40 cal pistol

[bruno2]

I am wanting to purchase a new or slightly used but in very good condition pistol . I like Beretta and I have a 92fs in 9mm , but , I want a different style of pistol . I am curious about the full size px4 storm . They are kind of ugly and yes I know that doesnt have anything to do with function or ergonomics . I like the springfield xd guns , however , I was a little concerned with where they are built . I am not saying I wouldnt own one . My buisness partner has one our company bought him for Christmas a few years ago ( I know that is a really great way to celebrate jesus's b-day )and he absolutely loves it . I have shot it and I think its a great shooting gun . I am not real big on Glocks b/c of the whole safety design , but , I wont down talk them either I have never heard anybody say I bought one and it breaks all of the time a big POS . What else is out there that is reputable American made with good steel or plastic and people seem to hold in high regard ? Oh yeah I would like some capacity doesnt have to be 17+1 or anything that high , but , hold a dozen or so .
Thank You to everybody posting
Brandon Harrison

[tguns78]

Well, not American (but I don't think Beretta is either ), but H&K USP and Sig Sauer come to mind.

[Rmac58]

Handle as many as you can, see what fits. My CZ P-06 works for me.

[Gambit]

I've owned two and I would highly recommend both; a S&W 4006 for the all steel pistol and a Springfield XD-40 for the new poly that I am also crazy about.

If I had to choose only one of the two it would be the XD. Don't let the 'Made in Croatia' thing throw you. These are fine pistols and I prefer it to the Glock 22 (also in 40 S&W).

The S&W M&Ps are also making a name for themselves in the poly market.

If you don't mind spending $300 to $500 or so more, many think that Sig makes the finest 40's around for less than $1000.

[spwenger]

...I went through the armorer course for the PX4 (although I have never fired one live). I was impressed with the pistol and would have purchased one in .40 S&W had I not been more interested in picking up a few more S&W pre-lock revolvers.

Unlike the compact version, the full-size one uses a rotating-barrel locking system, which is reported to reduce the felt recoil below what one would normally expect. The interchangeable back straps really do a great job of customizing the fit to a wide variety of hands. We worked on the most common "F" (DA/SA) models. Personally, if I had made the purchase, I would have gone with the "continuous action" "C" model, which offers a light DAO trigger. While the "D" (conventional DAO) and "C" models are only supposed to be available to law enforcement, I have seen reports of them making it to regular dealer shelves.

[Loosedhorse]

What else is out there that is reputable American made with good steel or plastic and people seem to hold in high regard ?

Gosh--in .40 you have no end of possible choices. American made narrows it.

Smith 4006TSW
That's the highest capacity American steel gun, I think.

Consider also the Ruger 944, and all the plastics: Smith M&P .40; Springfield XD(M) (American?); Smith P990L (American?).

Other American gun manufacturers, like Kahr, don't focus on higher capacity pistols. There's the ParaOrdinance S16•40 Limited (sort of American), but I'm not sure how everyone feels about the dependability of some of their products.

[henrymartin]

+1 on the S&W. I own an older one, model 410 and while it has not the high capacity magazine, there are some to be had.
The 410 is all metal (except the guide rod) and feels much better shooting than Glocks (for me) or the polymer pieces. As a side note, I did own a Walther P99 and a Glock once upon a time.
You can find a used S&W for very reasonable money.

[dogmush]

I have a SW 4006, and if you can find one, that's the way to go. Built like a tank, reliable, shoots well.

As a bonus you're already used to the backwards safety on your Berreta, so the manual of arms wouldn't change appreciably.

I found my PD trade in for around $350 a couple years ago.

If you go plastic, I think the M&P line is really nice. My wife's M&P45 is a well made weapon.

[DoubleAction]

The beauty about the SIGS, they have the feature of converting into the 357 sig with a simple barrel change. I would recommend the 229 as my first.

[critter]

Don't know about American, but I have a SIG 229 in .40 with a .357 SIG barrel AND a Para Ordnance P-14 also with both barrels. Both are really great shooters and have ample capacity.

[ShadoWalker]

My primary carry handgun is a Sig P229 in 40 S&W. I have over 9000 rounds through this one without any malfunctions.

[old_ironsights]

FNP-40. You'll have to shoot it to appreciate it.

[Bennett Prescott]

The 4006 is definitely the true blue American choice. The toughest decision will be whether to shoot the perp, or just throw the gun at them. Either way, they'll probably die.

[FieroCDSP]

If it's a matter of having a safety, the M&Ps do come with the thumb safety now. You might have to have your local shop order one, as the 45's seem more popular with the safeties, but the 40's are availiable.

[lee n. field]

I like the springfield xd guns , however , I was a little concerned with where they are built .

Why?

[Bennett Prescott]

Because the OP wants an American gun, and the XD is built in Croatia?

[CyBuzz]

I have an xd sub compact and an XDm in 40 S&W and love them both. They go bang when I pull the trigger and that is what is most important to me. My dad carries an XDm 9 and my father in law had an xdsc 9mm. It was too big to carry for him so he got a Taurus 709 Slim.

Sprigfield customer service is second to none if you should have problems. I had an issue with an XDm magazine and they sent me a new on no questions asked and provided me a return label...their expense. I have had them refinish a 1911 that had a bad finish...again..all on their dime.

I am kind of biased though, I have had 3 XD pistols and the one XDM and I also have a SOCOM 16 and a springer 1911 loaded. I just parted with my hi-cap gi 1911 from springfield.

The others have mentioned other guns and I would not argue with them. I think SIGs look nice, HKs look bad a$$, and i have heard that the FN is a good buy for the money. My father in law owns 3 Taurus pistols and they have been 100% reliable, though none in 40. I have shot them all and they go bang when I ask too.

CyBuzz

[bruno2]

lee n field
The hesitation would be the lack of American steel present in the gun . If the steel is of good quality it wouldnt bother me a bit purchase one . Like I posted before I bought my business partner an xd in 40 cal and he loves it . I have shot it and it is a very accurate to the point of aim gun right out of the box . I am still probably leaning toward an xdm or maybe the FN or perhaps a glock otoh I do like beretta and may buy the px4 if they could get rid of the trigger sting problem . I like the info posted about the smiths also .

[9mmepiphany]

Don't know about American, but I have a SIG 229 in .40 with a .357 SIG barrel

the OP wants an American gun

the Sig 229 is manufactured in America...as a matter of fact, the 229 was the first Sig with an American manufactured slide

[BigBoreFan]

Another vote for the FNP. It will be my next pistol. I'm just not sure which caliber I'll buy it in. I'm partial to the .45 (now with a 15 rnd magazine!!!). I've owned Xds (.40), USP (.45), Ruger P 94 and 95, a CZ-40 (Wish I wouldn't have let that one get away) and have some trigger time with S&W autos in 9mm, .40, 10mm, and .45. All nice pistols. After 200 rnds on a rental range with an FNP .40 (the .45 wasn't out yet) I'm sold on that design. They also have a promotion right now for 9mm and .40 pistols. Find a rental range and try a bunch to find out what works for you. Money very well spent before committing to a brand/pistol.
Oh, and the FNP is made in Columbia SC

[Reycrazy]

You can't go wrong with a Springfield XD. It has got all the safety of a 1911 and is extremely accurate. I own the Sub-compact version and it's a great all around gun.

[DWARREN123]

My carry is a SIG P239-40, I have two, and very impressed with this compact, single stack 40 caliber handgun.