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Post by Ricochet on Apr 21, 2004 12:25:11 GMT -5
OK, I got my tax refund and it's burning a hole in my pocket. I am seriously considering a 0.40 caliber polymer frame semi-auto. Help me get a feel for what would be the best option. If I haven't listed what you would get in a .40 S&W, then tell me what you prefer.
Ease of concealment as a CCW is not a priority concern yet. This is primarily home defense, range time, and in the truck for traveling.
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Post by Tdrake2 on Apr 21, 2004 12:52:17 GMT -5
I voted Sw99 because for carry it is great, especially in the new scaled down version. It is 3.5 inch barrel in a .40 cal and it nice and compact and very adaptable to the shooter with still lots of rounds.
The .40 cal in the full size is really nice too. I have the full size and am thinking of goign to the smaller one as a backup/summer gun.
Tdrake
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Post by Mikolev on Apr 21, 2004 13:11:33 GMT -5
Well, I cast my vote for the Springfield XD 4". I can't comment too much on the others, because I've only fired them occasionally, and dont' own any.
However, I can't say enough good things about the XD. Mine is in .357sig, but I would imagine that .40 is a very similar shooting experience. One thing that I like, is that it has a little more weight than one might expect from a polyframe. It handles the recoil well, and it'll run you less than just about every thing else on the list, with out a compromise in quality.
Just for the record, I'm sure that 5" XD would also be a great gun, but I've found they are very difficult to find. The few I did find were about $250 - 300 higher than the 4" XD. I'm not sure why the price disparity was so great ...supply and demand I guess.
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Post by Callahan on Apr 21, 2004 14:13:04 GMT -5
Ricochet:
OK, but please answer this first: If the carry option for concealment and comfort is not a priority, then why do you want a polymer gun?
Five of the guns you list are popular for concealed carry. ;D
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Post by Ricochet on Apr 21, 2004 14:27:42 GMT -5
Callahan, It may eventually become a carry weapon, but I didn't want that to be the driving factor. I am after your overall opinion considering quality, accuracy, dependability, and perhaps resale value. But now that you mention it. If your choice is a non-polymer 0.40 caliber semi-auto, and the only issue would be weight difference, I guess I would like to hear that too. Actually, I don't know what the hell I'll end up getting. I just like talking about it. ;D ;D  Oh, BTW. I didn't list the 0.40 Glock, because my Son-in-law, who I usually shoot with, has one and I don't want the same thing. I didn't really like the feel of it anyway. |
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Post by 5ontarget on Apr 21, 2004 17:38:48 GMT -5
I haven't shot all on your list, but I can tell you the Springfield is a great gun. If this MAY become your ccw, I would go with the 4". If it is definitely going to be a ccw, at least try the compact XD's. I haven't shot them yet, I know they have recieved good rieviews. I will considering one for a ccw for myself. As everyone knows the 5" are harder to find. I have seen a couple at gun shows, usually $80-100 more than the 4". The S&W is a good gun, but I think the XD is a better gun and less expensive. The S&W amd Walther are probably a little easier to conceal though.
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Post by klmhq on Apr 21, 2004 19:47:28 GMT -5
You might also consider a Star Firestar in .40. That's what my wife carries right now. My step-father carries an Astra in .40.
They are smaller guns, much more suitable as CCW, but should be sufficient for range shooting.
Oops, just notice you wanted a poly-frame. Those things are NOT poly. In fact the Star is solid steel.
Still, they are good guns, and you might want to try one out.
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Post by Callahan on Apr 22, 2004 11:13:36 GMT -5
I would go with the .40 I have now, Sig P239 in .40 S&W and .357 SiG. The interchangeable barrel is a nice feature. Like having two pistols in one.
It certainly fills your requrements for quality, accuracy, dependability and resale value.
It's weighs 27 oz. and, with Hogue grips, is comfortable to shoot. More comfortable than the .39 oz steel .40 I owned before it.
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Post by Ricochet on Apr 22, 2004 12:33:21 GMT -5
Hmmm. The Sig P239, huh. I'll have to look in to that. I think I'll see if they have one of those in a rental. I know they have a P226-40 rental piece. I might try that one too. I haven't fired any Sigs as they are usually a little pricey around here. Thanks, |
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Post by MLB on Apr 22, 2004 12:34:06 GMT -5
Ricochet, I'll toss in a recommendation for the P99 as I own one and like it. Of the others, I've only fired the SW99 so it's not much use in the way of comparison, but I'll give you what I can between these two. From a practical standpoint, I think that the SW99 and P99 are nearly equivalent. The Walther was tested slightly more accurate than the S&W, but I think it could have gone either way for the small difference. The only major differences are the slide styling and composition (Titanium or Tenifer coated forged steel for the Walther, Melonite stainless stamped for the S&W.) The frame is pretty much the same between the two. I picked the Walther for the forged slide and styling (two-tone look with the titanium), despite the markup. The only bad thing I have to say about it is the unreliable plastic floor plates on the OEM Mec-Gar magazines. I've broken 3 under normal use in under 3 months. Ironically, they finally sent me floorplates for the SW99 that seem to be holding  The aesthetics thing has a new twist for 2004. The P99 has been restyled and looks a bit more SIG-like to me. Most on the Walther forum like the older style better. Best of luck. Have fun. |
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Post by Callahan on Apr 22, 2004 12:42:37 GMT -5
Ricochet:
Find a clean used one. They are usually well cared for by their owners. Buy from a store that will let you return it in 5-10 days if you are not satisfied.
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Post by Callahan on Apr 22, 2004 12:44:53 GMT -5
Hey, MLB, I'm confused! Are you talking about a true, "German-made Walther"?  |
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Post by MLB on Apr 22, 2004 13:40:29 GMT -5
We haven't had a good old fashioned Walther arguement in a while have we?  Not too may of us Walther guys left. Actually, the plastic (excuse me, glass-reinforced polymer) probably was made from middle east oil. There's a reasonable probabability that Germany buys a good amount of their steel from China too! If I remember correctly, the magazines are made in Italy. I'd say it's a world gun |
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Fobos
Gold Member
Posts: 202
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Post by Fobos on Apr 22, 2004 18:52:02 GMT -5
I would go with a Glock 22 or 23. I haven't been able to play with an XD though...
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Post by TA on Apr 26, 2004 11:24:17 GMT -5
Hmmm. The Sig P239, huh. I'll have to look in to that. I think I'll see if they have one of those in a rental. I know they have a P226-40 rental piece. I might try that one too. I haven't fired any Sigs as they are usually a little pricey around here. Thanks, I picked up a P239 brand new in the box for $465 plus shipping and transfer fee with 3 magazines. You should be able to do better than that on a used one. I really like my XD-40, but you will pay around $400 +- for one. For a few more bucks you can have a Sig. |
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Post by 9mm on Apr 26, 2004 17:41:51 GMT -5
Hmmm. The Sig P239, huh. I'll have to look in to that. I think I'll see if they have one of those in a rental. I know they have a P226-40 rental piece. I might try that one too. I haven't fired any Sigs as they are usually a little pricey around here. Thanks, You've got to watch it with those Sigs. I'm already planning on my second. |
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Post by Seraph on Apr 26, 2004 22:25:59 GMT -5
If I wanted a pistol in .40S&W, Browning Hi-Power MkIII would be my choice. This gun has it all: reliability, accuracy, build quality, truly superior ergonomic feel, a long, battle-tested service history, and a vast aftermarket.
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Post by XavierBreath on Apr 28, 2004 9:20:13 GMT -5
I picked the USP.
Why? Because I already have two of them. They are solid, reliable pistols. They are pretty accurate as well. The stock trigger is the weak link. Try to get one with the LEM trigger, or order the parts and install them yourself.
If I could only have one, it would be the compact for ease of carry. FWIW, SOG usually has police trade in USPs for under $5-600. Give them a call if funds are tight.
FWIW, the P2000 comes stock with the LEM trigger, and you can adjust the grip size as well. If I did not already have my USPs I might set my sights on a P2000. The best thing about the P2000 is it lowered the used USP prices as many were traded in.
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Post by TMan on Apr 29, 2004 8:45:30 GMT -5
Okay, I don't own any of the one's on your list, but I do remember reading a magazine article about a year ago that did a comparison between the SW99 and the P99. In actual shooting tests the P99 was more accurate according to them.
I remember a study back in the early 70's where a large computer manufacturer was making the same computer in Japan as in the US. Guess what - the Japanese computers had higher reliability figures. Having brought one to the US to examine it they found polished boards and just a higher quality of workmanship. How this effected overall reliability was a bit of a mystery, but it is easy to understand in handguns - workmanship matters.
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Not too may of us Walther guys left.
