Best Low-Range .40 Carry Pistol

[cipher]

I got a friend looking for a carry pistol in .40 caliber. I told him to save up and get a 1911, but I understand the guy would rather get something under $500 that comes in plastic...

Right now he's got a compact glock on layaway, $550 out the door. I think he might be better off with a Sig Pro. The glock is just to ugly for me to recommend it for somebody that's gonna own a single handgun, but then again I'm an unapologetic gun snob...Do you guys who own or shoot the two frequently think Sig's low-range model is lower quality than the glock (trigger, durability, reliability, etc.)?

As a side question, what do you all think of the lack of external safeties and hammers on guns like the glock? I'm considering recommending that he pick up a CZ-75 for a bit more so that he can carry cocked and locked with a single action trigger pull on the first shot. That's the only pistol in that price range that I know of with an external hammer and safety. Having shot 1911's almost exclusively, the thought of a begginner trying to shoot accurately with a 10 pound trigger pull (he's not liable to learn how to use the shorter trigger reset to his advantage) in a gunfight is scary to me.

 

[cipher]

Just noticed how ridiculous it reads when I say the glock is "too ugly" when the gun will be a carry piece. But aesthetics aside, it just strikes me as something cheap. The guy hardly minds (or even realizes it), so consider that my irrelevant opinion.

 

[jon86]

My only complaint with using a glock as a carry piece is that it is thick and blocky. This of course isn't a big deal if you dress around the gun.

I prefer the absence of external safeties on a defensive handgun. I can simply point and shoot my glocks just like my double action revolver. No safeties to swipe down. Some folks prefer external safeties, and that's just fine. Different strokes for different folks.

I say if your friend wants a glock, let him get a glock. You probably cannot go wrong with a glock, especially for a first and/or only gun. It will go bang when he needs it too, and it is very simple to maintain.

 

[Zerodefect]

A decent Glock will allmost allways run just fine next to 1911's in competition.

Sig can't really say that too often. Long slow DA trigger, followed by a sloppy Sa trigger. It takes me half an hour to explain to a newb how DA/SA guns work.

Giving a DA/SA to a new shooter should be punishable now that there are so many striker fired guns out there. DA/SA is great for certain rare people. But it's dieing off for a reason. And Sig is apparently the new Kimber lately.

I despise Sigs and DA/SA so much that the "look" of a Glock or a rusty 1911 actually appeals to me.

Your friend is better of with the his compact Glock 23. (or a 1911)

and Glocks are certainly not cheap. Cheap looking sure, but they have good parts. Except of course the very cheap gritty trigger.
-great hammer forged barrels
-strong rust proof tennifer treatment
-most reliable double stack mags out there

Extra point for the fact that Glock deosn't include half decent sights that fool the shooter into thinking that the stock sights are perfectly good. But you can still shoot one with the plastic false sight things in place until your budget allows for real sights. Blows my mind how many dismal fancy nightsights I see. (Kimber)

 

[JTQ]

Ruger SR40

http://www.ruger.com/products/sr40/models.html

 

[tprice]

Smith and Wesson M&P 40c (compact) is the same size as the glock 27. There's a version of the gun that has an external safety if he's a belt and suspenders kind of guy

 

[bestseller92]

Glock 23 or 27.

 

[CZ57]

SA XDm with match grade conventionally rifled barrel. Interchangeable backstraps to fit the gun to hand. Shoot as many cast lead bullet loads as you want.

 

[GreenMTNLife]

Smith and Wesson M&P 40c (compact) is the same size as the glock 27. There's a version of the gun that has an external safety if he's a belt and suspenders kind of guy

I'll second this, love my m&p40c. If he can have him try both, or at least handle both, and see what he likes better.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

I don't like the fact that a Glock NEEDS a holster in order to carry it safe. I bought a SA XD40 recently and I like it. It certainly handles .40 S&W better than the Glock I can tell you that.

 

[[email protected]]

I am not brand loyal as I have rugers, S&w, walther, springfield, kel tech, and a couple of the "ugly blocky" glocks in my collection. I might be the odd ball but I actually like the squared flat surface of the top of the slide of the glocks. You might suggest to him that he should try a few before he settles on one. There is a couple gun shops in my area that rent guns and one that will actually let you shoot the gun if you are serious that you are going to buy it and you are in good standing with them. good customer service. You dont want to make the decision for him by telling him that he should get this or that gun because he may blame you if he doent like it. Just point out the pros and cons of each

 

[NG VI]

If it's going to be a carry gun than the Glock 23 or 27 are very hard to beat, and the Sigpro is going to be bulkier.

Pretty is as pretty does, and the Glocks are beautiful to me. Cannot go wrong with either of them.

 

[helitack32f1]

He absolutely will not go wrong by buying a Glock, especially the G19 or 23, if that is what he has coming. Of all Glocks these are usually the most recommended Glocks. I carry a G23 inside the waistband 10 or so hours out of the day in a Crossbreed holster, 7 days a week and rarely have a problem concealing it. I actually love the looks of Glocks, especially the Gen 4 guns. And I am a gun snob.

that being said, I would have to say Ruger SR40 if I had to choose something in .40 other than a Glock. Only prob is that it is in no way comparable in size to a compact Glock.

 

[NG VI]

FIVETWOSEVEN why on Earth would you carry any gun without a holster if you had the time to acquire one?



And OP, personally as I get older I want a gun more like a Glock and less like a regular CZ or any other traditional da/sa.

 

[tangomike706]

At the price range you quoted, I don't think you can go wrong with a GLOCK.
That being said, i would be remiss if i didn't mention the XD line . and also , the Kahr CW40 (sells for 400.00 ish around here) .

I personally own the CW40, and XDSC 40 and the XDM models in both 40 and 45 . I cant say anything bad about any of them . Ive had extensive trigger time with the GLOCK 23 also, and while I'm not a fan of GLOCK's grip angle, I can't deny the fact that they work . and work and work . YMMV of course

 

[Forklift352]

Taurus PT-140 Mill. Pro.
12+1
DA/SA
small
and only 340.00 or less

I have had my PT-145 for 3 yrs.
and love the size and 10+1 cap.

 

[Unistat]

A Glock 23 will suit him just fine. If he finds that he likes to shoot, he can get a more expensive "better" snob-gun later. IMO Glocks are good for newer shooters for the same reason as revolvers. Point, click, bang.

 

[9mm+]

I am not a gun snob (each person has their favorites), but I can say that I really enjoy my XD40. I can flick gnats off with this pistol. The trigger is good, the ergonomics are good (especially if you put some grip tape panels on the older ones), but most of all the gun will eat any ammo. I never had an FTF or FTE with this, even during the break in.

 

[EMT40SW]

New Glock for $399

Tell your friend to join the GSSF for $30 annually & he can purchase a Glock every year at cost. or if he is military, a first responder, pilot, or TSA he automatically gets the discount. He can't go wrong with a G19 or G23 because at this price he could sell it & break even or gain. By the way I think Glocks & XDm are the best option for CCW guns. Simple, reliable, & tough finishes are a bonus.

http://www.gssfonline.com/GSSF_Pistol_Purchase_Program_Information.pdf


http://www.gssfonline.com

FIVETWOSEVEN "I don't like the fact that a Glock NEEDS a holster in order to carry it safe."

ALL CCW GUNS NEED A HOLSTER TO BE SAFE. RESEARCH IT & TRY TO UPHOLD THE CCW SAFETY STANDARDS OF AVOIDING AN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE THAT THE REST OF US FOLLOW.

 

[ScottieG59]

I have tried all sorts of concealed carry guns over the years, and it is still tough to find a single solution that covers everything. A lot matters on the weather and the clothes I wear. I finally bought pants that was a little larger so the IWB holders would work. Now, I can conceal a Glock 20 almost as well as the Glock 27. If I can, I prefer pocket carry, with a good pocket holster. I have actually carried the 27 this way, but I installed a Crinsom Trace Triggerguard laser and that limits my choices.

If I wanted something really small, I would go with the Kahr PM40. It is the same size as the PM9 and will fit into a pocket (also use the pocket holster). You loose some capacity and have to deal with recoil, but it will be carried. I often carry my Ruger LCR in a pocket holster because my clothes will just not conveniently conceal the Glock 27 in the IWB holster I use. I find myself having to move the Glock position from the front to the side as I drive and I can barely step into my truck because it limits my mobility.

I understand cost is an issue, but I would not compromise on handguns. It costs more when you get something that is not quite what you want.

 

[Ben86]

I think you need to let your friend get the gun that is best for him and stop trying to pick it out for him.

Glocks are fine, but I prefer S&W M&Ps.

 

[Mike J]

Personally I carry an XD but there is nothing wrong with the Glock. As has been said the Glock 23 is reliable & accurate. If proper safety practices are observed there should be no problem.

 

[Br]

I'd tell him to get the Glock, and I really like SIGs. Glocks are fine weapons.

 

[NG VI]

my clothes will just not conveniently conceal the Glock 27 in the IWB holster I use. I find myself having to move the Glock position from the front to the side as I drive and I can barely step into my truck because it limits my mobility.

I think you're doing it wrong. And IWB works best on the side anyway, why would anybody want to limit the range of motion of one of their legs? Also it's much harder to conceal (for me anyway, can't imagine I'm so much a unique snowflake that my experience won't help others) a gun carried appendix than it is on the 3-4 IWB.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

FIVETWOSEVEN why on Earth would you carry any gun without a holster if you had the time to acquire one?

I do carry with a holster but some people don't carry with a holster, one of these people was a gentleman that carried a Glock 19 with just a belt clip on the gun to keep it in place. Not everyone is as smart as us on THR, I don't know why you people don't get that.