Which .40 to buy??

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.

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.



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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.
 
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

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.
 
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.

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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Many, many thanks to all who commented. It's been a really big help. Too big, in fact.

Here's what I'm doing: To keep out-of-pocket to a minimum I'm trading in a Walther P99compact that I bought to carry and never carried as it got replaced by a CS9, 4513TSW and a Beretta PX4 compact Langdon did work on....and I'm getting a Beretta PX4compact in .40.

Then, and here's where it's probably gonna cost me, I'm getting one of those 4006TSW CHPs. I'll probably be selling a Model 10 which I never take out of the safe as I've got a shooter-grade 38/44 and a Model 14 & 15 for regular size .38's.

I'm not really in the market for a smaller carry-size Shorty 40 and I think the 4006 will fit the bill for a regular sized S&W. So, anyone want to buy a nice 10-6? (And what are they going for these days?)

Again thanks for the advice. I was really avoiding .40, but as long as I have a bunch of guns in 38S&W, how could I not have a couple in .40S&W? (And that'll probably be my rationalization of the decade for me.)
 
I see you've already made up your mind Redcoat, but I'll add my 2cents...

I own a full-size PX4 in .40, and I personally don't recommend them to anybody. The cheap plastic slide stop lever broke on mine, while it was in the factory case during a two-hour drive up North. Worked fine before the drive, broken when I got to the cabin. I used to love my PX4 but completely lost faith in it after that.

The 4006TSW CHP would be my top recommendation, very solid construction, and while they are abundant at the moment, they will become scarce on the market eventually. The integral rail is a sought-after feature, and the all-steel frame will stand up to the abuse of the .40 much better than alloy.

If you can ever find a 4040PD for sale, I would highly recommend picking one up. It's my personal favorite .40 gun for CC, and the proprietary magazines are still for sale around the net, factory new and at reasonable prices.
 
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