Help me pick my next compact autoloader / caliber

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cbmax

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Hi all,

I know this is a tough question to ask but I am going to give it a go nevertheless. I am in the market for a new compact to subcompact autoloader. I am strongly considering the HK P30 in either 9mm or .40 S&W. I want the gun to carry in my house and on my property. I live in NJ so I can't actually carry concealed anywhere except at my home. I also like to shoot IDPA and USPSA but I do have other guns for that purpose. I am not interested in a pocket pistol such as an Ruger LCP.

I have also considered the Springfield XDM 3.8 in either 9mm, .40 and .45. The 9mm and .40 will be tough to acquire in NJ because they hold more rounds in the extended mags than are legal in NJ, so I can only have these transferred with the flush fitting mags. Mag capacity in NJ is limited to 15 rounds.

Here is what is currently in my collection:

Caspian 1911 .45 set up for IDPA/USPSA on the way.
Kimber .45 Royal II customized
Caspian 1911 .45 set up for bullseye
Ruger MK II .22 with red dot
Ruger Red Hawk .44
Beretta 92G 9mm
S&W 686 .357, 5 inch barrel
HK USP Tactical .45
Sig 229 .40 (I am going to buy a .357 Sig barrel shortly)
STI Edge .40
Bersa Thunder .380
Springfield XD .40 Tactical
S&W M&P Pro 9mm
Colt commander .45
Dan Wesson Razorback 10mm 1911

So what would you add given what I have told you? Let's try and stick to the weapons I outlined in my first and second paragraphs with an emphasis on the HK's. Let's try not to get too deep into a 9mm v. .40 war although i do realize this is part of question.

Let's keep Glocks out of the equation as I am not interested in this weapon.

CB
 
H&K fan here. One of my very favorites is the p2000sk with an LEM trigger. Mine is in 40, though I thought about the 9mm too. If your more for the range or home I may get the more traditional SA/DA trigger. The LEM shines more for duty use or CC.
 
I'm a huge Springfield fan. My wife carries the subcompact XD in 9mm, with the 13 round mag and pierce mag plate (something to hook the pinky finger around). We have put several thousand rounds thru it without a glitch, and for a subcompact it is far more accurate than other compacts. I even carry it once and a while, but nothing feels quite as good as my full-size Sig 1911 ;)
 
I'm so spitting mad just thinking about the INSANITY that NJ only allows you to carry in your home that I can't help right now. Maybe I'll be able to offer some thoughtful suggestions after my blood pressure falls below 200 / 140 again.

I'm so disgusted with places like NJ & NY & Illinois.

ETA: Still, that SIG 229's awful sweet.
 
Dr. 2,

It makes me angry every time I think about NJ gun laws too! I don't understand why my right to bear arms and protect myself and family ends when I leave my home. Why do some forty other states allow concealed carry and we are still living with unconstitutional laws here in NJ. I don't even want to tell you about the process involved in buying a handgun. Luckily I live in a town where the police are pretty good about issuing pistol purchasing permits in a timely fashion. There are other places in the state where towns blatantly disregard the law that says pistol permits will be issued in 30 days. Yes you need to apply for a permit each time you wish to purchase a handgun. On top of that another background check is done at the time you actually purchase the handgun. I am all for gun control but making people jump through hoops is just ridiculous and makes no sense.

I do love my Sig 229 as well!

Let me know when you cool down but this will probably only further infuriate you.

CB
 
...BTW...I LOVE Springfield. I guess I'd be going with 45acp EVERYTHING if I had to live by those capacity rules.

I have all .40's in my stable right now. If you're looking polymer, then I'd agree with the previous comment about the 45acp xdm sc. Man, that's a lot of letters! Lol.
 
Go with the HK P30 in 9mm, with your preferred control layout, it will look nice along side your expert. If you haven't held one yet at least hold one before you decide. The grip on these are absolutely phenomenal.

p91801725-5.png
 
Go with the HK P30 in 9mm, with your preferred control layout, it will look nice along side your expert. If you haven't held one yet at least hold one before you decide. The grip on these are absolutely phenomenal.
Click to expand...

This grip is phenomenal because it is pretty much a copy of the Walther P99's ergonomics. ;)
 
Yeah, they feel good, but that's countered by the horrible trigger pull.

Consider the PPQ. It feels great AND has a great trigger.
 
Well it looks like to me you have a big gapping hole in the .32 ACP and the 10mm catagories, so I'd recomend a CZ-83 in .32 ACP, or a 10mm like the compact eaa witness or a Glock 29.
 
Yeah, they feel good, but that's countered by the horrible trigger pull.
Click to expand...
Baloney, I own and have shot a lot of pistols. Few, if any, polymer pistols have a 1911 trigger pull if that is what you're comparing them to.....and they all have their own personalities. None of them are "horrible" including the P30, adjust to your tools. A DA/SA HK pistol, once you're past the normally long DA pull, is an excellent trigger and the light LEM of the P30 is great as well.
 
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You already have a 9mm pistol capable of performing well in IDPA and USPSA, the M&P Pro. I tried a P30L for USPSA and decided on the Glock G34. Trigger, price and availability of upgrades and magazines were also a factor. A 9mm 1911 is a great shooter, I now have 2. Sorry you live in such a restrictive state, you can always support candidates that would try to change things, in other words, vote the bastards out. Back on subject, I would get the 9mm 1911 like an STI Trojan, about the same price as the P30. Between the 1911 9mm and your M&P you can shoot IDPA SSR and ESP, and USPSA Production, Limited 10, Singlestack, Minor power factor.
 
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