Best SA/DA .40?

Cosmodragoon · August 8, 2013, 07:22 PM

I have carried a small .380 in restrictive settings for a few years and based on my own shooting experience, as well as excellent insights such as these, I have decided that I'd like more punch. I have no experience with .40 but I'm attracted to the heavier bullets and having another common avenue for ammo availability. Knowing my recoil preferences in other calibers, I think .40 might be a bit more than I'd want in, say, a Shield or PPS. So I'm upgrading my deep concealment semi from .380 to 9mm and my compact carry from 9mm to .40. (I like to keep my .45acp and various wheel guns to heavier-carry situations.)

The other gap in my experience is with striker-fired guns. I just don't own any and have never actually shot any. I hear the lower barrel-seating in the hand makes shooting smoother but for peace of mind and ease of execution, I have always preferred one in the pipe with no manual safety and the first shot in double action for regular carry pieces.

I was looking at a Bersa Thunder 40 UC Pro but I'd figure I'd put it to you. What is the best compact--small but not tiny--SA/DA .40 and why?

kcub · August 9, 2013, 04:09 AM

Right now I would say the HK P2000SK which can be had in .40 and DA/SA.
Why? It is perfectly reliable and has less perceived recoil than any .40 I have shot, including some much larger and heavier. It is about the same size as a baby Glock (G27). It is most concealable with a flush magazine floor plate.

I will shortly have another contender, the Walther P99C which can be had with an AS (anti stress) trigger which is DA/SA.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=357707583

BILLG · August 9, 2013, 05:25 AM

I would say the Sig p226.

NWCP · August 9, 2013, 05:50 AM

Either the HK P2000SK, or the HK USP40 Compact. Both are drop dead accurate and very reliable.

Billy Shears · August 9, 2013, 07:46 AM

Beretta 96A1

Ultra12 · August 9, 2013, 08:45 AM

Beretta storm

PakWaan · August 9, 2013, 10:11 AM

I went shopping for an HK USP last week, with the intention of making it my daily carry. But when I laid it on top of a commander size 1911, I discovered that its exactly the same size, except its even thicker in the grip. So I figured if I'm going to go that large, I may as well stick with a 1911, and bought a new Ed Brown Kobra Carry.

allaroundhunter · August 9, 2013, 10:15 AM

The Sig P226/P229 and the HK USP Expert are the softest shooting .40s that I have fired (not counting STI 2011s).

If you want the best, you won't be getting it for the price of a Bersa.

LockedBreech · August 9, 2013, 10:22 AM

I love my Beretta PX4 Storm, the PX4 Storm Compact is also good. I probably love the P229 better than any other .40 of any control scheme whatsoever, and the USP 40 Compact is a charmer too.

Fishbed77 · August 9, 2013, 10:37 AM

Quote:

I will shortly have another contender, the Walther P99C which can be had with an AS (anti stress) trigger which is DA/SA.

Excellent (if hard-to-find) choice.

dontcatchmany · August 9, 2013, 06:31 PM

I have the Bersa Thunder 9 UC Pro and if its performance represents the 40 UC Pro then I would go for that....I am actually looking at the Bersa in .45 as I have a FNH FNX .40 and it is an exceptional weapon.

cas700850 · August 9, 2013, 07:09 PM

If you are considering CCW, have smaller hands, or (like me) like the feel of a thinner grip, the SIG P239 in .40 is excellent. Recoil is not bad at all. And if you don't like the DA/SA transition, he DAK trigger is excellent.

Northrider · August 10, 2013, 12:43 AM

XDm in .40 is very nice. It is smooth, light weight, accurate, and I like mine a lot.

allaroundhunter · August 10, 2013, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Northrider

XDm in .40 is very nice. It is smooth, light weight, accurate, and I like mine a lot.

Best DA/SA.... The XDm is striker fired and, technically, SAO.

aimtrue · August 10, 2013, 06:37 AM

If .40 caliber is chosen for protection, I believe the pistol should meet certain criteria:

The pistol should be heavy enough to prevent painful recoil. It should also be reliable, accurate and easy to conceal.

I carry concealed in a front pocket a Glock 27 in summer. In colder months, I carry a FNS-40 over the belt and under a jacket at my hip.

Both of these high capacity striker fire weapons meet my criteria and have proven to be excellent pistols.

dean1818 · August 10, 2013, 09:23 AM

P226 by a mile

trlhrv · August 10, 2013, 09:34 AM

My choice is the Kahr P40. Depending on my dress at a given time I carry the P40 or the PM40. Amazing how these pistols handle recoil and provide comfort and reliability.

allaroundhunter · August 10, 2013, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trlhrv

My choice is the Kahr P40. Depending on my dress at a given time I carry the P40 or the PM40. Amazing how these pistols handle recoil and provide comfort and reliability.

Again, DA/SA .40. The Kahr is a DAO, not what is being asked about.

kcub · August 10, 2013, 01:11 PM

Most of the guns mentioned in this thread are irrelevant. He doesn't want a full size gun.

TennJed · August 10, 2013, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultra12

Beretta storm

This. Wonderful gun. Comes in full size, compact, and subcompact

Cosmodragoon · August 10, 2013, 02:57 PM

I really wasn't planning on doing this but I had to stop by the local gunsmith today to pick up a repair. There was a PPS 40 sitting on the counter that one of his employees took in trade. Apparently, some lady bought it for the size but it was a little too much punch. The smith hadn't had a chance to look it over so he took it down while I was there. It was in mint condition with probably less than a box through it. I traded in my .380 and bought it on the spot. It might be a week or so before I get a chance to shoot it but today was an exciting day.

kcub · August 10, 2013, 06:43 PM

Best possible choice you could make for a slender single stack. I picked up the very same gun this week and have packed it at work in a front pocket holster with a Walther TPH in a back pocket holster. If you only have 5 or 6 rounds, might as well make it a forty.

I'll take it to the range tomorrow for its maiden voyage.

Cosmodragoon · August 10, 2013, 07:43 PM

Indeed, this should kill two birds with one shell in terms of my carry needs. I'll post some feedback once I get a chance to shoot it. Things are unbelievably hectic right now though so it could be a week. I normally hate owning a gun I've never shot but my wife has almost convinced me to enjoy the anticipation.

kcub · August 11, 2013, 07:35 PM

I tried a variety of ammo; all fed flawlessly. Recoil was manageable. I put a Limbsaver rubber sleeve on the grip I had tucked away in a drawer. Corbon 150 grain jhp was the most accurate so that's what I'll have in my pocket tomorrow.

pat701 · August 14, 2013, 07:19 PM

Sig all the way!!!

August 8, 2013, 07:22 PM	#1
Cosmodragoon Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2013 Location: Northeastern US Posts: 1,869	Best SA/DA .40? I have carried a small .380 in restrictive settings for a few years and based on my own shooting experience, as well as excellent insights such as these, I have decided that I'd like more punch. I have no experience with .40 but I'm attracted to the heavier bullets and having another common avenue for ammo availability. Knowing my recoil preferences in other calibers, I think .40 might be a bit more than I'd want in, say, a Shield or PPS. So I'm upgrading my deep concealment semi from .380 to 9mm and my compact carry from 9mm to .40. (I like to keep my .45acp and various wheel guns to heavier-carry situations.) The other gap in my experience is with striker-fired guns. I just don't own any and have never actually shot any. I hear the lower barrel-seating in the hand makes shooting smoother but for peace of mind and ease of execution, I have always preferred one in the pipe with no manual safety and the first shot in double action for regular carry pieces. I was looking at a Bersa Thunder 40 UC Pro but I'd figure I'd put it to you. What is the best compact--small but not tiny--SA/DA .40 and why?

August 9, 2013, 08:45 AM	#6
Ultra12 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2010 Location: NYC Posts: 162	Beretta storm __________________ Abe Lincoln may have freed all men, but Sam Colt made them equal.

August 9, 2013, 10:11 AM	#7
PakWaan Member Join Date: December 9, 2007 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 61	I went shopping for an HK USP last week, with the intention of making it my daily carry. But when I laid it on top of a commander size 1911, I discovered that its exactly the same size, except its even thicker in the grip. So I figured if I'm going to go that large, I may as well stick with a 1911, and bought a new Ed Brown Kobra Carry. __________________ EDCs: HK P2000SK .40, Ed Brown Kobra Carry 1911 BUGs: Sig Sauer P938, Ruger LCP ____ Former LEO and USAF Security Police

August 9, 2013, 10:15 AM	#8
allaroundhunter Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2012 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 1,670	Best SA/DA .40? The Sig P226/P229 and the HK USP Expert are the softest shooting .40s that I have fired (not counting STI 2011s). If you want the best, you won't be getting it for the price of a Bersa.

August 9, 2013, 10:22 AM	#9
LockedBreech Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2009 Location: Rocky Mountain West Posts: 3,395	I love my Beretta PX4 Storm, the PX4 Storm Compact is also good. I probably love the P229 better than any other .40 of any control scheme whatsoever, and the USP 40 Compact is a charmer too. __________________ 16 Pistols, 5 Rifles, 1 Shotgun, no time to shoot them

August 9, 2013, 04:09 AM	#2
kcub Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 3,318	Right now I would say the HK P2000SK which can be had in .40 and DA/SA. Why? It is perfectly reliable and has less perceived recoil than any .40 I have shot, including some much larger and heavier. It is about the same size as a baby Glock (G27). It is most concealable with a flush magazine floor plate. I will shortly have another contender, the Walther P99C which can be had with an AS (anti stress) trigger which is DA/SA. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=357707583

August 9, 2013, 05:25 AM	#3
BILLG Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2000 Posts: 210	I would say the Sig p226.

August 9, 2013, 05:50 AM	#4
NWCP Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2006 Posts: 1,903	Either the HK P2000SK, or the HK USP40 Compact. Both are drop dead accurate and very reliable.

August 9, 2013, 07:46 AM	#5
Billy Shears Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2011 Posts: 606	Beretta 96A1

August 9, 2013, 06:31 PM	#11
dontcatchmany Senior Member Join Date: July 19, 2010 Posts: 460	I have the Bersa Thunder 9 UC Pro and if its performance represents the 40 UC Pro then I would go for that....I am actually looking at the Bersa in .45 as I have a FNH FNX .40 and it is an exceptional weapon.

August 9, 2013, 07:09 PM	#12
cas700850 Member Join Date: July 22, 2013 Posts: 22	If you are considering CCW, have smaller hands, or (like me) like the feel of a thinner grip, the SIG P239 in .40 is excellent. Recoil is not bad at all. And if you don't like the DA/SA transition, he DAK trigger is excellent.

August 10, 2013, 12:43 AM	#13
Northrider Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2011 Location: Wasilla, Alaska Posts: 228	XDm in .40 is very nice. It is smooth, light weight, accurate, and I like mine a lot.

August 10, 2013, 09:23 AM	#16
dean1818 Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Location: Frisco Texas Posts: 844	P226 by a mile __________________ An imperfect servant of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Buying American made, wherever I still can

August 10, 2013, 09:34 AM	#17
trlhrv Member Join Date: September 8, 2010 Posts: 25	Best .40 carry My choice is the Kahr P40. Depending on my dress at a given time I carry the P40 or the PM40. Amazing how these pistols handle recoil and provide comfort and reliability.

August 10, 2013, 01:11 PM	#19
kcub Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 3,318	Most of the guns mentioned in this thread are irrelevant. He doesn't want a full size gun.

August 10, 2013, 02:57 PM	#21
Cosmodragoon Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2013 Location: Northeastern US Posts: 1,869	I really wasn't planning on doing this but I had to stop by the local gunsmith today to pick up a repair. There was a PPS 40 sitting on the counter that one of his employees took in trade. Apparently, some lady bought it for the size but it was a little too much punch. The smith hadn't had a chance to look it over so he took it down while I was there. It was in mint condition with probably less than a box through it. I traded in my .380 and bought it on the spot. It might be a week or so before I get a chance to shoot it but today was an exciting day.

August 10, 2013, 06:43 PM	#22
kcub Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 3,318	Best possible choice you could make for a slender single stack. I picked up the very same gun this week and have packed it at work in a front pocket holster with a Walther TPH in a back pocket holster. If you only have 5 or 6 rounds, might as well make it a forty. I'll take it to the range tomorrow for its maiden voyage.

August 10, 2013, 07:43 PM	#23
Cosmodragoon Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2013 Location: Northeastern US Posts: 1,869	Indeed, this should kill two birds with one shell in terms of my carry needs. I'll post some feedback once I get a chance to shoot it. Things are unbelievably hectic right now though so it could be a week. I normally hate owning a gun I've never shot but my wife has almost convinced me to enjoy the anticipation.

August 11, 2013, 07:35 PM	#24
kcub Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 3,318	I tried a variety of ammo; all fed flawlessly. Recoil was manageable. I put a Limbsaver rubber sleeve on the grip I had tucked away in a drawer. Corbon 150 grain jhp was the most accurate so that's what I'll have in my pocket tomorrow.

August 14, 2013, 07:19 PM	#25
pat701 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2005 Location: South west Missouri Posts: 315	Sig all the way!!!