I am looking for a new .40 and was interested in what people thought the best combination of quality and price would be. I already have owned a .40 410 S&W which proved problematic. I liked the feel and look of the gun and was very happy with it until it jammed badly and I took it to the gunsmith who said they have lots of problems with the guide rods and suggested getting the stock plastic one replaced with a metal one offered by S&W. After the replacement it never shot right again. I love the browning hi-power but they are rare and I would really like a new out of the box gun. I don't want a plastic gun and want one with a hammer, prefer d/a but can deal with the s/a browning my brother has so it isn't all that important. Price range 600 to 800. Not a CCW either so size isn't much of a factor. The S&W was my first pistol so I don't know a great deal about pistols. Would really enjoy people's input.
My opinion is to stay away from plastic guns because they are not forever. Aluminum and steel are, well almost.
My favorite is a CZ75B. In fact I have one in 40S&W. It is all steel, made with European quality, is an accurate guns, and the price is pretty good but going up every day as anything else is with the decreasing value of the dollar in the world market place.
For more money you can have a SIG but don't get the plastic one. They are top drawer guns and priced to match.
I am not fond of S&W semi-autos as they have tended to be problematical through the ages. Maybe they got them all fixed by now???? I think the Rugers to be too clunky. There of course are a bunch of 1911 clones and I think several are available in 40S&W. Most of the ones in your price catagory are nice guns: Ones like Springfields, Kimbers, even Sig makes one but all 1911 clones are single action.
You are just going to have go out and visit a few gun shops and kick a few tires, so to speak. We all have different tastes and you will have to find out what you like and what fits you. On that last note, some guns just feel right when you handle them and for me the CZ75B fits like a glove.
Glocks and such are not bad guns, and it's not plastic, it's polymer. As for a .40 pistol, CZ makes great .40 pistols, as goes Taurus. Glock and Springfield Armory makes great polymer guns. Sometimes you can find 1911 style .40 handguns, but tend to be a bit pricey, depending on the manufacturer. I'd suggest keeping an eye out for gun shows or just walk into a gun store and get a handling with a few guns.
I personally own a Glock Model 22. It is a great weapon.
If you get to Indiana. Go to Plainfield Shooting Supplies in Plainfield,Indiana.
They have the best prices I have seen.
Well I was kind of thinking maybe of one of a few kinds
Two stand outs last time I went to the gun store were the Browning Mark III and the Beretta 90-two. I was kind of leaning towards a gun like one of those. I like the Browning my brother has and kind of want something that won't be as unreliable as the S&W was.
You could get as many answers to your questions on this site as there guns and while I have a suggestion I would first like to bring something to your attention in the event you haven't already thought of it. Most (not all) DA/SA guns cannot be carried cocked and locked, meaning that your first shot is double action with a 10 pound plus trigger pull and the second shot is single action with as little as a 4 pound trigger pull. When shooting at tin cans this is no big deal. In a defense situation it could be a disaster, with the first shot maybe not hitting the target and the second shot going off while the gun is still in recoil causing you to shoot over your target. I have never had a CZ in my hand so I cannot comment but the gun I like is the Daewoo. I have one in 9mm and one in 40. They have an alloy frame and steel slide and shoot my reloads without ever once jamming(thats saying something). They are DA or SA meaning they can also be carried cock and locked. If you go to Guns America or **** I am sure you can find one new or like new for less than $400.00. I think it important that you understand that these comments are coming from a guy who owns a lot of handguns including a Sig P210 in 9mm, if you are not familar it is single action only, HK squeeze cockers in both 9 and 40, an HK P2000 which is double action only. That being said in the winter I carry on my person a full size Kimber in 45 acp and in the summer even with shorts, one those I don't know the model little S&W five shot alloy framed and titanium cylinder hamerless guns with +P 125 grainers. Now because of LDBennett I have to go look at one of those CZ.
Yes I have shot both and realize the difference in trigger pulls. Only because of someone before you telling me. I fully agree in a tense situation that that could matter significantly. I guess I would want one either single or s/a- d/a like my S&W 410 I just am looking for something more accurate and reliable. And it isn't like I would carry because of the inherent risk anyways. The only places I could think of to carry are outlawed ie banks, schools, malls, stores. Those are really the only places that I feel would bring about the chance of me needing to defend myself besides my house of course.
Glock or S&W M&P, the Glock is proven, but I am hearing good talk about the S&W M&P. I just bought a Glock 23 for it's reputation. Go hold one and shoot each if you can, I did shoot the Glock and I was very accurate with it.
Springfield has the XD, but I will not buy from them because they are a American company and have there guns made in foreign country's, if they live here they should be made here. It's a shame because I do like there pistols and they do have a good warranty. But so does S&W and Glock. Yeah I know Glock isn't made in the US, but they are not living here and enjoying the freedoms that Springfield does.
wookie810: If you can get past the name Daewoo and the fact that they are made in Korea they are very accurate and reliable. The only thing I don't know is longevity as neither of my guns even have a thousand rounds through them yet. The reason I even chose them is that I keep them outside of my safe where I can get to them so should someone break in when I am not here they wouldn't walk off with a $1,000 or even more valuable gun.
I have no real opinion on the guns you mentioned except that I really need a reliable gun. I like to practice with a gun as practice is the key to perfection. and 1000 rounds won't cut it I would go through that in 2 months. As for not locking it up I learned that the hard way my ex-broke into my apartment and stole my last .40 along with about 4,500 worth of power tools and appliances. In fact she used the drills and impact to get into the safe i had kept it in. Needless to say I need new neighbors and obviously a burlier safe but I still believe I also need to be as proficient as possible with my self defense gun. At least all my collectables weren't there! I will check into it though thanks, Sorry it sounds like a car or stereo name though.
Sig Sauer P229 in 40Sw is what I shoot and thousands of rounds have gone the pipe and I have never had a problem with anything. It's a sturdy solid weapon. very easy to break down to pins and springs. It's by far my favorite auto loader. You will pay around 850-950 bux. I shoot the heck outta this gun and alls I do is keep it clean. It is not picky on ammo and is a straight shooter right otta the box.
Tim
Nothing wrong with polymer weapons. I would recommend, absolutely, to take a look at both Glocks and Springfield XDs. I would also recommend you take a look at Heckler and Koch, but that doesn't get you away from polymer entirely.
I second the recommendation on looking at the Springfield XD's. I have a .40 CAL S&W XD Subcompact that is my everyday carry and it's never fail to shoot any ammo I've ever put through it. Never a hiccup of any kind. Great gun in my opinion.
I have a Glock 23 and 27. The Glock brand is not for every body but if it fits you and feels right and you can shoot it accurately then go for it. Try out and handle as many as you can before making a purchase.
". . . your first shot is double action with a 10 pound plus trigger pull and the second shot is single action with as little as a 4 pound trigger pull."
A good gun smith can take care of that problem relating to the extremes, however a slight difference will remain between D/A & S/A.
Rather than limit your investigation to only the pistols with 'positive reviews', why not look at every gun you can, THEN when you find a couple (or so) that you have in interest in, ask for feed back on those? Lots less data to examine, IMHO.
With most any major brand, you'll be okay. Even look at the tupperware pieces, there are too many in use for there not to be 'something' there, IF they work for you. However, I would shy away from the older (used) glocks.
"Most (not all) DA/SA guns cannot be carried cocked and locked, meaning that your first shot is double action "
I've got a Daewoo DH40 Triple Action and love it. It feels just like my Browning Hi-Power 9mm in my hand (in fact, I suspect the Koreans copied the frame), is all metal, shoots like a dream, and has the added benefit of the triple action. When the weapon is cocked, you simply push the hammer forward into the ready position, a slight (approx 3lb) squeeze of the trigger stages the hammer back into the fire position, a further squeeze releases the hammer. Single, and double action functions like any other automatic. The DH40 is a nice, compact carry weapon, and affordable (mine was $350.00 back in 2003)
Springfield XD all the way. As far as it not being made here, many guns are imported by other "American" manufacturers ( Walther P99s are imported with S&W markings and called the S&W 990). I have the .45 but soon hope to have a family of .40s to go with it.
If you are set against polymer, the Beretta 96 is a good option. It shoots way more accuratly than I can and in over a thousand rounds it has had absolutely no problems. Also it has 90% of the features of the Ninety-Two at about two-thirds the price.
Also, one to consider is the Magnum Research Baby Desert Eagle in .40. My mother got one shortly after I got my Beretta and also has had no problems. They look cool, too. They look just like their big brother, only half the size. Price is not bad either.
You can't go wrong with either of these, but they are no means the only ones out there. The main thing is, find one that you are comfortable with and can shoot accuratly. Once you find that, the rest seems to fall into place.
I own a Ruger P94 in 40 and it has never failed in any manner. It is big and blocky but totally reliable in the 14 years I have owned it. Having said that if I were going to buy a new one it would be a Springfield XD in 45 acp.
Does anyone have any experience with the CZ 75 Compact? I was checking into those and wondered what people have to say about that particular gun. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
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