I hate to sound like a broken record, but I've compiled a list after talking with many of you and doing my own personal reading...this is the list of "possibles" and I'd like your opinions.
I'd like to not get a lot of other gun names dropped because it will just add more onto this that I don't think is necessary...
Ruger P345. .45 Cal, $450 new 8+1rc
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Ruger SP101 KSP321XL. .357 Cal $450 new 5rc
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Springfield XD9. 9mm $500 New (lots of accessories too!) 13+1rc or 16+1rc
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Kel-Tec PF9. 9mm, $300 new (givertake) 7+1rc
I guess I'm looking for general opinions, and if you think that I should try them all, then I will do my best to try and do that...obviously I'm a little limited to what the local places have on hand for me to try, but I'll do the best i can.
Personally, not having shot any of them...the Springfield looks like it has the most bang for the buck...literally and figuratively...after that probably the P345, then the PF9 and SP101 fighting for the last spot, although the Ruger is probably much better build quality than the Kel-Tec.
I've previously owned a Ruger P-Series. Rock solid reliable. First DA pull is tough to hit with. Field stripping is a snap.
I own a XD9 Compact. These guns are everything a glock is but better. I never felt fully comfortable with the glock because of no safety. The grip safety moves this series of pistols to the top of the plastic gun ranks.
I own a SP101. Its built like a TANK. Accuracy is way better for me than with a S&W snubby. You can still shoot 38sp when you don't feel like beating yourself up and scaring everyone else on the range. If you ever run out of ammo it will be quite effective as a club.
Keltec...I've heard good things, but I'd never bet my life on something that cheap. Nothing personal to those that own them, but my collection leans towards quality not quantity.
Of what you have listed i would go with the XD. BUT! Try as many variants as possible and find the one that fits your hand the best. A pistol that can shoot 1 hole groups out of a rest, won't shoot well out of your hands if it doesn't fit you. You may find that a compact XD .40 works the best for you. I have a friend that owns a gun store, and he has been a competitive shooter, mostly pistol, since the 70's. He always told people that even if you know what you want when you come in, to pick up as many as you can to find a few that feel and fit well and shoot those and one will always win. I shot 1911's for a long time, but I wanted something with more capacity with less weight for general purposes. I tried Rugers, HK (full size and compact), and Glock (fs and c). I really wanted the HK (heck the SEALS use em'). I ended up with the Glock G-30. It felt and shot the best in my hands. I shot a Glock match with it and shot a 500-26X. The first 3 places were separated by bullseye counts. I got 3rd. I know thats kinda long winded......hope it helps.
If money isn't a big factor the Springfield in, in my opinion, the best of all the guns you named. I own 4 Springfields and love them. Another good gun for less money is a Taurus. Got 4 of them too.
yeah and the Springfield comes from the dealer for 497.99 with all the "extra goodies" like the small mag and the extended mag, holster, case...etc... that's not bad at all.
if the fit is right in your hand i too would say go with the springfields
keep in mind there is a tiny difference between an XD and an XDM , not enough to worry about but if you want a full size 9mm or .40 then go with an XDM
Well, you have 3 autoloaders on there vs. 1 wheelgun. You apparently lean toward the autoloaders, so drop the SP from the list. I would personally drop the Kel-Tec next but only because some people have had problems with them.
The remaining two are close enough in price that it shouldn't be factor. Try the pick up and point test, see if you can shoot both of them, heft them fully loaded. Those extra 8 rounds can add a significant amount of weight in a carry situation, although concealed carry doesn't seem to be a major factor or you would have more smaller guns on the list.
Both Springfield and Ruger have outstanding reputations, so that's no help. Are you planning to do target work? Does either one have adjustable target sights? What about night sights - are they important, does either have them, are they Tritium, dots, or what? Is a laser something you will want later? A rail? How are the grips? Look at the details. Try the controls. Which is more intuitive for you? Are they both in the same store? Ask the sales guy for the best deal he can give you on each one. Ask which brand he would recommend. Ask which jobber treats him and his customers best.
Post pics when you get your new toy.
Whoops, you said CC work. Get the smaller one. Thinner is good, probably more important than height and length within reason. You can carry an extra mag if having 16 shots is a realistic need.
__________________ Teach
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I plan on using it for CC, so the smaller version is better...
If you want it for CCW have you looked at the XD Subcompact? I have both the Subcompact 9mm and .40 and love them both. The .40 is my main carry gun. The 9mm subcompact will hold 16+1 with extended grip and the .40 holds 12+1. I just put a crimson laser on my .40.
I suggest handling each gun to find what fits you best in terms of weight, balance, trigger pull, sight picture, pointability, hand to grip, and so on.
These factors are really important to your success with the gun.
It determines what is right for you that may not necessarily be right for the next person.
If possible fire the guns before making a final decision.
RQ it's a tough choice for ya good luck.I own a p97 and a p95 ruger and cc with both of them .Ruger is very reliable and affordable way to go.There not tackdrivers by far but for self defense 100% reliable. .38
My P95 is very accurate with a quick second shot. For me, the fit of gun to hand means I need to carefully the first one, though. So, if I ever feel a need to carry, it will be my 1911, which puts the first one pretty close to where I look without a whole lot of sight use involved.
__________________ Teach
Taxpayers voting for Obama are like chickens voting for Colonel Sanders.
I have an XD9 and its very comfortable in the hand. After a couple hundred rounds I was very happy with my accuracy. Had two FTFs in the first 50 rounds (shooting the cheapest reloads I could find), nothing in the last 500 rounds. I blame it on the ammo. The entire XD lineup has a very good reputation. I got it for $456 which included all the stuff, I think they are a very solid value. Don't know anything about the rest. If you choose the XD, I doubt you'll be sorry. Still, choose the one you want, the one that will make you the happpiest.
yeah and the Springfield comes from the dealer for 497.99 with all the "extra goodies" like the small mag and the extended mag, holster, case...etc... that's not bad at all.
The extended mag really makes target shooting an easy since it will add a nice bit to the grip. I love my XD sub comp
If you prefer a Revolver there is no better than Ruger. If you prefer an Auto I'd go with the XD. How much shooting experience do you have? Revolvers and Autos are very different. If you have not shot both I'd spend some time at the rental range to decide. You're comparing Apples to Oranges for sure. Both have their pros and cons but they are very different.
__________________ Barack Obama is the problem. His Change is not The Magic Solution.
Teach
