Good first pistol?

[Trip]

The XDs are just comfortable and shoot well for my grip. The glock just never felt right in my hands and I had a lot more misfires with them when testing them both out. Plus, my range scores were twice as good with an XD.

[marko138]

Originally Posted by ericr

They have Tritium inserts Marko, glow in the dark with no outside light input. Once you use them in low light you'll want them from then on.

Thanks. Seems like something worth having.

[Hydrant]

Originally Posted by OTB

Kel-tec=POS.

Mine Jammed all the time, numerous times back to the factory, even they couldn't get it to shoot right...dealer finally took it back and gave me a deal on a Seecamp

Really??? Between mine and the other 4 that is in our family, we've probably put 3,000 rounds or so though them and I think I could count on one hand how many times we've had one jam. We bought ours when the were first introduced.

Now if I was buy another one of that style, I'd go with the new Ruger's LCP.

[ericr]

Originally Posted by Trip

The XDs are just comfortable and shoot well for my grip. The glock just never felt right in my hands and I had a lot more misfires with them when testing them both out. Plus, my range scores were twice as good with an XD.

Who's Glock was it Trip, the ranges? I've never had a misfire on either of mine. I'm thinking that one was worn out, dirty or broken and not well kept. It's possible the ammo was sub-standard too. Too light a powder charge and a loose grip can cause jams and misfeeds in some guns and not others, depends on the spring weights and slide weight. Doesn't mean it was the right gun for you but that was definitely something wrong there. If they both misfired I say it was bad ammo. I seriously only have a misfire once in....years, with good centerfire ammo.

[OneSickPsycho]

Originally Posted by Adeptus_Minor

Where compacts are concerned, hold one... if at all possible, go somewhere that lets you rent & shoot them first.
With .40 & .45, the last thing you want is one that isn't comfortable to shoot.

For real. I shot a Glock 27 and I thought the fucking thing was going to launch out of my hand every time I shot it. The extended clip would have probably helped, but the same thing was too small for me to be comfortable shooting.

Originally Posted by Trip

yep, that's where the money is at, love the XDs over the Glocks any day of the week.

Me too. I like the XD's, but when I went to the gun show and started holding all the different models, two felt right... on perfect and the other close. If I had the cheddah, I would have bought that Ruger (which model escapes me), but I didn't... so I ended up with my S&M M&P .40. I love it.

I would recommend a gun show... even if not buying at the time, you get to hold a wide variety of guns which goes a long way in determining what you want to get.

[fnfalman]

Get a real man's weapon: Smith&Wesson J-frame .357 Magnum or Ruger SP101 in .357 Magnum.

If you're going to have to shoot somebody for real then do it right.

[Riceaholic]

I've got a Para Ordinance Warthog (.45 sub compact 2 1/2 inch barrel ten round double stack) That's been my favorite carry piece for years because it's small, shoots well and has quality stopping power.

I also have a Springfield XD subcompact 9mm that I also like but for different reasons. With the 13 round mag, it fits like a glove but doesn't carry as well. It shoots like crap with the smaller mag because it's just too compact. As far as maintenance it's the easiest I've ever owned. In 30 seconds it breaks down into 4 pieces and goes back together just as fast. I've always been a 1911 guy but for the money you really can't go wrong with an XD.

[nhgunnut]

I would have to agree that a Wheelgun is a great first handgun. They work PERIOD. That said my daily carry is a xd 9 sc , and my wifes Purse Pieceis a Walther p99. The walther took a bit of tuning. On the days she is without a purse she has a featherwieght J Frame smith that is perfect for her. I persanlly have never liked the feel of the Glock. (great gun just not a good gun for me) Had the XD Had the XD now going on 4 years no failures to feed (even from a mixed ammo mag, never failed to fire.

[marko138]

I'm diggin what you guys are saying about the XD...gonna have to look in to them some more.

[defector]

I have been carrying a Sig Sauer P229 (.40) for a few years now. I don't have big hands, so it fits me well. Also just about perfect for concealed carry.

My dad carries the same (but in .357).