Anyone carry a compact .40?

[Jet Setter]

Looking at carry guns and am used to a FS rather than compact.

Love my FS M&P but find that the .40c may be perfect for carry. So, my question is:

1. What make/model .40 do you carry?
2. Why did you choose that one?
3. How are you finding the recoil?
4. Any other suggestions?

Thank you.

[Whatisthis?]

The M&P40c would be perfect in your case, as long as that size guns conceals just fine. The M&P was built around the 40 iirc, so it would probably be my first pick.

But I haven't tried a 40c, so this is just my inexperienced opinion.

[Vampyredark]

I know that Karh makes a cw40 that is good for carry. Go to their website to see the specs.

[lrj812]

I wanted a CZ compact but they were too difficult to find so I shopped the M&P 40c, G23 and SR40c. Any of the three would have worked for me but I had to choose one. What eventually sold me on the SR40c was the trigger and the feel of the pistol in my hands.

My first .40 was a CZ 75B. I cannot definitely say the heavier pistol has less recoil than the compact. In researching the SR40c some reviewers said it had one of the lightest recoils of a compact .40. I have not compared it to other compacts but it compares favorably to a full size all steel service pistol in terms of recoil. Maybe it is the plastic/polymer of the striker fired gun absorbing some of the energy?

I was also concerned with the recoil from a compact .40. It is not a concern anymore.

[ElDub1950]

I really like my Glock 27. Conceals well and I shoot it typically better than my G23.

Caution: A lot of people by the Subcompacts then decide they can't deal with the 2 finger grip and buy grip extensions. They lose the benefit of a subcompact for concealability and lose the benefit of a longer gun for accuracy.

It's frustrating because I never see good carry size guns available at any rental range so you can try them. If there's anyway possible find someone who will let you try theirs.

You might find someone here who will trade trigger time for a box of ammo.

[Seaweed02]

H&K

I carry an H&K USP compact in .40 cal and it is all I could want. It is not a sub compact pistol and still has some size to it for recoil control and grip. Things I consider very important. Yet it is fairly easy to conceal, and dead on accurate.

I also carry a full size S&W M&P40 during the winter when I am wearing a jacket or long sleeve shirts.

During the summer when it is hot and I am wearing shorts and t-shirts, I carry a Kahr 380 because it just fits right in my pocket and looks like a cell phone to anyone who might notice. I can group the shots in a paper plate at 25 yards with it. Although it is for close up defense, it can be accurate despite what people say. The Larger Kahr pistols, such as the 9mm or 40cal guns, are just a little too big for pocket carry IMHO.

[Paperchasin]

H&K P2000 here. Prefer the spurred hammer over bobbed on the USPc. And the P2000 has ambi controls.

[The Right to Bear Arms]

I really like my Glock 27. Conceals well and I shoot it typically better than my G23.

No kiddin? I'm a Glock 23 owner and I think it's absolutely God's gift to gun owners. I would have actually thought the G27 would take more time and effort to shoot better. Anyway, I'd like to hear more about your experiences with the G27. I definitely would prefer that concealability.

OP: Note on the G23, I invested 3 months of rental range time and solicited the opinions of Glock owners on a weekly basis before actually purchasing mine. It still took about another month until it all came together. So, I vote for the Glock platform but due to the short barrel and powerful " 10mm/short " cartridge, it may take you some time to get it down pat.

Good Luck,

[Fate]

40c is awesome. Carries significantly better. Recoil is not much of an issue. I don't notice much of a recoil difference between the compact and fullsize. As a M&P owner, you won't be disappointed in the 40c.

[Maton]

Glock 27 with the extra round extender for your pinky is awesome!

[ramathorn]

Kahr makes the smallest .40 out there. I have a PM40 and its super concealable. Its not something you'd want to hit the range with but it is small and packs a big punch. If its your only gun, go with something mid size but strictly for a carry weapon, its perfect.

[MossbergMan]

A Glock 27 with Federal HST(at the moment), Pierce Grip extension and a G-23 13 rounder for a spare. I've carried this "package" for nearly 15 years. Great gun, good caliber and very concealable with the right holster(s).

[bruss01]

Looking at carry guns and am used to a FS rather than compact.

Love my FS M&P but find that the .40c may be perfect for carry. So, my question is:

1. What make/model .40 do you carry?
2. Why did you choose that one?
3. How are you finding the recoil?
4. Any other suggestions?

Thank you.

Yes, two of them.

A CZ 75b Compact .40 a Ruger SR40c. Both are good shooters for me. The CZ is a boat anchor but it's a steel frame pistol so that's to be expected. Honestly with a good belt and holster it's not too difficult to live with. I sure am glad to get it off at day's end though. The SR40c is slimmer and feels like half the weight. I was expecting such a light gun to really pound me at the range. Nope! It is just as sweet to shoot as the CZ. I'm not sure how Ruger pulled it off, but this design really manages recoil well, at least in my big mitts. I got a HighNoon iwb clip pressed leather holster and it rides there perfectly.

My SR40c did have to go back to ruger for a couple of minor issues but they gave me no flack about it whatsoever and paid the shipping. Can't argue with customer service like that.

[LCU1670]

My wife and I carry Kahr pm40's. Very snappy, took a lot of practice to get good with them. Took 2, 4, day HG, skill builders and tactical scenarios at FS with them for years, even DG'ed with it. But, a hard weapon to master.

[kelley_aj]

40c is awesome. Carries significantly better. Recoil is not much of an issue. I don't notice much of a recoil difference between the compact and fullsize. As a M&P owner, you won't be disappointed in the 40c.

I have to agree. I carry a 40c and I wear shorts and t-shirts year round and I am not a big guy. The nice thing is your full size magazines will fit with an x-grip for use at the range or while keeping it ready at home.