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Hello you guys im new to the forum but not to guns. I realy like the forum and the suggestions that you all give, and hope to get a few myself. I have been around guns for a long time but am about to buy first one. First debate is .40 or .45? Carrying the gun and shooting at the range. Then ruger, s&w, glock, or springfield firearms?
Welcome from Big Sky Country.
Welcome. With regards to your questions, if I had to choose between the .40S&W and .45ACP, I would go with the .45. That being said, I would pick the 9mm over both. Of the firearms you listed I would pick the Glock. Now, the .45ACP Glocks are select taste as they are very wide and big hands are a plus to hang on to them correctly. There is the .45GAP option as well.
Good luck.
Welcome from Northern Arizona.
My preference can be seen in what I carry. S&W M&P40
9MM, .40S&W or .45ACP are all good defense choices.
Try them all before you buy. One is bound to fit.
Welcome! I had the same problem when I was looking for my first gun, and i bought a S & W Sigma .40 cal. For cost reasons only i wish i had bought a 9 mil. Just a suggestion since they re all good defense rounds.
Although there is a lot of difference between those two calibers, I don't feel that there is enough practical difference between the two that would enable to make a decision based just on caliber alone. Pistol size/fit/action type is a more important consideration than those two calibers.Quote:
Originally Posted by swampbronc78
That being said, if I had exact same pistols in both of these two calibers, I would prefer the .40 if it is a carry gun because of the higher capacity. If it's just for range use, I would go with .45. Since you said you will carry, then I would go with the .40.
As for those four makes - I would choose S&W or Glock, the actual choice determined by overall fit. Actually, I did make the choice already, and I have a Glock. I like the fit and trigger action of the Glock, and the fact that you won't find anything more reliable. The Rugers and Springers are also good pistols, but personal preferences on certain aspects make me rank them lower in my book.
hth,
PhilR.
Both rounds are great. I mostly carry a 45 but can be caught with a 40 or 9mm at times. What have you shot in pistols? Gave you felt the recoil in any of these? If it was me I'd first look at what when it is in your hand gives you that lovin' feelin'. Then take another look at calibers. I'll also add if you are going to be a one gun person you might want to look at 9mm just for the ammo cost. the 40 an 45 are more costly to shoot a lot. Out og the brands you listed there are some good ones in all those makers. There is also a few others you didn't list that make some good shootin' irons. Sig Sauer, Para Prd, FN-Browning to name a few.Quote:
Originally Posted by swampbronc78
Put a bunch in your hands. You'll get one in there that just screams "yeah! This is it!". The caliber thing can come later. About anything anymore in these modern times will make things fall down when you hit em.
I would imagine that you would get the same response if you had just asked what others carry unless you had some other more specific inquiries.
After very careful consideration for the past 6 months or so of reading and holding handguns, I had made up my mind to get a Glock 26. I went to the shop to pick one up and took another look at the M&P. It took about 5 minutes to change my mind and came away with the M&P comapact 9mm and only a touch of buyer's remorse.
I got mine to carry and weekend plunking around. I picked the 9mm because I already have one 9 and didn't want to have to buy several types of ammo. If I didn't already have a 9, I probably would have gone with the .45.
I am one of those who never saw the need for a .40. There is nothing wrong with it, obviously, or we wouldn't be seeing nearly every LEO in the country carrying one. But, it uses very high pressures to compare favorably with a .45, and I just personally prefer the lower pressures of the .45. In a small gun, the high pressures often translate into muzzle 'flip,' whereas the .45 has more of a soft push, when fired...much more pleasant, to me.
So, for me, the choice is always between 9mm and .45, and I like both, so I will use whichever seems appropriate for the situation. A hot 9mm load is adequate for SD, and a light .45 is a great range load. No .40 cal needed, for me.
As for which platform, Springfield, Glock, CZ, S&W are consistently good, and about in the middle, on prices. Rugers are OK, Sigs and HK's are great, etc., etc.
I have an A.A.Arms tech 9mm and love it but want something bigger as carry handgun. I went to the range a rented a glock .45 and loved it, but they didnt have much choose on rental guns. I have shot a H&K .45 and loved it also but cant afford one. Looking for the right gun at my kinda price($450 or so). My buddy just got a .40 S&W and it is a nice one. I also want oe that I can customize and do some add ons.
Why would you want to buy a gun that needs to be customized for carry?Quote:
Originally Posted by swampbronc78
My carry preference is a rock solid reliable stock from the factory pistol that I can count on in a pinch. I might play around with a range only gun but not one that I rely on for my protection.
+1 :smt023Quote:
Originally Posted by TOF