The Best .40 Caliber Pistols

What are the Best .40 Caliber Pistol?

In the past ten years, pistols chambered for.40 S&W were popular choices for law enforcement and personal protection. The cartridge is more powerful and has a higher capacity than 45 ACP or 9mm Luger. It also comes in designs originally intended for the first. Forty Cals have been in decline as the law enforcement community has shifted to newer 9mm pistols and the loads that can be used with them. There is still no shortage of pistols in.40 calibre. This begs the question: Which one should you choose?

Why Choose the .40 Caliber?

In 1990, the .40 S&W was introduced with much promise .40 Cal offered more ballistic performance than existing 9mm Luger ammo and satisfied big bore enthusiasts with a bigger bore diameter compared to rounds such as the 9mm Luger, or the .357 Magnum. It was more powerful and had a larger magazine, but it could be easily chambered into existing 9mm designs. This could not be said of the old .45 ACP. In that same year, the FBI adopted it quickly and followed suit by state and local police. In the 2010s the .40 grew obsolete.

The .40 rounds are more expensive to shoot than the 9mm Luger, and the modern 9mm +P rounds have reduced the power difference considerably. The FBI and NYPD conducted statistical analyses of the shootings to determine that agents needed more ammunition in order to hit their targets. The .40 was harder to hit than the other alternatives. In 2015, the FBI switched back to 9mm, and the .40 started to fade out in law enforcement. This decline was also reflected in the commercial market.

It does not mean that you shouldn’t buy a pistol in .40 calibre. The selection of guns and ammunition is plentiful, and due to the large number of firearms traded by police officers, it’s a cost-effective option for those who don’t use hundreds of rounds per weekend class. The 9mm+P load also has diminishing returns. The .40 round has been criticized for being a high-pressure round that increases wear on pistols chambered to it. The standard pressure 9mm Luger ammo is a bit more sedate. However, going to +P loads exposes the shooter to the same problems as the  .40. Even with its shortcomings, the .40 still has a significant advantage in terms of ballistic power. This can be helpful depending on whether or not you are dealing with two-legged or four-legged predators.

1. S&W M&P Shield: Best for Carry

Compact M&P pistol in 40 S&W chambered.

HK USP is a product of the same technology and testing that went into the HK MK23 Offensive Handguns System.

The OHWS design included a high level of durability. This durability was evident when the.40 S&W came out.

The round was still small enough for a 9mm gun but added pressure from the larger round could create problems. The frames needed to be strengthened, and the HK USP became one of the very first guns specifically designed for.40 S&W.

The majority of.40 S&W pistols were 9mm guns that had been beefed up to fit the cartridge. From the beginning, USP has been used.40 S&W. The .40 S&W was made with a polymer frame, just like most modern guns from this period.

The magazine for this hammer-fired DA/SA is 13 rounds. This is a large gun but it’s also a pistol that can be fired easily and with great accuracy.

This is my favourite .40 S&W gun, thanks in large part to the mechanical system for reducing recoil. This is HK’s fancy term for a dual-spring recoil rod. This tames the beast and prevents excessive wear to your gun.

The HK USP comes in nine different configurations. My favourite is the compact, but I also like the tactical because it’s a great part of the 90s tactical pistol’s history.

Pros

• Slim profile for easy carrying
• Tactile Loaded Chamber Indicator for Redundant Safety
• Text

Cons

• Slim single stack grip concentrates felt recoil in the web of the hands
• Lightweight handguns feel recoil more intensely and can flip the muzzle over heavier guns

S&W M&P Shield Specs

• Barrel Length3.1 in
• Overall Length6.1
• ActionStriker-fired
• Weight34.24 oz
• Capacity6+1 / 7+1

2. CZ 75 Tactical Sport II

This full-size, metal-framed handgun is ready to compete.

CZ 75 has been a Cold War icon since 1975. CZ produced several high-quality handguns for war over the years, and this pistol was the latest. It is the 75, however, that has changed and stayed relevant. It was one of the first “Wonder Nine” handguns and is a double-action/single-action version of the legendary Browning High Power. You can still buy a CZ 75 today, but you’ll also find aluminium-framed or polymer-framed versions. They come in varying sizes, calibres, and configurations to meet your needs.

CZ offers a line of handguns that are designed for competition. The CZ75 Tactical Sport II belongs to this lineup. The Sport II has thin aluminium grips and is a full-sized, all-steel handgun. The Sport II’s weight of 48 ounces is heavier than you would expect for a duty gun but is still more than adequate for home defence or competition shooting. It may be a bit heavy after a day of shooting but it absorbs the recoil from .40 calibre rounds like a pro. The Sport II’s all-steel design also reduces the wear that can occur over time with other .40 calibre designs.

The Sport II is a proven design and all-steel gun that has been copied around the globe. The Sport II is likely to be lighter than polymer-framed duty guns, but the extra weight could be an issue for everyday carry. The Sport II, like most CZ 75 models, is a single-action handgun. The hammer must be retracted and the thumb safety ambidextrous engaged. This is similar to the 1911-style pistol.

Pros

• Steel construction provides added durability and recoil management.
• Only single action for crisp, light trigger pulls for each shot.

Cons

• Only single-action for platforms that are traditionally double-action. It can be dangerous if you fail to engage the manual security.
• When you find extra magazines, you will be charged a premium.

CZ 75 Tactical Sport II Specifications

• Barrel Length5.25 in
• Overall Length8.90
• ActionSingle-action hammer-fired
• Weight48.5 oz
• Capacity17+1

3. Glock 22 Gen 5 MOS

The latest full-size Glock 22 in 40 Smith and Wesson with upgraded features including an optics-ready MOS System, removed finger grooves and front slide serrations.

Smith & Wesson was responsible for the .40 S&W cartridge’s design and initial popularity. However, Glock took the lead in 1990 with the Glock Model 22.40 calibre handgun. The Glock 22 and its smaller brother, the Glock 23 quickly became the standard in .40 caliber duty pistols.

The G22 Gen 5 is the most recent version of this pistol. It features an ambidextrous slide release and magazine release as well as serrations on both the front and rear of the cocking. The G22 MOS is a pistol identical to the G22 but with red dot opticals.

The Glock 22 has a 15-round capacity and a 4-1/2-inch barrel. It is identical in appearance to the Glock 17 which is chambered for 9mm Luger. The Glock 17 has two extra rounds. The Glock 22 is one of the most popular .40 calibre guns on the market. The Glock 22 is easy to find parts and magazines, but finding support for other .40s may be difficult. This is partly due to the Glock 22 being popular in law enforcement circles before the return of 9mm duty guns. The Glock 22, due to its size, is one of the easiest pistols in.40 calibre to shoot.

The Glock 22, and slightly smaller Glock 23, are the standard.40 caliber pistols. The earliest versions of these pistols had the same unsupported chambers as other Glocks. These models were known for prematurely wearing out frames and cracking them early on. Since then, Glock .40 pistols have been equipped with a chamber that fully supports the case of the .40 calibre.

Pros

• This is the first.40 calibre handgun to be released on the market. It has been a very popular duty gun that receives a lot of aftermarket support, from magazines to internal parts.
• A full-sized handgun that has a double stack grip. The grip is large enough to spread recoil, and the length allows all fingers to be on the pistol.

Cons

• The early models of the pistol with chambers that are not supported can be dangerous to shoot.

Glock 22 Specifications

• Barrel Length4.49 in
• Overall Length7.95
• ActionStriker-fired
• Weight28.43 oz
• Capacity15+1

4 Sig SP2022

The ergonomics of the P-series metal-framed handguns with a polymer frame.

The Sig Sauer SP2022 does not have a chance of being a contender for a best-in-class handgun. The polymer-framed handgun became the standard in the mid-1990s. Heavy steel and aluminium pistols looked dated. The polymer gun is cheaper to manufacture and purchase. The polymer guns are lighter and more resistant to corrosion. Sig P220 double-action pistols were among the metal-framed guns that needed a facelift. Sig did not go for a full-on striker-fired pistol like the Glock. Instead, they kept the familiar double-action single-action mechanism in their first polymer framed gun, the SP2022, also known as the Sig Pro.

The SP2022 was given its name by a French gendarmerie order in 2002 for 400,000 units of the new pistol, which had a service life expected to be twenty years. Despite the large order, the SP2022 has not achieved the same level of fame as the 220 Series or the P320 polymer pistols that surpassed it in Sig’s lineup by the end of 2010. The SP2022 is still in production, and it’s Sig’s least expensive product. The SP2022 has a double-stack handgun that is full-sized. It also features a de-cocker, and an indicator for the number of chambers loaded.

The 2022 comes in a 9mm Luger with a 15-round capacity. It is also available in a .40-calibre 12-shot version. The SP2022 is a .40 calibre pistol that may be too obscure, but it’s also inexpensive and pedestrian. The SP2022 has the lightweight polymer frame that modern shooters want, but it is large enough for a full grip to control the recoil. It is also one of the very few handguns that was designed first as a .40-caliber handgun. Before being released in 9mm, the SP2022 debuted first as a .40-caliber handgun. The majority of .40 calibre handguns are 9mm pistols that have been re-chambered for .40.

Pros

• Hammer-fired double-action for increased safety when handling administrative documents.
• Introduced exclusively in.40 S&W rather than 9mm. Luger.

Cons

• Thicker slide and frame compared to other .40 calibre pistols, making it harder to carry inside the waistband.
• This model is now discontinued and replaced by the 9mm Luger version.

Sig SP2022 Specs

• Barrel Length3.9 in
• Overall Length7.4
• ActionDouble-action/single-action hammer-fired
• Weight29.0 oz
• Capacity12+1

Conclusion

The.40 S&W cartridge is being phased out by police departments across the country in favor of the 9mm Luger. Don’t let politics within the government get in the middle of ensuring you are properly armed for the job at hand. It is important to note that government agencies will not be returning to the 9mm standard pressure ammunition from 1990, which the.40 cartridge was intended to replace. Today, 9mm +P or +P+ ammunition is available. These rounds are close to.40 caliber in terms of power but not as easy to fire as standard 9mm ammunition. By switching to 9mm +P, agents will gain a few more rounds and subjectively be able to shoot better. The added pressure may take that ability away. The worst part is that trading in the higher pressure.40 for higher-pressure 9mm won’t magically solve problems with wear.

It is likely that the 9mm Luger will be more economical today, especially when you are building a new shooter. This is because it is a powerful and reliable weapon for training as well as duty. The 9mm is cheaper on a government level as well as granularly. The bean counters’ choice may not be right for you. The.40 has a higher power potential than the 9mm or.45 ACP. The.40 is available in more powerful packages than 10mm. New pistols are harder to sell as the current trend is towards 9mm Luger. Used.40 caliber models also dominate the market. The.40 may seem to be in a bad situation, but there are still many opportunities and benefits that the.40 can offer. You might want to consider 9mm first, then.40, depending on whether you’re preparing for home defense, wilderness defense or need some extra pasta to knock plates over at the firing line.