Handgun while hunting is needed

[Romans12]

Hi, I'm new here, but have read a lot of archives. I've done research, and I've handled various firearms, but can't test any (no gun range within 100 or more miles). I'm in the market for a 4" barrel or longer, .40 S&W pistol for self defense purposes in the woods (hogs) and training/plinking. I know there are better cartridges, but I want a .40, and yes, it's legal in my state.
Ruger SR40, M&P 40, XD 40 Tactical, CZ P-09, and FNS 40 are the primary ones I've looked at. Glocks don't do it for me.
I'm needing accurate and reliable (shooter and ammo selection have a lot to do with accuracy), and a good warranty and CS would be a plus. I'm trying to leave at $500.
God bless,
Romans12

 

[Zerodefect]

The S&W M&P is my pick of your list. The Xd and HK p2000 are fine as well.

The Ruger's goofy chamber indicator is a deal breaker to me. I don't like extra nonsense. If I want to see if it's hot, I press check.

 

[Jaymo]

The SR40 has a lot better trigger than the M&P.
Plus, the SR is available without the LCI and adjustable sights, if you wish, at a lower price.

.40 is not a great round for hogs. Not big ones, anyway.
It's much better for two-legged snakes.

If I were going to use a bottom-feeder as a backup gun for porkers, it would be a 10mm loaded with real 10mm ammo, not the limp-wristed .40 Long available from FedRemChestAdy.

If you do choose .40 Short and Weak for porcine protection, buy some Bufffalo Bore ammo for that purpose.

BTW, welcome to the forum.
You'd be much better served with a .44 magnum S&W 629 or 69, or a Ruger Super Blackhawk, or Redhawk.

 

[ritepath]

I have the p-09 in 9mm and it's a great gun to stretch out and shoot. So I'd expect the 40 version to be pretty darned accurate also. The fit and finish on the plastic CZ is excellent, mines been totally reliable. The only "weakness" is the lack of lifetime warranty.

My next pick or even my first pick would be an M&P pro, but that'll run you about a 150 bucks more...

Or just suck it up like I did several years back and get the G20. As much as I won't buy glocks, I needed a 10mm on the cheap and the 20 fits that bill. You can paint it pink or something and tell folks it's your wifes.

Problem is I sold my G20, and now that I reload need one again.

 

[SDGlock23]

You want something you can carry with ease and the only ones that you listed that I have experience with is the M&P and XD. Both feel good in the hand, I'd have to give the nod to the M&P for ergonomics. The XD (and XDm) series are nice too though, and I've heard good things about the Rugers.

The .40 is a good choice, about the only way to get something decidedly better would be to pack around a revolver in .41 or .44 Mag, but those are generally large and heavier.

 

[Jaymo]

.357 mag with Buffalo Bore ammo would be a good starting point.

The M&P has one of the best feeling grips (for a bottom feeder) I've ever handled.

 

[tarosean]

Hunt with a handgun. Problem solved......

 

[Romans12]

I appreciate everyone's input so far. Like I stated in the original post, I understand the .40 isn't the "ideal" or "best" round for hogs or hunting in general, but that's what I want so that I can use it as self defense (both in the woods and home) and for plinking/training. I have no interest in a revolver at this time.

 

[Mike J]

I have had a XD-40 since 2007. I carried it hunting with me many times. A few years ago I came face to face with a hog while walking out of the woods. He took off before I could get a bead on him. Since then I have been carrying my old .357 revolver when I go to the woods.

As far as the choices you listed I can tell you the XD is a good gun. I don't have any experience with the SR 40 but I don't like the magazine disconnect design Ruger uses on those guns. Other than that I have no opinion as I have no experience with those guns.

 

[RustyShackelford]

New SIG Sauer P320.....

Check into the new cool modular design of SIG's 320. You can quickly change calibers, frames, accessories, etc.
They come in different colors & can be had with factory night sights.

I like the gen 04 27 & 23 .40S&W but if you don't like Glocks, the new 320 line may be your speed.

RS
www.SIGsauer.com

 

[ugaarguy]

Any of the pistols you list will work well, so get the one that feels best in your hand and has the control layout that's easiest for you to use. Load it up with Buffalo Bore 200 grain hard cast lead ammo - https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=347 - and it'll be just fine for pig protection. They're only 200 fps slower and 20 grains lighter than BB's own heavy 10mm flat nose hard cast load. That's not too shabby for the short version of the 10mm that many folks insist is short & weak.

 

[Pilot]

CZ-75D PCR, P-01. 15 rounds of 9MM in a lightweight, alloy framed semi compact package that is as accurate for me as their full size brethren. If you must have polymer the P-07, or P-09 are also excellent choices.

 

[Stony]

Good choice of caliber...you don't need any more for your intended purposes. I often carry one myself with night sights as my night vision is no good up close for wounded hogs....and I shoot them often. I like either the Glock or the M&P myself as they both are work horse strong tools.

 

[bannockburn]

I would go with a Ruger SR40c. I have an SR9c and have been very pleased with just about everything about the gun (could do without the LCI but wasn't a deal breaker).

 

[jhb]

Get the one with the longest barrel and highest capacity and fits your hand and you can comfortably reach the trigger on. Also hard cast ammo and truer .40s&w with top end saami specs.

 

[ku4hx]

Ruger SR40. Wife has one and it's great gun ... I like it too. 15+1 capacity, accurate, reliable, easy to shoot well and it was $449 two years ago.

If you can tolerate slightly lower capacity, bannockburn has your answer ... SR40c. The SR40 15 round magazines work just fine in the SR40c.

 

[ritepath]

I appreciate everyone's input so far. Like I stated in the original post, I understand the .40 isn't the "ideal" or "best" round for hogs or hunting in general, but that's what I want so that I can use it as self defense (both in the woods and home) and for plinking/training. I have no interest in a revolver at this time.

My BIL killed a hog in his yard several years back with his G23 service pistol. He shot it 3 times broadside from about 20 feet. He said the first two shots didn't really phase it any (fixated on his dog), and on the third it run off another 70 yards before expiring. It looked to be maybe a 160 pound wild bore.

 

[Upstater]

My choice was the m&p .40. Remember you can always install a .357 sig bbl, uses the same mags and is a real hoot to shoot.

 

[gutterman]

Can't believe noones mentioned beretta 96. Sure its big but fits the hand well and manages the recoil of the stout 40. In my opinion its a great gun for the $$.

 

[HankR]

Never having even touched a Ruger SR40c, I'm a fan of the SR9c so the SR40c would be at the top of my list. Carry it with the smaller concealed in town, larger mag in a quicker access location in the woods.

 

[greyghost01]

My everyday is a XD 40 I have no complaints its accurate and handles well However when in the woods I carry SP 101 in 4.2" its a 5 shot 357 it carrys real well, I would think a 40 with the right load and good shot placement would kill a hog, When I was a butcher we killed them and steers all day long with a 22 mag of course they were not charging at 20' either, Good luck!

 

[nathan]

If you aim a well placed shot on the ear and head , even a .22 Lr will put them down. Of course , its not ideal. A .40 SW will do just fine within acceptable range.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PInyXzaE1ug

 

[Normandy]

Go to your local gun store, and handle them all. One will feel better in your hand. All would perform just fine.
IMHO, you'll walk out with the Shield.

 

[dvnv]

You'd be hard pressed to get one for $500, but I'd pick a HK USP40...a bit clunky but they shoot well and will hold up to all kinds of abuse.

 

[stchman]

Hi, I'm new here, but have read a lot of archives. I've done research, and I've handled various firearms, but can't test any (no gun range within 100 or more miles). I'm in the market for a 4" barrel or longer, .40 S&W pistol for self defense purposes in the woods (hogs) and training/plinking. I know there are better cartridges, but I want a .40, and yes, it's legal in my state.
Ruger SR40, M&P 40, XD 40 Tactical, CZ P-09, and FNS 40 are the primary ones I've looked at. Glocks don't do it for me.
I'm needing accurate and reliable (shooter and ammo selection have a lot to do with accuracy), and a good warranty and CS would be a plus. I'm trying to leave at $500.
God bless,
Romans12

Since you can't "test" the caliber in question, why is it you are so set in your mind that .40S&W is the best caliber of choice?

As far as which gun to buy from the list and keeping your price point, the Ruger SR40 is a good choice. Right now CDNN has the SR40 for $369.99 + $15 shipped to an FFL.

http://www.cdnnsports.com/rugerr-sr40r-40s-w-4-14-sts-3dot-rail-2-15rd-mags.html#.VItG8WN47TQ

The only negative about the SR line of pistols is that they have a magazine disconnect, but on the SR line it can be removed in about 5 minutes with no detriment to the firearm function. The magazine disconnect is just for the anti weenies in certain states.

There are many YouTube videos out there to show you how to remove the magazine disconnect.