Want 40S&W handgun - Suggestions?

Would like to purchase a used 40 semiauto. Inherited a bunch of 40 ammo, both range seft defense. Use to be strickly home/self defense, bedside car/boat etc. Any suggestions for a decent, reliable inexpensive 40 handgun would be greatly appreciated.

Please no Taurus or Hi-Point. Thanks

 

Glock is currently manufacturing pistols in a variety of sizes in .40 S&W caliber.
That would probably be the most cost-effective contemporary solution buying new.

Heckler & Koch also makes them, yet they are certainly at a higher price point.
SIG Sauer was also a longtime manufacturer yet have halted that great caliber.

 

Glock 22 or 23. I prefer gen4 but are now harder to find. Gen3 and gen5 are fairly easy to find right now. Magazines are cheap(ish) and always in stock somewhere and ProMags are good for range use at half the price.

 

Here's something to consider ... During your lifetime of shooting, cost of "gun" will become less significant compared to cost of "ammunition". (In the past 30 years, most of $180,000+ spent on this hobby went to pay for over 700,000 rounds of factory/reloads not counting 22LR ... true story )

So for "inexpensive" used 40S&W, I suggest Glock 22/23 for the following reasons:

• Availability
• Reliability
• Durability
• Can shoot cheaper 9mm with 40-9mm conversion barrels
• Can shoot even cheaper 22LR with Advantage Arms slide kits

 

Look around for a deal on police trade in. Either a S&W or Glock will do. I like the grip on the S&W better, but prefer the Glock trigger.

 

Here's a cheap, medium quality conversion barrel.

Swenson Conversion Barrel Glock 22 40 S&W to 9mm Luger 1 16 Twist SS (midwayusa.com)

 

Glock 22 Gen 4 Police trade.

 

Thanks for the replys so far. I had a feeling that Glock was going to be mentioned a lot. I'm not a Glock fan, just can't deal with the grip, but as a backup to a backup it's doable. They're going for around 350+ used, as well as is the M&P. Did see a SDVE 40 for $319.

 

Then I suggest M&P40 for "Ooooh, nice grip" feel.

I did Burwell trigger job and it shot very accurately until my sister shot it and snagged it for match shooting - http://www.burwellguns.com/misc/M&Ptriggerjob.pdf

 

S&W Sigma
S&W SW40VE
S&W SD40VE
S&W M&P40
S&W SW99 .40
Walther P99 AS .40
Magnum Research MR40
Ruger SR40
Ruger P series .40
Beretta APX .40
FN FNP-40
Mauser M2 .40
EAA Witness and Witness P .40
Steyr M40

 

I own a number of 40 caliber pistols. I got quite a few when police departments were dumping them and they were dirt cheap everywhere.

Of ones I've owned that are fairly affordable...

I like the M&P better than the Glock, and they cost less.

EAA Witness is good. It's a CZ75 clone. I got a used polymer one for next to nothing a few years ago.

The Turkish company SAR also makes good CZ clones. I've owned two.

RIA makes a nice, inexpensive 1911. They're available in 40 caliber.

The S&W SDVWE whatever was a lot like a Glock, but with a horrible trigger.

The Ruger P series is reliable, but clunky and I almost never shoot them.

This barely used polymer 40 caliber CZ clone was an absolute steal. They are made by Tanfoglio in Italy.

TanfoglioWitness40 by Tallball posted Jun 17, 2018 at 6:43 PM

 

I like my Smith and Wesson 411. I found one that is in like 95% shape for cheap, and by cheap I mean $400 with 2 mags and some ammo. Put some Hogue grips on it. It's a nice shooter.

 

The S&W M&P, Beretta PX4/APX, HK USP/P30/VP40, SIG P229 were designed around the .40 S&W round, and modified to shoot 9mm in such models.

Glock essentially put a .40 S&W barrel in their 9mm guns and called it good, which is primarily the reason we had 4 generations of Glock's as they tried to fix problems with guns that were designed for 9mm, but were shooting .40 S&W.

Now with the Gen 5 Glock's in .40 S&W, Glock has begun using a heavier slide than their 9mm family members. We'll see if this is the solution Glock is looking for.

 

How about a new Kahr CW40 instead of something used. I've got the smaller CM40 and it's been a great gun from day one. I've also ordered several guns from these guys and have never had any problems.


CW40

 

triplelbike, how much ammo are we talking? I know .40s have their fans, but are we talking a couple boxes, or a really significant amount? Let that help decide just how badly you want this new purchase.
The notion of being able to convert to 9mm later does make some sense...presume they actually work. Personal experience with AA .22 conversions being they don't work.
Moon

 

Beretta PX4 is a good one also.

 

It's over a 1000 high end rds, 3/4 range 1/4 defense. I have 4 9mm's. PPQ M1 & PPS M2 are my main defensive handguns. Just figured another defensive weapon can't hurt.

 

Didn't know about the Walther & Beretta, but I never looked for a 40 before either. I'm a big Walther fan but for the right price I would purchase either in a heartbeat. I believe that the Ruger SR series is one of Ruger's finest moments so that would be a winner to find. I don't remember see any of those three in 40s&w in my area for quite some time if ever. Thanks for the heads up!

 

triplebike, that's enough to go to the trouble. Good luck!
Moon

 

Sig P229

 

An absolute genuine classic.

 

Can't help you, all the .40's I like or have owned aren't made any more. Right now, my EDC is a SA EMP4 in .40 S&W, not made any more. The other .40 I own is a MkIII BHP......not made any more. My previous EDC was a Ruger SR40C, not made any more. I'd recommend any of them if you can find one, especially the BHP.

 

That one right there, since you (like me) aren't fond of the grip angle.

I'll say this about Glock's grip; it's design is better shooting a round with higher recoil impulse. It's my favorite for shooting 10mm.

 

Springfield armory is my choice. I have several and love them all.

 

I own three S&W third gen 40's (4006, 4026 and 4046) as well as a SW40VE, a SW99, a CZ40B, SIG P250 and DAK SIG P229. The CZ and the P229 are absolute tack drivers. There are sellers on GunBroker (Shoot Straight and Summit) that have great deals on ex-LEO S&W 4046's and P229's. For between $300-$350 they are hard to beat.