Glock vs S&W?

Question

My boyfriend just picked up a glock 23 40 cal and I was wondering why there is such a price difference in the Glock brand vs S&W? I was looking at purchasing either a 40 cal or 9mm S&W which was priced new at $319.99 (for the 40 cal... which was odd to me since the 40 cal is cheaper than the 9mm) and the 9mm S&W was marked at 329.99! On that note the sales guy tried convincing me to get a 357 magnum because I am a female and he thinks pistols arent a females best bet (I like shooting the 357 and loading because it is an easy load and easier to clean vs loading a mag and cleaning a pistol)! Crazy enough the 357 mag cost much more than a 9mm or 40 cal pistol (why would a revolver cost so much more... reliable?) Anyways Im interested in the S&W pistols... Id prefer a Beretta but its not in the price range at the moment? Which is a better buy in your opinion? Glocks or S&W... and why?????

The 357 bullets are more powerful than a 40 cal bullet? Maybe the 38 special but in my experience I always noticed alot more kick shooting a 40 cal than a 357!

Um yeah the 357 wouldnt be more defense weapon lol this is just for fun at the range! The guy suggested it because cocking a pistol vs loading the 357 is more difficult! He was mainly talking me down in a nice way because I am a small female! Beretta by far is my favorite and the one I work best with... I more interested in a 9mm vs a 40 cal! I dont need all that power for fun! The glock 19 9mm was my favorite just needed to know the comparison between that and the s&w!

Have to say I totally agree that he glock mags are hard to load... Um yeah talk about some frustration! I really dont want a revolver tho like the man suggested... Pistols are my thing!

This was at Gander Mountain... We were browsing! My bf got his from the range where they are all for women and pistols as long as the women are comfortable with their choice! The man himself was into revolvers more than pistols! I was damned insulted when he said I got a gun for you ! I said to my bf "watch this mutha f**ker bring out a 357!" Ha I was so on the money... I couldnt hide my disappointed reaction! Sure I would like one for a collection but Im into pistols! He said that cuz It looked like I had a struggle cocking the gun... I did but I can work on that!!! Going to the range tonight to play actually!

Answer 1

Stick with the Glock auto, its much better than the S&W and much more durable. Go with a 9mm, its cheaper ammo, more controlable and better follow-up. For conceal carry, go with the G26.

The .40 and .357 have a hard recoil and the ammo isn't that economical.

Don't get pushed into a revolver if you don't want one. get what you want and you'll have more fun with it.

Answer 2

Hi, well, first things first. the glock is lighter, and has earned a reputation for being reliable (when your life depends on it working money ceases to become a factor) as to why a glock is higher than a S&W, well, it's sorta like a Lincoln cost more than a Ford. it just is. better-maybe-more expensive-definately. as for a 357 costing more than a 40 or 9 mil. it's a MUCH more powerful bullet and, therefore the gun has to be more beefy to support the more powerful round-hence more money-just like a 44 mag is more expensive
the one test the gun must pass is the feel test. any of the guns you mentions are quality pieces. if the glock or beretta just seems to melt into your hand and feels like it belongs there and the S&W doesn't then save up more money. if the S&W feels good then go with it. the 40 cal has more stopping power than the 9 mil. if it's for protection it's all about stopping power. if you shoot someone several times and they still get to you, but die later-so what. that's why the 45 was such a popular weapon in the military-you hit someone ANYWHERE and they are stopped. a 357 is a very poor choice for a defensive weapon, cause you can't know where the bullit will stop. if your target shooting the 357 tends to punish you. have fun anyway.

Answer 3

First of all, the .357 Magnum is more 'powerful' than the .40 S&W. But since you are not interested in a revolver that is a moot point.

As to why the S&W (Sigma) is lower priced than the Glock, simple. The Glock is the better gun. I purchased a first generation S&W Sigma in .9mm and had nothing but trouble with it. It would stovepipe, fail to eject and continually jam. A buddy bought one in .40 S&W and never had a bit of trouble with it. Go figure!

I have owned two Glock Model 20s in .10mm and they functioned flawlessly every time. I now own a Model 20, a Model 31 (.357 Sig) and a Model 26 (.9mm) and they function flawlessly so I am a Glock man.

Consider saving a couple or three months to buy a Glock (or Beretta) rather than the S&W.

Best.

H

Answer 4

Your boyfriend made a good choice. Tell him to buy an Glock model 32 barrel which is a .357 Sig (not magnum). He doesn't need to change clips or springs or anything. Just drop in the barrel, which cost about $100 and he can shoot .357 Sig out of his Glock. It's like having two guns for about $600. See this website for verification and to order a cheap barrel http://glockparts.com/page/mimj/FAQ_S.html


Go to http://www.handgunreview.com/ and read about Smith and Wesson Sigma vs. Glock. Glock gets much better reviews. I think S&W makes good guns, but the Sigma is a cheap knock off.

I too believe most women who don't shoot are better with a revolver, but you seem to shoot a lot, so don't let stereotypes get in your way. If you want to and know how to shoot an automatic, then get one. Just make sure that the gun fits your hand well. Some Glock's can be a little bulky for smaller hands. For example, the Glock .45 is too big for my hands.

That being said, I would go with a Glock. I got my new Glock model 23 for $479. The 9mm was even less. Good luck.

Answer 5

In my opinion the G23 is your best bet, I own a G23 & 2-G35s also a S&W 586 nickel 357mag, Colt Phython SS, Beretta 92F 9mm and Ruger P85 9mm, just to name a few of my handguns.
The 40cal. is your best round and why, ask youself this question, how come more Law Enforcement agencies carry the (Glock) 40S&W then any other. Yes the S&W is a nice gun only holds 6 rounds as your 40 on the other hand holds 10/13/15 rounds depending on your magazine. The 40 has about the same energy as the 357.
As far as the cleaning goes, I think the Glocks are easyer to clean then a revolver.

Answer 6

I like both Glock and S&W but for me my carry weapon on the job is my S&W SIGMA I converted my gun barrel so instead of shooting the 40 cal I shoot the .357 sig. The Sigma series is a modified glock everything is almost the same. For me the S&W shoots better. But you can get hi caps for Glocks if your into that. Revolvers cost more because they have to be a little more precision thus no jaming.

Answer 7

They are magazines, not 'clips'.

To give some figures here, a hot 357 load will give about 750 ft.lbs of energy, some will top 800. A hot 40S&W will give about 500 ft.lbs, the 40S&W is a shortened 10mm auto which can get into the low to mid 700s. One of the least pleasant things I've used was a 2" S&W 357 'Ladysmith'. 357 Sig is a pointless round, like 45GAP, just cashing in on well recognized numbers and marketing hype. Perceived recoil is about more than just recoil energy, it's how the gun twists in your hand and how the grips pass that to you too.

If your sales guy is treating you like an idiot because you have a slightly different build than him then you need to shop somewhere where they will deal with you as a regular customer. I've been gun shopping with my GF and nobody at the store treated her like an idiot. Just as well, she ex coastguard and trained for opposed boarding.

S&W have had some interesting times recently, including briefly being owned by the British and then later sold for nothing after agreeing to make guns the way the government wanted and the resulting boycott by most stores. Glock, on the other hand, has only had issues with traditionalists (who can't stand a pistol with a plastic frame and no hammer) and the occasional exploding barrel. When I need something I can rely on I use my G20.

Answer 8

I own a Glock 21 and i like it it's a fun gun to shoot. I carry a S&W 686 combat magnum i just love .357s and through practice i have mastered the recoil and can reload in just seconds just the sheer power is awsome. 38spl has come a long way also there are +P+ rounds out there that will do any defensive pourses you need. No wondering if you have a chambered round when and if the moment of truth comes you don't have a doubt and neither will your assialent because it's obivious that you are ready and no real chance of a jam. Hope this helpes in your choice Good Luck and have fun

Answer 9

My prejudice rears its ugly head. I've carried both on duty as a Police Officer. I prefer the Smith over the Glock, as the latter always felt like a shoebox balanced on a popsicle stick. The Glock mags are harder to load, so you need to have a reloading device for them. I'd suggest that you look into the Smith .40, as they are a good weapon, and pack a little more stopping power then the nine mil, but not as much recoil as the .45. As to shooting a .357, it has good stopping power, and I like it as a revolver. A plus is using .38 specials, either factory or reloaded ammo, for practice. In my case my final argument is that I live in Mass, the home of Smith & Wesson. Any problem, I can go directly to the factory.

Answer 10

I have owned both previously and I think that the Sigma has a better magazine and a better trigger. However, the recoil spring/guide rod assembly is better on a Glock. The Glock barrel is also easier to clean due to its design. I actually wish that there were a hybrid Sigma/Glock model. Now that would be a good gun! Tough call, really. I would get the Sigma in 9mm. I have heard that the 40SW Sigma can be rough to shoot. I had a 9mm and it was real accurate.