I can only have one!?!

[CoastieTech]

I went gun shopping with my wife and had my eye on a couple of guns I liked and told my wife I would like to get a couple when we get back taxes this year. And then it happened, she said I could only buy ONE gun with taxes. :banghead: She has been very supportive of my new gun habit thus far so I didn't argue. This is where my question lies, I have narrowed it down to four guns and I need your help deciding which one. My choices are an SA XD9 4", an H&K P2000, a Sig P226 or P229. This new gun will replace my current carry which is a Taurus MilPro PT145. Concealability is only a partial concern since I live in VA and open carry is acceptable. My main concerns are reliability, accuracy, and something that will be nice right out of the box without having to have a gunsmith do a bunch of work to it. My biggest concern with my Taurus is the trigger pull, I would like my next weapon to have a good crisp trigger. I shot the XD and I liked the trigger but I have had some concerns regarding the finish and the guide rods. I dry fired the H&K and the Sig and they felt good too. If you recommend the Sig or the H&K could you also recommend whether I should get DAK(LEM) or DA/SA as well. Being a poor military man I don't often get to spend this much money on a gun so I would like to get something that I won't regret and that will be maintenance free for as long as possible. Since I have joined PDO I have gained a wealth of knowledge from everyone here and I trust your more experienced opinions, so please help me.
Joe

 

[WillBrayJr]

Springfield's XD-9 or Sig's P229.

 

[MikeJ]

Any of the guns you mentioned are fine, it really boils down to what you like the best. I personally am very fond of the Sig 229 and I am sure that would be my choice but then again I'm not you.

 

[grimjaw]

SIG.

jmm

 

[yomama]

I had the Sig p226rdak and it was a fine gun. Trigger pull was OK but I much prefer my 1911!! Also wasn't good for concealed carry because it was just too big, at least for me. I'm 6'1" 225 and don't usually have a hard time concealing anything either. If I were to buy a Sig again it would be a 229 and probably one with a decocker. The XD's seem to be some good guns too. You have a tough list to chose from.

 

[critter]

The SIG's are a great choice and the 229 is one of the best SIG's. How about a SIG 229 in .40 S&W and later add a .357 SIG barrel. Same recoil spirng and same mag's work. Only one gun, see, but really two guns! Double the pleasure, double your fun!

(HINT: You can even get CPO SIG's for less $!) I personally prefer the DA/SA over the DAK, but shoot both and decide. Good luck with your choice.

 

[Tom Servo]

For a crisp trigger, one of the Sigs in traditional DA/SA. Best triggers of any double-action ever. The 229 SA trigger is the next best thing to a 1911.

 

[Hairback]

If you have not tried it, may I suggest that you look at the Para Ordnance LDA in the size that you want. They are without a doubt the finest DA pistols I have had the pleasure of shooting and I have carried and used them in every environment except Antartica without a single failure. Hard, hard, hard to equal let alone beat. Additionally the Para is very accurate. Benched, mine will shoot one hole groups at 25 yards with Starfire ammo. Not every time, but never over 1"

Personally I prefer SA to DA but the SA configuration does allow dirt etc under the hammer.

 

[Gordon]

Buy a CZ P 01 , although some prefer the compact PCR with no rail. This gun seems more accurate and more ergonomic than any that you mentioned. Cheaper than most of those too.

 

[Missashot]

How about trying the 'ole "wine and dine" trick to see if you can get her to agree on two guns instead of just one. You could always tell her that the second one is for her. That is what my husband does to me. (Unfortunatly for him. I take him seriously and keep the second gun! )
Guess if that fails, I would probably pick the XD-9. Either way, you are going to end up with at least one new gun. Congratulations! Happy shooting!

 

[dm1333]

Since you are in the military and using Coastie Tech as a screen name I'll take a stab in the dark and guess that you are in the Coast Guard. Have you shot the P229 DAK yet? VERY nice is all I have to say! It may be a good idea to carry the same weapon off duty that you have to qualify with on duty. I've considered trading my Glock in to get a SIG

Don

 

[f4t9r]

Go with the SIG

 

[Black Majik]

SIG > HK > SA

 

[gulogulo1970]

Can't go wrong with a Sig.

 

[OrvilleYertleson]

I am partial to HK's, mine has performed flawlessly.

Of course, you could buy one gun with the refund and another with your paycheck...

 

[kirkcdl]

I have an HK USP and a Sig 239.They are both fine weapons,but I second what Hairback said.Take a good look at the Para Ordnance Tac-Four LDA,12+1 in 45 with a 4.25" barrel,very concealable.That said,all the choices are good ones...

 

[CoastieTech]

Thank you all for your reply. I will update you and let you know what my decision was after I buy it. dm1333 I have not had the oppertunity to shoot one of these weapons and have a probably will not since I'm am not a part of an operational unit. I am am an Electronics Tech and will probably never have to qualify with the Coast Guard again unfortunatly. It's not like the Army. I used to qualify there at least 4 times a year, but then again I was a ground pounder in the Army so it was nessecary.

 

[dm1333]

Coastie Tech,
I went the opposite route from you. In my first service(of 3) I was an electronics technician. An unhappy one Now I am a surfman type BM and very happy. Hard to believe for some people but I have been fighting hard to get back to a cutter, with no luck, and I'm going to try again next SPEAR season.

I'm a firm believer in SigArms now. The sights were much better than my Glocks, the trigger is very nice and the gun felt right in my hand. Even though I am a lefty and the weapons were still very stiff I had no problems manipulating the controls. Just don't consider buying the finish that looks like Parkerizing. We did not wipe down 2 of the 5 pistols we had borrowed from the armory and those pistols had surface rust from being handled. I've even thought that if someone with a stainless, compact SIG wanted to trade me I would give up my Glock 27.

Don

 

[Janitor]

All the guns you mention would probably serve you just fine as a carry/range weapon.

You should see if you can find a range where you could rent one or all of them to see which you like best. Whichever I would select would be for me. No clue what you'd find comfortable and enjoyable to shoot.

Edit: You should check out Missashot's idea too. I like it real well ... you get a nice evening out with your wife, and maybe the guns too. And even better - maybe she'll let you buy two pistols and then decide to keep one for herself.

That would be really, really cool (imo)

post 900!