Need some advice on a carry gun

[scout]

Alright guys/girls, first time poster long time shooter... I grew up shooting with my dad at an early age and have been shooting off/on for many years now. I'm also an (ARMY) Iraq War veteran. So I know my way around most firearms and am comfortable with them, however I wouldn't really call myself a hobbyist/enthusiast when it comes to shooting... at least just yet. I know *of* different brands but not a ton of detail about them and I still have a lot of questions... So, I'd like to buy a new handgun with the intent of getting my carry permit (and to range shoot more often) and I am looking for some advice/input.

Primarily this would be my main home defense weapon (for now, no need to discuss what other weapons would be better. ie: shotgun, etc).

Secondly, I intend to carry this while camping/hiking... I do a lot of hiking/camping deep in the bush and I often think of what if I ran across a bad guy or worse if someone tried to attack me or my family at night while camping... (I have had this happen before) also, not that this would *ever* happen but if a bear (I'm often up in the BWCA) or another large animal got a little too curious/aggressive... I feel more comforted knowing I could throw some hot rocks instead of just banging pots and pans (of course, it'd be a last resort).

Lastly and most obviously, a carry gun.

Right now I'm really leaning towards the Springfield XD .45 4" service model. I just sold my Taurus PT99 with the intent of replacing it with something more powerful and carry capable. So as much as I enjoy the 9mm, I'm finally comfortable with the .45 and can shoot some nice groups with it so I'm not fully concerned about the fewer rounds, and obviously I don't think the 9mm would do much of anything to any large animal in the woods other than piss them off more... which is a concern for me in the 9mm vs .45 debate (am I wrong here?). I'm not oppose to 9mm, just leaning more towards the .45, convince me otherwise if need be.

Really, what I'm hoping to find out is are there any other comparable handguns I should be considering? is my choice of a .45 over the 9mm a good/logical one?, based on its intended use. is my choice right now (XD45) a good one or a bad one? if bad, please explain why.

Thanks in advance

[RobD]

I'm surprised the 9mm vs 45 debate hasn't come up here before....

Whatever you do, don't just go buy a gun without trying it first. There are several shops around that try before you buy, just for the price of ammo, not to mention plenty of forum members.

Different guns fit different people different ways. I tried glocks, and shot very well with them... (someone will be by shortly saying glocks suck, buy a 1911) So thats most of what I own now.

Point being that you need to carry what you are comfortable with, and can shoot well. There is an average of .06/inch diameter difference from 9mm and .45 JHP expansion. Shot placement > size of projectile.

ETA: Welcome!

[EJSG19]

Welcome first of all.

If a bear finds out you shot it with a 9mm or a .45, I think you'll find that it will become very pissed off. So I'd keep the two scenarios of "bear defense" and "bad guy defense" separate. In my opinion, those two scenarios require two different tools.

As to the rest, you'll get any number of answers as to what the best carry gun is. But those opinions work for the people giving them, not the person receiving. Find a gun you like, for your own reasons. Nothing wrong with an XD 45, nothing.

Is that too big or to small to carry all day, comfortably, to your level of concealability?
Does the caliber leave you wanting? Too much recoil for fast accurate shooting? Is the gun too expensive to buy or shoot? Ammo readily available or are you going to reload for it? Does the gun fit your hands the way you like? The list goes on.

Not trying to dodge your question. But the only person that can answer your main question, is you. Excellent idea to try out as many as you can afford to, prior to buying. Ask nicely to try a certain pistol around here, and somebody already owns it 99% of the time, and about as likely will be happy to let you fire theirs.

Good luck, shopping for guns is the only kind of shopping that I enjoy. make the most of it.

[Stradawhovious]

My opinion.....
Carry a .45
Carry a 1911

Realistically......
Get to the range, and put as many rounds through as many firearms as you can before you start buying guns. It's an expensive thing to trial and error your way through buying...... Trust me. I know. There are many people here that would probably be more than willing to meet you at the range to let you try any number of firearms if you were to provide the consumables. You don't want to get too involved in a caliber debate here, it will turn into a trainwreck, and fast. There are plenty of past threads on that subject already, feel free to do a search through past threads.

And for the love of God, don't start a
"Glock vs 1911" thread. Justaheartattackwaitingtohappen has high enough bloodpressure as it is, and I'm sure he's feces-faced drunk by now.... That topic might just put him over the edge. On second though....... go ahead and bring it up. What's the worst that can happen?

[scout]

haha, ok caliber debate aside...

I fully intend on renting/trying some different handguns, but I'm just trying to narrow the list down so I'm not renting everything.

[Bessy]

Whatever you do, don't just go buy a gun without trying it first. There are several shops around that try before you buy, just for the price of ammo, not to mention plenty of forum members.

+ 1,000,000

I keep telling people this.. and they never listen to me!
"Oh I bought a full-size Glock in 10mm, but it's to heavy to carry and recoils to much for me so now I'm looking for something smaller."
Please please please, try shooting whatever you are going to carry before... also if at all possible try to practice carrying what you are going to carry before you buy it. This will save you money, hassle.

My opinion is anything 38 P+ or above will get the job done. After that it's all shot placement. I'll recommend what I always recommend 5 shot J-Frame, for carry. For home defense buy a 12 gauge shotgun and load it with 00 buck.

[RobD]

haha, ok caliber debate aside...

I fully intend on renting/trying some different handguns, but I'm just trying to narrow the list down so I'm not renting everything.

Well, if you like polymer, than you should try
Glock... If you decide you NEED to go on,
Springfield XD
Smith&Wesson M&P

Those are the best out for polymer.

Just to add in, you can get a Glock .45 for $464 and a Glock 9mm for $398 with the GSSF program. Not to mention there are several Glock Certified Armorers such as myself around to help you out.... Just sayin...

[scout]

ok, seriously... I'm not trying to start a caliber debate here but I've kinda been coached to stay away from .40 as its an 'odd sized' ammo and more expensive to purchase, true or false? should I even consider .40 in addition to 9mm/.45 when trying some handguns or should I stay away from it entirely?

[EJSG19]

haha, ok caliber debate aside...

I fully intend on renting/trying some different handguns, but I'm just trying to narrow the list down so I'm not renting everything.

Need some pretty specific criteria to narrow anything down. Your XD 45 is your benchmark. What could be a point of comparison to narrow down your search? In other words, what are your priorities?

Magazine capacity, grip size, grip angle, overall weight, overall size (ability to conceal), how well do you shoot it, etc.

Asking the question you did in your original post (is my choice of an XD 45 good or bad?) will give you as many answers of people who hate it, as people who like it. Just trying to save you frustration, so you don't get burnt out on your search. Examples:

XD 45 compared to a similar sized 1911. XD has a bigger mag capacity, fatter grips, and is generally a bit lighter as its a polymer frame. Do you like the XD 45 then or the 1911?

XD 45 compared to a similar sized glock. Glock has a more angled grip angle, and the XD is more of a vertical grip. Which one do you naturally shoot better? No two people are alike there, some like one, some like the other. Nobody on the internet can tell you what will suit you better unfortunately.

Xd compared to a DA revolver. Revolver is a different set of mechanics to use. Some people think its simpler. But revolvers are considered by some as more concealable (the tiny j-frames), and others think they are harder to conceal (cylinder bulge). So which is more important to you?

If the XD 45 carries and shoots well for you, how could that possibly be a bad choice? A fun experiment for you would be to attend one of our breakfasts. Take a look at what each person is carrying on their hip. You won't see many of the same pistols. You will get the same diversity of pistol recommendations if you rely on other people's carry choices.

Try a glock, try your XD, try a Sig, try an HK,try a CZ, try a 1911, try a couple revolvers. They're all different. Some love certain characteristics more than others.

The only downfall is being able to try them all before you buy. Not many people can afford the rental fee's to truly form a thorough opinion.

So what are your priorities/criteria in a carry gun?

[Bessy]

ok, seriously... I'm not trying to start a caliber debate here but I've kinda been coached to stay away from .40 as its an 'odd sized' ammo and more expensive to purchase, true or false? should I even consider .40 in addition to 9mm/.45 when trying some handguns or should I stay away from it entirely?

No 40 is an excellent caliber, that is IMHO becoming more common that .45acp. It penetrates well, and has controllable recoil, brass and ammo are everywhere. You need to get a new *coach* because yours sucks.

[Belgiboy]

Welcome.
If you're comfortable with the XD 45, I would just go with it. It's an accurate weapon that should give you a lifetime of service. For home defense I would definately opt for night sights. A similar gun would be the S&W MP45 which may have a little better ergonomics. It comes down to personal preference.
When it comes to carrying, get a good holster. I'm gonna put in a shameless plug for one of our forum members (Srigs) who makes excellent ones http://www.sideguardholsters.com. I carry a full size 1911 in one of his IWB rigs and I couldn't be happier. As a matter of fact, I'm carrying it right now as I write this and I'm in my boxers.
I'm in the BWCA a lot too and although I do carry either a .45 of a .357 over there, I have no illusions that it would be sufficient for an angry bear. The old joke is that you shouldn't carry a handgun that is too big because it hurts that much more when the bear shoves it up your hind end. A handgun is marginal at best in that situation so don't factor bears into your choice.

[Bessy]

Welcome.
If you're comfortable with the XD 45, I would just go with it. It's an accurate weapon that should give you a lifetime of service. For home defense I would definately opt for night sights. A similar gun would be the S&W MP45 which may have a little better ergonomics. It comes down to personal preference.
When it comes to carrying, get a good holster. I'm gonna put in a shameless plug for one of our forum members (Srigs) who makes excellent ones http://www.sideguardholsters.com. I carry a full size 1911 in one of his IWB rigs and I couldn't be happier. As a matter of fact, I'm carrying it right now as I write this and I'm in my boxers.
I'm in the BWCA a lot too and although I do carry either a .45 of a .357 over there, I have no illusions that it would be sufficient for an angry bear. The old joke is that you shouldn't carry a handgun that is too big because it hurts that much more when the bear shoves it up your hind end. A handgun is marginal at best in that situation so don't factor bears into your choice.

Sideguard does in fact make excellent holsters. But this brings up a point of contention between me and belgiboy. He claims that he can carry a 1911 IWB very comfortably. I claim I can't. The truth is .. we are both right. Everyone is different this is why it's important to try everything out first.

[scout]

good info guys, I appreciate it.

haha, my 'bear defense' was just a last-resort option comment. I guess its safe to take that comment out of the mix when considering handgun options.

[sochr000]

+1 to everything said thus far, the only thing I can think of to chime in with is this (people will likely disagree).

Unless it's worth it in quality, don't spend a ridiculous amount of money on whatever you plan to carry. If you do have to defend yourself, I can almost guarantee the police are going to confiscate your pistol, so having that Desert Eagle with the Titanium plating might stop the bad-guy, it's also going to be really expensive and not in your possession anymore.

I'm not saying you should go out and buy a Hi-Point or some other cheap gun, but if it cost a lot, or has sentimental value to you, I wouldn't recommend carrying it if you have another option.

By all means though, go buy some $2000 pistol if you plan to shoot competitively, or if you have that kind of cash lying around, but I'm a college student so my money is very important to me.

Again, my .02

[scout]

noted, I am hoping to keep it at or under $600. is that unreasonable?