Which .40 S&W to buy?

[Exmasonite]

Couple thoughts:

1) love my XD .40. Ambi mag release but slide release only on left side of frame.

2) Bersa Thunder Series has ambi controls. Underappreciated little gun, very reliable and great (lifetime) warranty. Give you a lot of extra $$ for holster, ammo, etc.

3) Recent thread on HK USP here:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=316453&highlight=HK+variant
some of the variants have right sided controls. not sure how easy to track down but might be worth the effort. very nice guns (but probably a little over the $$ for a new one unless you're VERY lucky finding a used ones w/ lefty controls)

 

[MD_Willington]

If it's for punching holes in targets and for out in the bush hunting, find a used S&W 4006 in good shape...

 

[kd7nqb]

As the proud owner of a Smith and Wesson M&P .40 I say thats the right choice, plus right now they have a great promo where you get 50bucks back AND 2 additional mags so you end up with 4 magazines.

 

[KrankyKraut]

I'd go with a gun that was designed as a .40 to begin with, such as the Beretta or Stoeger Cougar 8040, CZ 40P, the Steyr M40 or the SIG P229, rather than a gun that was engineered to be a 9mm, and then later adapted for the .40 caliber.

 

[JHansenAK47]

xd40 good pistol with a growing aftermarket parts following.

 

[Pimpstar00]

I would go with a cpo sig 229. built like a tank.

 

[cougar1717]

As a lefty, I've shot a Beretta 96 and an HK P2000 SK, both of which are great ambidextrous guns. The 'SK' is too small for your application, but a regular P2000 would fit your need. The best thing to do is to go to a gun store that doesn't mind if you handle a lot of guns and see which ones fit your hand and which ones are easily operated left handed (not all guns labeled "ambidextrous" are easy to operate left handed).

 

[Hokkmike]

I am an oddball, but I have a Steyr M-40 and Beretta 9000sf. The latter is on sale at Gander Mt. (until Weds.) for $350. They also add one extra year to the warranty AFTER the Beretta warranty is gone. Total price is well under $400.

The Steyr M-40 A1 might be a good choice.

Both guns have their critics but I am as happy as a clam.

 

[Fabius]

The FN FNP-40 is well within your price range, has an ambidextrous de-cocker and a reversible mag catch, comes with 3 hi cap mags ...and you can send away for a free holster.

I bought an FNP-40 recently and have around 500 rounds through it. I also own a Glock 23 with several thousand rounds through it. For me, the FNP is more comfortable to shoot, points more naturally and has an external hammer with decocker, which I like for a carry gun. DA trigger is smooth and not too long. My initial impression is that the FNP is well made and reliable. I'm more accurate with it than with the Glock. Disassembly is easier with the FNP and the grip is thinner and much less blockier than the Glock.

On the other hand, the Glock has been every bit as reliable as its reputation would suggest. Several thousand rounds without a single hiccup and the gun still looks brand new. I don't like the grip angle on the Glock, it has more felt recoil than the FNP, the finger grooves don't fit my hand well and the trigger/housing rub the bottom of my trigger finger raw.

In summary, the Glock has proven reliability, but the FNP is more fun and more comfortable to shoot.

 

[eagle45]

Another XD fan here. I have the 40 caliber in the sub compact, the service model and the tactical model. I recently purchased an XD 45 compact, and in all honesty it would be my first recommendation. However, since you specified the 40 caliber, I would say either the service (4") or tactical (5") model work work well for the uses you mentioned and should fall within your budget.

The XDs are super reliable and a wide variety of holsters and accessories are available.

 

[buttrap]

I opted for the CZ-75

 

[possum]

i suggest the xd service model for the parameters that you listed. the xd has the ambi mag release that will help out alot since you are left handed.

 

[Srigs]

A M&P 40 full size would be a good choice. Dual slide release leavers and flip-able mag release all for 500 or less. Right now you can get a $50 rebate and 2 extra mags.

I have a 40 compact that is 100% reliable.

 

[JP from Phoenix]

for that price I'd probably go for a CZ-75 chambered in a 40

if money wasn't an issue I would go for one on those Browning Hi Powers, now those are sweet. You could probably get one used for around that price

 

[Z71]

I have a police trade in S&W 4046 DA only .40 caliber myself. A superb pistol, but maybe not in production anymore. My business partner has a Springfield XD40 pistol. And I have fired it quite a bit. He likes it, I like it too!

If I needed another .40 caliber pistol, would probably be the XD40.

 

[DHart]

Another strong vote for the Glock 23. Awesome combination of compact size, high capacity for size, simplicity of operation, reliability AND durability in spades. Time tested, street proven for many years. Install a smooth-faced trigger and a 3.5# connector (which gives about a 5# trigger pull) and the gun is a sweet defender indeed.

I also have a S&W M&P 40 Compact, which feels great in the hand, but I've had incredibly persistent and recurring mag drop problems with mine... makes me leery to recommend the M&P just yet - I like the M&P but, personally, don't feel they're quite ready for prime time - just yet. Also the capacity with the M&P 40 Compact is just 10+1 while the capacity in my G23, which I find relatively comparable in size, is 13+1. Having three more rounds on tap before a reload is ALWAYS a most welcome thing! I love my G23; it's become my most carried pistol of the many different and suitable carry gun models I have available.

 

[12Bravo20]

I was looking at a 24/7 from Taurus the other day and I was really impressed. I'm thinking about maybe getting the .40 compact version.

I have a 24/7 Pro C in .40 and really like it.

 

[Hastings]

I have an FN Hi Power SFS in 40 S&W. I picked it up, new, for around $460 a few years ago. It has been absolutely reliable, with no issues feeding hollow points or flat-nose rounds. It is also the most accurate handgun I have ever shot. I use to put 1500 rounds thru various handguns (before I was married and had lots of discretionary income). I am sure that may of the revolvers and autos I fired were capable of greater accuracy than I could get out of them, but I had found the Ruger Blackhawks and other long barreled revolvers to be the most accurate. That was until I got the FN. It will consistently out-shoot any other pistol I have owned, or own, out to 25 yards. It could be the combination of the sight picture, ergonomics, and trigger pull (which has not been worked on). The pistol still has the mag safety, which I have not found troublesome. Obviously, the accuracy is purely subjective, but I have owned or used Colts, Detonics, Sigs, Rugers, HK's S&W revolvers and autos, Walthers, and Beretta's. For me, the FN Hi-Power has been the best (at least for first shot, or multiple slow fired shots). For fast double taps and multiple shot strings, I found the Detonics to be the best for me.

 

[DHart]

Following on Hastings... I completely forgot to mention my Browning Hi-Power forties... I have two, one high polished blue and the other hard chromed (silverchrome they call it). They are incredible guns and would be my first choice for a non-carry forty... with the only caveat that their capacity sucks compared to the GLocks. But they are quite wonderful to shoot - especially if they get a trigger job by someone like Don Williams. THe stock triggers are pretty heavy, but someone like Don can make the Hi-Power trigger pull almost as nice as a 1911 and that's saying a LOT! If they only had better capacity, I could really give them the best recommendation. I am a believer in having as much capacity as you can reasonably get before a reload. In a defense encounter, misses are as common or moreso as hits, and multiple "good" hits are very important for quicker stops, AND if there's more than one assailant, you're going to want as many rounds on tap before a reload as you can get. Thats why my 1911s and Hi-Powers (as great as they are) are NOT my primary choices for carry. The Hi-Power is too big and heavy for a carry gun, in my opinion, and is very low on capacity, but awesome otherwise. Now back to my revered, all-around-great carry gun.... the Glock 23.

 

[.45&TKD]

Buy a used Glock 22 from Summit Gunbroker for $329 and use the rest to load up on mags and ammo.

http://www.summitgunbroker.com/1966886.html

 

[TallCanTactical]

I agree...

Buy a used g22 or g23 from Summit GunBroker and either save some money, or splurge and get a couple of extra mags!!! Personally, for carrying through the woods and as a bedside gun, I think the g23 would be your best bet. Compact size with capacity in the mags... good luck with your choice!!!