap mags.
solareclipse
Member
if you have no other preferences, the .40 is cheaper in terms of ammo. 
Tomcat1066
Member
Between .40 and .45, I'll go .45. I prefer the feel of the recoil over .40.
Tom
Tom
A little personal history...
When I was considering my 2nd pistol I wanted a 10mm but because 10mm isn't all that available and I didn't reload at the time I settled on .40 S&W.
Everyone said the .40 S&W has a snappy recoil - much sharper than that of a .45ACP. And you know what? They were right.
The recoil of a .40 S&W out of a Glock 22 (which is what I bought) is very snappy and takes some getting used to. On the other hand when I got my CZ-75B SA in .40 S&W that snappy recoil went away and now for just plain fun, ease of shooting and accuracy I prefer the .40 over .45 any and every day of the week.
Moral of the story is if you don't want snappy recoil then DON'T BUY A PLASTIC GUN! So if you go with the CZ-75 or the Sig (both of which I have) you'll have a fine, all metal, recoil taming .40. Steer clear of the XD (of which I am not a fan in any caliber to be honest).
That said my carry piece when I'm not packing a pocket gun is a .45ACP (Sig P220). I like the fact that it makes a way bigger hole and if 8 shots isn't enough then it's time to exercise option 2 and put the ole legs in motion.
When I was considering my 2nd pistol I wanted a 10mm but because 10mm isn't all that available and I didn't reload at the time I settled on .40 S&W.
Everyone said the .40 S&W has a snappy recoil - much sharper than that of a .45ACP. And you know what? They were right.
The recoil of a .40 S&W out of a Glock 22 (which is what I bought) is very snappy and takes some getting used to. On the other hand when I got my CZ-75B SA in .40 S&W that snappy recoil went away and now for just plain fun, ease of shooting and accuracy I prefer the .40 over .45 any and every day of the week.
Moral of the story is if you don't want snappy recoil then DON'T BUY A PLASTIC GUN!
So if you go with the CZ-75 or the Sig (both of which I have) you'll have a fine, all metal, recoil taming .40. Steer clear of the XD (of which I am not a fan in any caliber to be honest).That said my carry piece when I'm not packing a pocket gun is a .45ACP (Sig P220). I like the fact that it makes a way bigger hole and if 8 shots isn't enough then it's time to exercise option 2 and put the ole legs in motion.
I do like Springfield. I own a M1 Garand made by them that is my 2nd favorite rifle and I've shot not a few of their 1911's owned by various relatives and friends.Crue4 said:
What I don't like is plastic guns. They don't feel right to me. They're too light and I don't like light. But that's just me. I like a gun to feel like there's something there and plastic guns just don't do it. I used to want an H&K USP40 until I actually shot one. Great gun, accurate but just didn't feel right. One of (not the only) reasons I got rid of my Glock 22 was it was just too light for my tastes (and the trigger sucked and I hated the grip angle).
Hell - I carry a Sig P220 and on occasion even a CZ-75B both all metal full size pistols. They don't feel heavy to me and are easy to conceal in a good IWB holster.
I like heavy - that - I suppose - puts me in the minority because today it seems like firearms manufacturers are emphasizing how light their models are.
If you haven't shot that XD yet I'd advise you to do so. Shoot a heavier pistol at the same session (like that CZ-75 you're considering). You'll feel the difference. May not like heavier but at least you'll have a side by side comparison from which to judge.
OTOH - Get all three, you won't regret it (sig, cz, xd - not all at once - unless you're rich or very well to do - then you could buy me an XD and maybe I might start likin' em
).Again thanks
Definitely can only get 1 for now... but more down the road hopefully as I really am starting to enjoy just going to the range and shooting. I really want my next gun to be "compact" ... not the "sub-compact" to me that is too small, but I do want a compact. Other than that I would really like to stay around the 550usd or under... would definitely take a used in great shape....
Definitely can only get 1 for now... but more down the road hopefully as I really am starting to enjoy just going to the range and shooting. I really want my next gun to be "compact" ... not the "sub-compact" to me that is too small, but I do want a compact. Other than that I would really like to stay around the 550usd or under... would definitely take a used in great shape....
Right now I am looking at the following... any more suggestions?
Sig
Springfield
CZ-- (never shot one, but from reading here I definitely need to).
Any others in the 500-600 usd group that I need to consider. I am not really a Glock fan, hoped I would be, but the Sig and Springfields just simply feel better. Any others that I need to look at Bersa, Para, others?
Sig
Springfield
CZ-- (never shot one, but from reading here I definitely need to).
Any others in the 500-600 usd group that I need to consider. I am not really a Glock fan, hoped I would be, but the Sig and Springfields just simply feel better. Any others that I need to look at Bersa, Para, others?
If price is an issue you will get the most BANG! for your buck with the CZ. A standard CZ-75B can be had for as little as $380 new in box if you shop around and depending on where you live. The CZ75B SA version costs a bit more. I've got one and it cost me $405 but the range of prices in OKC ran from $405 all the way up to $490.
The CZ-75B is my second most accurate pistol. Beats the Sig hands down in accuracy but not in reliability and I can shoot it in IPSC competition which I can't do with my Sig. My 1911 is a S&W Target which is my most accurate semi-auto handgun but it runs high $600's to $750.
The SA 1911's are well within your price range though depending on which model you get.
SA 1911 or CZ-75B equals six of one half a dozen of the other. The SA 1911 will be more readily available but IMO the CZ is a better value and better built.
The CZ-75B is my second most accurate pistol. Beats the Sig hands down in accuracy but not in reliability and I can shoot it in IPSC competition which I can't do with my Sig. My 1911 is a S&W Target which is my most accurate semi-auto handgun but it runs high $600's to $750.
The SA 1911's are well within your price range though depending on which model you get.
SA 1911 or CZ-75B equals six of one half a dozen of the other. The SA 1911 will be more readily available but IMO the CZ is a better value and better built.
Marshall
Member
Both a cool.
I like the .45 caliber for short range protection. I like the .40 for everything else. I remember I was shooting out at a river once and was taking some long shots. The 45 caliber took forever to get there, so it seemed. I'd pull the trigger and see a noticeable lag before the bullet hit the target, which was a place in a vertical sand bank sand. The .40 was much more like what you would think it should be. Some reason that made an impact on me, probably because of my rifle shooting.
Don't rule out an FN Hi-Power in .40S&W. CDNN has some for a song and dance. Any FN or Browning Hi-Power for a song and dance is a definite opportunity one should consider not looking beyond!
Good luck with whatever you buy.
I like the .45 caliber for short range protection. I like the .40 for everything else. I remember I was shooting out at a river once and was taking some long shots. The 45 caliber took forever to get there, so it seemed. I'd pull the trigger and see a noticeable lag before the bullet hit the target, which was a place in a vertical sand bank sand. The .40 was much more like what you would think it should be. Some reason that made an impact on me, probably because of my rifle shooting.
Don't rule out an FN Hi-Power in .40S&W. CDNN has some for a song and dance. Any FN or Browning Hi-Power for a song and dance is a definite opportunity one should consider not looking beyond!
Good luck with whatever you buy.
lee n. field
Member
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- Dec 29, 2002
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- 4,320
Pick a cartridge and buy the gun for it. Some time later (you know you want to) get a gun for the other.
If you ever intend to reload, go for the .45. It's dead easy to reload, and very forgiving.
If you ever intend to reload, go for the .45. It's dead easy to reload, and very forgiving.
Glocker
Member
Go for the .40S&W, to me it's like between a 9mm and a .45. The gun would be a G23, you asked.
Tom Servo
Member
Well, you haven't mentioned a price range. CZ and Sig are both solid choices, and would be my first recommendations. Bear in mind, your 9mm is hardly underpowered.
I don't care for the .40, mostly because of the "snappy" recoil that others have mentioned. By snappy, I mean the muzzle jumps far too much for my tastes, and it takes a second to regain sight-picture, something which does not happen with the .45. The latter is more of a push than a snap. That, and I've never really gotten much accuracy out of the .40.
My advice is not to shop by caliber, though. If the gun feels good and shoots well for you, you should be able to master it, regardless of caliber.
I don't care for the .40, mostly because of the "snappy" recoil that others have mentioned. By snappy, I mean the muzzle jumps far too much for my tastes, and it takes a second to regain sight-picture, something which does not happen with the .45. The latter is more of a push than a snap. That, and I've never really gotten much accuracy out of the .40.
My advice is not to shop by caliber, though. If the gun feels good and shoots well for you, you should be able to master it, regardless of caliber.
Thanks
Eric-- Price wise I was looking at around 500usd.. give or take... of course I would be willing to buy pre-owned if in great condition..
I guess since I haven't decided on the exact gun calibur or brand that I want, I am still in the looking stage. I guess price wise is if I find a CZ for say $425, or a used Sig for $475, or a new SA XD $475... which do I choose if they all feel good in my hand, and all seem to shoot pretty good to me...(I am fairly new to handguns, so the difference in shooting them to me are not as noticeable to others who have been shooting for years).
Do I just keep checking and when one of these pre-owned shows up in good condition at a great price or a new one in my price range, is that what should help me decide? Or should I somehow go ahead and pick the exact gun that I want, and then commit to searching for that "one" gun?
Eric-- Price wise I was looking at around 500usd.. give or take... of course I would be willing to buy pre-owned if in great condition..
I guess since I haven't decided on the exact gun calibur or brand that I want, I am still in the looking stage. I guess price wise is if I find a CZ for say $425, or a used Sig for $475, or a new SA XD $475... which do I choose if they all feel good in my hand, and all seem to shoot pretty good to me...(I am fairly new to handguns, so the difference in shooting them to me are not as noticeable to others who have been shooting for years).
Do I just keep checking and when one of these pre-owned shows up in good condition at a great price or a new one in my price range, is that what should help me decide? Or should I somehow go ahead and pick the exact gun that I want, and then commit to searching for that "one" gun?
2k5Adam
member
Here another nod to the .40sw. It does have the "snappy" recoil everyone says, but I like the way it feels. After shooting a 1911 clone in 45, and a 9mm glock, I didnt get the exact "bang" that I wanted to feel. I can shoot the .40 wonderful, so it's my choice. HK USPc 40 (or 357! )
)
Carl N. Brown
Member
Choose the most powerful gun that fits your hand, that you can hit
with consistently, and afford to practice with to the point you have
confidence in the gun and yourself, whether it's .45, .40, 10mm or 9mm.
with consistently, and afford to practice with to the point you have
confidence in the gun and yourself, whether it's .45, .40, 10mm or 9mm.
Spec ops Grunt
Member
Headless Thompson Gunner said:
Agrees. I would rather have a 9 mm than a .45. Higher capacty.
Helmetcase
Member
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2005
- Messages
- 706
If you're going to be shooting hundreds of rounds at a time, the .40 will beat up your hand and your accuracy will diminish with repetition in my experience.
But with practice doing range work and holster work, I've not had a problem getting repeat shots center mass with my .40 Glock22.
But with practice doing range work and holster work, I've not had a problem getting repeat shots center mass with my .40 Glock22.
GoBrush
Member
Crue:
A couple other thoughts.
Now dont all you 45 lovers start throwing stones at me remember I have and love both!!!
1. I dont know for sure but I would put money on the fact that more Police Departments and federal agencies in the country carry the 40S&W over 45's MMMMMM wonder why?
2. If you study balistics at all the 40 actually has a very high % of one stop shots maybe a FRACTION below 45's maybe even slightly better but with all of the other reasons on the Pro 40 side it is worth the small if any difference.
3. If you do look at the 40's look at the Sig 239 it is compact and very easy to carry as a CCW. Very nice gun
I know some cant handle the power of a 40 but if you spend time at the range I am sure you will be able to manage.
One last thought rent a compact 40 a real one maybe the one I suggested above then rent a compact 45 like a colt, kimber, or a springfield and shoot them side by side just a thought.
A couple other thoughts.
Now dont all you 45 lovers start throwing stones at me remember I have and love both!!!
1. I dont know for sure but I would put money on the fact that more Police Departments and federal agencies in the country carry the 40S&W over 45's MMMMMM wonder why?
2. If you study balistics at all the 40 actually has a very high % of one stop shots maybe a FRACTION below 45's maybe even slightly better but with all of the other reasons on the Pro 40 side it is worth the small if any difference.
3. If you do look at the 40's look at the Sig 239 it is compact and very easy to carry as a CCW. Very nice gun
I know some cant handle the power of a 40 but if you spend time at the range I am sure you will be able to manage.
One last thought rent a compact 40 a real one maybe the one I suggested above then rent a compact 45 like a colt, kimber, or a springfield and shoot them side by side just a thought.
1. I dont know for sure but I would put money on the fact that more Police Departments and federal agencies in the country carry the 40S&W over 45's MMMMMM wonder why?
Law enforcement has carried everything from machine guns to pointy sticks, I don't see the point here. That doesn't necessarily mean it was the best round for the job, not trying to detract from .40S&W as a caliber.
My choice would be for .45ACP. You can get revolvers chambered for it as well as autoloading pistols.
jmm
Law enforcement has carried everything from machine guns to pointy sticks, I don't see the point here. That doesn't necessarily mean it was the best round for the job, not trying to detract from .40S&W as a caliber.
My choice would be for .45ACP. You can get revolvers chambered for it as well as autoloading pistols.
jmm
2k5Adam
member
grimjaw said:
LMAO I find that very funny.."pointy sticks"
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