Which .40 S&W should I choose.

[dsv424]

I'm looking for a .40 S&W and I was leaning towards the XDm, but since I have never owned one of these calibers before I thought I would ask you all for your opinion on what you feel is good. My price range would be between $600.00 up to 1,000.00. It would mostly be used for target shooting although I am considering giving it to my son when he graduates from police academy for his first service pistol. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[3pairs12]

I suggest go to the Bullet Trap in Plano. They have rentals and their prices are ok too.

 

[kd7nqb]

If you want to give it to your son you may want to get a weapons list from the department first. If its pretty open then why not get a S&W M&P in .40 I love mine and think it would not only be a nice target gun but also a pretty good duty gun.

Its less than your price range so you can either get his nice and tricked out with crimson trace grips and night sights or keep it stock and get 2 so Father and Son could have matching guns.

 

[bottom shelf]

I've got an XDm and a Beretta 96. I like them both. The Beretta is more fun to shoot, and looks sexier, but the XDm has a higher capacity and is more accurate. If I had to get rid of one of them, I'd let the XDm go and keep the Beretta.

 

[SteveCase]

maybe a third gen smith and wesson

 

[Lonestar49]

Sig or Beretta

I'm looking for a .40 S&W and I was leaning towards the XDm, but since I have never owned one of these calibers before I thought I would ask you all for your opinion on what you feel is good. My price range would be between $600.00 up to 1,000.00. It would mostly be used for target shooting although I am considering giving it to my son when he graduates from police academy for his first service pistol. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

...

I would suggest checking with his PD as to what type guns they allow in regards to DA/SA, DAO, or striker, approved list.

I can attest to 2 of the best, soft shooters, 40cals

Sig P229R/40 DA/SA or P226R/40 NIB cost with PD discount, just under 900.oo or around 950.oo Both models also come in DAO as well. Sigs usually come with great 3-dot Sig Night sights as well.

Sigs also have great triggers/smooth, out of the box

Also: Many LEA/s are now going with the Beretta Px4 40 DA/SA, cost around 550.oo in DA/SA and DAO.

Owning both models, Sig and Beretta, I can tell you both are very accurate right out of the box and on..

Both are soft in the recoil department. Sig because of its heavier weight, and balance, falling back on target.

And Beretta because of its rotating barrel, along with, its lighter frame, being made of polymer.

Both models have rails.

Sigs offer more aftermarket accessories, mainly CTC laser grips which fit any existing holsters made for either model mentioned.

Both offer the simplest, easiest, disassembly, inspection, cleaning, and reassembly, out there, bar none..

IF it were me, for my son, knowing what I know about both: I'd go Sig P226R w/ Sig Night Sights and a far better Customer Service Dept, along with better triggers, out of the gate, and up the road with use..

Luck,


Ls

Ps.. And, with either make or model, you may well, not want to part with it.. So think twice the cost..

 

[againstthagrane]

avoid the bullet trap at all costs!

 

[dsv424]

Thx for all the advise guys. You have given me a lot to consider.
BTW, againstthegrane I completely agree with your assessment. I have had several bad experiences at that store.

 

[Tennessee Ned]

I'm in the Sig 229 boat also. Mine is very accurate.

 

[kludge]

XD or XD(m)!

 

[Dwrice]

I would suggest you look at the Smith and Wesson MP .40. I have owned mine for almost two years and it is a great gun. I have never had a malfunction and it points very well. My department recently switched fom a Glock 9mm (choice between a 17 and 19) to the MP .45 and my experence is the same. Both came with night sights that work very well.

Sigs have been in service in many departments including the the state police here in MA for many years. They have a very good rep.

I used a Beretta 92F (9mm)when I was in the Army and did not like it at all. It is a large handgun that felt heavy in my hand and it was hard to fire conistent groups.

 

[UnTainted]

Sig 226 or 229 in .40 are great weapons. Of the .40 I've shot, they are the softest shooting, and the trigger is the best for me on the sig.

Also, they are such nice guns that when given as gifts, the quality is even more appreciated with the sentiment.

 

[Kentucky Windage]

My personal choice is the H&K P2000. It is, without question, the most reliable semiauto pistol I have ever owned. YMMV.

 

[possum]

i own both an xd service model in .40 and a glock 23 as well. i like them both. they are both accurate as you will need and reliable as you could hope for. my xd is my favorite by far with over 16,000rds i couldn't be happier. my xd is my go everywhere do everything gun. the xdm is nice too, and i have thought about getting one, but i have been with my service model so long that that is what i am gonna stick with and that is what i shoot best with.

 

[smcd1983]

SIG 229 or 226

 

[tydephan]

Glock 22, Smith M&P40, or the XD(m).

You won't go wrong with any of these pistols. Find the one that fits your hand best and has a desirable trigger and don't look back.

 

[Just One Shot]

I had an XD tactical for a while but it's bulky for a summertime CCW. But, Now my choice is the XD sub compact and it's a sweety. It shoots great even with the 3" barrel plus it's easy to conceal compared to some other models that are out there.

Of course, size won't matter for your application. You can get a good XD 4" Service for around 470.00-510.00 and use the rest of your money for accessories and ammo.

 

[anheiserglock]

Sid Sauer (or) Heckler & Koch.

You should consider a Sig or an HK if you intend to go under $1000. The BMW and Mercedes Benz of the gun world..... hands down, IMO.

 

[glocks rock]

How bout a Browning HP in 40? GReat shooting guns and very reliable

 

[anheiserglock]

Sig Sauer (or) Heckler & Koch.

You should consider a Sig or an HK if you intend to go under $1000. The BMW and Mercedes Benz of the gun world..... hands down, IMO.

 

[CigarGuy]

Funny, because just yesterday my daughter and I kinda decided that we wanted a 40 for our first sidearm.
We rented and shot a bunch yesterday. Range guy agreed that Sig and HK were the best. Sadly, we need to stay in the $500-$600 range. With what we shot yesterday, we have the S&W M&P Compact slightly edging out the Glock 23.

 

[amprecon]

I like Glocks, I especially like the G23. It's a great sized pistol that packs a .40 punch, shoots comfortably, reliably and accurately and will always go bang. I also especially appreciate the indestructible tenifer finish they apply to it, no muss, no fuss.

 

[EdLaver]

Glock 22, Smith M&P40, or the XD(m).

\

I agree with tydephan, these are excellent choices for the .40 S&W.

I have both the Glock 22 and M&P40, they are excellent pistols. I am planning on adding an XDM 9mm in OD to my collection soon and the fit feels great. The other good thing about M&P and XDM are the changeable palm grips for hand size.

 

[Gamer1524]

Well if you are going to give to your son...you may let him at least hold all the guns you are looking at....there are many fine firearms out there and alot comes down to how it feels and fits your hand. I like the XMD myself...for a couple reason..one being the capacity..and two the ease of break down without having to pull the trigger. I like the way it fits in my hand.

Good luck

 

[rbohm]

the best advice i can give you is to head to the local gun shop you trust with a list of approved weapons from the department you son will be working for. take your son with you and rent those weapons, and run 20-30 rounds through each weapon and see how they feel to both of you, and then pick the one you like best. my choice would be a glock in .40 caliber, one size down from the full size weapon.