In a twist of irony, it now seems that I will be switching my primary sidearm to a Gen2 Glock.  I wanted a model 19, but after months of waiting for  a used one to come in, the LGS has a nice model 23 that I like. 

So...  This will be my first .40, and I have no idea of who makes the best loads, what the best bullet weights are, etc.  Basically, I know nothing about .40s.  Any and all advice or guidance is requested.

ETA: Does anyone know what bullet weight the Glock factory sights are regulated for?

Thanks.



Kaso

+1 on 180gr.  We are issued the Winchester "Ranger Bonded SXT" which I think is the same as the PDX.  Winchester, for one reason or another seems to have a lock on the local market at the moment as the other companies and agencies that I know of that use .40, use the same load.

I don't think there is much to choose from between the Winchester PDX, the Federal HST, or the Speer Gold dot.  They all seem to have similar construction and expansion characteristics.

The 180 gr loadings seem to be a good compromise between heavy-hitting .45 ACP-type weight and reasonable recoil. Everyone likes to gripe about how snappy the .40 is compared to the "push" style recoil of the .45, but my M&P seems more like a 9mm than anything. Some of the 155-165 gr loadings are really stepping out and can be a little harsh, but I have no complaints about the 180, in either FMJ training or defensive ammo configuration.

I know that the .40 is a compromise caliber, and, like any great compromise, everyone hates it. In my mind, however, it really does a great job of giving you almost-.45 performance with almost-9mm capacity and with very easy shootability. The .40 is a homerun in my book, and the 180gr load is about perfect, IMHO.

Mike

180gr.?  Sounds good.  That seems to be the most common, but I have seen 135, 155, 165, 170,  175, 180, and 200 grain weights, so I was not sure what to look at.

Any preferences as far as HP bullet design?  What practice ammo should I look at?

 

Kaso

with the prices we have from our distributor,  there is no practical difference between "Duty" and "Practice",  so we only purchase, train with and carry "Duty" loads.

180gr.?  Sounds good.  That seems to be the most common, but I have seen 135, 155, 165, 170,  175, 180, and 200 grain weights, so I was not sure what to look at.

Any preferences as far as HP bullet design?  What practice ammo should I look at?

 

Kaso

with the prices we have from our distributor,  there is no practical difference between "Duty" and "Practice",  so we only purchase, train with and carry "Duty" loads.

Unfortunately, I do not have access to those price breaks, and so am unable to afford $1+ per round duty ammo for general practice. 



Kaso

I have a Gen 2 Glock model 22 (.40 S&W).  I use 180 FMJ for practice, whatever I find cheapest from Rem or Win.  Note that early Glocks like mine and perhaps yours have a little less chamber support than newer ones and can be subject to the "Glock Bulge" of cases with max power loads, especially hot handloads.  I don't get that bulge, even with the handloads I have carefully worked up with Barnes Bullets for for my carry magazine.

This phenomenon seems to vary from barrel to barrel on the gen 1 and gen 2 .40 Glocks.  Some guys replace the barrel to be safe.  There are a few reported cases of kaboom with hot loads.  If you don't have a noticeable case bulge, don't worry about it.  Probably want to avoid all "+P" loads, and all handloads, unless you work them up yourself.

The gun could have already had a replacement barrel installed.  If so, disregard this post.