P-series in .40SW vs. other .40's - recommend or not?

[Knecht]

How do you guys like your P-Rugers in .40 caliber? I have a P89DC and love it, but lately I was thinking about some bigger caliber gun for carry. Guess the .40 caliber will be my choice, but not sure which gun should fire it. I'm thinking about Glock, tried to fire it, but don't know...it shoots well but something about the gun isn't 100% right...like it was not made for me. I don't mind if it's plastic or whatever, it's just the feel of it in hand and while shooting. Perhaps I could get used to it, but why - if I can find a gun that suits me better. My P89 fits my hand like a glove (original grip was fine, added a Hogue anatomic rubber grip to make it perfect), so I thought - why not another old Ruger? It's ambidextrous which I really like (left handed) and is usually very well priced here - if you can find one, which is not that easy - not as many of these P-series run around here, but sometimes you get lucky.
Some friends told me that P-series design is not the best choice for .40 caliber, due to several tecnical reasons, but I'm not sure if they weren't just too much of Glock fans.
So how about it? I know from my personal experience that P-series are reliable and durable, no doubt about that. But if you compare one of them in .40SW with other pistol of that caliber (mainly interested in Glocks), which one is better? Please try to keep the answer technical only, don't go much to the aesthetics or other personal feelings - which gun is better built for a .40 cartridge and why.
Thanks for your opinion

 

[carbonyl]

I didn't know the P series came in a .40. I thought they were only 9mm or .45.

 

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

They used to. P91 and P94. With my experience, I couldnt recommend them. Maybe others have had better luck. You can still find used but great shape P94s ...

CZ makes several guns in .40. The one in that chambering option I now own is a CZ 40B. Its just like the Colt z40 except the Colt is DAO. These, like the Rugers are also out of production. The general consensus about these at over at cz forum is that these are great. I havent had a chance to shoot mine yet. Its still new, to me. Another option from CZ would be a Cz75B in .40 or P06 or P07"Duty". They also make a polymer model too now in .40...

The CZ 40B, like the Sig P229, was DESIGNED FOR the .40. Another thing I like about the .40B is that cz75.40 parts work in it including magazines.

Also give the FN Browning FNP/FNX a shot. They shoot like a sig but at a much lower price point.

Another option if you dont mind going polymer/striker fired is the Springfield XD 40. This is the gun that replaced my glocks for carry due to its weight. Much better grip/angle.

Ive given you some options now time for you to do some research and footwork to see what YOU like.

 

[Knecht]

Thanks
if I remember right, CZ40B was not really ment for local market and will be very rare around here (searching our biggest gunforum, I only found one guy who said he had it).
Never shot an XD, perhaps should try it (heard that many people who don't like Glock grips prefer XDs instead). But I'm afraid they will be even more expensive here than Glocks. Sigs are even higher priced and I never shot one either.

 

[PAVTXER]

I have a like NIB Ruger KP-944DC (.40 cal) with the sticker still on it that I have not yet shot.... mainly because it is .40 cal, and I have been focused pretty much on 3 calibers.... .22, 9mm and .45 calibers. I have a few others, but nothing significant to speak of. The reason I have that KP-944DC is because I was going to get and keep (aka collect) the Stainless/Alloy Ruger P series . I also have a KP-89, KP-89DC, KP-90, KP-93DC, KP-94DC.... and was looking to add the KP-91DC to the mix as well and be done with it. But, the more I think about it... the more I think I may stick with the 9's and 45..... because I have no .40 cal ammo and not sure I want to get into that caliber (at least not at the moment).

In any event, I will say that all the Ruger P's I have fit me like a glove, and I think with the Hogue grips, it couldn't get any better. They all feel pretty much the same regardless of the model. So if you are looking for the familiar fit, finish, reliability and comfort factor.... I would recommend the P91 or the P94 in .40 caliber if that is the caliber you want to go with. I have not shot a .40 (any .40) so I can't comment on differences between the 9mm and .40.

 

[roylt]

Hi Knecht,
If you really like the 89 but want to just jump up to 40cal you could get a 91 upper and pop it on to your 89 frame. If they are of the same age. Meaning same swing link. Does your 89 use the guide rod with the tip on the end? If so it will work.

But If it was me I would get the P944DC I have shot this and it is very close to the 89 but with a little more stream lined look.

I don't know much about the other options though so I am really speaking from my personal preference. (i'm a P-nut)

With your market not sure what is avail but maybe look at the XDm and SR40.

Really it is up to you but I like my KP944DC a lot.

 

[bisleyfan41]

There are no technical reasons that the Ruger P91/944 and the .40 S&W aren't a match or compatible. The gun will likely digest several thousand rounds w/o issue. Me, I prefer the Glock. But you liking the feel, design, and comfort of the P89 you already have, the P91 should be the choice. Sounds like friends w/a personal bias. Get what YOU like.

 

[Meditator]

I had a P91 (.40) long time ago and it was not easy to control recoil on this pistol it torqued a lot more to the left side. I think I shot only 50 rds through it before selling it. Don't think this model was that popular.

Also had a CZ75B 40, which handled very well. Still don't know why I sold it, but at least I still have a CZ75B compact along w/ Kadet kit.

G23 4gen is really a nice shooting piece. But,Why not go w/ SR40? I have heard good things about this.

 

[427mach1]

I have a KP-944 and it shoots very nicely but it's a little too big for concealed carry. I've never had a malfunction of any kind with it.

 

[Knecht]

Thanks for your opinions guys, I'll get to this tomorrow yet - getting to midnight here now and I'm sleepy. Some interesting facts and opinions and I'd like to reply to them when I¨m more awake than now.

 

[cjs1945]

I have a P91 and P944, they are both accurate and dependable. Both have Hogue grips and are pleasant to shoot. The P91 is identical to P89 but they are quite hard to find as they were only made for three years. The p944 is more common and both should last a lifetime. For me the SR40 and SR40c are the perfect all around 40 caliber with the 40c being my favorite CC pistol.

 

[Knecht]

Thanks to the replies, everyone.
The negatives I've heard so far about P-.40s were mostly about the facts that the gun was not originally designed for .40 cartridge abd therefore it's "too big where it doesn't need to be, while not strong enough where it would be needed", that it tends to twist in hand while shooting and is generally not very accurate.
I don't know about the above facts much as I obviously don't have any of them in .40, this is just what I've heard as the main complains about them.
True is, the P-series in this caliber are very rare here; 9mm and .45s are much more common (well the .45s not so much, but still easier to find than a .40). Which also means that finding a spare P94 slide&barrel here is impossible.

I have to admit, I've never cared about XDs much, but now that I've given them some more attention they seem to be very interesting guns. Not very common here yet (not a big surprise with a Glock nest just accross the border) and currently there is some problem with importing them - maybe we'll get them from Croatia though.
From what I read around several gun sites, most people who don't feel comfortable with Glock grips do really like their XDs, so it might work for me as well. XD, or rather XDm compact in .40 or .45 just entered my private tender for a small yet powerful carry gun!

As for the other guns mentioned - I'm not getting a CZ 75 in .40, as CZUB is known for putting lesser products to local small gun market and I don't like that. Also, it's not ambidextrous and only costs a little less than Glock here.

And about the SR40/40c - I don't think so. First, they're not even available here by now (we got first batch of couple LC9's and SR9c's last September - I own one of the very first LC9s in the country). Second, I've seen too many issues with the SR series here to trust it. As I've said in some other thread about the LC9 - I would bet my life on my P89 and GP100, but I will hardly buy any more of these new Ruger designs, sorry.

More .40 input is still welcome and so is some more information/experience you may have with the XD/XDm.
Thanks again.

 

[mbott]

I have a P91 and P944, they are both accurate and dependable.
<snip>

A P944 was my introduction to .40S&W but I couldn't hit the water had I fell out of a boat with it. After about 1,000 rounds, I sold it as a lost cause. That particular pistol almost soured me for life on the .40. Gave it a second chance with a CZ 75B which was a totally better outcome.

Don't know what the issue was with that pistol. I still own a P95 and a P97 and have never had accuracy issues like that P944. I probably own 6 or 7 .40S&W pistols at the moment with most of them being CZs. :)

--
Mike

 

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

...And about the SR40/40c - I don't think so. First, they're not even available here by now (we got first batch of couple LC9's and SR9c's last September - I own one of the very first LC9s in the country). Second, I've seen too many issues with the SR series here to trust it. As I've said in some other thread about the LC9 - I would bet my life on my P89 and GP100, but I will hardly buy any more of these new Ruger designs, sorry.

More .40 input is still welcome and so is some more information/experience you may have with the XD/XDm.
Thanks again.

Sry to hear the problems with the the new Rugers there, They arent perfect here yet either. (My only reason for holding off) I cant find a gun that will do the same thing a Ruger can do better (They are just as good or better than Rugers) Well their semi-autos at least.

The springfield XD is a VERY solid well built gun! I havent had a chance to shoot my CZ 40B yet, so I cant make an accuracy comparison at the time of posting this...

I will say this, I used to have several .40s but was dissapointed with their overall accuracy... A Glock 23, Kimber compact stainless .40, and Sig P229. I eventually traded/sold them all. So at the time i had only 9mms and 45s.

I recently purchased a Springfield XD .40 as my main carry weapon. It was the XD Essentails pack. So no plastic holster or magazine holder included. It did come with an offer form that would get me a magazine holder and set of 3x magazines, FREE. The XD included 2 magazines, a cleaning brush, and lock and all documentation and plastic pistol case.

Not sure what one would cost you there, but it was an amazing deal, given my area. The XD has a better grip than even the 4th gen Glocks. I still have a 4th gen Glock in the back of my safe. I havent shot it since I replaced the RSA in it (part of the Glock Recall). I'm tempted to sell the Glock and never look back. I got it as part of a trade i wish i never ould have made. Oh well...

Now for the hard part...

The accuracy of this gun is reasonable. NOT astronomical like my Springfield 1911 Loaded Stainless or CZ75B Stainless (yes I like stainless).... but it is more than what most guns like these can offer and MUCH better than any P89 I've owned.

on a scale from 1-10 (10 being the best) were SA Loaded and CZ75 reside, the XD would be a 7.5 to solid 8.

Better than some in this class I've seen.

Now for design, You may be aware of this already, but in case your not. The XD uses several features I like (some shared with the 1911)
1. It has a much better grip angle the the Glock
2. The internal extractor makes for VERY reliable feeding and extraction of empy shells
3. The grip safety adds a layer of safety the Glock does not have and..
4. The take down lever and slide stop are a uniform layout and take down lever is IMHO easier to use that the glock ones

When field stripping the CZ 40B, the 1911 style slide stop has to pop out and it was hard to get out (had to use a makeshift tool) My thumb is too squishy. It was also hard to get back in again (you have to line it up JUST right!)

With the Springfield XD40...
you chamber check
rack the slide back and lock it
Turn the lever UP (clock wise so its 90 dregreez)
release the slide off the gun

If i can think of anything else, I'll add it.

 

[Meditator]

You need to look into a CZ75B in .40 cal- not CZ40B or CZ40P. The 75B 40 is really nice and much less of a problem if any at all. I had one BTW, and experience no malfunction of any kind including the Kadet kit I installed. Did I say that the recoil in .40 was very easy to handle, w/ steel frame.

Not sure what kind of problem w/ SR9C or SR40C you referred to, a lot of people own it and like it.

 

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

You need to look into a CZ75B in .40 cal- not CZ40B or CZ40P. The 75B 40 is really nice and much less of a problem if any at all. I had one BTW, and experience no malfunction of any kind including the Kadet kit I installed. Did I say that the recoil in .40 was very easy to handle, w/ steel frame.

Not sure what kind of problem w/ SR9C or SR40C you referred to, a lot of people own it and like it.

I agree, one of my fav. guns is the CZ75B. I really like my 40B as well.

Almost ready to make my final payments on the CZ RAMI and CZ82 I have waiting.

 

[wixedmords]

Nothing but good things to say about my three P94's. No issues at all. Feeds everything, reasonably accurate. Easy to disassemble, easy to clean. Minimum of investment required. A good firearm for the common man.

Still have to pickup a pair of those Hogue aluminum panels though. I guess I best get doing that.

 

[Mike J]

I own a P944 and a XD-40. The P944 is a good gun. I tend to shoot the XD better but I believe that is because the ergonomics work better for me & it is easier with a consistent trigger pull than the P944's DA/SA set up. The XD definitely conceals easier. There isn't a huge amount of difference in size but the XD is smaller. As far as accuracy is concerned when I first bought the XD I was frustrated because I couldn't shoot it as well as I could the P944. After a few hundred rounds I shot it better & that has remained the fact. Interestingly enough though I met a forum member at a range about a year ago & he shot both of them. IIRC his first 5 shots with each gun resulted in a 1 1/8" group with the P944 at 10 yards & a 1 1/4" group with the XD at the same range. I believe mechanical accuracy between the 2 is probably pretty equal. There was a member that used to post here that had worked on designs for some of the P-series & was very knowledgeable about them. He posted as COFFEEPOT. If you search through his old posts I believe he commented on the 9mm & .40 caliber versions of the P94.

 

[Knecht]

Thanks for everyone's input on this.
Looks like getting an XD/XDm here will be a bit of a problem - especially in .40 or .45 - there are not many XDs here and most of them are 9mm (most popular caliber around here). There are some problems importing them now and if importing straight from Croatia doesn't happen, we will hardly get any more of them (the problem seems to be more like economical than legal AFAIK - they just don't sell well enough here, so Springfield Armory won't bother exporting them).
Searching around for the P-series in .40, they seem to be even more rare than I thought...only found one for sale and that's DAO, which I don't want.
I'll try to check for those old posts about P-series, thanks Mike J. I won't likely find that gun for sale here, but it's always good to know more.
Well, if I don't want a CZ (and I don't), it leaves me pretty much with Glock again (from all the .40s available/affordable here, it seems to be the best choice, though it wouldn't be my first choice if I had more to choose from). Too bad .40 is so little used here.

 

[cjs1945]

I have a Ruger P91, P944, SR40, SR40c and Sig 239 that have all proved to be 100% reliable and all are quite accurate. For CC the SR40c can't be beat, and it is the most accurate for me. When any of these pistols go to the range they run flawlessly with any type or brand of ammo that i choose to take along.

 

[oilcangary]

I am a P series nut. I think the P series are the best guns for the money and better than a lot of guns that cost a lot more. I wanted a 40 cal full size gun and what I ended up with is a Glock 22 police trade in. I got one at a good price with night sights and very little wear. I wasn't crazy about the grip at first but after I have handled it for a while I now like it ok. This is my first Glock and I am very happy with it. I think the Glock is a lot like the P series, simple , rugged, and dependable.

 

[revhigh]

They used to. P91 and P94. With my experience, I couldnt recommend them.

Me either .....


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