Which .40 to buy??

Redcoat3340

Redcoat3340

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I've fought the urge for a .40 for years but I'm surrendering now. All I have to do is figure out which one.

I've kinda narrowed it down to one of 3:

1. A S&W 4013TSW. I have a 4513TSW and it is one of my two carry guns (the other is a Beretta PX4compact. Both have been well worked on and are super-smooth shooters.) OTD price around $415.00 and it's in good shape or better.

2. A S&W 4006TSW CHP: Summit has 'em for $385 and price to me would be $475.00 (shipping, FFL, and WA state tax). All stainless, probably in decent shape, nice and heavy to soak up recoil, some sentimental value as my best buddy was CHiP (although he retired still carrying a Python). I have lots of Smith pistols and would love to add to the "collection."

3. A Beretta PX4 compact: I love my 9mm PX4 and carry it when I don't have the 4513. Think I can change slide, barrel, and mags and use the 9mm frame Langdon worked on (I gotta check on that). The PX4 gets good reviews and the rotating barrel soaks up recoil even though it's a plastic gun. Price is $419 at LGS and I know I can do a trade to absorb most of that cost. So this one will be least expensive and I'm not taking up another slot in the safe.

Do folks, wadda ya think?
 
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I have a 4006, a 410s, and a pair of 4046's.
The 410s has an alloy frame and the difference in recoil between it and the steel frames is noticeable.
Ergonomics on the S&Ws is excellent. I don't think that I would recommend an alloy frame 40 for someone that is recoil sensitive.
 
I have a 4053 although it is converted to 10mm, but I would highly recommend it for carry. Amazing pistol.
 
Perhaps another 40S&W that you should consider is the 4040PD. Before I got out of the caliber, it was one of my favorite range toys. A good CCW too. Not everyone finds the black finish and the atom logo attractive, but I always liked them both. Scandium alloy was a good choice for these. Fun to shoot!
 
I'm seriously lacking in that caliber, as I only have two, and neither one of them are S&W. I would like a 4013TSW myself. But I would most definitely take a CHP model if it came along first.

Currently I have a Sig 229 DAK and an FNX40, both are keepers. I don't think you can go wrong with either one of those. Maybe just get both!
 
I have the shorty .40 and it blows everything else .40S&W out of the water, feels great, super accurate, got a 1013 on the way (originally a 4013 ) ... could go that route on the chance you get bored of .40 have it converted
 
I had a S&W 410 and was never that happy with it, but I can shoot a Shield in 40, or an SD40 all day and enjoy them.
I've never shot a PX4 in 40, only 9mm. I did have a Beretta Cougar in 40 and found it a very easy gun to shoot.
I plan to add one, or both of my favorite pocket guns in 40 to my collection again this coming year. The Shield and the Walther PPS. My favorite 40 pistols.
 
Erocksmash said:
I have the shorty .40 and it blows everything else .40S&W out of the water, feels great, super accurate, got a 1013 on the way (originally a 4013 ) ... could go that route on the chance you get bored of .40 have it converted
Click to expand...

Wow, one week ago you said meeh about your Shorty 40. What changed? I was surprised about your "luke warm" impression of it.

Maybe it's getting confusing with ALL your new additions. :D

Jim
 
Try a Sig P226 in 40 S&W. A lot of PDs used this gun before going back to Glock 9s. My P226 was issued for only 6 months before traded back for a G17. I got the gun, box, paperwork and 4 mags for $425. Later, I picked up a .357 Sig barrel for it. The mags work with both barrels.
 
Good luck with sorting out which 40 you'll be adding to your collection. They're all fine guns and I suspect, considering your current firearms, they will fit your hand well.

Personally, I like the S&W Gen3 single stack .40s because they are built on a 45 frame with an under bored 45 barrel. My favorite carry rotation 40s are the CS40 and 4053.

I have a 4006 and 4046 that are nice range guns but the two carry guns still are my favorites at the range too.
 
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4T5GUY said:
Wow, one week ago you said meeh about your Shorty 40. What changed? I was surprised about your "luke warm" impression of it.

Maybe it's getting confusing with ALL your new additions. :D

Jim
Click to expand...

Jim haha you're all right... I've had some time to reflect... only put 20rounds down the pipe, but then under strict advisement from BMCM I stopped... (springs need replaced) those 20rds I can't stop thinking about... I haven't shot that well in a while, maybe it's the gun maybe it's me who knows... I intend to embrace this .40 right up until the shorty 9/DPA shows their faces !!! :D now I just need the shorty .45 :D:D:D
 
While I have not owned a 3rd gen auto in .40, I have owned the M&P 40c and the Px4 Storm in .40(full size). For me, they were both great to shoot and recoil was not bad at all. The Px4 handles recoil really well and the M&P recoil is not as bad as one would think for a compact. I bet the 4006 and the like could be even better, however I have not fired one so I can't say for myself how it is.
 
Got my first 40 recently. A Glock 27 gen 4.

Like it a lot. Recoil not bad, fits my hand well. Small enough to fit in a pocket.

9 round mags flush, but 10 round factory mags only extend the short grip a little.

If I want, I can get a 9 mm or Sig 357 barrel for it.

I'd like to find a CS40 to keep it company.
 
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Recently I was in my LGS and saw a Sig P226 in 40S&W that looked brand new , but it was in the used section . It came with 3 mag , Sig 357 sig conversion barrel , box etc all for $395 . It came home with me and I'm not a semi auto guy . I just knew this deal was too good to pass up . I've had it now for over 6 mos and haven't gone to the range with it yet . With all the PD's dropping it , there is a lot of good deals out there so now is the time to buy . When the PD's and the FBI realize that going back to the 9mm was an answer to a problem than didn't exist , they will change----again . Regards, Paul
 
Redcoat3340 said:
I've kinda narrowed it down to one of 3:

1. A S&W 4013TSW
2. A S&W 4006TSW CHP
3. A Beretta PX4 compact
Click to expand...
Of those possibilities, the CHP gun would be my first choice (what's not to like? :)), followed by the 4013TSW in either pre-rail or railed (yes, I like them both). :) I currently own both the CHP gun and a pre-rail 4013TSW and many others... although my favorite .40 3rd Gen of all is still my "used & abused" CS40. :D Go figure! :p

I am not qualified to speak about the Beretta. ;)
 
The shorty 40 is the smoothest finest smith and wesson 40 caliber the company has ever made. I have shot lots of third gens and the 1076 10 mm and shorty 40 are best in class in their calibers that they come in. If I could only own two smith and Wesson firearms then two of them would be these firearms. Just my 2 cents
 
James&theGiant1911 said:
The shorty 40 is the smoothest finest smith and wesson 40 caliber the company has ever made.
Click to expand...
The Comp-40, Tactical 40 and the phantom 4006 Limited would re-write your bold statement, but all are much more difficult to track down than the fine and much more available Shorty40.
 
Sevens said:
The Comp-40, Tactical 40 and the phantom 4006 Limited would re-write your bold statement, but all are much more difficult to track down than the fine and much more available Shorty40.
Click to expand...

The standard 4006 is what the 40 is founded upon, and the Tactical 40 does not have the PC work into it as the Shorty does. Have no idea about the Comp 40 as Ihave never shot one of the Comps. So, besides the comp the Shorty 40 is better than either of the other two you mentioned. Ihave no idea about the actuaal numbers but the Shorty 40 has been produced at tleast in 4 or 5 different batches by year. Each year has diffferent tweeks or modifications which make them different than the last. mk mk2 mk3 etc.
 
All I can add is the fact the 4006 is a good shooting gun at least mine is.
The shield 40 is also a fine weapon has a tad more felt recoil than the 3rd gen but for a poly gun it is very manageable.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Like one other poster, I favor the 4040PD. This pistol is the same size as the Ladysmith...AND a real powerhouse. Also, easy to carry. Mine is quite accurate as well. Bill, Montana Territory
 
I own a 4046TSW that was a corporate trade-in (Brinks Security, still has the Brinks winged logo on the right side of the slide). It was pretty dirty when I got it at the gun show in Orlando a year or so ago, but a thorough cleaning and new Hogue grips made it look, feel, and shoot like new. I would recommend it but the DAO action is a "love it or hate it" thing for many people. I will say that the gun is very accurate for me even with DAO. Possibly too heavy for EDC, but great in the truck and at the range because the extra stainless steel really soaks up that recoil.
 
Is it a peach or a chip on your shoulder?

When discussion of the Shorty40 begins, you descend on it with bold misinformation. You've done the same thing in past threads.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...7-rare-bird-40-s-w.html?587757=#post140394582

^All .40cal Performance Center S&W pistols that are a higher grade than the fine and wonderful Shorty40.

The Shorty40 is a great gun and historically significant. It isn't a personal slight on amy Shorty40 or anyone who loves a Shorty40 to tell the truth, clearly, that it isn't the finest .40cal ever produced by S&W. It's a compact, with a DA/SA trigger and an alloy frame with combat sights.

No Shorty40 can be placed at the level of the 4006 Limited in any way they'd be compared, regardless of the category except that they are easier to find and lower cost to purchase. I suppose you could say they are lighter also, if you wish argue that as an advantage.

The Shorty40 also sits at a lower level than the SD-40, the other truly elite (and steel frame) .40cal S&W Performance Center pistol that isn't mentioned in the linked discussion.
 
cowboy4evr said:
Recently I was in my LGS and saw a Sig P226 in 40S&W that looked brand new , but it was in the used section . It came with 3 mag , Sig 357 sig conversion barrel , box etc all for $395 . It came home with me and I'm not a semi auto guy . I just knew this deal was too good to pass up . I've had it now for over 6 mos and haven't gone to the range with it yet . With all the PD's dropping it , there is a lot of good deals out there so now is the time to buy . When the PD's and the FBI realize that going back to the 9mm was an answer to a problem than didn't exist , they will change----again . Regards, Paul
Click to expand...

Wow! A few years ago that would have been a $700 plus package. (Ask me how I know) You did real good on that one.
 
James&theGiant1911 said:
The standard 4006 is what the 40 is founded upon, and the Tactical 40 does not have the PC work into it as the Shorty does. Have no idea about the Comp 40 as Ihave never shot one of the Comps. So, besides the comp the Shorty 40 is better than either of the other two you mentioned. Ihave no idea about the actuaal numbers but the Shorty 40 has been produced at tleast in 4 or 5 different batches by year. Each year has diffferent tweeks or modifications which make them different than the last. mk mk2 mk3 etc.
Click to expand...

WRONG!!! The Tactical .40 is all Performance Center. I own both and the Tactical .40 is more accurate and easier to shoot. The Shorty 40 is of course easier to conceal:

S-amp-W-PC-Tactical-40-A.jpg




Shorty 40 with my 3914
SWsmallautos.jpg
 
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That evidently is a different gun then I thought you were talking about the TSW Tactical guns which as everyone here knows is right below the PC models. I was not aware that Smith made that version of the tactical which is fine. I love my Shorty 40 and it shoots well enough for me. I enjoy it more than my Nighthawk Guns and Ammo commander but you do have to realize that the Shorty 40 is a great concealment gun. I find the Shorty 40 shoots as good as any other firearm I own in a small sub compact frame. I do believe I was wrong but I again thought you were talking about the TSW firearms which is not what you posted. However, what are you really comparing shooting or concealment for both can not be accomplished with a large framed firearm. That is the trade off, which would I rather have? Of course the smallest most acurate firearm especially when you are 3-6 feet from any potential target. Target guns are great I own several a Browning Series One Challenger and a BHP both can shoot targets as well as anything you all have posted but I believed that we were talking about the best CCW 40 caliber in Smith and Wesson and I tell you besides being somewhat snappy which is probably what you all are talking about the Shorty 40 are great concealments of course my current carry is a Sig P229 in 357 sig which is easily replaced if I ever have to use it. Rare pieces should not be CCW anyway.

ps re read some of the posts and the OP is indeed talking about the TSW tacticals and not the super comp tactical super super elite pieces that you all are throwing up here.
 
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I work for a company that issued the M&P 40 in both full size and compact. Most of our employees did not like the guns based on their perceived recoil. We have now switched to the FN 509 in 9mm. Before the M&P in other parts of the country, they issued the full size S&W 40TSW's. I shot one once and found the recoil fairly stiff for a stainless framed gun.

Admittedly I have recoil sensitivity due to 2 hand surgeries and now arthritis. I do not own a 40 but have thousands of rounds of 40. I do have a Beretta Cougar 45. The rotating barrel design does reduce felt recoil. I am sure the 40 Cougar or PX4 would help tame the recoil.

That being said I will probably purchase the CHP gun.
 
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