Hey Rookie, congratulations on the BD and on your common sense approach to buying a gun. As a recommendation, if you can shoot the G23 well, go for it! The G19 is also a great pistol, but the slight advantage is to the .40 "IF" you shoot it well. If not, there is no shame in carrying a G19. Carry the most powerful gun you can shoot accurately, quickly and consistantly. For me, its the G23 and G27 (for ankle work

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$500 is about $20 high, in my area, but prices will vary from place to place. 'Course, as a cop, we pay $398 w/ 3 hi-caps.
Let us know how you do...