Ok, due to illnesses and paycuts and such, I had to sell off nearly all of my firearms to cover the expenses and keep up with the bills. I'm planning on purchasing a handgun in the near future (within the next couple of months). I'm planning on having somewhere in the neighborhood of 700-800 dollars to spend on one. With those funds, I'd like to get something that has a solid track record, excellent reliability, good stopping power, high capacity, is simple to use/take down, has a decent variety of accessories, etc... I'm not new to handguns, and have owned quite a few throughout the years. I've had glock, beretta, walther, ruger, springfield, rock island, and colt just to name a few. I'm intending on purchasing only one handgun, and some ammunition and possibly some accessories. It'll be my one go-to handgun for everything, but most importantly for home defense and personal carry. So my question is, given the vast amount of options out there, which handgun would you choose (Make/Model/Caliber) if you could only have one handgun in your arsenal and why? I know that only I can decide what's right for me, but I'm just trying to get some ideas above and beyond what I've already considered. Thanks in advance.
If I could only have one handgun in my arsenal it would be a Glock Model 22 .40S&W because I think it offers the best reliability, durability, ease of maintenance, etc., and the .40S&W is a solid caliber that still offers 15 rounds in the magazine.
I would also consider the Springfield XD(M) in .40S&W.
Either gun in 9mm would also be worthy of consideration as you'd get slightly higher magazine capacity and a good self-defense caliber to go with it. Of course the .45ACP is a good choice, too, as are several others.
But, since you asked what *I* would choose, those are my choices. I don't mean to take away from Sig, Colt, H&K, or all of the other good options out there.
For that kind of $$ you can get a good pistol, and I would suggest the night sight option on whatever you get. Just keep in mind that though you'll shoot a lot better in dark and low light they don't do a darn thing for target ID.
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"The only thing more dangerous than ignorance is arrogance" Einstein
Save some money and get a .40 or 9mm XDM in the $600 range. The .40 holds 16+1 and the 9mm holds 19+1. Great guns, tough as nails and will last forever. Springfield is, in my opinion, the very best there is when you look at it as a gun for the dollar factor.
I'm going to cast one more vote for the XDM in .40 caliber. Another is Para. They have high capacity. Anything from Kimber is another good one but pricy. The XDM will be the best value and they will shoot anything you put in them.
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All excellent info, much appreciated. The majority thus far goes to the XD/XDM. Not judging in any way, but I'm not really fond of the XD's. I've had a couple of them in the past and just didn't really care for them. That being said, I've not handled the XDM. Is there much of a difference between the two other than the mag capacaty, interchangeable grip inserts, and the ruff textured frame? I definately prefer the polymer framed pistols over all steel for the simple reason of weight. I carry, or at least I did when I had a pistol to carry, and the smallest amounts of weight tend to add up quick when it's riding on your hip all day. I'm a big fan of the Glock, but am a little shy on having one in a caliber larger than 9mm, given the lack of support for the brass at the 6 o'clock position in the chamber. I had a 23 once that was notorious for bulging cases. Not saying that the 9mm is not a sufficient round by any means, but I'd rather have something a bit more potent, i.e. .40 or .45. Possibly an M&P40 or 45? Thanks for the ideas, and keep 'em coming.
as with the xd-m's they are large and would be a greater challange to conceal as well as the weight issue you stated, then again you stated your not fond of springfields, too bad I also would go xd and the back strap is your choice heres the new gen4 glock http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2...gen4-unveiled/ read this from another fourm good luck...
All excellent info, much appreciated. The majority thus far goes to the XD/XDM. Not judging in any way, but I'm not really fond of the XD's. I've had a couple of them in the past and just didn't really care for them. That being said, I've not handled the XDM. Is there much of a difference between the two other than the mag capacaty, interchangeable grip inserts, and the ruff textured frame? I definately prefer the polymer framed pistols over all steel for the simple reason of weight. I carry, or at least I did when I had a pistol to carry, and the smallest amounts of weight tend to add up quick when it's riding on your hip all day. I'm a big fan of the Glock, but am a little shy on having one in a caliber larger than 9mm, given the lack of support for the brass at the 6 o'clock position in the chamber. I had a 23 once that was notorious for bulging cases. Not saying that the 9mm is not a sufficient round by any means, but I'd rather have something a bit more potent, i.e. .40 or .45. Possibly an M&P40 or 45? Thanks for the ideas, and keep 'em coming.
The biggest difference between the XD and XDM is the interchangeable grips and the high capacity mags. Also the XDM has a match grade barrel standard. The M&P you mentioned is also a great gun. I had a tough time picking between the M&P and the XD. If you are a Glock fan and dislike the XD more than likely you will not like the XDM. Glocks tend to have a shape and design of their own. The grip angle is different from just about any other gun. It is my beliefe that is why most Glock lovers dislike XD and M&P and most XD and M&P lovers dislike Glock. I'm a good example there. I feel XD/XDM is the best gun you can get for the dollar and I have no use for a Glock at all. I never thought I'd hear myself saying this but if you shoot Glocks well you're probably better off with a Glock.
The biggest difference between the XD and XDM is the interchangeable grips and the high capacity mags. Also the XDM has a match grade barrel standard. The M&P you mentioned is also a great gun. I had a tough time picking between the M&P and the XD. If you are a Glock fan and dislike the XD more than likely you will not like the XDM. Glocks tend to have a shape and design of their own. The grip angle is different from just about any other gun. It is my beliefe that is why most Glock lovers dislike XD and M&P and most XD and M&P lovers dislike Glock. I'm a good example there. I feel XD/XDM is the best gun you can get for the dollar and I have no use for a Glock at all. I never thought I'd hear myself saying this but if you shoot Glocks well you're probably better off with a Glock.
LOL! Hell hath frozen over!
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"The only thing more dangerous than ignorance is arrogance" Einstein
Originally Posted by KW Gary M The biggest difference between the XD and XDM is the interchangeable grips and the high capacity mags. Also the XDM has a match grade barrel standard. The M&P you mentioned is also a great gun. I had a tough time picking between the M&P and the XD. If you are a Glock fan and dislike the XD more than likely you will not like the XDM. Glocks tend to have a shape and design of their own. The grip angle is different from just about any other gun. It is my beliefe that is why most Glock lovers dislike XD and M&P and most XD and M&P lovers dislike Glock. I'm a good example there. I feel XD/XDM is the best gun you can get for the dollar and I have no use for a Glock at all. I never thought I'd hear myself saying this but if you shoot Glocks well you're probably better off with a Glock.
Quote:
Originally Posted by G. Green
LOL! Hell hath frozen over!
Hey now, be kind, it's a holiday
Besides, the post I was commenting on was one where the poster said he likes Glocks and shoots them well. I want everyone to be safe protecting themselves even if they are Glock fans
If I had to only pick one I would choose two options which have already been mentioned here before.
1. the Glock 19 in 9mm "Small enough to carry, big enough to fight." 15+1 capacity filled with quality hollowpoints will ruin any attackers day. In a frame that while compact is not too small. You can get your whole hand on the grip. Its the perfect size.
2. a Sig Sauer P220 in .45ACP. You can get this in DA/SA, SAO, or DAK. It has one of the best single action triggers out of the box. Its exceptionally accurate and feels very good in the hand. Its single stack so its thin as well. You can get one off of gunbroker or elsewhere new in box for around $750-$800. Lots of finishes to choose from as well. 8+1 capacity however they do make 10 rounders that stick out a bit.
Both the G19 and the P220 have universal or Picatinny rails on them respectively for mounting a light or laser if you want. Both have tons of holster and other options for them as well.
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It's not always the size of the dog in the fight. Often it's the size of the fight in the dog.
Like Ryanesque and BORIS, I've gone with the 9x18 round for my everyday carry-everything gun. My FEG PA-63 is a very easy pistol to live with; lightweight, slim
(7+1), freakishly accurate and VERY concealable. I added the ClipDraw which makes the carrying experience infinately better.
My criteria is that the pistol must be potent enough to do the job right and compact enough to make carrying it automatic and not a chore. Plus it needs to go with both my winter and summer atire. The FEG PA-63 is the best combo for my needs. And if you still want to spend $800 you either get 5 of them or 1 and A LOT of ammo!
The biggest difference between the XD and XDM is the interchangeable grips and the high capacity mags. Also the XDM has a match grade barrel standard. The M&P you mentioned is also a great gun. I had a tough time picking between the M&P and the XD. If you are a Glock fan and dislike the XD more than likely you will not like the XDM. Glocks tend to have a shape and design of their own. The grip angle is different from just about any other gun. It is my beliefe that is why most Glock lovers dislike XD and M&P and most XD and M&P lovers dislike Glock. I'm a good example there. I feel XD/XDM is the best gun you can get for the dollar and I have no use for a Glock at all. I never thought I'd hear myself saying this but if you shoot Glocks well you're probably better off with a Glock.
I'm not a die hard glock lover, but yes I do shoot them well. I've had both the XD and the M&P, and I shot both of them pretty well too. I'd have to say that I like both the Glock, and the M&P equally.
try the eyes closed aiming test. that should be your deciding factor , especially if you can shoot either well.
it will let you know which is your natural hold angle .
and yes as gary said if you shoot glock well you probably are not a SA man.
i can shoot glock well but it was because of required training but my natural hold angle is that of an SA XD/M
