What is the latest and greatest on 40 S&W carbines. I see hi point and LAR. Am vested in 40 S&W so need a reliable one I can trust my life with. Suggestions?

HiPoint will go bang every time.  ARFCOM will laugh @ you b/c it's ugly.  Other option would be KelTec's SUB-2000.  Depending on which magazine you're invested in, you might be set already.

My brother has a hi point in 9mm and works great so have been eye balling them for a low cost carbine. They take P loads to so I can reload and make some nice rounds for it. Don't want to use parts from my pistol to make a rifle so keltec is out. Sold one of my AR10's so need another semi in the house for now. thanks for the reply.

Beretta CX4 Storm, I have one that takes PX4 mags, in hindsight I should have bought one in 9mm that takes 92 mags,  but the 17rd PX4 40cal mags work fine.

Kel Tec Sub 2000 is another option.

Are you thinking of the Mech Tech?

http://www.keltecweapons.com/our-guns/sub-2000/rifle/



http://www.mechtechsys.com/glock.php

Sorry, didn't see where you didn't want to use your pistol frame.

JR Carbine also makes a .40S&W, I have a JRC in .45, very accurate. If TNW makes a .40S&W carbine I'd check that out as well. Both take standard AR accessories.

The Kel Tec is a good quality carbine, terrible ergonomics but some love the fold feature. Hard to mount a red dot/optics but there are some options. They just came out with a gen 2 but both are hard to find for under list price, and usually go for way over list. But a bargain if you can get one for under MSRP.

Hi Point is your best budget option, I had a 995TS, not super accurate but 100% reliable. Heavy, crude, and single stack only mags. Like the Storm & Kel Tec it's a mag thru the pistol grip so a short overall length.

Of all of these I like my Storm the best, compact, light, easy to mount optics if you have the top rail. Heavy & mediocre trigger, can be lightened up with just a file or you can replace all parts with a Sierra Papa setup (expensive). Stock irons aren't great but they work and flip out of the way.

Thanks for the replies folks. For now will go for the hi point. Cheaper for what I want for now. Down the road may spend the money for a better quality one. I like the LAR setup but from I have read, has issues and hard to get.

Olympic also sells uppers & magazines.

You could find an HK USC and then a parts kit from a .40 UMP and voila, instant .40 carbine.

You'll just be about $3000 or so lighter in the wallet.  No biggie.  

TNW makes their ASR in .40 and have kits to convert between 9mm, .40 and .45.

I'm waiting for the MPX in 40.

I'm also a .40 fan.

I have the TNW Aero SBR in 9mm, .40 S&W, & .45acp. Coming soon in .357 Sig and 10mm. Takes the big Glock fun sticks.
Good to go.

I've got a .40 bolt and barrel for my Uzi. Not exactly the budget approach, though.

It runs a little faster than in 9mm, but still very controllable.  I find the IMI .41AE mags and Promag .45 mags don't work all that well. They feed just fine but the cartridge stack width is not optimal, so they will only load 12 or 15 rounds. After that the mag just bulges outward.  But I later got a grease gun magwell, so all is good. The .40s run great once you tweak the feedlips, and GG mags hold around 35 .40s.

MP5/40 is the best ever. Beats UMP 40. No good clones out currently though.





 
 
 
 

I picked up a DJ Getz MP5 .40 and I've been very pleased with it. It stinks he stopped making them, but you may be able to still find one for a decent price for an MP5 clone.
Another option would be work with Dakota Tactical and have him build one. The price will be higher than a Getz clone though.

If Sig actually releases a .40 version of the MPX or even a .40 conversion kit, I plan to buy one. Other .40 options I've looked at are the Beretta Storm and .40 UMP/USC conversion.
The storm is much more affordable, but there aren't any 20+ round Beretta .40 magazines that I could find made by someone other than promag.

No longer made but a Ruger PC40? Rifle would be cool

I like the Storm. Mine is in .40 and with modified Beretta 92 30 round mags it's a beast.
Great ergonomics, light weight, abundant magazines and it really stands out at the range.