Anyone still .40 S&W?

[The Dumb Gun Collector]

I went to a local gunshop and I was shocked to see that there was nearly twice as much space dedicated to 10mm as .40. If you would have told me that in 2005 I would have thought you were smoking crack.

I have two .40 that I never shoot. But a buddy of mine picked up a HK USP .40 Tactical used this weekend and it was a real fun shooter. I was recently tempted by a Px4 full size in .40 I was thinking about setting up Langdon style with a compensator.

[SteyrAUG]

I went to a local gunshop and I was shocked to see that there was nearly twice as much space dedicated to 10mm as .40. If you would have told me that in 2005 I would have thought you were smoking crack.

I have two .40 that I never shoot. But a buddy of mine picked up a HK USP .40 Tactical used this weekend and it was a real fun shooter. I was recently tempted by a Px4 full size in .40 I was thinking about setting up Langdon style with a compensator.

Honestly, .40 S&W isn't a bad round in and of itself. I am definitely not crazy about Glock .40s and their unsupported chambers (although I think that got corrected by Gen 4), that is specifically a firearm issue. The only other problem I have with .40s is they tend to be a little snappy in lightweight polymer frame guns. So it's almost like shooting combat magnums, I'm slower and it's harder to get things back on target.

What is amazing to me is while 1911's in .38 Super are very popular, for some reason the .40 S&W 1911 never seemed to happen despite the fact that it would probably make an ideal carry gun, especially for those inclined towards a 1911.

[markm]

But a buddy of mine picked up a HK USP .40 Tactical used this weekend and it was a real fun shooter.

I was eyeing a USP 40. But the P30L caught my eye. It's 3/4 the price, and Pappabear said he preferred the P30L over the USP.

[Ron3]

Honestly, .40 S&W isn't a bad round in and of itself. I am definitely not crazy about Glock .40s and their unsupported chambers (although I think that got corrected by Gen 4), that is specifically a firearm issue. The only other problem I have with .40s is they tend to be a little snappy in lightweight polymer frame guns. So it's almost like shooting combat magnums, I'm slower and it's harder to get things back on target.

What is amazing to me is while 1911's in .38 Super are very popular, for some reason the .40 S&W 1911 never seemed to happen despite the fact that it would probably make an ideal carry gun, especially for those inclined towards a 1911.

You're correct except maybe about the 1911.

It seems 1911's run better on the cartridge length they were designed for like .45, .38 Super, and 10mm.
40 is short like 9x19. Additionally, a typical flush 1911 mag can hold 8 rds of .45 and 9 rds of 9x19 or .38. So I'll bet it could only hold 8 rds of .40. Not much to be gained and a 10mm might run more reliably and can be loaded down a tad to .40 spec.

I can't speak for the 2011. Don't know much about it. Seems like they've put the emphasis on making them work as a 9mm though.

[markm]

I can't speak for the 2011. Don't know much about it. Seems like they've put the emphasis on making them work as a 9mm though.

The 2011 is still a cluster. I'm still not getting how they got such a high trouble free round count for the US Marshalls or whatever.. I've never seen one that didn't have some sort of issues. Springs, Followers, this mag, that mag.

Perhaps if you just bought a Staccato and had a nun hit your knuckles with a ruler every time to tried to run a mag or gizmo that didn't come in the original box, you'd be fine.

[Ron3]

The 2011 is still a cluster. I'm still not getting how they got such a high trouble free round count for the US Marshalls or whatever.. I've never seen one that didn't have some sort of issues. Springs, Followers, this mag, that mag.

Perhaps if you just bought a Staccato and had a nun hit your knuckles with a ruler every time to tried to run a mag or gizmo that didn't come in the original box, you'd be fine.

Thanks!

So many in the industry trying to make 9x19 the only pistol cartridge.

I'll bet it wets the pants of Vista thinking, "If only we could get all of our customers to agree we only need to produce and sell about 3 handgun cartridges and handguns! .22lr, 9x19, and .44 magnum. Oh, think of the profits!"

Ever heard of .38 Super Comp & .38 Super TJ? Starline makes both.


It's .38 Super but rimless and one has more extractor area to increase full-length resizing.

Perhaps the 2011 would run better on that like a 1911?

As for me, I'm about to give up my effort of having a striker pistol with thumb safety. My M&P 2.0 Compact .40.

I've been drawing and drawing to retrain myself to do the safety sweep. I've got that and would get more used to it. Once I found the safety on after carrying in public. Got clicked on somehow. But I clicked it off on the draw. (Practicing a cold draw later at home)

Unfortunately I've also clicked the safety "On" on the draw as my support hand came onto the grip. And I just find the safety is just in the damn way of my high grip, even with my thumb resting on it.

I'm going to remove the safety. Isn't hard.

Carrying the 2.0 .45 (no thumb safety) until I remove it from the Compact .40 and fire it to be sure all is well.

Turns out the only fresh .45 acp carry ammo I have is Gen 2 185 gr 900 fps (from my chronograph this gun) Silvertips.

Not great, not terrible. Light recoil though.

[Waylander]

I was eyeing a USP 40. But the P30L caught my eye. It's 3/4 the price, and Pappabear said he preferred the P30L over the USP.

Ergos are key for me. I have a USP .40 and while it shoots nice, the snappier recoil wouldn’t be as noticeable if it fit my hand better. If you have larger mitts it may be fine but the P30L is a better fit for me.

To note I know the VP40 is built heavier than the VP9. I would assume the P30 are also but I’m not sure.

[Ron3]

Ergos are key for me. I have a USP .40 and while it shoots nice, the snappier recoil wouldn’t be as noticeable if it fit my hand better. If you have larger mitts it may be fine but the P30L is a better fit for me.

To note I know the VP40 is built heavier than the VP9. I would assume the P30 are also but I’m not sure.

Just fyi, the M&P 2.0 .40 & .45 slide are the same width & height. That's partially why the 2.0 .40 shoots as well.

[SteyrAUG]

You're correct except maybe about the 1911.

It seems 1911's run better on the cartridge length they were designed for like .45, .38 Super, and 10mm.
40 is short like 9x19. Additionally, a typical flush 1911 mag can hold 8 rds of .45 and 9 rds of 9x19 or .38. So I'll bet it could only hold 8 rds of .40. Not much to be gained and a 10mm might run more reliably and can be loaded down a tad to .40 spec.

I can't speak for the 2011. Don't know much about it. Seems like they've put the emphasis on making them work as a 9mm though.

I was just thinking a heavier frame gun would make the .40 a lot nicer to shoot. But yeah every time you need to come up with a new magazine solution, you open the door for all kinds of problems.

[markm]

but the P30L is a better fit for me.

I'm leaning heavy toward the P30L. Was the factory trigger decent? I've shot Pappabears 9mm, but he often mods triggers and stuff.