Latest adventure in reloading, .40S&W

[geoff40]

Good thread here. By birth I am a revolver person, semi auto handguns are something I am somewhat new at and still learning about. 9mm I discovered, is generally not big enough, the 45 ACP is generally too slow as I like higher velocity ammo. Enter the .40, it so far is a good match for me. My experiences are all with factory ammo, but I am going to buy dies this year for the .40 and begin I think. I own a Glock and a CZ in this caliber. The Glock is a 3rd gen. 22, which I am told has a better chamber that the older ones do.

 

[Amici]

Well, if you can find a 610, you can shoot .40 in a wheelgun. As far as Glocks - I had a 23. Not a bad gun, but I never got into that "Gaston Glock is God" hype. I'd look seriously at an M&P or XD before I bought more Teutonic Tupperware.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

Anyone considering a 40 should check out some of the great used S&W 3rd Gen autos in 40S&W on the market now. They are undiscovered masterpieces that just quietly go about their business of shooting well with substantial durability while Glock 40s were loudly blowing up (granted, they do seem to do OK in 9mm). Plus, you can shoot cheaper lead bullets for practice in their broached rifled barrels, assuming you are a handloader; even then lead bullets in 40 are not that common.

The S&W 4006 is the standard, a 4053 makes a great carry gun, the 4040PD is even better for that but somewhat harder to find, and I've recently seen lots of 4046s (DAO versions of the 4006) around here for a give away $300.

Then there are the HK USP 40s, my personal favorites ... just to show that I don't have any bias against polymer guns in general. Like the new M&P. In fact, good polymer guns are very, very good

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[Amici]

I don't know why someone would think that lead bullets in .40 are not that common - I've been shooting them for about a decade, including my Glock. I started with 175 grain SWC's and now use poly-coated 180 grain RNFP's. To the extent lead bullets in .40 are "not that common," it is because many of those reloading .40 are shooting USPSA Limited and want high velocity and low smoke. I find the poly-coating achieves both objectives at less cost than jacketed bullets.

THAT said, I second the recommendation for a good used S&W. They are becoming a glut on the market as PD's replace them with new models. Around here, the preference is for SIG, S&W M&P's and Glock, in that order. They all had S&W Third-Gens prior to that change and those guns are now on the used market.

Take advantage of the opportunity to get a probably little-used pistol for a good price.