Does anyone else have a hard time hitting where they aim with the 40 S&W round? I've basically given up on this little cartridge. At first I thought it was me - but "on a good day" I shoot 9mm, 10mm, and 45acp in the 3-5 inch ring. With the forty I seem to be all over the target and I think its just a little to snappy. I've tried several factory loads over the years in different pistols and the only load that was accurate for me are my reloads and that's because I keep the pressure lower.

I also do well with the 357 Sig and because of that I have replaced my 40 barrels with 357 Sig barrels where available.

Much happier now.

Cheers!

I have a Beretta Cougar in .40 that shot very well for me and a Glock 27 that shoots really well and I do use that for a CCW!
Personally I like the .40

I bought a 40 cal HK several years ago. I am not an auto man enjoy a revolver more. The HK doesn't seem right to me not the weapon fault. Love to change barrel to 357 but can't find a maker. Any suggestions ??

I own four different .40's, MP 40f, MP40c, CZ75b, and a Sig 226. All are very accurate. I shoot my own reloads exclusively. Never did understand all the complaints about the 40's being snappy. I really enjoy shooting my 40's and think the guns made for it are handy over the entire spectrum of loads and bullet weights. But then you know what they say about opinions.

PM Sent.

I too switched over to the 357 Sig for my Glocks (a G22 and a
G27). Much prefer the 357. Like you, I was getting 2-3" groups at 7 yards. Just changing the barrel over, my groups in both guns dropped to an inch or a little more.

I'm keeping my 40 barrels but putting them away.

It takes practice with those short barreled Guns.
When I bought My 40cal. Shield I couldn't even hit the Target at five yards and now I'm actually hitting the Bulls Eye more and more. I found that the Gun is so light that it pulls to the left when fired so I compensated and now it shoots fine,The recoil is a bit much but I carry a Ruger SP-101 357 Magnum with a 2.25" Barrel so I'm used to it.
My belief is if I have to use it for protection that bad Guy will not be across the Street but He will be about five feet away but it pays to practice at a longer distance.

Because of injuries to my hands and wrists, .40S&W is the largest caliber handgun I can shoot in a semiauto. I used a Model 4006 for years and noted the "snappy recoil" that others mentioned. When I acquired polymer framed semiautos in .40S&W (a Sigma, and a 40c), I found the 180gr. loads to be easier for me to shoot than the lighter and faster rounds. I bought a 9mm barrel for my 40c, but that was more for the versatility than an inability or reluctance to shoot .40S&W.

Regards,

Dave

Used to have a G23 & G22 little over 15 years ago (didnt like the 40sw then).
Bought a G22 last year and I gotta say, I really enjoy shooting it now. It's not as bad as I remember at all.
I ring steel at 40 or 100 yards regulary - even though the site line and hand angle on the Glocks aren't as comfortable for me as my 1911 or my S&W M&P.

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where's my thread?

Uhh.......No.

I seem to hit what I aim at with it quite well. I like to shoot 9mm, 45acp and the 40S&W and can't say I see much difference in the accuracy between them.

Don

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Laus Deo! <><

It varies gun to gun for me but generally I find them very accurate (I don't reload). Perfectly happy with my G22 and HK P2000. I did have a HK USP 40 that I couldn't hit the ground with. Just put a USP compact on layaway so we'll see if that's any different.

Also, interesting that you don't have the same problem with the 357sig. Both are just as snappy

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I hit just fine with the .40, and currently don't own a 9 or 45 acp. The 9 m/m is kinda nice for a soft recoiling, cheap practice round but I use a Ruger .380 or .38 Special M442 for a pocket gun, and a full size M&P .40 for a belt gun. The only gun I like in .45 acp is the 1911 GI model and I just sold my last one and am looking for a good Colt.

I have a Glock 23 & a Shield in 40 and have no problems with accuracy or recoil. I do however do my own reloading and prefer to make up light loads with various type powders.

I shoot 40, 9 and 45 in auto pistols and the 40's seem to go to the range more often. Just fun to shoot for me and accurate.

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Front sight and squeeze

I always shot with the .40 caliber no matter what Manufacture is with no problems. Try shooting more and more until you are pleased.

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Shoot like a pro!

My FNX 40 is probably the most accurate handgun I currently own. Not sure if it's just the way it fits my hand, or length of trigger pull or what, but it's definitely a shooter. I think the only gun that shoots right with it is my 66-1, but I know those are all shooters!

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I had the 3rd gen Glock 23 for 11 years. Took about 400 to 500 to get used to the Glock trigger but after I got it dialed in I found it to be a very accurate pistol out to 50' and fairly good out to 75'. I put exactly 9,150 rounds through it. It was my EDC for 5 years and then I went back to the .45 for my EDC with the full frame 21 and the compact 36.

I have .45, .38/.357mag, .32 auto, and ,22lr/.22mag. I just don't see the need for the .40

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Real men love cats!

Hitting where I aim? No problem at all.

Controlling the pistol adequately after the first shot? Not so much.

My only .40 S&W is a Glock 22, and I find the sharpness of the recoil objectionable and not conducive to accurate follow up shots.

If I ever buy another .40 S&W handgun, it WON'T be a polymer gun. Since they no longer make the BHP in .40 S&W that means a single action CZ75 or probably nothing at all.

I've been shooting the 40 caliber since 1998. Maybe its old age. Funny thing is, my Sig p239 .40 groups are not as good as my 357 Sig groups (same gun with a barrel switch) using lawman ammo. I actually do better with my 10mm vs .40 - if that makes sense. LOL

I guess there's too many combination (gun, ammo, barrel, frame of mind etc). Always a challenge for sure.

Oh well. best to stick with what works for me.

Thanks for the input.
Cheers!

You shoot a 10mm better than a 40? Interesting...

I guessing it firearm related, rather than caliber. Lot of 40's are just "converted" 9mm. Manufacturer takes a 9mm frame and turns it into a 40. New barrel, extractor fiddled with, and voila, 40.

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Reg. Magnum wants/Rossi wallet

I've been shooting my full size .40 cal Glock (M22) since 1992.
Recoil is manageable...like my .45 1911. Accuracy is good, especially since I put Pachmayr grips on it.

My first 40 was a SW40VE and I couldn't hit anything with that pistol. I now own a 4006CHP and a 4013TSW and find the accuracy on both to be excellent.

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Useless political propaganda

I'm no expert of any kind...just and average lifetime gun guy. I own and load most calibers including the 40S&W. It has been my experience that the bullet from a gun at short range hits pretty much where it was pointed at the time the primer was struck. Yes, some guns are a bit better than others but at 7 yards if you hit 5" left and then 5" right it's not the gun or the caliber.

Don't get me wrong...I shoot some of my stuff better but that is due to practice and familiarity with a certain gun. Some guns are easier to be consistent with for various reasons. I would wager that if you went to the range a few times with only your 40 that you would be shooting it well before long.

I, too, like the .357Sig and it is the only round that I always load towards the top of the load data. It makes no sense to me to load a milder .357Sig round. 125g Sig bullet at slower speeds is basically a 9mm. I will, on the other hand, run the 40 down a bit. All JMHO.

I haven't noticed any major difference in accuracy from the .40 than with 9, 45 or the 357 but the sig is noticeably more snappy (slide velocity).

You didn't mention what pistol you were using, and with the .40 S&W, it matters. I have one, a Glock 23, which is all I need.

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

So are you switching barrels on the 229 carry?

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Just saw this. I don't believe anyone makes a 357sig barrel for HK

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I guess I was trying to say that after all these years I still can not get tight groups with the 40 caliber. I've had several 40s over the years and still have a G27 that I purchased in 1998. Sure there are a lot of factors involved (ammo mfg, load, gun, range time, frame of mind, etc) but its the same for the other calibers I shoot as well. I'll continue to shoot 40 - but I like the 357 sig much better. Seems like ammo has gotten cheaper on this round as well.

I guess it comes down to what works best.

Thanks for the input and insight.

Yes - got one on backorder from Sig.

FYI - I found out from Sig that if you need frame parts (i.e mags, grips) you order p229 parts. if you need slide parts (i.e. recoil spring, barrel) order p224 parts.

P229c = FrankenSig!

Interesting

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I actually enjoy the Glock 27 and have qualified very well with it. "Embrace the snap!"

The .40 is more snappy so how the pistol fits in your hand is more important than with other calibers IMO.

As and example I have found that for my hands I have more control and better fit with the Glock 19 and 23 than the 17 and 22. I shoot and can control my Gen 4 23 better than the Gen 4 22 I previously owned.

I shoot my new 23 as well as my new 19.

My FNS in .40 is also a great shooter for me.

Yes, with the same brand ammo that makes sense. The same brand of ammo that is the most accurate in one gun/caliber is frequently not the most accurate in another, both in SD ammo and FMJ's.

Groo here
Changed all mine to 357 sig!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am lethal out to 25 yds with my full size mp 40 pro, but notso much with the new shield 40. I was actually going to get the shield in 9. But the 40 was available and I stock a pretty good supply of 40. Not much price difference between rounds anymore regardless.

Like other have noted, I was shooting left when I first got the shield, but an adjustment to finger placement (a little more finger) really helped that, I'm working my way to my normal finger placement (if I ever need it I don't want to think about where I put my finger. I want muscle memory). I am getting much better. Another couple hundred rounds should get me used to the heavier trigger over the pro.

I agree that your grip matters more with the 40, it's a lot of snappiness for the small grip size. The 10 and 45 grips are bigger and, I think, for most people easier to control the recoil and easier to shoot accurately. I'd rather shoot full power 10mm than I would 40 unless I can use a gun with a grip that fits me. The only 40 I have that shoots soft and accurate is my Sig p320F with large frame. For me that gun works really well in 40, much better than my Gen 4 Glock 22 which I never shoot anymore because it just doesn't feel right while my Glock 20 feels just right.

As I got older (70 in the Fall) it got more difficult to get fast & accurate follow up shots w/the .40 so I swapped out the Glock 23 for the G17 in 9MM. Problem solved and since I'm no longer an active LEO the nine is more than adequate.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I bought a SW40VE and have just now sat down with it to see what it will do. Sitting at my picnic table on bags it was really bad. Shot way low and to the left. Adjusted the rear sight to get it centered but now need to raise the rear sight up a lot. If I line the site up with the slide base instead of the sight does pretty good. The guy I bought if off of said he couldn't hit anything with it and I can see why. Any sugestions on where to get a raised rear site for this?

I have to question why someone would find the 40 "snappy" and the 357 Sig easier to shoot. I would expect that a 357 Sig loaded to SAAMI maximum or even close to that would exceed the "snap" of the 40 caliber by a wide margin. Personally I find my hand loads of a 180 grain 40 caliber bullet loaded to 1050 fps to produce a recoil impulse equal to my 185 grain 45 ACP loads running at 1050 fps. to be nearly identical in terms of recoil.

As for accuracy, at 61 years of age I no longer care about making pretty groups, I'm satisfied with simply shooting effectively. Because while I can and have "cheated" with reading glasses to test the accuracy of a new load or pistol I don't believe an assailant will wait for me to put on some reading glasses before attacking me. So, my practice is all about using what I can see of the shape of the pistol to guide my aim and while my groups aren't pretty they are good enough to do the job.

I own a few 40's . My favorites being an M&P Pro 5" and a fill sized Sig 1911. These guns in particular will shoot better than I can on most days. That said, I almost never shoot factory ammo. Instead I have developed 180 gr reloads that behave like a light 45 acp round. While the 40 will never be my favorite round, it does add enough variety to my shooting experience to make it worthwhile to keep.

p.s. I own and treat the 357 sig round similarly. My reloads for the range run like a mod 9mm /light 38 super..

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Dave

I think that after you shoot a lot of 40 rounds all at once, you do lose some accuracy from fatigue. I had a glock 22 and liked it but I had to deal with a light gun and it snapped a lot. heavier guns soak up recoil better. I sold the glock 22 and I now own a Ruger P944 and it does a good job , it weighs about 35 pounds...i mean ounces!

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S&W BG380, S&W 915 9mm

CS45Fan,

It might be your gun.

My P-229 is extremely accurate.

When the .40 S&W debuted, I had doubted its efficacy. Then I read an article about it in the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin. The .40 S&W was scientifically designed as opposed to tinkering with a wildcat. .40 caliber is most effective with a 180 grain bullet at ~1000 FPS. The 10MM gave diminishing returns. Moreover, the .40 S&W is manufactured in double stack mags. The research indicated that it performed as designed.

I think that the .40 S&W with a double stack mag is an excellent self-defense weapon. My P-229 is very easy to conceal as I'm sure most .40 S&W handguns are.

I have a Sig P229 .40 and picked up the 9mm slide/barrel/spring/rod assembly from Sig to use. I shoot 115 gr 9mm and 180 gr .40 light loads (home made) and find that I'm more accurate shooting 40. I also have a Glock 22 and shoot 9 from it with a Lone Wolf barrel and also shoot that better with the original 40 S&W configuration.

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Life Member NRA

I have 3-40 cal. handguns, all S&W: Shield 40, M&P 40 FS and SD40VE. The Shield from 2-7 yards is amazingly accurate; at 3 yds will stack 13 rounds on top of each other! My 2 FS shoot just as well/accurately as my 9's and 45's. And this is with factory ammo.

I don't seem to have the problem/issue with my guns not hitting POA/POI, I did have to adjust my sight picture from the usual 6 o'clock hold to Combat/Center of Mass hold, since that is how most SD/Service handguns are made to be sighted. All of my handguns will print where they are held.

I was issued a 22 and a 23, both had more recoil then my V-10 with +p loads. At 25 yards I hit just fine with the 40. Quals from 3 to 15 yards the group is only three inches with 30 rounds, from a Beretta 96. The 22 and 23, I would score 95 out of 100.
I 'm trading my 4516-1 for a 4006???

I guess I am one of the few who likes the 40 S&W and shoot it pretty well .. I do think though it is a caliber where the pistol needs to fit your hand well or you won't shoot it as well as other calibers with less felt recoil ..

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I had a XD40 tactical and it was the most accurate semi i owned. I even got a Stormlake 9mm conversion and that was very accurate also. I went through " one of my caliber consolidations" and removed the 40 altogether (and 380acp ) as i was reloading "too much stuff!"

It was one of the most funnest calibers i remember and very accurate and manageable. I regret not shooting 40s anymore. I got my ugly little vise down to 6 calibers, 12 bullet weights, 8 different powders. I know. Sucks huh.

I don't shoot it very often, but my PX4 in .40 (probably the most loathed combination on MDS) is accurate, reliable and comfortable to shoot. It did shoot low/left for the first 200 rounds (maybe it was me?) but it's been great since. It's my only .40 and I don't think I'll ever sell it.


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I've got the PX4 Sub Compact in 9 and wish I had gotten it in 40 !! really like the feel of the flatter trigger on it .. took the Wings off and went low profile and de-cocker only ..

Much thinner profile !!

Exactly how I feel, my M&P 40C fits very well in my hand whereas my Glock 43 is small. The snappiness of the Glock is tough while the 40 shoots well for me.

I've used the 40 in the 4006 and 4013 as well as HK USPc and 2 different SIG's. The S&W's were Dept issued guns and the others were personal guns. I have found in trying lots of different factory loadings that in general the 165 grain weights tend to group better and the 180 grain weights are very poor. In my Sig 239, the Speer 165 Gold Dot shoots as well as any of my revolvers and competition 45 auto's which is very well indeed.