The "up-side" of buying a "Full Size"

[Timothy]

I have been shopping around for a full size .357 SIG or .40 S&W just because I want one. I have a couple compacts so I don’t plan to carry it. I only want it to have fun making holes in paper! Understanding that these calibers are on the “snappy†side, my mindset was/is that the heavier pistol and longer barrel would have a positive effect on control and accuracy. I know that many gun shops will try to push what they have in stock, however several have tried to steer me in the direction of smaller and lighter pistols, regardless of what they had in the case. Their general argument is that a lighter pistol is more comfortable and the shorter barrel won’t have a negative effect on accuracy.

Knowing my intended use, which way do you think I should go?

 

[Jim Watson]

In the first place, limited to those two calibers, I would get a .40. The bottleneck .357 Sig ammo costs more to buy and is more tedious to reload.

I agree with your general intent, the clerk's notion that a lighter pistol is "more comfortable" for anyone even close to normal physique is just plain silly. And, true, a shorter barrel won't hurt accuracy, but a shorter sight radius will. So full size is the way to go.

But, I don't really know your intended use. "Punch holes in paper" covers a lot of ground.

Do you compete at any standard type of match?
I woudn't pick a .40 for NRA National Match, all the past work has been with .38 and .45 with some 9mm Berettas now, and the .40 would have some catching up to do in fine accuracy.
It is THE caliber to have in IPSC/USPSA Limited, though. Guns like the STI Edge and SVI Infinity lead there, some P-O P16s in use, and the CZ Standard looks interesting.
Lots of .40s in IDPA SSP and IPSC Production, mostly Glock 22s and 35s. Also some Beretta 96, SigSauer P226 & P229.
You can get 1911 pattern .40s from Kimber, STI Trojan, and probably SVI, plus BHP and CZ 75. They would be good for IDPA ESP and IPSC Limited-10.

From what I have seen, heard, and read, the P229 is the most trouble-free .40 on the market. It is not in the top rank of target guns, though. It is accurate, but the DA/SA action is against it most places.

 

[10-Ring]

Of the 2, I really enjoy shooting the 357sig. Big downside is the expence. Upside, big bang, lots of flash, very accurate & easy to control (IMO, YMMV).
OF the guns I've shot in this caliber, I've really liked the XD 357. Fullsize gun w/ 4" barrel with a relatively slim profile. I'd go w/ the fullsize gun for paper punching just to take advantage of the added weight, longer sight radius and nicer grip (depending on model).

 

[Onslaught]

I always welcome "input", but "influence" ticks me off

If you go into a gunshop and say "I want a full size", the response "no you don't" would probably make me leave :banghead:

If you said "I want a fullsize", and the clerk said "I have a Glock 22 that I really like", then that's more than welcome info.

I see no reason NOT to have a full sized pistol for shooting fun, as long as it fits your hand. I prefer the .45 in full sized pistols, since there's a little less "snap" than the .40's, but I do like the .40... it's my favorite CCW caliber.

 

[BigG]

Sounds like a good plan to me. The Glock 22 is a nice .40, or as Jim mentioned, there are a number of 1911 type pistols chambered in .40.

 

[agtman]

The "upside" of full-size pistols.

The 2 upsides of having a full-size pistol where the more "energetic" calibers are concerned are (1) the longer sight-radius for accuracy at longer distances and (2) the extra weight helps dampen recoil, thus aiding in shot-to-shot control (at least in all steel guns).

The first is really only a theoretical advantage since the quality of today's barrels renders the accuracy difference between a 5" and a 4" barrel moot at any realistic defensive distance, which is in fact quite short.

Whether you need the extra weight of the full-size specimen really depends on how you handle the "felt recoil" of the shorter-barrelled gun. If it doesn't bother you, go with the shorter barrel, as one of its "upsides" is better concealability or portability. Once you've settle on a caliber, see if you can try out both the full-size and more compact models before you buy.

Frankly, I don't notice any accuracy differences between my 4.25" S&W 1076 and its 5" bigger brother, the 1006.

HTH.

 

[bountyhunter]

Why not go the extra inch and get a 1911 6" Longslide in .40? I have a Trojan and it's currently my favorite gun. Really a tackdriver, low recoil.

I bought a 5" Trojan about three years back. I wanted a 6" so bad I paid a smith to build me one (couldn't buy one in Nazifornia). Cost me more than the gun would new, but it's worth it.

http://www.rushusa.com/html/products/sti/trojan6.html

 

[Still Learning]

My observations on my own shooting:

I shoot my full size Kimber better than I shoot it's one-inch shorter brother, the Kimber Compact Custom. Part of it is the longer sight radius and part could be the diminished recoil of the heavier full size.

For nearly a year I have carried the full size a great deal more than the Compact. Frankly, I can't see much difference between the two in terms of comfort or concealability. This will likely not be true of some of the wider, more bulky pistol makes and models. Don't know. Never used one for concealed carry.

Buy what makes you happy.

 

[yesterdaysyouth]

i have more "hole in the paper fun" from my S&W m29 with the 8 3/8" barrel more than anything....

of course you're gonna have to go with a different caliber, like 357mag, or even better 44mag... it's all about the flames and the huge recoil...

just make sure you weat safety glasses, and a face shield if you have one...

 

[teppo-shu]

I think your idea to get a full-size is a good one for the simple fact that, as you stated, it's a fun range gun.

Now, as to WHAT to get -- what compacts do you have & carry?

I ask because I think (just my humble opinion, YMMV) that it's a GREAT idea to have a "big brother" of whatever you carry on a regular basis. I feel it makes you a better shooter in the compact.

For example, my primary carry is a P229 in .40. I've found that after practicing with my P220 for a couple of boxes, my shooting with the 229 is much improved over just practicing all the time with the shorter barreled one. Now in my case, maybe it has something to do w/ the .45 vs. the .40.

But it sure makes the range sessions funner!!

 

[Blueduck]

Didn't think I liked the 40S/W till I got a good deal on a 4006. Now I think it's a great plinking round