Help me choose a good sidearm. Thinking XD is my best choice.

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idakfan

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Ok folks... My main handgun experience has been with a P99 .40 and P99 9mm. The guns are absolutely horribly inaccurate out of the box. I hate the plastic sights, but the thing is completely reliable.

I want a gun with my P99 reliability but with steel sights, preferably with a 4" or 5" barrel and accurate out of the box. A gun that'll last a century if taken care of.

Could somebody offer some suggestions? Is the XD series my best choice? I noticed the new Bi-Tone which I believe the upper slide is stainless? I also noticed the Tactical 5" model doesn't have Bi-Tone.

What's the best deal I can get on a Bi-Tone?

Thanks!
 
As much as I love my 1911, I do wish I had bought an XD-9 with the stainless slide instead. The ergonomics are great, and all reports are that it is quite reliable. The only gripe I have heard has to do with the finish rubbing off, but that is moot on the stainless slide. Between the 4" and 5" models, I would probably go with the 4". I don't think the extra inch will gain you that much.

I have seen Bi-Tone 4" models going for at least a touch over $450, going on $500.
 
sig 229 is what i think of when you mention your criteria...

the xd... i have an xd-40. it is a good gun, i like it, and it isn't a bad choice. however, i don't like it even half as much as i like my sig.

the xd and sig are both reliable, but the xd doesn't shoot as well as the sig. the xd's sights are decent, but sig trumps. the xd is fairly light, the sig 229 is a heavy hog. mags for the xd are easier (for me) to come by, and less expensive. the xd points well, but is not as comfortable nor does it point as well as the 229. the recoil of the xd is snappy, the sig is very comfortable.

the xd cost me less than the sig.

i didn't mention the 1911 because sooner or later you're going to get one anyway, so why bother?? :D
 
pauli

For a SHTF or Combat scenario.

dakotasin

I would really like a 1911, but them seem pricey and from what I've read the Springfield Armorys are give and take on QC. Am I wrong?
 
I have the XD 40 cal SC I shoot IPSC with it and is very easy to CCW. I also have a Glock 32 both guns are outstanding.
 
idakfan- i am far from an expert on 1911's... i have colt and springfield, and have never had trouble w/ either.

however, i will have to defer a more concrete answer on them to someone who knows more. there are so many different 1911's by different makers covering every price range that you have to really start getting specific before anybody can really help.
 
idak- the 1911 I bought is a SA. I don't think I would say that their quality is spotty; you only hear about the malfunctioning ones on internet boards like this. The good thing is that they are a stand-up company who will take care of things that aren't perfect. Mine had accuracy issues, and they fixed it right up. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another SA 1911, were I in the market for another 1911.
 
What do you plan on using it for? CCW? HD? Duty? Target? Plinker? All of the above?

"Could somebody offer some suggestions? Is the XD series my best choice? I noticed the new Bi-Tone which I believe the upper slide is stainless? I also noticed the Tactical 5" model doesn't have Bi-Tone.

What's the best deal I can get on a Bi-Tone?"

I have the 4" bi-tone and I highly recommend getting it over the black carbon steel slide. The XD's main gripe seems to be the poor blued finish. I have seen more than a few that had lots of finish loss and it is a relativly new gun tot he market. It seems any used blued XD is going to have finish wear. If that bothers you, go stainless and forget it. The SS also looks a lot better IMHO.

I got a new SS XD on gunbroker for $395 + $20 FFL + $15 ship total = $430. Came with 2 15 rd mags but the new ones are comming with 3 16rd mags, even better!

The 4" XD is a great all around gun that can do just about anything you need it to do. It makes a great home defense gun because you can get night sights and mount a flash light on the built in rail. It makes a decent CCW because it is very light for its size. It make a good plinker because it is fun to shoot and very accurate. It is being used more and more for some types of gun games so it should make a good target gun.

Cons,
blued finish sucks, period. SS is great.

My empties sometimes hit me on top my head. They seem to eject straight up rather than to the right.

Pros,
Great price for what you get.

Accuracy is well above average.

Very controlable in fire.

Great ergos when compared to Glocks and many others.

Safe.

Reliabilty, maybe as a whole not as reliable as the Glocks but that is just from what I see online. I have had a few FTF but mostly during breakin. I never lubed my new pistol and I think it came dry. It seems to work better now. Maybe a more powerful recoil spring is in order.


Some other great 9mms are:
Beretta 92
Kahr K-9
Ruger P95
S&W 3913
S&W 6906
S&W 5906

You could probaly find any of these for less than $300 used if you shop well. Not the Beretta but all the rest.
 
Of the above mentioned, I own a SA 1911, an XD9 (actually a HS2000, the XD's predacessor) and a Sig 229. All great guns. The XD is accurate, reliable, an all around great gun. I just have more confidence in Sig for some reason or another. My 229 is 9mm and I have a pro 2340 in .357. I carry my Sig 229 most. Another suggestion is Ruger's new P345, .45. I have one of those too and it's a wonderful gun, especially for the money. Ruger's dependablilty and accuracy is outstanding. Truth be known it's probably as good a gun as my Sig. New ergonomics makes it more comfortable than the 89, 95, etc.
Ruger = $400 Sig 229 = $650 XD = $400
 
The XD from what I have been seeing on the IPSC fields is a good gun. They have been reliable with good ammo, accurate enough for anything that needs to be done, and good shooters are really making them sing just as they came out of the box.

That said, I prefer the ergonomics of the Glock. For some reason I haven't paid enough attention to really explain I just don't like the XD. I held one, it felt funny, and I lost all desire to own one. I have held them several times and the result is the same, they just don't feel good to me. I would really like to feel more positive about the ergonomics of the XD but I can't. The Glock that I prefer should be more offensive from an outward perspective, but my hand tells me otherwise.
 
I own two XD-9 Service models. They are some of the best pistols I have owned. The thing I like about the four inch model is that it is small enough for carry but big enough to shoot well. The gun just feels great in my hands.
 
My XD-9 Bi-Tone Service has been totally reliable through over 8000 rounds. I use it for USPSA Production, CCW and home defense. It is very accurate and I would buy another one in a second. The only mods I've made are a Don's FLGR with Wolff spring and a 4# trigger job by Rich at Canyon Creek. It works great for CCW in a H. B. E. COM 3 holster.

Of course, I love my Springer Black Stainless too since it is my Limited 10 gun. You just can’t beat a Springer for the money! :D
 
I love the XD because the ergos are perfect for me- like someone made the gun for my hand. Decently accurate, fairly lightweight, and very reliable. If it had polygonal rifling, it would be perfect.
-David
 
Thanks for your detailed reply guys. I don't think I can go wrong with a XD 4" bi-tone. I'll probably go .40SW though

A 1911 would be nice too, can't afford two though at the current time (FAL purchase on horizon), so I'll give em both a good lookover at the gun shops.

:)
 
I have em all.

The X-D is a fine choice. I would take it anyday over my Sig 220. My X-D shoots as accurate as my 1911's.
 
Given the choice between P99 and the XD, I'd take the XD any day. Between the XD and the SIG it'd be a much closer choice, but I'd still take the XD. Between the XD and the PX4 though, gimme my PX4.

Don't get me wrong, I love the XD. The ergonomics are fantastic, and I absolutely adore the idea of a grip safety. They're reliable, very accurate, and very simple to operate.

However, with the PX4 I get a higher capacity in a slightly larger package. The weight is very close, the XD weighs in at 25 ounces, the PX4 at 27.5. But being DA, I have the option to pull the trigger again if the round misfires. Additionally, firing both side by side, the PX4 seems to have the edge in accuracy and less recoil.
 
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