So I've always considered the .22, .25, .38, and 9mm calibers to be "light" pistols. And likewise the .357, .44, .45, .50 & larger to be "heavy" pistols.

Then along came the .40 Caliber, and with it the question of whether the .40 cal is a "light" or "heavy" pistol.

So how about it? Light or Heavy?

If I have to be locked down into only one, I would have to say heavy.

I would rather talk in terms of a range of weapons. With a .40, you can give up barrel length and still effectively have 9mm ballistics, so a compact, but full-damage light pistol might be .40cal.

On the other hand, a higher-than-usual capacity heavy pistol might also be .40 cal.

Too add more to it, I would probably consider the .22 and .25 hold outs and not actually light pistols. Just myself. On the .40 I would say probably heavy.

I voted heavy. Godz do I love .40s. It's a nice median in between 9mm (which always feel like toys to me) and .45s, which I'm just too weak to fire for any length of time exceeding 3 clips.

Don't even get me started on .357s.

Hey! No knocking the .357! I love my S&W M686.

.40 is a heavy. You want to see a high cap .40, look at the SA XD(m) in .40. Looking for a high cap .45? Look at the XD45 (13+1 rounds of 45ACP?!)

I'm with the heavy crowd on this. Also, if you wanna get a really heavy pistol without delving into .50AE turf, look into the ballistics on the 10mm Auto round. Shockingly powerful.

Not knocking it, only bemoaning my complete inability to fire the damn awesome bang bang due to the kick. I think I can handle one cylinder before my arm is just done

10mm Auto is a great round. Used to have a Glock in that round, but I ditched it when I switched over to XDs. Thinking about picking up the new XD(m) in 9mm as a general target gun. Can't get much better then 19+1 capacity, how is that for a SR gun? A light pistol with 20 rounds.

I know this isn't balistically scienftic on my part. But I got with how bad the gun kicks when I shoot it, firing a .44 has always kicked to me far worse than smaller guns. I know there are a huge number of variables that go into that but for me it's all about how I feel when i use it.

Another high capacity .45 is the Canadian Para-Ordinance P14, a 13-round double stack M1911a1 pattern autoloader. It is a bit heavy weighing in at ~1070g, though it is quite offset by the fact that you basically have a M1911a1 with double the capacity.

The weight is good, when you run out just start pistol whipping them. =)

Actually Colt made a 1911 with a 13 round double stack mag. The single stack ones were what was ordered by the Army though and they are by far the most common.

I was not aware of that, thank you. I do love the m1911a1 pistol. It is probably my foavrite gun.