Looking for a compact .40

M

MajorLonghorn

Joined
Jul 6, 2012
Messages
367
I have narrowed down my short list to the HK P2000sk, Sig P239, and the S&W M&P 40c. The first two are much more expensive and difficult to find than the third, but I'm a fan of European guns (my full-size pistol is a Sig P229). I'd like to stay with .40 because my other gun is already a .40 and I'm averse to having to keep too many different kinds of ammo stocked, so ideally the gun will mitigate recoil and muzzle flip well. While I am very familiar with Sigs, I have never fired a HK or a S&W M&P, but I hear good things about all these models. Does anyone have experience with all three? If so, which of these three handles .40 best? Also, what about function and reliability?
 
The "big brands" are all reliable, I think you should focus more on which design fits your hands the best. "Handling" really is dependent on how your hands are built and how you can handle recoil, so YMMV. It only matters how a pistol feels in your hand, especially if you ever need to use it in a SD situation. Because of this, you really need to shoot all of them to determine which one feels best for yourself.

If this is going to be a CC weapon, then you need to consider thickness as well since you will need to maintain concealment with it. Don't forget the Glock G23 & G27 for reliability & ease of use & concealment.
 
CWL said:
The "big brands" are all reliable, I think you should focus more on which design fits your hands the best. "Handling" really is dependent on how your hands are built and how you can handle recoil, so YMMV. It only matters how a pistol feels in your hand, especially if you ever need to use it in a SD situation. Because of this, you really need to shoot all of them to determine which one feels best for yourself.

If this is going to be a CC weapon, then you need to consider thickness as well since you will need to maintain concealment with it. Don't forget the Glock G23 & G27 for reliability & ease of use & concealment.
Click to expand...

I do like the Glock 23, but it's too close in size to what I already have, and the Glock 27 is just too small for my taste. I am looking at a compact pistol as a backup because I want the option to CC, but I also want it to be a pleasant gun to shoot in a .40. It may be a moot point, as I'm having a hard time finding anything other that 9mm right now. Obviously, in the end, the decision rests on which feels best in my hand, but it doesn't hurt to gather research and testimonials.
 
How about a CZ 2075 RAMI? Comes in steel and poly. Internal rail design will keep the bore axis lower which will help with recoil as well as make shots more accurate in theory.
rami40.jpg


EDIT: I shoot HK, but am familiar with the CZ platform as well as firearms based on the CZ. The HK trigger will have a pretty crappy double action. It feels like 15 pounds, but that's probably exaggerating. The beauty about HK, aside from reliability, is that you can swap trigger control groups. You can convert from DA/SA, to DAO, to LEM and back and forth. Most HKs you will encounter at various LGSs are DA/SA unless someone had the firearm special ordered or converted the firearm to LEM themselve. My HK is an LEM (law enforcement modification) trigger configuration, which basically makes it a double action only firearm but with the trigger reset AND trigger pull weight of a single action, which is to say 4.5 pounds for me.

My bro shoots an M&P Pro and has nothing but good things to say about it. I've shot his firearm several times. IMO, it feels the best out of all the striker fired handguns I've tried (Glocks, XDs, M&Ps). The only firearm that probably feels better and has a better trigger is the Walther PPQ, but I have not been able to handle/fire one.

CZs are awesome. They will have the best out of the box trigger at least in my experience.

Of all the three, which do I prefer? HK because of LEM for polymer. For full steel, either a CZ or a Sphinx which you cannot find on this side of the pond as easily.

Last EDIT: I have fired Sigs, but not that particular one you listed. Great firearms with great triggers. I just hate the aluminum frames. Either full steel frame for me or polymer, but I strongly prefer an all steel framed.
 
Last edited:
I own and carry the P2000sk in 40. It's a great carry gun and fun to take to the range to shoot. Being a lefty limited my choices and the ambidextrous design won me over in the end but I have been very happy with it. My HK is also in LEM configuration. I carry with an IWB holster from Crossbreed. Concealment hasn't been an issue for me, though in Indiana it wouldn't matter if it poked out from under my shirt. Good luck with your purchase.
 
While a 9mm my S&W M&P 9C has proven to be a nice little package, and I imagine a the M&P40C would be much the same. The capacity is pretty respectable, and with a grip extension on the magazine, has serviceable ergonomics. The interchangeable backstraps are kinda a standard fare on stryker fired polymer framed guns as well. IMHO this pistol in 40 S&W or 9mm is a pretty nice alternative to a Glock 26 or 27.
 
Ramiel said:
I own and carry the P2000sk in 40. It's a great carry gun and fun to take to the range to shoot. Being a lefty limited my choices and the ambidextrous design won me over in the end but I have been very happy with it. My HK is also in LEM configuration. I carry with an IWB holster from Crossbreed. Concealment hasn't been an issue for me, though in Indiana it wouldn't matter if it poked out from under my shirt. Good luck with your purchase.
Click to expand...

I am left-eye dominant and I shoot better left-handed, which is why I am interested in the HK and the M&P. Sig is not really leftie-friendly, but I have adapted myself to my P229.
 
We visited a gun shop this weekend. After handling a Sig P239, a HK P2000, a Glock 26, and a Glock 23, the wife surprisingly chose the Glock 23. I thought (and hoped) that she was going to pick the HK, but the moment she held the 23 (Gen. 4), she said that was it. I took it out for a spin yesterday, and while it recoils more than my P229, it is very accurate. Very nice gun, especially for the money.
 
Get a SIG P239 with DAK trigger. Left or right handed, it works well. Check for a close out with Night Sights or one that is gently used and you can resell it without too much financial risk if you don't like it.
 
Sid Post said:
Get a SIG P239 with DAK trigger. Left or right handed, it works well. Check for a close out with Night Sights or one that is gently used and you can resell it without too much financial risk if you don't like it.
Click to expand...

We looked at the P239 but she thought it was heavy relative to its size. She found the Glock 23 to be better balanced.
 
MajorLonghorn said:
We looked at the P239 but she thought it was heavy relative to its size. She found the Glock 23 to be better balanced.
Click to expand...

IMO the Glock 23 is hard to beat. I trust that the S&W M&P is a good product and I've read good things about the Springfield XD. The SIG P239 is also good but it seems to have a relatively small grip to me and seems topheavy because of the weight of the slide vs. the size and weight of the grip.
 
I owned both the G23 and currently, the Sig 239. I like the 239 better and more accurate with it. It is heavier but it helps lessen the kick of the .40 (you know it kicks). I carry the 239 as I prefer the trigger pull of it from the HK p2000SK. Personally, I would pick the 239 but you pick which you are more comfortable with ! They are all good and reliable guns.
 
MajorLonghorn said:
We looked at the P239 but she thought it was heavy relative to its size. She found the Glock 23 to be better balanced.
Click to expand...

That's pretty subjective with all the mass in the slide and very little in the frame. Handling dynamics change depending on how many rounds are in the magazine too. For taming recoil, low bore axis and pistol mass are very helpful.
 
bdmicarta said:
The SIG P239 is also good but it seems to have a relatively small grip to me and seems topheavy because of the weight of the slide vs. the size and weight of the grip.
Click to expand...

For top heavy, unloaded Glocks are pretty top heavy as are a lot of the popular polymer framed pistols in general.

Smaller pistols take more skill to shoot well versus a larger heavier pistol with more sight radius and full size grip but, that is the trade-off you make for a CCW firearm choice if want something compact.
 
I shot the Glock 23 on Sunday, and while the recoil was noticeably greater than with my P229, I was amazed at how accurately I shot it right out of the box. I liked it. She hasn't shot it yet, though, so verdict isn't in yet. If anything, it will be a nice backup piece for me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top