View Full Version : Just Curious...Which Guns Handle 40 S&W Wear & Tear The Best?
Unkle Kurt
05-23-13, 20:46
I've hear that 40 S&W has a tendency to beat up a guns internals over time and thus decreasing the service life versus that of its 9mm counterpart. The 40 cal round also has a history of being "snappy".
Which brands seem to hold up better over time and which models seem to mitigate recoil the best?
HK (USP, P2000, P30)
SIG (P226, P229)
M&P FS
Glock (22, 23, 22 Gen4, 23 Gen4)
The Dumb Gun Collector
05-23-13, 21:18
HK USP is probably the most bomb-proof.
We've had good luck with our P229s for the last two decades. In terms of being "bomb proof", the guns are accurate, they keep functioning without problems, and we rarely break parts.
silviacrazed
05-23-13, 21:45
I use a full size M&P in 40. Gun holds up pretty well, but a lot of time around 5k rounds the slide release snaps.
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HK USP and HKP30 are bomb proof. S&W M&P was designed around the .40 then downsized to 9mm so there cool. Glock Gen 4 22,23 & 27 are also capable as Glock has done some obvious refinements to the frame, RSA, etc. When the first run of 40S&W pistols came out in the mid 1990's, they were mostly upsized 9mm guns...not good. Not knocking any other pistol but alot of the upsized guns had issues with excessive wear from what I recall. Sig actually redesigned the 228 slide so instead of folded sheet metal they are milled on the 229.
The HK USP and USPc were designed as .40S&W pistols first, then adapted to other calibers, the later, more modern HKs, such as the P2000 and P30 are updates of the original USP design. The same is true of the S&W M&P; designed as .40s first, then 9mm, .357SIG, whatever after. The pistols that do not far so well are those that were 9mm designs adapted to the more powerful .40 caliber. The S&W 4006 is a revamped, stainless model 59 and falls into the later category.
Over the last 12 years, I've had two Sig P226's chambered in .40S&W. My first one was used and abused when I received it. After cleaning it up, I went on to feed it a steady diet of practice & duty rounds. I put just over 30k through it when it was turned in for a new one about five years later. My next P226 had no issues either.
I use a full size M&P in 40. Gun holds up pretty well, but a lot of time around 5k rounds the slide release snaps.
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I've had the same issue with my duty M&P45. With just over 16k rounds fired, two slide stops have broke. One sheared off at about 5k and the other about 11k. I only use the slide stop to lock the slide to the rear. Despite this, the M&P40 would be a solid choice.
My finances M&P40 has held up quite well after about 2K rounds.
I've had the same issue with my duty M&P45. With just over 16k rounds fired, two slide stops have broke. One sheared off at about 5k and the other about 11k. I only use the slide stop to lock the slide to the rear. Despite this, the M&P40 would be a solid choice.
APD had the same problem with their M&P 40s. Several thousand rounds into the gun's life, it had a tendency to break slide stops. APD uses full power 165gr Gold Dots. The slide stops are definately the weak link in the M&P design.
At this point, I trust the durability of our Sigs in .40, or I would go over to CBP's HK P2000, P2000SK, or P30s. The HK models have also been working great for them.
RogerinTPA
05-24-13, 10:22
I've had the same issue with my duty M&P45. With just over 16k rounds fired, two slide stops have broke. One sheared off at about 5k and the other about 11k. I only use the slide stop to lock the slide to the rear. Despite this, the M&P40 would be a solid choice.
Agreed. The M&P series have had issues with slide stops breaking off, but it only happened to my FS9 (close to 20K fired) and my 9c (15k+ fired). Personally, I think it's partly due to the material used, but more than likely, it's due to those to guns being shot, holstered, and dry fired the most. My M&P40 & 45 slide stops are still going strong with 10K plus on each, and they are the least fired.
To the OP: I've owned a G23, the PX4 40, and the M&P40. All have been in several pistol courses. I've also shot the USP and P2000 in 40. Although those HK offerings were pretty good, the edge goes to the M&P in my opinion is the most ergonomic, controllable, and most comfortable to shoot.
We carried the 357 sig in sig p226/p239 for over a dozen years and NEVER had a problem. I would say the p229 would be the same, if not better, as its a little beefier. The secret service and fam carry the p229 in 357 sig, and from i hear, shoot an awful amount of rounds thru theirs. They seem to be happy with them.
WickedWillis
05-24-13, 14:06
Any that were actually "built" around the .40. HK USP, M&P, Older Sigs, Gen 4 Glocks all handle it well. The biggest .40 issues are fading away, makers used to think that they could still use a 9mm spring and be good to go.
Any that were actually "built" around the .40. HK USP, M&P, Older Sigs, Gen 4 Glocks all handle it well. The biggest .40 issues are fading away, makers used to think that they could still use a 9mm spring and be good to go.
Older sigs? What's wrong with newer sigs for durability? Nothing has changed except for the longer type extractor and the e2 grip.
WickedWillis
05-24-13, 14:45
Older sigs? What's wrong with newer sigs for durability? Nothing has changed except for the longer type extractor and the e2 grip.
Sorry, obviously the newer Sigs are built similar, I was referring to being built from the ground up to handle the .40, like Glock did with its Gen 4's, and not with its Gen 2's and 3's. If this helps explain better.
arcticlightfighter
05-24-13, 17:34
My coworkers SIG P226 .40 (NP3) has conservatively 15k rds of .40 through it. Still runs and has been rebuilt with small springs etc but still tickin.
I've hear that 40 S&W has a tendency to beat up a guns internals over time and thus decreasing the service life versus that of its 9mm counterpart. The 40 cal round also has a history of being "snappy".
Which brands seem to hold up better over time and which models seem to mitigate recoil the best?
HK (USP, P2000, P30)
SIG (P226, P229)
M&P FS
Glock (22, 23, 22 Gen4, 23 Gen4)
The Gen4 G22 & the M&P 40 get my votes, they are simple, efficient designs that are very robustly constructed. The M&P was designed as a .40 caliber from the get go.
Lost amidst the Gen4 9mm catastrophe, has been the refinements(at the expense of the 9mm Glocks)to the G22 & G23 pistols. Glock really hit it out of the park with these pistols, they have superb recoil characteristics, and offer superior ergonomics.
I think I would comfortably choose either of these fine offerings over those from HK, pistols whose hype I've never bought into.
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