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My husband and I were talking about guns that I might be interested in for .40 or .45's. Here is what we've come up with.
taurus 24/7 ProC Compact, Taurus 24/7 Pro (4 inch barrel), Taurus 740 Slim/709
Springfield XD-M , Sig P250, Sig P229
Smith and Wesson Sigma Series, Browing Hi-Power 9 mm (expensive)
Kahr CW40, CW45, Kahr K40
Glock 23/23C, Ruger SR40 (test the SR9), Rugar P245
Smith Self-Defense series, Stoger Cougar (Beretta)
CZ 2075 Rami 40, F&P 40 or 45, Cobra Patriot 45
FNX 40, Commander Length Rockisland 45
Zastava EZ M88 40, Firestorm 40


Any recommendations on 9 mm? what is the different in the weight and recoil between a 9 mm, .40 and .45?

9 tend to have a sharp quick recoil
40 and 45 are dull heavy thump with more gun movement but are comfortable

I suggest a S&W M&P 9 in either the compact or standard size. Great ergonomics, reliable, and accurate.

for what purpose? carry , home duty, or range time?

Of those three calibers I think the .40 is the hardest to master. The .40 has snappier recoil then the .45acp. I believe this is because it is a higher pressure cartridge but some of the guys here might be able to clarify it more. I just find it easier to control a .45 then a .40 but that might just be me. This is why so many ladies love the 1911 .45acp. Plus, you just can't go wrong with a .45. 9mm is cheap and I think it is the one gun anybody can handle that has acceptable stopping power.

My better half is only 4 feet 10in and she can handle a S&W 908 9mm easily. I prefer guns that weigh over 20 oz unloaded when I carry. I tried those 15 oz 9mm Kahrs and it had more felt recoil then my Glock 20 and it wasn't nearly as accurate. Here is a list of guns I would like but to each their own.

Kahr K9 (heavier kahr, weighs around 25 oz, great for people with small hands, single stack)
S&W 908 (single stack, 24 oz, great for people with small hands, costs a lot less then a Kahr or Sig)
Browning Hi-Power- Just hold it and you will fall in love
Rock Island- Affordable, dependable, .45acp and did I mention .45acp!!
Stoger Cougar - This is a really great gun and the word is out
Glock- It’s a Glock, it goes bang every time and doesn't have an external safety, which I like.
Revolver- Ruger Sp-101 .357 mag, this is the best bang for the buck revolver as far as I am concerned, I love Ruger revolvers

It all depends on what you want. Is this gun mainly for carry? I prefer to conceal compact and full size pistols and just dress around it. I only carry a bug (.380) as a backup. Many for work reasons can't dress around a full size so the compromise and that is why the Ruger LCP is so popular, it is better then nothing.

Stoeger Industries is a subsidiary of Beretta. The Stoeger Cougars are made in Turkey using the same machinery that Beretta used to make the original Cougars. It is every bit the quality of the Beretta. The Stoeger 8000 in 9mm is identical to the Beretta Cougar L Type P (Cougar L slide, lighter barrel and beveled slide, but with a full-length magazine). The Cougar is a great gun for the money. Available in 9mm, .40S&W, .45ACP.

http://www.stoegerindustries.com/firear ... cougar.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You cannot go wrong with any Sig.... your list is comparing apples to oranges and the price spread is quite large. First of all, you must pick a gun that fits your hand, what works for me will not necessarily work for you. Inexpensive guns are inexpensive for a reason, all guns are not made the same, quality and reliability should be the main concern for defensive concerns. There are a few on your list that I personally would not even consider, I will not point them out as it will start a flaming war. With modern ammo and higher capacity I would not feel at a loss with a 9mm. Plus the ammo is much cheaper, in order to become proficient with any firearm it takes a lot of practice which is where the 9mm shines.....

I highly recommend putting your hands on some to see how they feel to you. Even when not firing, you will get a sense of how comfortable and secure your grip feels. Discomfort or lack of security will only be magnified with recoil.

Recoil characteristics of the three major cartridges you mention have already been discussed by others. I concur that in terms of ascending recoil severity, from least to greatest, the order is 9mm, 45ACP, 40 S&W.

Most modern firearms using any of these cartridges are quite reliable and have few issues. That said, choosing a sidearm from a respected manufacturer that will stand by their products after the sale with good customer support is never a bad idea. Once you have decided on which arms feel "right" in your hands, check forums such as this and any other sources you can think of regarding satisfaction with customer service. That may help narrow the list further and provide a solid basis for a decision you won't later regret.

Happy hunting...

Beiruty wrote:for what purpose? carry , home duty, or range time?

For mainly carry, probably in the beginning carry purse. My husband is gone 3 nights a week right now in school so we're at home by ourselves for 3-4 hours. I will also be shooting it on the range as well.

Woohoo!

I saw in your other post that you're in DFW. I feel another range trip coming on. Anyone up for it?

CC Italian wrote:Of those three calibers I think the .40 is the hardest to master. The .40 has snappier recoil then the .45acp. I believe this is because it is a higher pressure cartridge but some of the guys here might be able to clarify it more. I just find it easier to control a .45 then a .40 but that might just be me. This is why so many ladies love the 1911 .45acp. Plus, you just can't go wrong with a .45. 9mm is cheap and I think it is the one gun anybody can handle that has acceptable stopping power.

I had the same experience with my .40. I think that .45 is a lot easier to shoot.

for my short, bear paw fingers I have to stick to single stack pistols in general. My Sig P239 in 40 cal is near perfect in weight and control, as far as 40 cal goes. It's the most forgiving 40 cal I've ever handled. The disadvantage, in most folks mind, is the limited capacity of 7+1, but that is a characteristic of all my carry guns (with the exception of the revolvers). The P239 in 9mm is a real pussycat compared to most of the tupperware handguns of the same size, due to the weight. Actually, for 9mm, I have found the Kahr CW9 (9mm) to be the perfect fit for me, both budget and quality. Again, it's a single stack with 7+1 capacity, but is extremely suited to concealed carry, low cost, high quality, and has night sights available (I love my Trijicon sights).

Just more fodder to consider.

surv

FWIW, I love my Sig P226 (9mm). It's a bit of a bear to conceal, but that's mostly my own fault for wanting to carry it with a light attached. You said you're in DFW, jdlott74? Big Slim's in Carrollton at the corner of Rosemeade & Marsh (I think) is the cheapest place I've found for guns (at least the ones I've been looking for). Plus, they'll waive the FFL fee if they can't match the price of a new gun. At the very least, they're really nice & helpful folks.

I'm in the same situation with my wife. Years ago I bought her the Lady Smith 3913 and when we finally got around to having her shoot it, she didn't like it and went with the Glock 19, go figure. So, I would suggest a Lady Smith due to handgrip size, but shoot what you feel comfortble with at the range. You'll use it more if you feel comfortable with it.

HarleyDave wrote:I'm in the same situation with my wife. Years ago I bought her the Lady Smith 3913 and when we finally got around to having her shoot it, she didn't like it and went with the Glock 19, go figure. So, I would suggest a Lady Smith due to handgrip size, but shoot what you feel comfortble with at the range. You'll use it more if you feel comfortable with it.

My wife has the S&W 3913 and loves it. She has small hands, arthritis is both wrists at the base of the thumb and she can handle it very well, easy to rack and shoot. But as noted, shoot what is comfortable or it won't get shot at all.

Gary

I love my 229 in .40. Needs a trigger job (not because its a bad trigger, but I like great triggers).