New gun choice

[La_iNsaNe]

I'm thinking about buying a new pistol in .40 cal. I've been looking at XD-40 and the smith m&p 40. Any suggestions

[sammy]

Let me ask what other pistols do you currently own?

[La_iNsaNe]

para p10 ,smith 4516, glock 19,

[Maddog5150]

this is always done to death. go shoot both pistols. what fits my hands may not fit your and or the next guys. I have an mp9 and really like it. Ive shot an XD and really didnt like it but you ask the next guy and he might tell you the oposite. less you add a taurus in the equation th I would say go rent both and see which one you like the most

[aca72]

In .40 SW?

Get a SIG Sauer P229.

[11Z50]

I'm old school and IMHO, you either shoot a .45 and enjoy the power, or shoot a 9mm and enjoy the firepower. The .40 does neither. It is interesting to me that two 115 grain parabellum bullets exactly equal one .45 ACP 230 grain round. But two 9mm rounds accurately placed in rapid succession far exceed the energy dump of one .45 ACP bullet. And if you're shooting a real 9 you will have 2X the opportunity to transmit this energy to the target.

John Moses Browning knew what he was doing. He saw the 9mm as the logical follow-on to the masterful .45 ACP. He obviously saw no need for the .40/10mm.

[bwiese]

I'm old school and IMHO, you either shoot a .45 and enjoy the power, or shoot a 9mm and enjoy the firepower. The .40 does neither.

Toby,

I agree. I got rid of my HK USP40. Frankly it's more comfortable for me to shoot 45acp than 40 due to 'sharpness' of 40 (esp in a plastic frame gun). I dunno why folks complain about 45acp, it's very comfortable for me to shoot outta a variety of guns (1911s, Glock 21, S&W 625).

[phod330]

I have a H&K USP 40 and I love it. I don't feel the "sharpness" at all. You should go to the range and test out different guns to find out which one you like the most.

[mike100]

I only buy pistols that have compatible manuals of arms. Either a safety lever that swings the same way as a 1911 (like a cz75 or hk USP) or passive (non) safety types like revolvers, glocks, p7 hk's etc.

off topic: I shot full size hk USP's right after each other in the '3' calibers. 9mm was a joy, as always, and 40 and 45 were kind of indistinguishable. the 40 cal shot the largest groups.

40 is the best on paper, but there is something inherently wrong with it..I'm hoping that in its original form (10mm) that it makes for flat shooting magnum tackdriverness, but I've never handled anything in the 10 caliber before.

[sammy]

You need to rent a Beretta Storm in .40, it has one of the nicest out of the box triggers around. Looks cheap but feels great and the price is hard to beat. It looks like your lineup is missing a .22. Good luck on your search.

[Miltiades]

Sig P229 or H&K USP 40c

I have 3 pistols in .40 but not the XD or M&P, so I can't comment on them. But based on my own experience I can recommend either the H&K USP 40c or the Sig P229. The USP is better for carry, because it weighs 24 ounces empty. The P229 is a little easier to shoot because it weighs 32 ounces empty and has a wonderful trigger. Both guns are absolutely reliable and well made. Here they are:

[La_iNsaNe]

Thanks for all the feedback. I will be renting as many pistols that I can before I buy.

[Greg-Dawg]

Rent a Glock 35:

[SemiAutoSam]

Dittos on the SIG SAUER P229 in 40SW.

Have owned two for over 10 years and I love it. Wouldn't trade it for any other pistol!!!

2nd choice would be the SIG SAUER P226 in 9mm.

I have 3 pistols in .40 but not the XD or M&P, so I can't comment on them. But based on my own experience I can recommend either the H&K USP 40c or the Sig P229. The USP is better for carry, because it weighs 24 ounces empty. The P229 is a little easier to shoot because it weighs 32 ounces empty and has a wonderful trigger. Both guns are absolutely reliable and well made. Here they are:

[rips31]

John Moses Browning knew what he was doing. He saw the 9mm as the logical follow-on to the masterful .45 ACP. He obviously saw no need for the .40/10mm.

uh, browning also made a hi power in 40sw.