4oS&W first hand comparisons

[DWinter]

Good Morning all,
I'd like some feedback from some folks who have actually handled, carried and shot a few of the offerings in 40 cal. Please don't give me the Mothers brothers sister in laws opinion, I want to here from true shooters. Here's the weapons I'm looking at for this years Christmas present from my Bride. I'm getting a 40 S&W compact for concealed carry. I'm considering the Glock 23, M&P 40 compact, Sprinfield XD, Taurus 24/7 and Taurus PT140. I'm limiting myself to $600 out the door and the above guns are easily within that range. So let's hear it. I'd like to hear about your reliability experience, concealability and comfort, handling, trigger pull, sights, etc. Give me the low down from first hand experiences.

Thanks Guys, Now I'm headed to the Hampton Gun Show since since I'm trying to give up topless bars. (Just kidding honey) I'm not giving them up, How could I never go back to where we met. (REALLY KIDDING HONEY)

[allingeneral]

I carry an older S&W model 4043 .40 cal daily. I carry it IWB, and most of the time it's pretty comfortable. It has 11+1 capacity double-stack mag, 4" barrel and tritium sights. I added a set of Hogue grips as well. Mine is exactly like the one seen here:

http://www.auctionarms.com/Search/Displ ... um=9000925

It's Double Action Only (DAO), so has a pretty hefty trigger pull that takes some getting used to - but I like it just fine

[VBshooter]

I have been carrying my Glock 23 for years and love it,,,Accurate ,easy to handle ,a little less weight to tote,..Needed a Hogue grip wrap to increase comfort for a long range day .Made a few minor mods like a NY Trigger and 3.5lb connector for personal preferences in performance and feel .. Still priced relativly low by comparison to some other hardware out there, The newer ones have the rail to mount extras if inclined unlike the 1st Gen that I have..A very good choice IMHO.

[DWinter]

Good input guys, thanks. I hadn't really thought about the rest of the S&W line but thanks Rick. That's another good idea. I don't mind long trigger pulls, I'm an old revolver guy so I'm comfortable with that. After fondling the likely candidates, I'm leaning towards the Springfield XD40 compact. The Glock 23 feels good, but Its a little bigger than I want and the Glock 27 is a little small for my meat-hooks. I'm just not enamored over the M&P Compact for the same reason. And I don't like the grip on the new Taurus'. Not putting it down, It's just not my style. I'm gonna rent and shoot as many of my choices as they have at Superior's Range where I'm a member to see what if anything changes my mind. So I guess I eliminated the Taurus but now I have to add another model Smith. I'll check the overall length of it too, I'm trying to keep it medium small if that makes any sense. Something in the 6" LOA range. Thanks Rick.

VBShooter, what type of holster are you carrying the Glock in?

Now my wife also wants the Charter Arms Pink Lady 38. I love having a "shooter wife". The gifts are easier. If it's sparkely or goes bang, she loves it. I'll never forget the second time she ever met my Dad and the first time my Dad saw her shoot. (Charter Arms 38), I thought he was gonna bow to her on one knee and kiss her feet. She out shot him with his carry weapon he's been shooting for 35 years. It was love at "second sight". He also reminded me to never mistreat a woman who can shoot like that. My Dad's a smart man!!

So, who else has some knowledge? I appreciate the great input so far.

[VBshooter]

For my Glock 23 I have several I use depending on my need,, Open Carry is usually a Galco PLE paddle with thumb break ,, Concealed either a SOB Galco or a Galco Miami Classic shoulder rig,, also have a Masters Holsters open top paddle that I really like for concealed ,,very light, adjustable cant (tilt) and quick to draw from..

[LFS]

I've taken to carrying my fullsize XDm .40 4.5" in a CompTac Minotaur holster with FBI cant. Works great with a real gun belt, which helps when you are also carrying two full spare magazines.

[ProShooter]

As an instructor, I get to see alot of guns that my students use and have shot a number of them. Personally, I carry a Glock 23. That should give you your answer.

[jrswanson1]

I own 2.5 guns in .40. I have the Taurus PT840 and a Glock 35. I've shot the Glock 22. I carry my PT840. I got it for $400 OTD. It's been reliable, mags are good when you can find them, the barrel is 4" long, and you can change the backstrap to fit you hand. It has an external trigger and double-strike capability. You can carry cocked and locked or hammer down. If they made it in 10mm it would be perfect.

Jim

[chfaunce]

Another vote for the G23. Really like mine, easy to disassemble and clean, easy to CC or OC, reliable, definitely can be had for under $600. It's also something that the wife has no problem handling. I've had mine 3 or 4 years now.

My cousin-in-law also has a compact Taurus in .40 S&W that he likes, but he tells me it's 10 or 11 years old and I didn't ask for the model. It's his backup piece; he's LEO.

[Reverenddel]

I've shot the XD40SC into soaked phone books. The weapon is both controllable, but does possess stopping power. Good expansion in close range.

Seriously? It's the middle of the road. Between 9MM, and .45 ACP... that's the design of the round. It WAS a necked down 10mm, because the FBI had agents that "couldn't handle" the S&W 10mm autos they were issued. So the .40 S&W came into existance.

Truthfully? I think it's a good round. I don't own one because I have enough calibers as it stands. However, if I were to "start over" I would look at the .40 S&W for a HD/Target round.

[DWinter]

Thanks once again for all the input. I already have an armorer tweaked Sigma 40 which I love, so I'm staying with that round. It's just a little bigger frame than I like for carry. I have a little while to decide, I just don't want buyers remorse. It looks like the Glock has more accessories available than any other weapon. I'm kind of a gadget guy, but I like my firearms to be all business. Not into the whole flashlite thing on a handgun, No offense to those who are, I prefer the "hi-speed-lo drag" philosophy with my handguns. An integrated laser is about as far as I'll go.

It looks like everyone loves their Glock as I expected.

So, anymore input from the board. I'm always ready for new "first hand" opinions and instruction.

Thanks Guys

[chfaunce]

FWIW, while I've not yet shot one, I have heard good things about the G27. That might be a little more compact than you're looking for, however.

[DWinter]

Just returned from the range and did a side by side comparison of the Glock 27 and the XD40 compact. The XD has about 3/4" longer grip. Also checked out the Glock 23. All things considered, The 23 was a little bigger frame than I want, the 27 is a little smaller grip than I want and the XD fell right in the middle. Has anyone seen or used an extended length clip on the Glock 27. All shot equally well, but I liked the feel and size of XD best. Now I need to check it against one of the Smiths that Rick recommended and maybe the Taurus's.

[chfaunce]

The G26 had a small grip, too - I think there's basically a magazine extension piece you can get so that those things fit adult hands. I imagine there's an extension piece for the 27, too.

[NickW]

They are all fine weapons to be sure and I have shot all of them. That's why I have an old S&W 4006, after that first DA shot its all gravy. I know you like the XD and so do I; however, the trigger reset is way to long on the XD IMO, its the only thing I don't like about it. Glocks make great CC guns because they are so slim; however, I prefer a weapon with an external safety you may not. Don't over look the used gun market, you can get a fine weapon a little cheaper and maybe have a little left over for a holster. Also, take a peek at the Beretta Px4 Storm.

[donut757]

I do not have one but a friend of mine has XD in .40... so i cant speak on how it carries but it shoot pretty damn good...

i carry a Sig 229 in .40.. shoots great carries good.. not as compact as other carry guns but i wouldnt trade it for anything else. its a little bigger than my 239 which carries awesome, in 9mm they do come in .40 though.. i dont carry the 239 often cause ive taken to the 229.. im a Sig fan and never really taken to the glocks.... You can easily find a very nice Sig for under $600 used and itll last you for ever.

Good luck with the choice

[grumpyMSG]

I'd add a suggestion to take a look at a Sig too. They have single and double stack compacts available, as well as full size pistols. Plenty of used ones are available on GunBroker.com and if you get lucky you may be able to get a factory trade-in that has been gone through at the plant. Another nice feature of the Sigs is the are available in Double Action Only or Double Action/ Single Action.

[Diomed]

I have a Glock 22. I took it out once and put a couple boxes through it, it jammed with some regularity.

So I converted it to 9mm and now it's a silencer host.

[Username]

Where's the love for Sig? I carry a Sig P229 almost every time I leave the house.

Shoots like a dream, I've put probably close to 1000 rounds down the pipe on top of whatever it had when I bought it from DeGoff's and never a single FTF with hollow / solid rounds.

Ken (master Sig armorer or whatever it's called) over at Southern Police Equipment has one I looked at the other say that has the modified trigger pull, and man it makes it that much more of a dream reducing your trigger return before you can squeeze off another round.

I paid right at $600 for mine with 3 holsters, 4 mags, and a mag holster, original carry box, & lock.

[DWinter]

Well of all things, my GM at work offered me a Rock Island 1911 officers model for a real nice price. He's a former texas state trooper and has used this part time as a carry weapon. He doesn't like shooting it anymore because he said the sights are too small and father time has done a number on his eyesight. So now I'm in a real dilema. The price he gave me is $350 with extra clips and since he's got more weapons than he could shoot in a month, he said he'd let me have it for that price as friends. I wasn't looking for a 45ACP but at this price, I think he made up my mind for me.

So, how about some Rock Island opinions. He's a trusted firearms resource and since we work together, I know he's not trying to unload a POS on me. Does anyone else here have one??

Thanks for all the input guys! I really appreciate the responses.