As I sit here in wait for my FID and P2P's to come through (should be by the end of the month), I have been researching as to which handgun will be my first purchase. I have narrowed it down to 9mm but that is as far as I have gotten. I HATE making decisions like this when there is so much to choose from. As of now, I have my heart set on a Springfield XDM 9mm compact. HOWEVER, I would love some more suggestions that are in the $400-$550 (or below) range. It will be for both home security and range time.

 

Thanks

Personally, I would only get a compact for concealed carry. I have a Smith & Wesson SD9 which I love. Since you're willing to spend upwards of $550, have you thought about a S&W M&P?

Shoot as many as you can then make your decision.

I buy guns for a specific purpose.

 

If I intend to conceal it, I get something small.

 

If it's a range gun and HD gun, size doesn't matter so I go for the most comfortable to hold and shoot and that won't ever be a compact.

 

If you try to compromise, you end up with a gun that, while adequate, doesn't excel at either role.

 

For your price range, the M&P or a Glock is probably your best bet.

Personally, I would only get a compact for concealed carry. I have a Smith & Wesson SD9 which I love. Since you're willing to spend upwards of $550, have you thought about a S&W M&P?

 

 

It's funny that you mentioned the SD9, I was just looking at the "Home Defense Kit". From what I could see, the SD9 only comes in 10+1 and 16+1 magazines? Why not a 14+1?

As I sit here in wait for my FID and P2P's to come through (should be by the end of the month), I have been researching as to which handgun will be my first purchase. I have narrowed it down to 9mm but that is as far as I have gotten. I HATE making decisions like this when there is so much to choose from. As of now, I have my heart set on a Springfield XDM 9mm compact. HOWEVER, I would love some more suggestions that are in the $400-$550 range. It will be for both home security and range time.

 

Thanks

 

 

I was in your predicament not 7 months ago,I had my heart set on a Glock 19...I obsessed about it, I dreamt about it..... then I shot it and a Beretta,Sig,S&W,Springfield,Taurus,Ruger....and the Glock was good but not great for me so I went with the Sig. Now I've pretty much outgrown the Sig and dream of a CZ 75 all steel beauty.

My point is... shoot as many pistols that is available, in as many calibers and then make a choice that is right for you at this present time but don't be surprised if your heart,mind and hand tells you it's time to in essence "put away childish things" and look for the next flavor of the month. I envy the old timers that was able to find that one gun that completed them and have never wavered since.

Good luck and have fun.

It's good to see i'm not the only one. I'm waiting too, and was looking for my first 9mm just for range use. I obsessed over a few different models and finally decided to go with the SigPro SP2022. If you like the polymers and want something under 500 you may want to check it out.

I actually found one on GB this morning and had to get it.

Now it'll sit at my FFL for several weeks until the papers come through.

 

Good Luck

I was in your predicament not 7 months ago,I had my heart set on a Glock 19...I obsessed about it, I dreamt about it..... then I shot it and a Beretta,Sig,S&W,Springfield,Taurus,Ruger....and the Glock was good but not great for me so I went with the Sig. Now I've pretty much outgrown the Sig and dream of a CZ 75 all steel beauty.

My point is... shoot as many pistols that is available, in as many calibers and then make a choice that is right for you at this present time but don't be surprised if your heart,mind and hand tells you it's time to in essence "put away childish things" and look for the next flavor of the month. I envy the old timers that was able to find that one gun that completed them and have never wavered since.

Good luck and have fun.

 

I was also in the same boat. Dead set on a glock until I fired a few of them. They were ok, but not nearly as nice as my friend's XD. I ended up with the XDM and couldn't be happier.

Go to Shore Shot and you can rent a good number of the kinds of guns you might be interested in. Check their page here. They have Glocks, Springfield XDs, Sigs, HKs, etc. It will help you decide where you are leaning towards.

 

By the way, my two cents would be to look at the CZ 75 /P01 series of guns. All steel, and very well made. I sold my Glock 34 because i shot another forum member's CZ P01 so much better.

I was all for getting a Glock until I shot the Px4 Storm......

Like mentioned above, go to Shore Shot and rent a 9mm. They will let you try as many 9mm's as you want for the same rental fee.

 

I bought a Beretta 92FS made in Italy, very nice gun. Shot a friends 90-TWO, also a very nice gun. Might be above your price-point, but very nice guns.

 

You really need to go hold a bunch and see what is comfy in your hand. I thought I really wanted a specific gun until I held it in my hand, could not stand the grips on it and they weren't interchangable. Glad I did not have my FFL get me one and then hate it.

Excellent post Mike! Just gave you a +1 for today!

 

Dave

Like others have said...... shoot as many as you can.

 

I am a S&W person..... love my M&P 9mm Full Size, and now have a Compact waiting for me at Tony's

Basically on here your gonna get the Glock guys praise their Glocks , the S&W guys praise the S&W , the Sig guys praise theirs and so on and so on , only you can tell what feels best and works best for you , like everyone says on here shoot as many as you can i decide that way , good luck and happy shopping !!!!

This one

http://www.stiguns.com/guns/OffDuty/OffDuty.php

This one

http://www.stiguns.com/guns/OffDuty/OffDuty.php

ray ray your killing me!!! LOL...

How reliable are they?

Shoot as many as you can then make your decision.

 

Okay, what Mikey said.

Springfield..... You will never look back

Thanks. I appreciate and value everyone's opinions. I do plan on trying as many as I can before purchase. Another question....or twelve.

 

Is it possible to narrow down to those that have 14 round magazines without going to a 40? With most 9mm having 10 round magazines (that I have seen), I would think more money would be spent on extra magazines to change more often (and load)at the range. Any way to avoid without goint to a .40? With ammo costs, is it worth spending more money on a few extra magazines for a 9 and having to change more often? Or is it worth going the 40 with 14 rounds route with having to purchase less magazines?

 

I hope this makes sense.

Depends on the gun - Sig & Beretta have 15 round mags for their 9mm pistols. I think Springfield makes them too but you have to special order them from the factory.

Glock 19 comes with 3 - 15 round magazines.

92fs has 15, sig 226 has 15 as well.

Cz has 14 and 15 rounders for their models in 9 millimeter .

XDM is a good gun. Don't go with a compact as your first gun tho. Your probably going to eventually get more guns anyways (glock m&P etc etc)

Stick with 9mm. You can get quite a few 9mm in standard capacity of 15 in jersey such as hk, Sig, glock 19. Also, a lot of manfucturers have 15 round mags like cz and smith wesson.

 

Now while you do have certain fanboys, I would think most are open. I would reccomend an hk, or a Sig any day of the week even though I no longer own any. I dislike glocks yet own one, and would reccomend them.

 

Unless you are buying a Saturday night special, they are all good.

 

My suggestion, go to shoreshot, rent, and see what you like to shoot. Holding it in your hand is pointless. Don't you test drive a car, or try on shooes before you buy them?

 

Make a friend and go to the range.

Stick with 9mm. You can get quite a few 9mm in standard capacity of 15 in jersey such as hk, Sig, glock 19. Also, a lot of manfucturers have 15 round mags like cz and smith wesson.

 

Now while you do have certain fanboys, I would think most are open. I would reccomend an hk, or a Sig any day of the week even though I no longer own any. I dislike glocks yet own one, and would reccomend them.

 

Unless you are buying a Saturday night special, they are all good.

 

My suggestion, go to shoreshot, rent, and see what you like to shoot. Holding it in your hand is pointless. Don't you test drive a car, or try on shooes before you buy them?

 

Make a friend and go to the range.

 

 

Does S&W make 14/15 round mags for the SD9? Standard is 10.

Now I've pretty much outgrown the Sig and dream of a CZ 75 all steel beauty.

 

CZ75 was the first one I got. I still have it, though I've bought and sold other guns since then.

 

+1 for shoot as much as you can. And don't fall into the trap of thinking too much.

CZ75 was the first one I got. I still have it, though I've bought and sold other guns since then.

 

+1 for shoot as much as you can. And don't fall into the trap of thinking too much.

 

Trust me... I may be accused of many things....thinking too much is not one of them.I'm leaning toward the 75b.Tried, true,tested and able to fire just about anything that will fit in the mag.

I like the Walther P99. But, there are so many nice ones, it's hard to pick the "one".