11-08-2011, 08:38 AM
In the past, I would carry my S&W 586 6" 357 Magnum with handloaded Sierra 180Grain flat points. I worked up this load for the possibility of encountering a bear while mule deer hunting up in Colorado back in the mid 1990s. It served me well on a wounded mulie that I walked up on in 1997. Recently, I have carried my Colt 1991-A1 Commander on several trips. This year, I bought another Glock, a G21. This will most likely be my sidearm now. During squirrel season, I sometimes carry my Ruger MKII pistol or my Glock G26.
Also, I must agree with some of the reports on the 40S&Ws' snappy muzzle flip. While not as noticeable on the Glock family of the 40S&W pistols, I have shot the XDs and a few other brand pistols chambered for this cartridge and found the muzzle flip very disagreeable to my personal tastes. My cousins' 40S&W XD flips worse than any of my Glocks or my Commander. It may have to do with the barrel height as oriented to the frame, but it seems that where the XD is trying to torque upward, my Glocks seem to generate less upward motion and more of a rearward push. The S&W Sigma seems to have a little less flip, but it too is more pronounced as compared to the 40S&W Glocks I have shot. It is just my personal opinion, but I find the 1911s and the Glocks more comfortable to shoot and recoil management is easier to control.
Also, I must agree with some of the reports on the 40S&Ws' snappy muzzle flip. While not as noticeable on the Glock family of the 40S&W pistols, I have shot the XDs and a few other brand pistols chambered for this cartridge and found the muzzle flip very disagreeable to my personal tastes. My cousins' 40S&W XD flips worse than any of my Glocks or my Commander. It may have to do with the barrel height as oriented to the frame, but it seems that where the XD is trying to torque upward, my Glocks seem to generate less upward motion and more of a rearward push. The S&W Sigma seems to have a little less flip, but it too is more pronounced as compared to the 40S&W Glocks I have shot. It is just my personal opinion, but I find the 1911s and the Glocks more comfortable to shoot and recoil management is easier to control.