Traveling outside of your cozy, protective bubble to try something new can seem scary and overwhelming at first. However, I am slowly learning that there will be times in your life when pressure and uncomfortable emotions are necessary to grow as a person. For this reason, I decided it was time to try shooting a larger-caliber pistol, such as a .40 caliber.

My First Time Shooting a .40 Caliber Handgun

Throughout my shooting journey, I have found that experimenting with different calibers is a great way to challenge myself. Not only to become a better shooter but also to become a better person. Here is my experience and what I learned after shooting a .40 caliber pistol for the first time. 

Looks Can Be Deceiving

Growing up, I never had an interest in firearms and thought my stance on them would remain the same well into my adulthood. It was not until I moved in with my significant other, Mike, that my curiosity for them started to grow. I went from not interacting with pistols to seeing his personal carry gun daily.

His Springfield XD-40 quickly became a familiar sight on the kitchen counter, nightstand, or in his vehicle. Over time, I could not help but want to start learning how to handle it. This prompted me to start asking questions, which then led me to explore its weight, unique design, and feel. 

Eventually, my confidence grew, and I felt comfortable enough to want to learn how to load a pistol. I thought it would be a smooth process, but learned I was wrong. No matter how hard I tried, the slide would not budge in the slightest and stayed firmly in place. It was almost like it was mocking me for being so weak.

I am sure the look of defeat was written all over my face because I was informed that the slide was difficult to release due to its lack of use. Based on my experience trying to manage this firearm, I automatically assumed I would never be able to shoot it.

A year later, I got to test that assumption.

Some of the Best Shooting is Often Unplanned

Whether you have been on the range for an hour or all day, there comes a point where every shooter decides they have had enough fun for the day. So, you are ready to pack up and head home.

After a day of loading countless rounds into magazines until my fingers hurt, all while focusing on the seven fundamentals of shooting, I had found myself slowly reaching my shooting limit. So, I decided to step back and watch my range partner, Mike, practice for a while.

I thought he would continue the session with the Taurus Gx4 we had been using. However, instead, he reached into our range bag and pulled out the Springfield Armory XD-40. 

At the sight of the pistol, I remembered how I felt the first time I interacted with it. Nervous and hesitant to do the wrong thing. Now, as I watched Mike shoot, I realized I was much more confident and understanding of how pistols operated.

Each round that fired, I took in the smell of gunpowder and the sounds and movement of the pistol. Once he finished, I assumed he would reload, but instead he turned and asked me if I wanted to try.  To my surprise, I said yes. A mix of adrenaline, anxiety, and excitement pressed me forward to make contact with the pistol before I could change my mind. 

Getting a Grip on the .40

The first thing I noticed was the weight. It was heavy in my hands but comfortable to hold. Once I steadied my grip on the pistol, I nearly held my breath in anticipation as I went to rack the slide.

My first attempt was a complete failure, but I refused to let that stop me from loading the pistol. Letting out a breath of frustration, I went in for a second attempt and nearly yelled in excitement when the slide moved forward with a satisfying snap.

Settling into the proper position, I set my sights on the target downrange, ensuring my grip was tight and secure. A moment or two ticked by before I worked up the courage to squeeze the trigger. In an instant, a loud radiating boom echoed out, and the recoil quickly followed in its wake. I was a little startled, yet invigorated.

The first thing I noticed was that the recoil on this pistol was much snappier compared to the 9mm. It was almost like it was demanding attention. I assumed the recoil would cause me to hate this pistol. But instead, I found that I did not mind it at all.

As powerful as the recoil was, it was still manageable to operate. This left me feeling energized and ready to try again.

Evaluating the Experience

Once the first-time shooting jitters were out of the way, I found that I could take my time to familiarize myself with the .40 caliber pistol.

I will note that two mistakes I kept making were breaking my wrist and anticipating the recoil. This is a common mistake that many beginners make, and can be corrected with time, patience, and practice.  

As I fired more rounds, the only downside I could find was that after a while, my arms and fingers grew sore. This made it increasingly more difficult to rack the slide and manage the sheer power of this caliber. Although this limited my shooting time, I still had an enjoyable experience and loved it.

Final Thoughts 

Overall, shooting a .40 caliber pistol was powerful, engaging, and the perfect challenge to evaluate my skills. If shooting a .40-caliber pistol is something you’re considering, I cannot recommend it enough.

I am extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to try this firearm and look forward to shooting this caliber again.