Is the .40 dead ? Let's see some !

cherrypointmarine · Apr 9, 2024

I enjoy shooting my .40's , always will . At least until Arthur visits and I can no longer rack their slides , but that goes for other calibers also . I know there's all sorts of arguments saying the .40 is leaving us , but I don't see it . Look at the 10mm , that was the same way . Let's see those pictures , then at least we can put it to rest , at least here on the best forum around . I only included my PC .40's , but include any you would like .

ColbyBruce · Apr 9, 2024

I also like .40 S&W

My first was a BHP, which I later gave to my son. I also gave him an Sig SP2022 and an armload of magazines and a Walther PPS.

I have owned Glock 22, 23, 27’s. S&W Shields. A Star. Sig P239, SP250 compact and subcompact, SP2340. Sig P226 and Ruger.

ColbyBruce · Apr 9, 2024

Couldn’t locate photos of the Glock 23/27 guns, but you get the idea.

Erich · Apr 9, 2024

I was managing a gun store in '90 when Smith & Wesson announced the caliber and their guns . . . and when Glock beat them to the market with what they identified as merely ".40" on the side of the slide.

Me, I was a big 10mm fan so I couldn't understand why anyone would want the "Short & Weak" variant.

Comparisons to the .38-40 and so much good data followed. I changed my mind.

Like friend Colby Bruce, my first was also a BHP; a fine gun. Later a 239 SIG-Sauer. I avoided the caliber (for simplicity) for many years, but later found myself buying an unissued San Jose Police surplus Beretta PX4 Compact for $329. It's a fine gun and the rotary barrel mechanism is a terrific mate with the .40 S&W cartridge. It's gotten some carry over the years, but now is mostly used bedside at nighttime with an underbarrel light mounted.

4T5GUY · Apr 9, 2024

Almost 5 years ago I didn’t have ANY .40’s at all. Why would I?

June of 2019 that changed with me getting a Shorty 40 locally enough, for $460.00. I just wanted it to go with my Shorty .45 MK2. 6 months later an excellent w/everything 4040PD showed up locally and for $427.00 I took it home. I found out I was actually appreciating 3rd Gen S&W .40’s. They are the only .40’s I’m interested in. (Still not enough to reload for them though.)

Except for the Recon, I think I got the others for reasonable if not excellent prices. That’s the benefit in acquiring the “dead .40 cal.” examples.

Oh, Happy Belated Birthday Mike

Jim

ColbyBruce · Apr 9, 2024

I found a photo of the Star. It was quite heavy, so it went away.

Well Armed · Apr 9, 2024

I hope in the future everyone will hate 357 magnum or another great caliber so that I can get more firearms for the cheap. I've gotten some NIB $600 +/- pistols in the $300 range in the past. I also have a Sig P239 that's in mint condition for cheap, but I don't have photos.

NIB Kahr K40 purchased online from BudsGunShop in 2019 for $300.

K40 purchased from a LGS used for $330ish

Kahr MK40 purchased from Gun Broker for $329.99.

NIB Beretta PX4 Inox purchased online from Sportsmans Outdoors $319.99.

BKLooney · Apr 9, 2024

Hair Trigger · Apr 9, 2024

.40S&W is alive and well at my house. I started with a Ruger SR40c around 2012 or so, sold it when I started getting rid of all my plastic guns. then bought a Springfield EMP4 chambered for it, and then found a BHP chambered in .40. The EMP4 is a daily carry now.

I kind of wish I'd kept the Ruger, didn't need to worry about beating it up and it was a great carry piece. That's okay, though, I live with the small wear marks on the SA.

cherrypointmarine · Apr 9, 2024

Found pictures of a couple more . The 2 S&W's are both CHP's , I got them both from Summit . He had got a handful of the 4013TSW's from CHP and I jumped on one of them .

The other is one you don't see too often . I think they are more known for their cars than their guns , but it is a well made piece . If you want a laugh , look at the picture of the frame and you'll see who imported them . I bet they would like for that moment in time to be erased .

Sevens · Apr 9, 2024

I am a mostly somewhat reformed .40 S&W hater. This is the .40cal I shoot most.

lonestar57 · Apr 9, 2024

Got a few 40’s. I personally like the round.

.

Well Armed · Apr 9, 2024

Sevens said:
I am a mostly somewhat reformed .40 S&W hater.

Congratulations! How long have you been clean?

madmikeb · Apr 9, 2024

I've always like .40's, but then again I like 10mm too!

I have a Springfield EMP and a 4013 TSW. Both are reliable as all get out!

hoytx10 · Apr 9, 2024

It’s a great round, I love shooting my SD-40!

Sevens · Apr 9, 2024

Well Armed said:
Congratulations! How long have you been clean?

Doubt I have ever been clean. My first .40 was a KKM barrel for my Glock 29… maybe 2012 or so…?

It was very easy to hate .40cal when I was an early big fan of the 10mm and my S&W 1006. I have detailed my journey in other discussions where it’s more appropriate. It’s a lengthy post.

jughed440 · Apr 9, 2024

Love that round, and Honestly, I'm ok with people dumping the .40 for whatever reason and selling off the guns and ammo cheap. Spotted a few 3rd Gens for sale at gun shows recently, and ended up buying a pair of them (4043, and PC SD-40). I often carry a G27 (w. G23 mag and X-grip).

Also have a 4053 that's fun to shoot.

SGT ROCK 11B · Apr 9, 2024

Erich said:
... so I couldn't understand why anyone would want the "Short & Weak" variant.

Same here. My Police Department had just approved 45 ACP for on duty carry. It had been approved for several years as an approved off duty pistol.

So why go "Short & Weak" when the legendary .45 Automatic was approved?

sigp220.45 · Apr 9, 2024

I have a Glock 27 and a Glock 22 FBI Commemorative, but this one gets the most use. The rarely-seen Model 646, 4” L frame, full lug, titanium-cylindered, round butt, no-lock (but frame mounted firing pin) .40 caliber unicorn that turned up in a pawnshop just outside the Jicarilla Apache reservation. I love this thing.

My .40-hating buddy shot it and pronounced it the only .40 he could grow to like. Not love.

Sevens · Apr 9, 2024

I had a 646 and I couldn’t fall in love with it. It was finicky with what brass it liked to jive with the moon clips. Also, while it does not actually have the lock, it is not a pre-lock era revolver and it was THE example that proved the theory I had long held — it isn’t the lock itself that makes the double action on lock guns lousy, it’s the MIM parts.

You could easily see that my 646 had the MIM hammer and the double action was just what I expected from a lock gun… which is to say that you squeeze the long trigger and the weight stacks as expected but then when you expect it to release, it dead-stops against a wall, a very firm wall, and you have to break through that wall to discharge the shot.

And I hated it.

Many folks hate the ILS S&W revolvers and I’m in that group but reason is solely based on the wrecked double action trigger and unfortunately, the 646 has it.

Is the .40 dead ? Let's see some !

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