Quintessential .40S&W??

seeker073180 · June 21, 2013, 08:48 PM

I was thinking of a caliber addition and I was drifting off staring at cases and boxes of 40. With no 38/357 or 9mm on the racks and was thinking: "Is there a gun that screams or proudly wears the badge of .40S&W? For example, 1911 = .45, or Glock 17/29 or Sig P226 speaks 9mm.

Most 40s seem to be adapted from 9mm frames. Just wondering if you folks thought there was a standout or particularly fine example of the caliber that distinguished itself from its 40 (or 9mm cousins).

zTimbo · June 21, 2013, 08:49 PM

I don't think such a gun exists but I sure do love my glock 23 and my glock 27

TunnelRat · June 21, 2013, 09:41 PM

I always found the P229 to be one of the most comfortable 40s to shoot.

ScotchMan · June 21, 2013, 09:55 PM

The HK USP .40 was designed around the .40 cartridge. The P229 was as well, but is basically a modified P228. The USP is the first gun I'm aware of that was designed specifically for the cartridge.

However, I don't think it has the same association with the caliber as the 1911 has with .45 for example.

YankeeIronSights · June 21, 2013, 09:58 PM

Glock 23 and 27 are the essential .40 cal semiautomatic handguns, IMHO. They offer the best of both worlds when a 9mm conversion barrel is added to the package.

Bluestarlizzard · June 21, 2013, 10:00 PM

HK USP

mrray13 · June 21, 2013, 11:20 PM

Either the Glock 22, or a Smith and Wesson 4006, as they were the first pistols brought to the market for the round. I'd give the win to the Glock though.

seeker073180 · June 21, 2013, 11:33 PM

I was thinking about the P229 with DHS and Coast Guard contracts.

TunnelRat · June 21, 2013, 11:39 PM

Quote:

I was thinking about the P229 with DHS and Coast Guard contracts.

Yup. Customs and Border Patrol use the HK P2000 in 40SW LEM variant. I had one in DA/SA for a while. It was very pleasant to shoot. Honestly I find Glocks in 40SW to have far more felt recoil than either the HK or SIG. But I'm just a guy on the internet.

Martowski · June 22, 2013, 12:05 AM

I'd say the quentessential .40 is the Glock 22. Maybe not the best of the .40 breed, but certainly a competent service pistol that probably is more prevalent in .40 than any other handgun. Just look at how many police officers carry that particular firearm; I think you'd be hard pressed to find any one firearm carried by so many.

LockedBreech · June 22, 2013, 12:12 AM

To me the Sig 229 and G22 hold that title clearly.

BarryLee · June 22, 2013, 12:26 AM

HK USP / P229

I own the USP in .40 and a P229 in 9mm and they are both awesome guns. I'm pretty sure they were designed specifically to handle the .40S&W round.

Desertguns · June 22, 2013, 12:38 AM

If you've only got about $500, I'd say a Glock 23. Around here that amount will get you a Gen 3 or 4 with night sights. That's where my .40 indulgence started. (But 10 yrs ago, they could be taken here for about 425-450.)

Now if you've got a grand or more, the SIG P229 (with night sights and a short-reset trigger) is a nice have. I picked up my Scorpion P229 Elite for just under 11 last summer, so far it's my favorite 40 to shoot.

So I suppose one's budget comes into play as well.

TunnelRat · June 22, 2013, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Now if you've got a grand or more, the SIG P229 (with night sights and a short-reset trigger) is a nice have. I picked up my Scorpion P229 Elite for just under 11 last summer, so far it's my favorite 40 to shoot.

So I suppose one's budget comes into play as well.

Now now. A standard P229 with rail should only run you $850-$900. And that's not even touching the massive used market for the P229s. Honestly idk why folks buy new SIGs with the number of excellent used ones out there. Unless of course you want something different, i.e. the Scorpion.

ttarp · June 22, 2013, 12:42 AM

I always associate the HK USP with .40.

ClydeFrog · June 22, 2013, 01:01 AM

As posted, the .40S&W started its long career with the S&W 4006 line. Many cops & state troopers of the era used the 4046 DA only pistol.
The Beretta 96 & 96D had a big section of the .40 market.
The INS(Immigration & Naturalization Service) used the 96D with the SIG Sauer P229 DA only as a approved duty choice.
The LAPD issued the 96 series too after the 1997 Bank of America incident.

In 2013, I'd agree that the Glock 22 .40S&W is the most widely used .40S&W pistol followed closely by the SIG Sauer P229 series.

Clyde

LockedBreech · June 22, 2013, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClydeFrog

As posted, the .40S&W started its long career with the S&W 4006 line. Many cops & state troopers of the era used the 4046 DA only pistol.
The Beretta 96 & 96D had a big section of the .40 market.
The INS(Immigration & Naturalization Service) used the 96D with the SIG Sauer P229 DA only as a approved duty choice.
The LAPD issued the 96 series too after the 1997 Bank of America incident.

In 2013, I'd agree that the Glock 22 .40S&W is the most widely used .40S&W pistol followed closely by the SIG Sauer P229 series.

Clyde

Didn't the G22 beat the 4006 to the market?

guy sajer · June 22, 2013, 01:03 AM

4006 was on the scene early in 1990 . One of the CHP trades from a few years ago to me screams 40 S&W

kcub · June 22, 2013, 03:46 PM

I took my usp 40 out for a spin today, a one ragged hole kind of a gun. I love it and they are relatively cheap by hk standards. Used at palmetto state armory or new from cdnn.

WVsig · June 22, 2013, 04:22 PM

Glock 22 in the US because of the LEO market which is dominated by Glock and the 40 S&W round.

Quote:

I was thinking of a caliber addition and I was drifting off staring at cases and boxes of 40. With no 38/357 or 9mm on the racks and was thinking: "Is there a gun that screams or proudly wears the badge of .40S&W? For example, 1911 = .45, or Glock 17/29 or Sig P226 speaks 9mm.

As a Side not the BHP screams 9mm IMHO more than the P226. It has been adopted and used by more military, LEO and civilians worldwide than the P226.

ClydeFrog · June 22, 2013, 04:36 PM

Yes, the CA Highway Patrol was the first US law enforcement agency to issue the S&W 4006 .40 duty pistol.
Glocks 22 & 23 hit the US market later around 1991/1992.
Smith and Wesson had a working relationship with the FBI already so that sped up a lot of the T&Es.
FWIW The FBI now issues the Glock 22 & 23 to field agents. The carry & firearms policy is fairly broad due to civil lawsuits and HR complaints.

peacefulgary · June 22, 2013, 05:21 PM

.45ACP = The Colt 1911.

9mm Para = The Pistole Parabellum 1908 (aka: P08, aka The Luger).

.38 Special = The Colt Detective Special.

.357 Magnum = The S&W model 27.

10mm = The Bren Ten

.40S&W = The Glock 22 (aka: Glock Fo-tay

)

DLeeHarley · June 22, 2013, 11:01 PM

To me it's the S&W M&P .40FS with a change of a barrel you've got a .357sig and with a barrel and mag change you've got a 9mm. Three calibers in 1 gun.

Dennis
"Those who talk, Don't Do. Those who do, Don't Talk!"

LockedBreech · June 22, 2013, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DLeeHarley

To me it's the S&W M&P .40FS with a change of a barrel you've got a .357sig and with a barrel and mag change you've got a 9mm. Three calibers in 1 gun.

Dennis
"Those who talk, Don't Do. Those who do, Don't Talk!"

The M&P is a great gun, but as far as I know that's true of Glock and maybe Sig also.

BuckRub · June 23, 2013, 01:24 AM

Ding Ding - We have a winner. It is the Glock 22. I love mine!!!

June 21, 2013, 08:48 PM	#1
seeker073180 Member Join Date: February 18, 2008 Posts: 99	Quintessential .40S&W?? I was thinking of a caliber addition and I was drifting off staring at cases and boxes of 40. With no 38/357 or 9mm on the racks and was thinking: "Is there a gun that screams or proudly wears the badge of .40S&W? For example, 1911 = .45, or Glock 17/29 or Sig P226 speaks 9mm. Most 40s seem to be adapted from 9mm frames. Just wondering if you folks thought there was a standout or particularly fine example of the caliber that distinguished itself from its 40 (or 9mm cousins).

June 21, 2013, 08:49 PM	#2
zTimbo Member Join Date: March 10, 2013 Posts: 52	Quintessential .40S&W?? I don't think such a gun exists but I sure do love my glock 23 and my glock 27

June 21, 2013, 09:41 PM	#3
TunnelRat Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 12,426	I always found the P229 to be one of the most comfortable 40s to shoot. __________________ Know the status of your weapon Keep your muzzle oriented so that no one will be hurt if the firearm discharges Keep your finger off the trigger until you have an adequate sight picture Maintain situational awareness

June 21, 2013, 09:58 PM	#5
YankeeIronSights Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2012 Location: USA Posts: 262	Glock 23 and 27 are the essential .40 cal semiautomatic handguns, IMHO. They offer the best of both worlds when a 9mm conversion barrel is added to the package. __________________ Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty. -Thomas Jefferson -

June 22, 2013, 12:05 AM	#10
Martowski Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2000 Location: Texas (By Way of Illinois) Posts: 1,378	I'd say the quentessential .40 is the Glock 22. Maybe not the best of the .40 breed, but certainly a competent service pistol that probably is more prevalent in .40 than any other handgun. Just look at how many police officers carry that particular firearm; I think you'd be hard pressed to find any one firearm carried by so many. __________________ Midwestern Ramblings (my amateur firearms blog): http://martowski.wordpress.com/

June 21, 2013, 09:55 PM	#4
ScotchMan Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2011 Posts: 1,368	The HK USP .40 was designed around the .40 cartridge. The P229 was as well, but is basically a modified P228. The USP is the first gun I'm aware of that was designed specifically for the cartridge. However, I don't think it has the same association with the caliber as the 1911 has with .45 for example.

June 21, 2013, 10:00 PM	#6
Bluestarlizzard Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2013 Location: Virginia Posts: 347	HK USP

June 21, 2013, 11:20 PM	#7
mrray13 Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 920	Either the Glock 22, or a Smith and Wesson 4006, as they were the first pistols brought to the market for the round. I'd give the win to the Glock though.

June 21, 2013, 11:33 PM	#8
seeker073180 Member Join Date: February 18, 2008 Posts: 99	I was thinking about the P229 with DHS and Coast Guard contracts.

June 22, 2013, 12:12 AM	#11
LockedBreech Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2009 Location: Rocky Mountain West Posts: 3,395	Quintessential .40S&W?? To me the Sig 229 and G22 hold that title clearly.

June 22, 2013, 12:26 AM	#12
BarryLee Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2010 Location: The ATL (OTP) Posts: 3,965	HK USP / P229 I own the USP in .40 and a P229 in 9mm and they are both awesome guns. I'm pretty sure they were designed specifically to handle the .40S&W round. __________________ A major source of objection to a free economy is precisely that it ... gives people what they want instead of what a particular group thinks they ought to want. Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman

June 22, 2013, 12:38 AM	#13
Desertguns Member Join Date: August 21, 2009 Location: ARIZONA Posts: 39	Depends on budget too... If you've only got about $500, I'd say a Glock 23. Around here that amount will get you a Gen 3 or 4 with night sights. That's where my .40 indulgence started. (But 10 yrs ago, they could be taken here for about 425-450.) Now if you've got a grand or more, the SIG P229 (with night sights and a short-reset trigger) is a nice have. I picked up my Scorpion P229 Elite for just under 11 last summer, so far it's my favorite 40 to shoot. So I suppose one's budget comes into play as well.

June 22, 2013, 12:42 AM	#15
ttarp Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2013 Posts: 888	I always associate the HK USP with .40.

June 22, 2013, 01:01 AM	#16
ClydeFrog Junior member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 5,797	Smith & Wesson 4006/4046 .40..... As posted, the .40S&W started its long career with the S&W 4006 line. Many cops & state troopers of the era used the 4046 DA only pistol. The Beretta 96 & 96D had a big section of the .40 market. The INS(Immigration & Naturalization Service) used the 96D with the SIG Sauer P229 DA only as a approved duty choice. The LAPD issued the 96 series too after the 1997 Bank of America incident. In 2013, I'd agree that the Glock 22 .40S&W is the most widely used .40S&W pistol followed closely by the SIG Sauer P229 series. Clyde

June 22, 2013, 01:03 AM	#18
guy sajer Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 329	4006 was on the scene early in 1990 . One of the CHP trades from a few years ago to me screams 40 S&W __________________ Mitch Please support Crimson Trace Grips , Mossberg and Beretta . They support our troops .

June 22, 2013, 03:46 PM	#19
kcub Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 3,335	I took my usp 40 out for a spin today, a one ragged hole kind of a gun. I love it and they are relatively cheap by hk standards. Used at palmetto state armory or new from cdnn.

June 22, 2013, 04:36 PM	#21
ClydeFrog Junior member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 5,797	CA Highway Patrol.... Yes, the CA Highway Patrol was the first US law enforcement agency to issue the S&W 4006 .40 duty pistol. Glocks 22 & 23 hit the US market later around 1991/1992. Smith and Wesson had a working relationship with the FBI already so that sped up a lot of the T&Es. FWIW The FBI now issues the Glock 22 & 23 to field agents. The carry & firearms policy is fairly broad due to civil lawsuits and HR complaints.

June 22, 2013, 05:21 PM	#22
peacefulgary Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2011 Location: USA Posts: 714	.45ACP = The Colt 1911. 9mm Para = The Pistole Parabellum 1908 (aka: P08, aka The Luger). .38 Special = The Colt Detective Special. .357 Magnum = The S&W model 27. 10mm = The Bren Ten .40S&W = The Glock 22 (aka: Glock Fo-tay )

June 22, 2013, 11:01 PM	#23
DLeeHarley Member Join Date: March 11, 2012 Posts: 17	Re: Quintessential .40S&W?? To me it's the S&W M&P .40FS with a change of a barrel you've got a .357sig and with a barrel and mag change you've got a 9mm. Three calibers in 1 gun. Dennis "Those who talk, Don't Do. Those who do, Don't Talk!"

June 23, 2013, 01:24 AM	#25
BuckRub Junior member Join Date: October 3, 2012 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,046	Ding Ding - We have a winner. It is the Glock 22. I love mine!!!