Decent compact .40S&W options

[Snowdog]

I'll be the first to admit that I don't know everything, so I'd like to seek advice here as I continue to search.

I am currently looking for something that's compact enough to serve on the bed stand for home defense while excelling at concealed carry use.
Though I prefer a DA/SA trigger, I am open to ideas including striker fired and SAO.

Currently, the Sig 229 has captured my attention. I don't know much about them except what I've read of them so far. Does the Sig229 sound like a viable option?

Are there others I should consider?

 

[writerinmo]

Might want to check out the new SD line that S&W just came out with.

 

[LiveLife]

Glock 27 with a +1 Pearce grip extension is my go-to pistol that travels with me.

It is very accurate (as good as my full-size Glock 22) and manageable to shoot well for a small pistol.

And if you want a cheaper range practice option, you can drop in a $100 Lone Wolf 40-to-9mm conversion barrel to shoot 9mm, even lead reloads.

 

[REAPER4206969]

Glock 23.


This thread is now over.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Shoot whatever you want to buy first, .40 can be a real bear in smaller guns, look up the KT p40, not a bad gun, but unshootable for most people.

 

[DasFriek]

I use an XD SC .40 thats a 9+1 but has a 13+1 extra mag with grip extension for HD.
$400-$430 seems the going rate on these depending on if you get the "Essential" or "Full" package.
Its a SAO striker fired gun, But built like a tank.
Size is very small being a SC, and weight is average for a polymer gun.
I carry mine when my 5" 1911 is too big or too heavy.

I do know Taurus has several DA/SA guns that are know for great reliability, In .40 its the PT140.

 

[jackpinesavages]

We have 2 of them. 1 for sale, as the wife wants the new Bodyguard.

 

[Runningman]

Sig P229 are decent guns. My own experience with the P229 was good just found it was a little on the heavy side for concealed carry. Some prefer the lighter weight of Polymer pistols for carrying.

Some other DA/SA pistols you may want to look at are HK USP Compact, HK P2000 HK P30. The HK V3 trigger would be a standard DA/SA type trigger.

The Beretta Px4 Storm Type F

 

[killchain]

The FNP40 has turned out to be one of my favorite guns for that specific purpose. It's thin enough to conceal if I want to, large enough for open carry and range fun, and makes one very decent bedside handgun.

And you can't wrinkle your nose at 14+1 rounds.

If you get the USG model, it comes with a manual safety, decocker, the works.

Also, it's a DA/SA with a "commander-style" hammer.

I actually bought it from another Highroader a few months ago.

 

[basicblur]

I have a P229R (357 SIG) which I often carry in colder weather, but for warmer weather I usually carry my XDSC9.
The Sig may be getting a little big for warm weather carry, and the XDs are a tad thick, but I have no problem with either gun AFA performance.

FWIW, if you ain't married to the 40, consider a 9mm?
I was originally carrying an XD40SC, but when they redesigned the 9mm magazines to hold more rounds, both that and the reduced muzzle flip of the 9 over the 40, 'specially in a smaller gun prompted me to go from the XDSC40 to the XDSC9. I've also tended to move down in caliber over the years as SD ammo has improved.

The sub-compact XDs are accurate little guns for their (lack of) size.
I had to add the Pearce Grip Extender to cure the dangling pinky-for use as a bed gun, you could use the long magazine.

 

[docnyt]

You can't go wrong with the SIG P229 or a Glock 27.

Also look up the CZ40B - ergonomically similar to a 1911, relatively cheap but just like a 1911 may be difficult to carry concealed.

 

[rskent]

Snowdog
Have you ever picked up a Sig 239-40?
Steve

 

[BamAlmighty]

Another option is the CZ 2075 Rami.

It is somewhat more compact than the XD Sub Compact. I carried for a Rami for the last 5 years, but ended up swapping over to the XD this last year.

 

[ejfalvo]

I have a Sig 239 40SW and an XDSC 40. Both shoot great with non failures from either after hundreds of rounds. Recoil is not bad, accuracy is great - both are built like a tank. Depending on my mood I carry either on a daily basis - unless the LCP is more appropriate. Give them both a try.

My nightstand firearm is an XD 45 Compact

 

[Rokman]

My S&W MP.40C is an excellent compact pistol and they run deals on free magazines, etc. all the time.

 

[CDR_Glock]

I'll be the first to admit that I don't know everything, so I'd like to seek advice here as I continue to search.

I am currently looking for something that's compact enough to serve on the bed stand for home defense while excelling at concealed carry use.
Though I prefer a DA/SA trigger, I am open to ideas including striker fired and SAO.

Currently, the Sig 229 has captured my attention. I don't know much about them except what I've read of them so far. Does the Sig229 sound like a viable option?

Are there others I should consider?

The key is to try shooting them. Ergonomics, your accuracy and your trials with various holsters will let you know what works for you.

The 229 is a touch big.

The following 40s are the models that I had looked at before getting the Glocks:
S&W M&P 40
SA XD SC 40
Kahr MX40
Glock 27 or 23 - I have both
PX4 Compact 40

 

[19-3Ben]

I love and absolutely adore my Kahr K40. It 100% vanishes behind a regular fitting t-shirt, but still handles, shoots, and feels like a full sized gun.

 

[Snowdog]

I greatly appreciate all the advice! Of the 20-something handguns I have, the only one I have chambered for the .40S&W is a somewhat big Steyr M40.

I do have various handguns that fit this role in 9mm, including a G19, Kahr K9 and Bersa UC9. I do have a lingering fascination with the .40S&W and wouldn't mind reloading for it, but not necessarily for only one pistol that I don't shoot much (M40).

I'll have to swing by a shop and look at these suggestions for size comparison.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[CPshooter]

Take your pick.



The Sig P229 (without the rail of course) is a great feeling and shooting firearm, although it is sort of chunky/heavy when compared to other polymer guns. Mine (pictured above) is a Sig Certified Pre-Owned gun. I bought it earlier this year and it's been flawless aesthetically and functionally. I payed $530 shipped and think it's worth more.

The H&K USP .40 Compact (which I've sold since that pic was taken) is another fantastic firearm. I only sold it because I made $100 off of it and I prefer black guns. I actually prefer H&Ks over Sigs any day of the week. IMHO H&K makes the most reliable and best-engineered pistols out there. If you are looking at mostly concealed carry, do yourself a favor and check out the P2000. They have a sleeker profile than the USP and are more ergonomic in general. The sides of the grip are also smooth so it won't rub your skin raw or tear up your undershirt if you actually do carry it. It was built for concealed carry.

If I had to choose one handgun for the rest of my life that could do it all well, the P2000 would be my choice. If you know where to look you can get one as a "police package" for $790 and it comes with 3 magazines instead of 2 and also Meprolight night sights. People think H&Ks are so expensive, but they just don't know where to look.

 

[TGT]

The Sig 229 is the most reliable full sized gun that I have ever owned. I've fired about 300 rounds through it and have never had a malfunction.

But, compared to other reliable carry guns that are avaialable today, it's really way too big and heavy to carry concealable in comparison.

 

[Zerodefect]

Glock 23, with G22 mags for reloads.

 

[writerinmo]

I carry a SW40VE daily, either IWB or OWB in a Don Hume JIT. Have just over 1k rounds trouble free through it. 14+1.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

S&W 4013, if you don't mind a used gun.

 

[Zundfolge]

The P229 is about as big as you can get and still call it a "Compact".

They're good guns and you can't go wrong with one.

Recently I've been most impressed with the S&W M&P line of guns and if I was in the market for a new CCW piece I'd get an M&P Compact in .40.

My EDC is a Steyr S40 which is a great gun but good luck finding one

 

[MPrimo]

I highly recommend the M&P line. My EDC is a 9c but my dad has a 40c and that shoots (and functions) equally as well. My bedside gun is an M&P 45 and my production division/IDPA gun is a 9 Pro ... so I am biased a bit. BUT ... I own nearly every other gun mentioned thus far including SIGs, XDs, Glocks and Kahrs and the M&P is still my choice. The grips are configurable and ergonomic. All mine have been 100% reliable and they are extremely easy to shoot. I have turned on a few friends to them for their first HD/CCW handgun and they seem very happy with the choice as well. Just my $.02!