Im looking for a hand gun to just shoot and for self defense but also a side arm for when I'm bow hunting in the mountains or in alaska, was looking at a 40 but i heard that the 40's can get really high pressure and cause problems of being dangerous, or is this just a bunch of garbage. Im new to the hand guns.
Sidearms & Scatterguns High pressures with a .40 handgun
- Thread starter Retterath
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Re: High pressures with a .40 handgun
I've owned a S&W Shorty Forty for 20 years and never had any issues after countless trips to the range. .40 is also a very popular LE caliber. I don't know who told you this but unless you plan to shoot your gun underwater I've never heard of any safety related issues pertaining to the pressure of the .40 cartridge.
I've owned a S&W Shorty Forty for 20 years and never had any issues after countless trips to the range. .40 is also a very popular LE caliber. I don't know who told you this but unless you plan to shoot your gun underwater I've never heard of any safety related issues pertaining to the pressure of the .40 cartridge.
Re: High pressures with a .40 handgun
The only problem i know of is hand loads in a Glock, because of unsupported chambers and hot loads. Have picked up quite a few of bulged cases on the range. I have personaly put over 4000 rounds threw my XD in many comps, and have had only a few FTE, FTF.
The only problem i know of is hand loads in a Glock, because of unsupported chambers and hot loads. Have picked up quite a few of bulged cases on the range. I have personaly put over 4000 rounds threw my XD in many comps, and have had only a few FTE, FTF.
Re: High pressures with a .40 handgun
I have and XD 40 and I have noticed that the .40 cases bulge all the time. I have notice the same thing with the 10mm. These two seem to bulge more than any other round but its not a problem. It just shortens case life a little for reloading.
I have and XD 40 and I have noticed that the .40 cases bulge all the time. I have notice the same thing with the 10mm. These two seem to bulge more than any other round but its not a problem. It just shortens case life a little for reloading.
Re: High pressures with a .40 handgun
well thanks sounds like something i really don't have to worry about, thanks for the replys.
well thanks sounds like something i really don't have to worry about, thanks for the replys.
Re: High pressures with a .40 handgun
Ive never heard of any issues with factory loads and had no issues myself. Check out the .40 M&P. I carry mine hunting and almost forget I have it. Its a great all round gun that shoots great out of the box.
Ive never heard of any issues with factory loads and had no issues myself. Check out the .40 M&P. I carry mine hunting and almost forget I have it. Its a great all round gun that shoots great out of the box.
Re: High pressures with a .40 handgun
The whole bull shit with Glocks and there unsupported chambers is only in the old ones, my G35 doesn't bulge the brass, 40 has a lot going for it, but I recommend a 45 in the case of the original poster because he mentioned Alaska, a 44mag would be even better up there.
The whole bull shit with Glocks and there unsupported chambers is only in the old ones, my G35 doesn't bulge the brass, 40 has a lot going for it, but I recommend a 45 in the case of the original poster because he mentioned Alaska, a 44mag would be even better up there.
Re: High pressures with a .40 handgun
I am afraid the problem you are going to run into with your needs is that a gun to "just shoot" and a gun that would be suitable for carry, specifically in Alaska, is that the caliber needed for usefulness against brown bears is going to be incompatible with cheap ammo for "shooting".
I will preface this with saying I have never killed a bear with a handgun.. but I do believe they can be killed with a handgun under good conditions. Seeing and subsequently stalking the bear to 30 yards or so and putting a planned shot on it based on my timing is one thing. Being seen by the bear and it rushing you from the scrub at 15 yards is a different game.
It sounds like what you are wanting is for bear defense, not bear hunting, for that I would think at a minimum a .44 and more reasonably a .454 casull or better. Any N or X frame Smith capable of handling those rounds is not exactly going to be easily concealed.
In the .44 Mag, you could use .44 spl just for shooting. In the .454 Casull, you can shoot .45LC. However, neither is what I would call cheap to shoot recreationally.
I am afraid the problem you are going to run into with your needs is that a gun to "just shoot" and a gun that would be suitable for carry, specifically in Alaska, is that the caliber needed for usefulness against brown bears is going to be incompatible with cheap ammo for "shooting".
I will preface this with saying I have never killed a bear with a handgun.. but I do believe they can be killed with a handgun under good conditions. Seeing and subsequently stalking the bear to 30 yards or so and putting a planned shot on it based on my timing is one thing. Being seen by the bear and it rushing you from the scrub at 15 yards is a different game.
It sounds like what you are wanting is for bear defense, not bear hunting, for that I would think at a minimum a .44 and more reasonably a .454 casull or better. Any N or X frame Smith capable of handling those rounds is not exactly going to be easily concealed.
In the .44 Mag, you could use .44 spl just for shooting. In the .454 Casull, you can shoot .45LC. However, neither is what I would call cheap to shoot recreationally.
Re: High pressures with a .40 handgun
.40's are much more prone to broken and worn parts compared to 9mm's and .45's. Many manufactures will even tell you this at armorer's courses.
I don't like it due to that and the snappier recoil impulse.
.40's are much more prone to broken and worn parts compared to 9mm's and .45's. Many manufactures will even tell you this at armorer's courses.
I don't like it due to that and the snappier recoil impulse.
Re: High pressures with a .40 handgun
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: D.A.T.</div><div class="ubbcode-body">.40's are much more prone to broken and worn parts compared to 9mm's and .45's. Many manufactures will even tell you this at armorer's courses.
I don't like it due to that and the snappier recoil impulse.
</div></div>
+1 I don't see the .40 as a best of both worlds cartridge, but rather a number or compromises that result in a recoil impulse that is much harder to control than either a 45 or 9mm.
A 45 has a push that can easily be absorbed through the elbow and biceps. 9mm has little recoil to speak of while 40 has a sharp recoil that gets transferred mostly to the wrists. Even though the 45 has bigger recoil the 40 results in muzzle flip more than the 45 making rapid fire control harder.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: D.A.T.</div><div class="ubbcode-body">.40's are much more prone to broken and worn parts compared to 9mm's and .45's. Many manufactures will even tell you this at armorer's courses.
I don't like it due to that and the snappier recoil impulse.
</div></div>
+1 I don't see the .40 as a best of both worlds cartridge, but rather a number or compromises that result in a recoil impulse that is much harder to control than either a 45 or 9mm.
A 45 has a push that can easily be absorbed through the elbow and biceps. 9mm has little recoil to speak of while 40 has a sharp recoil that gets transferred mostly to the wrists. Even though the 45 has bigger recoil the 40 results in muzzle flip more than the 45 making rapid fire control harder.
Re: High pressures with a .40 handgun
Read through the thread here on pistols for grizzly defense. Good info there.
I totally agree with those saying a target/plinker and Alaskan defense gun are not really to be had in one gun...
...the closest I can think of is either a Glock 20 or 29 in 10mm, with 40cal conversion barrels. Hot 10mm loads are at least CLOSE to adequate (if not totally sufficient) for Alaska. Many guides carry them up there. Meanwhile, 40 is a pretty reasonable plinker - though it's my least favorite "common" cartridge.
Read through the thread here on pistols for grizzly defense. Good info there.
I totally agree with those saying a target/plinker and Alaskan defense gun are not really to be had in one gun...
...the closest I can think of is either a Glock 20 or 29 in 10mm, with 40cal conversion barrels. Hot 10mm loads are at least CLOSE to adequate (if not totally sufficient) for Alaska. Many guides carry them up there. Meanwhile, 40 is a pretty reasonable plinker - though it's my least favorite "common" cartridge.
Re: High pressures with a .40 handgun
I have a compensated Glock 23C. I actually find the compensated glock more easy to control in 40 s&w than an uncompensated glock 19 I own. The muzzle flip is less from the 23C from what I have experienced.
I have a compensated Glock 23C. I actually find the compensated glock more easy to control in 40 s&w than an uncompensated glock 19 I own. The muzzle flip is less from the 23C from what I have experienced.
Re: High pressures with a .40 handgun
.40 Smith and Wesson is a pretty popular caliber thats been around for quite a while so that shows its a dependable cartriage. If your looking for models you cant go wrong with Glock 23, especially if your doing outdoors stuff and its gonna take some abuse. If your worried about malfunctions its more likely cheap ammo or a cheap pistol is gonna be the problem.
.40 Smith and Wesson is a pretty popular caliber thats been around for quite a while so that shows its a dependable cartriage. If your looking for models you cant go wrong with Glock 23, especially if your doing outdoors stuff and its gonna take some abuse. If your worried about malfunctions its more likely cheap ammo or a cheap pistol is gonna be the problem.
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