Little help deciding on a SD pistol

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CT Gunner that wasnt a 250 you saw it was a frame and slide kit. They look like the complete firearm. They sell the caliber conversion kits for that price regularly, the Complete weapons are still around 475.00 avg, and damned well worth it.
 
Glock or Smith and Wesson SD. I haven't handled an M/P yet but I've heard nothing but positive talk.
I popped for the Sigma and other than a somewhat stiff trigger its been great.

Mike
 
The Glock 26 would be my first choice. If it absolutely must be made in the USA, then I'd try a S&W M&P9c.

In any case, rent as many as you can before you decide on 'the one.' The Glock 26 may be just about the perfect 9mm handgun on Earth for me (and it is), but some folks just hate 'em. Best to try before you buy.

R
 
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I have two smith M&Ps, so I'm a little biased. I carry a 9c and I have a full size 40 bedside. I think they're great - not a hiccup with either. The 9c is extremely accurate for a compact and the 40 is one of the better handling 40s I've come across - not as good as my Sig 229, but not that far off.

I think the Ruger is a great choice as well. Never shot one but I've handled them and they are a very well balanced pistol. Lots of people on these boards swear by them and Ruger, if anything, stands behind their products.

If the Made in the USA requirement is loose, then the Glock 19 is a great choice, as is the CZ P01 and P07 (-P01 has a metal frame, P07 polymer).

The SD9 is a revamped Sigma from my understanding, which is not a bad choice, I just like the M&P better. I've never been a fan of the XD - in my hands it just feels too chunky, but it's another well liked, proven platform.

The beretta 92 is a great pistol - it was my first, still have it, IMO it's as iconic as the 1911. Heavy for a CCW but great for the range and home defense. Accuracy with the 92 is tough to beat for me.

THe sig 250 - I have just read too many things about it that turn me off. No experience with it, and the concept is interesting, but there are so many proven platforms out there, the 250 just doesn't interest me.

Hope this helps - good luck and be safe!
 
I'm very happy with my M&P 9s- full size and compact. The full size, in fact, is my favorite range gun-cheap to shoot and extremely accurate.
 
I've got the S&W MP9 and MP9c as well as .40 cal Glock 22 & 27. The M&P is the better gun to me in handling and shooting.

Plus 2 free mags sweeten the deal. I paid $500 on special so for $1K you can get a gun, 2 spare mags, holster, and 500 rounds of practice ammo, plus enough carry ammo to test gun and fill your mags for carry.

Finally you get a lifetime warranty.
 
For $1000 bucks on "my" first handgun I would get a Browning Buckmark .22lr. From your list I would then get the Glock G19 and 5-6 extra magazines, and still be less than the price limit. I started in 1978 with a 9mm S&W model 39, wish I started with the .22. I developed bad shooting habits that took years to correct with the 9mm. Start with a decent .22lr target pistol, it will make you a better shooter in less time and expense than with a 9mm, You can and should have both.
 
My personal preference would be for the Beretta PX4.

But I was impressed recently with the changes S&W has made to the 'Sigma' in order to generate their new 'SD' Series, without changing the price much:
- Dovetail sights
- Lighter trigger pull
- Nicer finish
 
Shoot and shoot and shoot the XD, px4 and the Glock extensively at the local gun store if you can.

I shot an XD better than the Glock, as well as the px4. Glock's reputation and simplicity has me sold. I really love the fact that I can tear down a glock completely with a small punch/allen wrench and a flat screwdriver in a matter of minutes. I really love that I was able to modify my trigger group with proven, reliable parts with little effort. I really love the plethora of aftermarket sights, holsters and whatever other accessories. Glocks are so prevelant, it is easy to find reviews on products that I want to buy because somebody out there has already bought it and blogged about it.

That being said, I never realized that I wanted an XD until I bought a Glock. The trigger is acceptable on a Glock from the factory and up to par...and for under $50 you can buy a lot of parts to make it much better and install them yourself without specialized tools and make the trigger a lot better. But when I go and shoot a buddy's box stock XD (not even an m), I now notice how much I like the XD trigger. It is smoother, breaks cleaner and I like the reset better. It just feels like a higher quality piece to me. The grip safety is a non issue for most folks, myself included.

If I had bought a Glock 23, I may be singing a different tune. I could stomach the less than optimal (for me) trigger if I knew I could keep a 357 barrel and extractor in the range bag so I could easily switch back and forth. I do love that kind of versatility, and 357 SIG ammo isn't drastically more expensive than 9mm.

But to each his or her own. Everyone has different tastes. Some folks prefer the Glock trigger and I honestly have no clue why. You just won't know until you shoot them all, a lot. You may not even know until you spend 1000 rounds or so getting to know your new purchase.

Edit: The XD is just a tad larger than the 19. I love the size of the 19 for ccw or the range. The size difference is very small, but then again so is the size difference between a 19 and a 26...and just look at all the recent threads here discussing the 19 vs 26 for ccw. Just a few millimeters sparks a 2-3 page debate in this area.
 
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CT Gunner that wasnt a 250 you saw it was a frame and slide kit. They look like the complete firearm. They sell the caliber conversion kits for that price regularly, the Complete weapons are still around 475.00 avg, and damned well worth it.
Click to expand...

I should have mentioned that it was a 'used' 250 for $299 at my local shop...complete gun. It wasn't flying off the shelf at that price either which shocked me. I considered buying it just because it was so cheap but I would rather have an M&P if I ever purchase another 9mm compact.
 
id go with the m&p as it fulfills all the criteria and its a great gun. really awesome trigger and fits nicely in the hand. second choice would be a glock 19. can never really go wrong with glock, and the 19 is small enough to carry but large enough to shoot comfortably.
 
My wife has a G19. Too small for me really, but for what it is, I can't complain in the least.

I have wanted to try an SR9 though. Just to try it. There are a lot of guns out there, but this one is calling my name.

I also like a Browning Hi-Power. A little big for your purposes maybe, but I want one!

I really don't like Berettas. Shoot one for work. To much I don't like about them to list here.
 
If it wasn't for your 'made in the USA' caveat, I'd say C-75 all the way, or better yet CZ-75SA (single action).

Ruger has never made a centerfire auto loader that I really like. They are tank tough, easy to clean and strip, but I have never liked the look and feel of them. Great gun for the money, just never fit me well.

Glocks are ugly & square to me, but they are also simple and reliable. The G17 is a tad large for CCW. The 19 is a better fit for most people who carry one daily. Glock is probably the most carried brand by law enforcement in the US right now and with good reason.

If you're willing to shop used, a Police trade Sig 226 is one of the best values out there.

Springfield makes a dandy 'EMP' that uses 1911 styling, scaled down for the 9mm. This is one concealable (single stack) pistol.
 
I have an SR9, and I like it just fine. I have carried just a couple of guns over the years, most recently and most frequently a revolver, but I recently bought my buddies Glock 26 off of him, and it's nice and handy.

Truth is, not a single gun that you listed (with the possible exception of the S&W since I have absolutely zero experience with that model) is going to be out and out bad. You may have a personal preference for one over the other, or one may be ergonomically better for you or something, but in terms of performance they are all going to work just fine. Oh, sure, there are some virulent fanboys that will always tout one thing over another, or guys that will scream about how they will NEVER buy from Company X again, but I think most of us know that it's pretty tough to buy a bad gun in todays gun market. We will give you opinions based on experience and personal preference because you may have similar preferences, but ultimately only you can decide which one you like the most.
 
When it comes to self defense weapons I have only one priority, how well can I shoot it!

For self defense I like my SR9 best.
 
Out of the ones on your list I have an XD-40. I like it & it works for me. I haven't shot a G-19 but I have shot me neighbors G-23 & I liked it. If you are serious about buying American made I would say go with the Ruger or the S&W. Renting & shooting as many of the choices on your list as possible will let you know what works best for you.
 
IMO, I'd stick with something that's (DAO) striker fired like the glock. If it's your first handgun it'll be easier to learn how to shoot it well as opposed to a SA/DA trigger pull like the Beretta's. I never really became a fan of SA/DA triggers... I hate the looonnnggg squishy feeling they tend to have.
 
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