I love my XD45 service model. The only .40 I have is a cheap S&W Sigma, and I can't hit the broad side of a barn with it. Both of my .45's are sweetness though.
My vote is to get what you are comfortable with. I love the .45ACP and have not shot a .40sw however I will tell you that either of these two will be plenty in a self defense situation. Although with the .40 you will be able to carry more rounds (as stated before). I think it comes down to preference here. Let us know what you go with! By the way, you can't go wrong with any of the firearms mentioned here. Also SIG makes amazing firearms, check some out!
"Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum"
I like my G30sf.
Astute Wrote:
Didn't say anything about reloads, but thanks for the warning. I think most already know that. It doesn't mean that Glock makes a "weak .40". Hardly the case.Law enforcement don't shoot reloads and if they did I doubt it was reloaded from previously shot from Glock cases. There has been to many warnings about this, The problem comes from the weakening of a section of the brass at the point where the chamber does not fully support the case. This makes the gun more reliable with a variety of ammo, but not good for reloaded ammo, Glocks are great guns. They are just not the best to shoot reloads from, especially in 40 S&W. To shoot reloads it is recommended to use an aftermarket barrel. These have standard rifling and a fully supported chambers.
"The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good"
-- George Washington
Hey, Tex, I wasn't trying to step on your toes, there. I am also not trying to denigrate the Glock. All I am saying, and Astute said it better than I did, was that the Glock chambered in .40 has an issue. Truth be told, all Glock flavors have chambers that don't fully support the case heads. While this does make it more tolerant of different ammunition, it is definitely something to consider with a .40 caliber firearm. In low pressure cartridges like 9mm and .45 caliber, the consideration is a lot lower. For a high pressure cartridge like .40, I do believe it is a valid consideration.
The Gun Zone -- Catastrophic Failures
"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." Thomas Jefferson
Gee, I'd hate to get hit by a .40 SW or a .45 ACP. I do like .45 ACP handguns (I own two of them-P90 and XD-45) but I've seen what the .40SW can do in good hands. Either caliber will work just fine.
Last edited by BearTaylor; 02-10-2009 at 02:46 AM.
I shoot and train with a bunch of LEO that shoot the Glock 22. We reload brass a max of 3X to minimize the possibility of case ruptures. Our group has fired approx. 10,000 rounds of reloads. So far, so good.
On a side note, most LE agencies supply both "practice" and "duty" ammo for their officers. This is due to department restrictions on using reloaded ammo in department owned firearms. The LEO I train with use the reloads in their personally owned supplimental firearms.
gf
"A few well placed shots with a .22LR is a lot better than a bunch of solid misses with a .44 mag!" Glock Armorer, NRA Chief RSO, Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Muzzleloading Rifle, Muzzleloading Shotgun, and Home Firearm Safety Training Counselor
I suppose this could go on forever. Good thread. I carry a S&W 40 but never fired a .45. Most just seem so... BIG.
You can run... but you'll just die tired. 3%