[BanditHK]

HI !!

See if I might get help. I am just about to purchase a handgun/pistol, at first was thinking of the P99, S&W M&P and the PX4 (all .40) ... all were eliminated after a trial at the range. Then the enlightment!!! I shot with the new XD springfield .40 ... beautiful, I have big hands and the grip fitted like a glove .... However I have not been able to find a range that rents the Sig P229R, the CZ and my favorite the HK usp standard. Which one should I get?
Then the caliber I want to have this gun on my night stand and for the range as well .... should i get a 9mm or .40 .... stopping power or affordability ... Are there any good ammo in 9mm that could aproach the .40's power?

Thanks in advance for the help.

[Freddymac]

I have a few HK's and I love them. They are great, especialy if you have big hands. I have a few Sigs too, and they are great, but I love my HK's.

[Soybomb]

I don't know how you can have a favorite without having shot it, but I'd really try to shoot or at least hold a gun before buying it, especially if you didn't like the p99 which many people consider to be very comfortable to hold. If you buy without trying be sure you don't mind losing some money and time selling if you hate it. If you like the XD's grip and trigger, I'd go with it.

Next up, stopping power, there is no such thing. All handgun rounds suck. Premium 9mm and .40 jhp's both penetrate to about the same depth and expand to the same width in ballistics gelatin. In other words, they both make the same size hole. Personally I would recommend you get a 9mm, especially if this is your first handgun just so you can practice a ton. You'll need it and the shot that has the best chance of stopping an attacker is the one that hits him.

Good luck with what ever you choose. :D

[BanditHK]

Freddymac and soybomb TKS!

I have used the HK usp compact and a 2000 ... and I simply loved them except for the grip. Now I know that the usp std has a larger grip. After your advise the I will think on a caliber 9mm ...

TKS! again

[Soybomb]

Now thats just my opinion, its a matter of time until someone comes along who disagrees and thinks that 9mm wouldn't stop a gopher. Personally I think they're going on old data and that hollow points have improved drastically in the last 20 years. I would encourage you to read this though too as you think about stopping people http://www.firearmstactical.com/hwfe.htm

[Texshooter]

Honestly, for my pocketbook, SIG & HK have pretty much priced themselves out of my range.

I love the XDs I have, and have never shot SIG (although I love their DA) or HK any better.

I am now of the philosophy that I would rather have more than fewer expensive.

[TomN]

All 3 are really great firearms. I'd be hard pressed to choose actually, which means I think you should buy all 3!

But it really is suprising how the XD can be compared so favorably to HK and SIG considering how inexpensive they are. The only thing I don't like about the XD is the finish, which has been solved with the new XD 45. If I were to choose one of the 9mm or .40 models I'd probably send it in to Springfield for a trigger job and re-coated with their Armory Kote. Not quite as nice as the Melonite/Armory Kote of the XD 45 but lots better than the finish that's on them now.

[Valkman]

I know nothing of HK or Sig, but I just bought a XD 45 and it's a fantastic gun, especially when you compare the prices. I usually shoot 1911's and the XD feels natural to me. XD's have passed all the same torture tests that Glocks have, so unless the grip is too big there's no reason not to buy it!

[Amadeus]

9mm or .40? Doesn't matter!!! Both will make hole. Both can be fun to shoot. 9mm is a little less expensive to run regularly. But the real difference will come in YOUR perception of how each round is to shoot.

As for which gun to get, you seems to be leaning toward the XD. But do try to find a sample of each firearm that interests you. Don't make up your mind before at least holding your prospective choices.

I have my preferences as does everyone here. I enjoy shooting my SigP228. It feels good and fits my hand well and therefore is accurate for ME! But the results could be entirely different for you. The best gun for you is the one YOU most enjoy shooting and the one that makes YOU feel most comfortable.

Try out a few. Hold them, love them. Buy one. Use it. A LOT!!

[Euclidean]

I have experience with SIG, CZs and XDs. I still own XDs.

None of the things you are considering are bad, so you can't screw this up too bad, hehe.

I agree that in the ideal world you would rent anything before you bought it, but that's not always possible. I got into the XD before they became amazingly popular around here. There was nowhere to rent it that I could find.

Find a good gun store that wants your money and go fondle all of them. Take your time. Don't buy just yet, just fondle, then go home and think about it.

Think of specific questions to ask the owners of these firearms. Be prepared for divergent responses.

As for caliber, I had the XD40, which was really good gun, but I just like the XD45ACP better. I prefer the .40 S&W and .45 ACP calibers personally, but I do carry an XD9SC sometimes and I have an XD9 and another 9x19 chambered pistol.

Shoot some .40's and some 9mm's, anything you can. Some people just do not like the .40S&W. It "feels" wrong. I think it depends on the firing platform somewhat as I don't like it out of a short barrel, but 4" or longer and I'm fine with it.

At the end of the day .40 S&W will always outperform 9x19 on the terminal end in some way somehow. The difference however is small enough that many people feel it doesn't matter. I leave that decision up to you.

I think all handgun service calibers suck in terms of stopping power. Whatever you get, be ready to buy and test some premium defensive ammunition for it. The ammunition makes all the difference. I'll take a 9mm JHP over a .40 S&W FMJ any day of the week.

If it were me, well I already made that decision, I have XDs.

[gudel]

Get the HK. The sig is overrated, around here they also cost more. ;)

[cannibal4]

Shoot a CZ They are great! You'll love it.

[James Nigel Bond]

I have served high profile individuals and as part of our experience, nothing beats HK's USP's, P2000 either DaO or LEM's.
Sigs have had a long history too but the HK had a resounding power that best shooters can tell.
HK's are expensive but surely it carry's a big stick.

[Zen21Tao]

I have both a Fullsize HK USP .45ACP and a Sig P239 .40S&W. I also have used Fullsize Sigs at the range and can say that both HK and Sig are great guns. The HK feels more like a tactical weapon that would be great for home defense and the Sig has the feel of a duty type gun that is much better suited for carry (concealed or open carry). As for accuracy, my Sig is a bit more accurate but the HK is still accurate enough for defensive use. (Just my 2 cents)

[10-Ring]

HK all the way! As for caliber...9mm is fine and since it's less expensive to shoot, you end up shooting more. If you need to go bigger, cut to the chase & go w/ the 45 acp! That said, the USP 9 is the way to go ;)

[MadMercS55]

I really like HK pistols, particulary the P2000, and USP .45 compact. Can't go wrong with a SIG either, so try them out and pick the one that fits your needs the best.

[Lebben-B]

But it really is suprising how the XD can be compared so favorably to HK and SIG considering how inexpensive they are.

I own a USP45F, a Sig 229, and recently came into an XD40Tac.

While it's generally true that high quality comes with a high cost, it's not the case with the XD and several others (Most notably CZ.) For one, building a gun in Croatia is much cheaper than building one in Germany because of the deeply entrenched union system plus high government taxes on industry in Germany. HK and Sig pass these costs cheerfully on to the consumer, as would every other company. What does the extra money you put down for a Sig or HK actually buy you? Better fit and finish, certainly. But little else, really.

The XD is the equal of HK and Sig in the areas where it counts - function, reliability and ergonomics. Bandit really can't go wrong if he/she purchases any of the mentioned makes and models. All of them are high quality firearms.


Mike

[Caseless]

Who has the coolest ads and catalogs...HK. So there you go.:evil:
Seriously, I picked the USP 40 for its soft recoil; which translates into superior accruacy in my case.

[ugaarguy]

Having owned Glocks, shot 1911s, XDs, and one HK USP I settled on a Browning Hi-Power. I do like the HK for its ergonomics and the fact that it can be carried condition one (cocked & locked) in the right variant. I also enjoyed the XD and love the price/value ratio. Shooting a Hi-Power side by side with a Kimber Custom Target II sealed the deal though. Glock 22 went bye bye toward the BHP (though I do plan go get a Glock 19 when the right deal comes along). The Hi-Powers just don't get discussed too much anymore. I just think you should try to shoot a BHP before making the final decision. Above all else get the one that you shoot best/most comfortably. All of your choices are quality pistols that will serve you well.

[LiquidTension]

All are fine weapons, and fairly common. If no ranges near you rent, try to get in touch with some shooters in your area and see if they'll let you put a few rounds downrange.

[Lebben-B]

Who has the coolest ads and catalogs...HK. So there you go.

Including the ad with a round in the magazine backwards? LOL


Mike

[Ric in Richmond]

XD 9 bitone in stainless.

Love it.

Ric

[Falconeer]

Sig guy here. My P229 is the sweetest shooting pistol I've ever used. Range, carry, home defense, it does it all. For pure range use, I've been jonesing over selling my 9mm P226R (to help fund my rifle project); I'll own another P226 one day. :)

Of course, I also want a P220, and a GSR, and perhaps a West German P228, and and and... :p

[pablo45]

hk usp9 or the sig p229 they are both great.

[jad0110]

Every gun mentioned here is excellent, you really can't make a bad decision with any of the choices mentioned. Same with caliber, it comes down to personal preference IMHO, as modern hollopoints have really narrowed the gap between 9mm, .40, and .45ACP to the point where it is nill.

My personal preference is for the XD9 Service (4"). I love this gun! Very flexible, in that it functions as my wife's primary home defense gun and a winter CCW for me (haven't yet carried it, but plan to IWB). The XD9 is very balanced in my hands, it just fits. I shot a Glock 23 and liked everything about it except the infamous 2x4 grip.

Another thing I like about the XD9 is its reliability (but any of the aforementioned are just as reliable). So far I've put 415 rnds through it without a glitch, and that includes about 300 rnds of super cheap, super crusty Wally World white box ammo (100 rnds for $12).

Whatever you choose, I hope you enjoy it! :)

[Ala Dan]

I would not want too have too make this decision. While I care nothing
a'bout .40 caliber weapons (or .357 SIG, for that matter); subsitute the
a West German P220A, P226, or P228 and I would be hard pressed. I
think the XD .45 ACP is one mighty fine weapon; but I would have to
the nod too the SIG-SAUER guns in either .45 ACP (P220A), or 9m/m
(P226 or P228) for these reasons:

A) Reliability
B) Out Of The Box Accuracy
C) Craftsmanship
D) Customer Service Dept (Exeter, New Hampshire)

Currently, I own a very early Springer 4" service model XD in .45 ACP,
a 1995 West German SIG-SAUER .45 caliber P220A, and a 1990 West
German 9m/m P228. I don't plan on parting with any of 'em~!:D