Coalminer7: The S&W is getting good reviews but you cannot go wrong with a FN, period. Gun Tests tested the new FNH45 (as an example) and right out of the box it ran through 500 rounds of mixed ammo without a hiccup. The S&Ws also did well, since Smith and Wesson has used a number of ideas from Walther in their semi-autos, and there are a lot of similarities twixt Walther and Browning/FN regarding ergonomics, grip change capabilitiy, sights and style of trigger pull. None of, or rather neither of these pistols are whatcha call small, they are all full sized.
So, I suppose that ifin ya wants ta get a 40, you can get one in the same size package as you would find with a 45, if ya want a 40.............
I think the price on the S&W (40 cal) is quite a bit less than that of the FNH (also in 40) but I think the differences in price aren't based on the manufacturer's capability to produce large numbers of firearms, there is a 'quality' aspect involved, even with a 40................................ Mikey.