40 S&W questions

[azmark]

I have limited experience with the 40 S&W.  I shot in a Beretta PX4 compact and the recoil was 'snappy' for lack of a better term.  Are there more controllable platforms for that caliber?  Honestly, I found the 45 ACP easier to control.  The .40 seems to be a good round and high cap pistols in that caliber aren't overly large, grip-wise.

[Curtis]

I have the Smith M&P Compact in .40 and using the magazines with finger rest I find it very controllable.  However if I use the flat bottom mags where I can only get two fingers on the grip, I feel like I have to reposition my hand on the grip after each shot.

 
So......... If I carry I use the compact mag and if I'm shooting for fun I usually use the one with the finger rest.  I have not shot the .40 from any other platform, so my experience is limited.  Maybe someone else has some comparison info.
 
Curtis

[Graybeard]

I have Glocks Model 22 (full size) and Model 27 (compact size).

Both are very much control able and I do not consider recoil to be at a level to be concerned about. Of course different people deal with recoil differently. These days hot 44 mag loads are about my upper level due to the pounding my hands and wrists have taken over the years and the severe arthritis I have.

[Lonegun1894]

I also have the .40 in the Glock 22 and 27, and also find them both very controllable.  I have shot the .40 in S&Ws, Glocks, a couple different brands of 1911, XDs, etc, and never had any problem with any of them.  I will definitely agree with you that it is more snappy than .45ACP though.  I know it took me a little while to get used to my glock 27, but that was mostly due to the very short grip and my little finger hanging off the bottom.  Is this gun something you have had for a while and it still doesn't measure up to what you want, or is it just that you haven't had it long enough to get used to it?  IF glocks feel good to you, I have a suggestion.  Since the 22 is full size, and the grip is probably longer than most of us really need, but the 27 is so stubby that most will have a finger tucked underneath, have you ever handled a Glock 23?  My girlfriend carries one and it is a good compromise between too long and too short.  I keep thinking I may have to pick one up for myself if I ever get the extra cash, but I usually carry a 5" 1911 and have for years so have a hard time changing.

[Mikey]

There are a lot of platforms for the 40 S&W and you should consider that the amount of power it will take to effectively move a 40 caliber bullet out of a case slightly longer than the 9mm will create some snappy recoil.  The bigger or heavier the handgun the easier the recoil. I recently enjoyed a good shooting session with a new Springfield 1911 style in 40 S&W and was impressed by the quality of the pistol, the capability of the round and the manageability of the recoil.  The PX Storm is a well built quality pistol, but it's a lighterweight pistol and it's going to recoil more than a heavier one.  In order to be effective, the 40 S&W needs to be loaded to about the same pressure levels as the 9mm, which is almost twice what the 45 acp is loaded to, so you're going to have some snappy recoil and keeping that in mind you just have to shop around some more.  And when you find one, practice......

[Larry L]

In my opinion, the PX4 is far too small a pistol for the 40sw. Even the 45ACP doesn't have that much snap. Move up to a larger framed pistol. I have one in the Baby Eagle and it's my carry gun. Recoil is a little more than a common 9mm. The BE that I have is all steel and is no lightweight, even being a semi-compact. There's also the Browning High Power to consider or the larger framed Berettas, if you just like the Beretta.