New Handgun

[Jayhawk]

friend runs it and will let me take any for a couple hours to put a few rounds through them.  I just have to clean the gun before I bring it back.

Lucky! 

[Yeager]

I purchased my Glock19 back in 1991 and have probably put close to 5000 rounds of various loads (most have been handloads) through it without a single failure.  Accurate enough to hit a 5 gallon gas can at 75 yards 9 times out of ten, on a windy rainy day. 

I have the utmost faith in that weapon.  If I ever need it to save my life, or the lives of others, it will.

[Wingnutt]

this is my "carry gun"
http://pages.suddenlink.net/ja001son/kama.jpg

through truth be told I almost never carry it on my person (though I do have a carry permit)  it generally stays in the truck unless im in a  area.

[Maverick]

You didn't say what the primary purpose was for the weapon, duty carry, target, CCW or just plinking and house pistol.That is important as the same gun might not be good for each use. the full size model is pretty bulky to conceal. The subcompact is more difficult to shoot well. In a Glock I find the mid size to be a good compromise as it is fairly easy to conceal and easy and accurate to shoot. The model 19 in 9mm and the 23 in 40S&W are the middle sized pistols for Glock. I carried a 19 for both on and off duty for several years since I could conceal it and I shot it very well. If I needed a smaller pistol I used a model 66 2 1/2" round butt that fit very well in my waist band.


In any case I recommend you do one thing. Find a range that has the XD40 available for rent and shoot it along with other pistols in the same category. I did that as I was thinking a subcompact XD40 was a neat handgun. I have fired many Glocks and like them as well. I found that the XD pinched the pad of my trigger finger on each shot. The trigger needed to be a fraction of an inch longer and closer to the trigger guard to be comfortable to me to shoot. I dropped it from consideration and stuck with the Glock I already have.

Another consideration is the ammo. The .40 can be a bit "snappy" with the high speed 180 gr. loads. The 135 gr.,155 gr. and 165 gr. loads are more comfortable to shoot. Unfortunately they are not as easy to find in practice ammo style as the heavier loads are.

[mbailey]

My favorate CCWs are a Wilson Combat .45 a Kimber Pro Carry ( 4"bbl w full size grip ) cant go wrong with it. I also carry a Sig P239 ( in 357sig ) and a Glock 23. If your looking to carry a larger full size weapon, you just need to dress to carry it. ALso Galco makes some great CCW holsters that will last you a lifetime.

If  your thinking of getting a Glock, stay away from the "C" models. We did some tests on our (indoor) range using our Surefire flashlights as the only source of light, and was amazed at the amount of flash that comes out thru those ports, causing temporary night blindness ( so much so that we couldnt see the night sights clearly and get an accurate sight picture for a quick follow up shot. These were all draw and fire type senarios, where we were just doing front sight pics and aiming for center of mass. Lets just say, im glad i dont use the 23C, the results were not half as good as with any of the other weapons we were testing.

One bit of advise, and NO offense to any one that likes them, but stay away from the KelTecs. In an environment where there may be a need to have or use a firearm, i honestly think i would rather have a sharp stick. At least i know the sharp stick wouldnt fail. I have seen an number of issues with Keltecs up to and including stovepipes, feed issues, and in one case after 6 shots with factory ( fiocchi ) ball ammo one cracked along the slide rail resulting in the slide not being able to come back into battery.

Also, I would have no hesitation buying a used HK, SIG,Kimber or Glock. They are amongts the best firearms on the market. Just go hold a couple, and if you have a local indoor range that rents them, give them a whirl. I would place my life in the hands of any one of these manufactures. If its a wheel gun you like, S&W imho is the only way to go. Look around, hold some, try them out and i guarentee that you can find many really good deals on very good used firearms. One thing ive learned is that you will only have to buy quality once, and in the long run, that is cheaper.

Good luck     <S>  Mbailey

[Gman]

Maverick's advice is best.

If this pistol is primarily for carry, don't discount a small revolver as they are cheap, simple, and quick to deploy.

Try a number of compact and sub compacts out before you settle on the XD.  I`m not a huge fan of springfield`s handgun line, their QC, or their triggers for the most part.  IMO a sub or compact GLock or Sig would be money far better spent, if they fit your hand etc.

I like my HK because I can SAFELY carry it "cocked and locked".   

This is inadvisable at best.  CARRYING  a variant 3 HK pistol with the hammer back and that decocker safety engaged is not advocated by even HK`s school (I`ve been both student and instructor with their school).  There are certainly times in a tactical situation where not decocking and flipping on the safety is ONE option, but it`s hardly the best.  HK`s aren`t like a 1911 with a grip and other safety features backing up the thumb safety, which I`m sure everyone knows.  Do what you feel comfortable with, but I`m telling you that if you were to reholster with the hammer back and safety applied on a V3 HK pistol at any reputable schools` course you would get `attention` from the instructors.

[mbailey]

This is inadvisable at best.  CARRYING  a variant 3 HK pistol with the hammer back and that decocker safety engaged is not advocated by even HK`s school (I`ve been both student and instructor with their school).  There are certainly times in a tactical situation where not decocking and flipping on the safety is ONE option, but it`s hardly the best.  HK`s aren`t like a 1911 with a grip and other safety features backing up the thumb safety, which I`m sure everyone knows.  Do what you feel comfortable with, but I`m telling you that if you were to reholster with the hammer back and safety applied on a V3 HK pistol at any reputable schools` course you would get `attention` from the instructors.

Gman, did you work with Clint Smith? I had the pleasure of meeting him out at Thunder Ranch. One heck of a nice guy!!

[Plawranc]

From my Cadet firearms course I can say that if you wanted a handgun I would suggest the classic browning 9mm.

Small, easy to clean and instantly fatal at close range.

[Gaidin]

This is the weapon I used to carry.  Looks like it anyways.  I found this under the m&p section of SW site.  I don't remember the exact model i had, but this looks like it.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&productId=33901&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=26807&isFirearm=Y

Here is a question for you guys.  Is there a way for me to look up all the firearms that have ever been registered to me?  I have had a few pistols over the years, but cant remember what they all where.

[rob53]

I don't leave the house without my "Kahr"

http://www.kahr.com/PA-1_9mm_pm.html

A very nice compact 9mm that is extremely easy to carry.  I carry it in an ankle holster at work for a backup, and off duty.  Other times off duty carry in a pocket holster, and an inside pant holster.  Numerous possibilities and options.


Rob

[jay]

my choice for a carry weapon is a good old handcannon 357. magnum




but if your looking for somthing a little more concealable
id go with a makarov or a a classic colt .45 acp

[jd]

I'm also in the market and have been doing my homewaork and now I think Im more confused than ever. I've narrowed it to the Glock 19, and a S&W .40 Sigma series. Any comments?
<S>majchaos
 

[Shuffler]

I would go with the Glock over the XD.

Both are fine weapons, both in the same price range - I consider the Glock to be the better weapon due, primarily, to (in my experience) a seemingly otherworldly ability to function without failure no matter what the circumstances.

I think you'll find both will do this.....

[Jayhawk]

I'm also in the market and have been doing my homewaork and now I think Im more confused than ever. I've narrowed it to the Glock 19, and a S&W .40 Sigma series. Any comments?
<S>majchaos
 

My personal suggestion is the Glock 19.  I prefer the 9mm over .40, and although S&W makes fine guns, Glocks are unquestionably reliable. 

I don't know much about it so correct me if I'm wrong but hasn't the Sigma series been having some problems?

[Halo]

I don't carry, but have read a lot about carrying and have fired quite a few different kinds of handguns. For value, feel, stopping power and reliability, I think XD semiauto in .45 ACP or .40 S&W and S&W revolvers in .38+P or .357 are tough to beat.  It's always a tradeoff between most comfortable shooting and most comfortable carrying.