It's a process but should be mentioned on this thread. Glock 21 full-size with a Bowie Tactical or Cold Bore Customs Grip reduction and "Cut-Down" to accept the little mags as well as full-size mags. You get a full-size glock that accepts multiple mags with the backstrap being removed, front fingers being removed, and the grip itself cut down -- win win situation. Have a blast at the range and can blast as a CCW in the unfortunate event you may ever need it.
OR.....if .45acp is a want rather than a forced need....
9mm with a 124gr USA made HP is a game stopper. And at the range they are more pleasant and cheaper to shoot. A Kahr PM-9 shoots like a dream. accurate enough for the range, recoil is extremely pleasant, super well made, and tiny. Although mine is finicky with ammo. My keltec PF-9 eats anything...but it kicks like a donkey and don't recommend it to anyone who wants a range blend.
OR....
Glock 22 (.40 cal) full size LEO turn in is awesome -- have the grip cut-down to accept peewee mags, buy a cheaper lone wolf 9mm barrel and shoot 9mm out of it at the range and have the .40cal for SD.
I'm all about the polymer pistols that have 1 frame/slide and can shoot multi-calibers.
Out of my Glocks I can shoot a .45acp, .357 Sig, 10mm, .40, 9mm, .22, and guess u can say the .50GI, and .45Super too but i dont have it. And probably some other calibers that aren't mentioned.
If u were my bff I would tell you get a .40cal that has a 9mm conversion barrel... depending on your patience, time, money -- I'd say either the Glock full-size with a grip cut down, compact glock, or sub-compact glock, or a Kahr PM-9.
2 Calibers -- 1 gun. That's my motto. I'm not a bullseye hole puncher so I don't care if I lose a tiny bit of accuracy out of a drop in conversion barrel... I just like the sound of Ting when i shoot steel.
A month ago it would be a no brainer to get the Glock .40 and the 9mm conversion barrel, at any size you wanted whether it be full-size or compact or sub compact (they make conversion barrels for all sizes) b\c there were ample of 9mm magazines.
Now not so much -- so maybe in today's times if you dont want to wait for restocking and etc I'd go with the Kahr PM-9. I love taking it to the range.
This is controversal so don't go off on this post -- but I do not recommend a 1911 for SD. That's my opinion and it's ok to disagree and think something else.
XDM are phenominal but the beavertail safety in a SD situation where you may not can have a full-grip is just one extra thing i dont want to worry about. Glocks are point and shoot. They may be inferior to the XDM build but again i'm not a bullseye shooter. I like to have fun more so than be cool with a .000012" groups at 1,000 yards.
p.s. -- If you get a glock .45acp in a non generation 4 get the SF unless u are sending it off for a grip reduction then it doesnt matter. Gen4 and SF is same size unless u change it up. And I don't drink the Glock cool-aid -- it's just it's a good value in the Gen3...espeically a LEO turned in. If you pay more for a firearm it's because you want to not b\c you have to. When people are instructed on how to grip a Glock high then their accuracy greatly improves. Get up high on that gun if you get the glock!
Don't be scared of a used HK or Sig. if you have the cash and dont mine paying it they are phenominal guns... anyone who says differently is letting opinions get in the way of facts. I buy Glocks b\c i dont want to pay more.
Don't be scared of the Glock 34/35 for CCW!
Also we need to face it... Illinois will never be a CCW state. Sorry -- republicans will never out number the Democrats. Is what it is... so keep that in mind. Don't tie up abunch of cash in a CCW gun that you'll never get to legally carry.