9 Best .40 S&W Pistols (2026): Tested & Ranked

Last updated March 14th 2026

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Best .40 S&W Pistols in 2026 at a Glance

Introduction: Best .40 S&W Pistols in 2026

.40 S&W is far from a dead caliber, even though both 9mm and .45 ACP dominate the sales charts. There are still plenty of law enforcement officers and experienced shooters who carry a .40 S&W every day. For them it’s the perfect compromise: more stopping power than 9mm with more capacity and less recoil than .45 ACP.

I’ve shot .40 S&W pistols alongside their 9mm counterparts for years. The recoil is snappier than 9mm, no question, but modern .40 caliber pistols handle it well. With quality hollow point ammo, the terminal ballistics are genuinely impressive. The caliber has earned its place.

The market for .40 S&W handguns has shrunk as agencies transition to 9mm, which means you can often find great deals on police trade-in .40 cal pistols. Whether you’re buying new or used, these are the 9 best .40 S&W pistols you can get right now. If you’re also considering 9mm, check out our guides to the best full-size 9mm pistols and best compact 9mm pistols.

1. Glock 22 Gen 5 — Best Overall .40 S&W Pistol

• Caliber: .40 S&W
• Barrel Length: 4.49 inches
• Overall Length: 8.03 inches
• Weight: 25.59 oz
• Capacity: 15+1
• MSRP: ~$599

The Glock 22 Gen 5 is standard issue for law enforcement agencies across the country, and there’s a reason it keeps that contract. This is a .40 S&W pistol that does everything well, nothing fancy, nothing fragile, just reliable performance every single time you pull the trigger.

The Gen 5 brought meaningful upgrades over the Gen 4. The nDLC-coated Glock Marksman barrel delivers improved accuracy. The finger grooves are gone, which most shooters prefer. You get front slide serrations, an ambidextrous slide stop and the flared magwell that makes reloads faster under stress.

The flush-fitting magazine holds 15 rounds of .40 S&W, but you can get extended magazines pushing 22 rounds if capacity is your priority. The Gen 5 MOS variant is optics-ready too, so you can mount a red dot directly to the slide. If you want to use this gun for everyday carry, check out the Glock 23, which offers a shorter barrel and grip in the same caliber.

For more Glock options, see our guide to the best Glock pistols across all calibers.

Best For: Shooters who want the most proven, reliable .40 S&W pistol on the market with strong aftermarket support.

2. Smith & Wesson M&P40 M2.0 — Best .40 S&W Duty Pistol

• Caliber: .40 S&W
• Barrel Length: 4.25 inches
• Overall Length: 7.65 inches
• Weight: 24.7 oz
• Capacity: 15+1
• MSRP: ~$569

The Smith & Wesson M&P40 M2.0 is the gun for people who tried a Glock and didn’t love the grip angle. The 18-degree grip angle on the M&P feels more natural for many shooters, and the aggressive M2.0 texturing gives you a purchase on the gun that inspires confidence.

The M2.0 generation brought a significantly improved trigger over the original M&P, with a lighter pull and crisper break. The polymer frame is reinforced with an extended stainless steel chassis to handle the additional forces of .40 S&W. At 15+1, you’re getting the same capacity as the Glock 22 at a slightly lower price.

Law enforcement agencies that switched away from Glock largely went to the M&P platform. The slide serrations are instantly recognizable and hugely effective. If you prefer the smaller Smith & Wesson M&P Shield for concealed carry, that’s available in .40 S&W too. Load either of these .40 caliber pistols with quality hollow points and you have a serious defensive handgun.

Best For: Duty and home defense shooters who want Glock-level reliability with better ergonomics and a lower price tag.

3. Beretta 96A1 — Best All-Metal .40 S&W

• Caliber: .40 S&W
• Barrel Length: 4.9 inches
• Overall Length: 8.5 inches
• Weight: 33.3 oz
• Capacity: 12+1
• MSRP: ~$775

The Beretta 92FS is one of the most famous handguns of all time, and the 96A1 is its bigger-caliber sibling. The 92 became the official US military sidearm in 1985, and the .40 S&W version launched in 1992 to give shooters more stopping power in the same legendary platform.

The all-metal construction is the biggest advantage here. At 33.3 ounces, the Beretta 96A1 is significantly heavier than the polymer-framed pistols on this list, and that weight pays dividends in recoil management. The .40 S&W cartridge is noticeably snappier than 9mm, and the metal frame turns that snap into a smooth push. Follow-up shots are faster and more accurate.

The open slide design that Beretta is famous for virtually eliminates stovepiping. The DA/SA trigger gives you a long, deliberate first pull followed by a crisp single-action break for subsequent shots. If you like all-metal handguns and don’t mind the weight penalty, this is the best .40 S&W pistol for the job.

Best For: Shooters who prefer all-metal handguns and want the best recoil management available in a .40 S&W platform.

4. Glock 27 — Best .40 S&W for Concealed Carry

• Caliber: .40 S&W
• Barrel Length: 3.43 inches
• Overall Length: 6.49 inches
• Weight: 21.89 oz
• Capacity: 9+1
• MSRP: ~$599

The Glock 27 is the subcompact option and the best .40 S&W pistol for concealed carry. At just 6.49 inches long, 1.0 inches wide and 4.17 inches tall, it disappears in an IWB holster or even a pocket holster in a pinch.

The Gen 5 version comes with all the upgrades: front and rear slide serrations, a built-in beavertail and interchangeable backstraps to customize the grip to your hand. The double-stack magazine holds 9 rounds, but here’s the trick: the Glock 27 accepts magazines from the Glock 22 and Glock 23. You can carry flush-fit 9-rounders for concealment and keep a 15-round Glock 22 magazine as a backup.

Fair warning: .40 S&W recoil in a subcompact frame this light is snappy. It takes practice to manage effectively. But if you want .40 cal stopping power in a carry package, this is the best option from the most proven pistol maker in the world.

Best For: Concealed carry shooters who want .40 S&W stopping power in the smallest possible Glock package.

5. Heckler & Koch USP 40 — Best Premium .40 S&W

• Caliber: .40 S&W
• Barrel Length: 4.25 inches
• Overall Length: 7.64 inches
• Weight: 27.2 oz
• Capacity: 13+1
• MSRP: ~$1,099

The HK USP is a favorite among law enforcement and military personnel worldwide, and it’s worth knowing that this gun was literally designed around the .40 S&W cartridge. While most .40 cal pistols are modified versions of 9mm designs, HK built the USP from the ground up to handle the higher pressures and sharper recoil of .40 S&W.

That purpose-built engineering shows in the shooting experience. The proprietary recoil reduction system tames the .40’s snap better than any other polymer pistol I’ve shot. The DA/SA trigger is excellent, with a smooth double-action pull and a crisp, short single-action break that makes accurate shooting almost effortless.

The USP 40 flies under the radar in the civilian market because of its price tag and limited availability. That’s a shame, because it’s genuinely one of the finest .40 S&W pistols ever made. If you can find one and afford the HK premium, you won’t be disappointed.

Best For: Shooters who want the best-engineered .40 S&W pistol money can buy, with a pedigree trusted by special operations units globally.

6. Springfield XD-M .40 — Best Capacity .40 S&W

• Caliber: .40 S&W
• Barrel Length: 4.5 inches
• Overall Length: 7.6 inches
• Weight: 29 oz
• Capacity: 16+1
• MSRP: ~$559

If capacity is your top priority in a .40 S&W pistol, the Springfield XD-M wins this list outright. At 16+1 rounds, it holds more .40 cal ammunition than any other pistol here. That’s an extra round over the Glock 22 and four more than the Beretta 96A1.

The XD-M comes with a match-grade barrel that delivers accuracy beyond what you’d expect at this price point. Springfield’s Mega-Lock grip texturing provides a solid purchase, and the interchangeable backstraps let you customize the grip to your hand. The grip safety is the one feature that divides opinion: some shooters like the added security, while others find it unnecessary.

At around $559, the XD-M offers genuine value. You’re getting the highest capacity .40 S&W pistol on the market with a match barrel and solid build quality. For more from this maker, check out our guide to the best Springfield Armory pistols.

Best For: Shooters who want the most rounds possible in a .40 S&W platform without sacrificing reliability or accuracy.

7. Beretta PX4 Storm — Best DA/SA .40 S&W

• Caliber: .40 S&W
• Barrel Length: 4 inches
• Overall Length: 7.55 inches
• Weight: 27.3 oz
• Capacity: 14+1
• MSRP: ~$650

The Beretta PX4 Storm is the sleeper pick on this list. It doesn’t get the same attention as Glock or S&W, but shooters who try the PX4 often end up switching to it permanently. The rotating barrel system is the key: instead of a traditional Browning tilt-barrel design, the PX4’s barrel rotates during cycling, which distributes recoil forces more evenly and reduces felt recoil significantly.

That recoil reduction matters even more with .40 S&W. The PX4 Storm in .40 shoots noticeably softer than a Glock 22 or M&P40, despite being a polymer-framed pistol. The DA/SA trigger is another highlight, with a smooth double-action first pull and a crisp single-action break that feels way better than most striker-fired triggers.

The PX4 comes in multiple configurations including DA/SA and Single Action Only, so make sure you’re ordering the right one. It’s available as both a full-size and compact, and the accessory rail under the barrel accepts standard lights and lasers.

Best For: Shooters who want a hammer-fired DA/SA pistol with reduced recoil and proven Beretta reliability.

8. S&W SD40 VE — Best Budget .40 S&W

• Caliber: .40 S&W
• Barrel Length: 4 inches
• Overall Length: 7.2 inches
• Weight: 22.7 oz
• Capacity: 14+1
• MSRP: ~$389

The S&W SD40 VE is the budget entry on this list, and it fills that role well. This is a full-sized, polymer-framed pistol that delivers 14+1 rounds of .40 S&W for under $400. For a first .40 cal pistol or a nightstand gun, it’s hard to argue with the value.

The stainless steel slide with a matte black finish is durable and looks good enough. The 4-inch barrel delivers decent accuracy at defensive distances. The trigger is the weak point: it’s heavy and the reset is long. An aftermarket trigger spring is a cheap upgrade that transforms the shooting experience.

The SD40 VE is one of those underrated .40 cal pistols that punches above its weight when it counts. It won’t win any beauty contests or trigger comparisons, but it goes bang every time and puts .40 S&W rounds where you point it. For the money, that’s all you need.

Best For: Budget-conscious buyers who want a reliable .40 S&W home defense pistol without breaking the bank.

9. Sig Sauer P320 Compact .40 — Best Modular .40 S&W

• Caliber: .40 S&W
• Barrel Length: 3.9 inches
• Overall Length: 7.2 inches
• Weight: 25.8 oz
• Capacity: 13+1
• MSRP: ~$649

The Sig Sauer P320 is the gun that won the US military M17/M18 contract, and the .40 S&W compact version brings that same modular platform to the .40 caliber world. The fire control unit is serialized, meaning you can swap grip modules, slides and barrels to change the size and even caliber of your pistol. It’s a genuinely clever system.

The ergonomics are outstanding. The P320 points naturally and the trigger is one of the better striker-fired units on the market, with a clean break and a short, tactile reset. In the hand, this gun feels like it was designed specifically for you. The X-Ray3 Day/Night sights are available as an upgrade and worth every penny.

We have to be transparent about the elephant in the room. The P320 has been the subject of multiple lawsuits alleging uncommanded discharges, where the pistol reportedly fired without the trigger being pulled. Sig has disputed these claims, but the volume of reports from law enforcement and civilians is enough to warrant caution. We’d recommend researching the current status of these cases before buying. Functionally, the P320 is an excellent pistol. The discharge reports are the reason it sits at #9 rather than higher.

Best For: Shooters who value modularity and ergonomics, and who are comfortable with the P320’s track record after doing their own research.

Best .40 S&W Ammo for Self Defense

Choosing the right ammo matters as much as choosing the right pistol. For self defense, you want quality .40 S&W jacketed hollow point ammunition that expands reliably and delivers consistent terminal performance. Full metal jacket rounds are fine for range practice, but hollow points are essential for personal protection.

The best .40 S&W defensive ammo includes Federal Premium HST, Hornady Critical Defense, Speer Gold Dot and Winchester Ranger. These are the rounds that law enforcement agencies trust, and they’ve been proven in real-world use. For range practice, any quality FMJ in 180-grain will do the job. Check out our ammo buying guide for more on choosing the right rounds.

FAQ: .40 S&W Pistols

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