Help me choose HD/woods carry/occasional CCW pistol

DigMe · Jan 29, 2009

I recently bought a Kahr Pm9 to replace my Springfield XD9 as my regular CCW. The XD was serving double duty as bedside HD gun as well. I'm planning on selling it and my Ruger blackhawk .357 which has been my woods gun/hog gun for a while. I'm back to long guns for hog hunting.

So after I sell those two guns I want to use the proceeds to buy a .45 that will be used for bedside HD, woods gun and occasional carry when clothing and situation allows.

My only requirements are no manual safety, high cap mags, reliable and durable. I will probably go polymer but that's not set in stone.

Frontrunners are Glock 21sf and XD45. I shoot both Glocks and XDs well and they both feel good despite differing grip angles.

I considered going .357 sig but ammo selection seems slim.

Suggestions? Comments?

No fanboy wars please. Just looking for solid objective comments. It's not a contest. Thanks!

DZL HOG · Jan 29, 2009

Since your familiar with the XD platform thats what Id go with, but either one would be fine.

My PM9 is my EDC, whereas my XD9 is my OWB around the house, hunting and bedside gun.

burk · Jan 29, 2009

Brad, You might want to consider the Glock 36 if you can do with out the high cap mags. It is about 3/8" thinner then the high cap models which really makes carrying a lot easier. Also if you get the plus 1 mag extensions it grips real nice. I think the thinner .45 grips are easier to handle. You still have 8 rounds with the grip extension.

DigMe · Jan 29, 2009

Hey, burk. Kinda weird talking to you on this forum.

As I said, the high cap mag is a requirement so the 36 is out. First and foremost is HD and woods gun with carry being secondary since it will not be my primary carry gun.

David E · Jan 30, 2009

The only other serious contender in hicap .45 are the offerings from Para Ordnance. The P-14 single action, or the LDA.

The mags can hold up to 18 rds of .45 acp with aftermarket base pads.

Still, I think the XD would be the better choice, given your existing familiarity with it.

kitsapcharly · Jan 30, 2009

I use an XD-45c for all of the above with 4" barrel which is best for concealed carry. Double Tap FMJ is my choice for all serious use. Has 520 pounds at the muzzle in 5" and probably about 490 in 4". Short 10-round mag for CC, 13-round otherwise. Very little difference in recoil effect or speed of follow-up shot. Shoots when you need it to.

Bill_Rights · Jan 30, 2009

I like the FNH USA FNP-45. Got one. Smooth recoil. Totally reliable feed/eject/etc. At least $200 cheaper than competitors. Polymer. Made in Fredricksburg, VA (my backyard). Search THR for "FNP45" or "FNP-45". Several threads with the goods....

JoefromTN · Jan 30, 2009

Simply put, I like the Glock 21.

I carried mine as a CCW gun in an IWB holster for many years. Yes, it's a little bulky, but with a jacket, vest, or even just a shirt hanging over my belt, it seemed to work fine. I always felt comfy with it by my bedside and I'm sure that it could knock down any game I could hit with it in the woods.

The only reason I stopped carrying it, was I went to a Glock 22. When Crimson Trace first came out with a laser for the Glock, the first model they made it for was the Glock 22. So I bought one, eagerly awaiting the new CT laser for the Glock. As soon as I got one, the 22 became my carry gun.

DigMe · Jan 30, 2009

The FNP-45 and Para both have manual safeties. One of my requirements in the original post is no manual safety so those are out. Thanks for the suggestions though. I have always liked the Paras but my draw and shooting of pistols has never included the disengaging of the safety. My routine is pretty much automatic now and I don't want to introduce another part into it.

DigMe · Jan 30, 2009

I use an XD-45c for all of the above with 4" barrel which is best for concealed carry.

Y'know, I started thinking about this gun last night. I had forgotten about it but then sparked a memory of seeing it in a dealer's case. That short grip length/magazine extension deal is pretty nifty and just might be the the feature that pushes me out of the middle and over to the XD. It seems made-to-order for part time HD/part time carry. I don't know of other guns with similar features that have such a seamless extension in a .45 that will go from 10 rounds to 13.

Double Tap FMJ is my choice for all serious use.

To me that makes no sense for HD/CC but to each his own.

Weedmonk · Jan 30, 2009

Given your parameters in the OP, I suggest you take a look at the Glock G30SF - especially if concealed carry is in the picture.

Help me choose HD/woods carry/occasional CCW pistol

DigMe

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DZL HOG

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burk

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DigMe

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David E

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kitsapcharly

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Bill_Rights

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JoefromTN

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DigMe

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DigMe

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Weedmonk

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