5 Best .40 Caliber Pistols for Self Defense

Summary and Key Points: The .40 S&W pistol cartridge, introduced in 1990, combines stopping power and manageable recoil, once favored widely by law enforcement.

-Today, although the popularity of .40 caliber pistols has declined due to advancements in 9mm ammunition, many excellent self-defense options remain.

-Top choices include the robust and accurate Heckler & Koch USP, Glock’s reliable G23 Gen 5, SIG Sauer’s balanced and compact P229, H&K’s ergonomic and precise VP40 striker-fired pistol, and the slim, concealable Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 40.

-Each pistol offers dependable performance, manageable recoil, and comfortable handling, ensuring effectiveness for personal defense and everyday carry.

The .40 Caliber Pistol For Self-Defense: Best Options

The .40 caliber S&W round burst onto the scene in 1990 and remained popular among federal, state, and local law enforcement officers for about 20 years. The FBI was the first to adopt the cartridge. 

The .40 design provides more stopping power than a 9mm and bridges the gap to the .45 ACP. However, by the 2010s, the popularity of the .40 waned considerably, as 9mm ammunition designs had closed the power gap. However, there are still plenty of excellent pistols on the market.

Here are five great options for .40-caliber pistols for shooters looking for more power in their self-defense pistols. 

Heckler & Koch (HK) USP .40 S&W:

While many .40 S&W (Smith & Wesson) pistols used beefed-up 9mm frames to handle the .40 cartridge, the H&K USP was one of the first pistols designed with the cartridge in mind. The H&K USP hammer-fired DA/SA pistol feeds from a 13-round magazine. It’s big but a very capable and easy-shooting pistol.

The USP 9MM Compact feels good in the hand, is accurate, and is built ruggedly. It has a great trigger and short reset and is one of the easiest combat pistols to field strip and clean.

The pistol features an SA/DA action, a 4.25-inch barrel, and an overall length of 7.68 inches. It weighs 29 ounces and has a magazine that holds 13 rounds. The USP is reliable and shoots softer than other .40s, making it an excellent choice for self-defense.

Glock 23 Gen 5 .40 S&W Pistol:

The Glock 23 Gen 5 is much like all Glocks; its reliability has become synonymous with the Glock name. The G23 is chambered in .40 S&W, has a 4.02-inch barrel, and is 7.28 inches overall length. The magazine holds 13 +1.

The Glock 23 is one of the most popular pistols in .40 S&W. The available aftermarket parts are nearly endless, and it is an excellent shooting pistol. The trigger on the Gen5 is much improved, feeling smoother and lighter.

The Gen 5 is an outstanding concealed carry pistol and an excellent home defense pistol. It is smooth, powerful enough to take down an attacker, and reliable. 

SIG Sauer P229:

The SIG Sauer P229 is a robust, service-grade pistol that performs exceptionally well in .40 caliber. Its solid construction and accuracy make it a reliable duty and personal defense choice.

The P229 was the first pistol manufactured at the Exeter, NH, plant. The SIG P229 has an overall length of 7.1 inches and a barrel length of 3.8 inches. It weighs 32 ounces with an empty magazine that holds 12+1 rounds.

Like all SIGs, it is impeccably balanced and feels perfect in your hand. The .40 S&W felt a little snappy compared to the 9mm; however, with some practice, this pistol is fun to shoot. It is a DA/SA pistol and compact, making it an excellent choice for concealed carry or home defense.

HK VP40 – Best Striker-Fired Option:

H&K engineered the VP series to answer widespread demand from security details and law enforcement agencies for a dependable, high-capacity polymer striker-fired pistol. When the VP40 debuted in 2014, it brought the VP’s signature ergonomics, reliability, and accuracy to the potent .40 S&W cartridge.

The VP40 has a barrel length of 4.02 inches and an overall length of 7.34 inches. It weighs 28.9 ounces with an empty magazine, which carries 13 rounds. The VP40 is highly regarded due to its accuracy and manageable recoil. Users report it’s easy to shoot and clear target challenges quickly, suggesting good performance characteristics.

The VP is very accurate but bigger than the average bear. The trigger pull is lighter than the Glock’s, and it shoots extremely well, hence why security pros and law enforcement types want this. 

S&W M&P Shield 40:

The S&W M&P Shield in .40 caliber is a slim, single-stack handgun.  The original Shield started the movement of shooters back to a reliable, effective, compact 9mm handgun that was easy to carry thanks to its single-stack magazine. The 40 and 45 were still popular big-bore options, and the Shield also came out in those calibers. 

The M&P Shield 40 is a striker-fired pistol with a barrel of 3.1 inches and an overall length of 6.1 inches. It weighs 34.25 ounces and has 7+1 rounds in its magazine. 

The M&P Shield 40 is small and concealable, making it ideal for everyday carry. Its slim profile, just under one inch wide, allows comfortable, concealed carry. Despite its compact size, the gun features an ergonomic grip angle that provides a steady hold. 

The high-strength polymer frame ensures the firearm is lightweight yet durable. The aggressive grip texture enhances control, even under rapid fire, making it a confidence-inspiring choice for anyone. The recoil is manageable.

About the Author: 

Steve Balestrieri is a 19FortyFive National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing for 19FortyFive, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.