Looking to buy .40 or 9mm, any suggestions?

[7.62wolfman]

New user here, looking to pick up a semi-auto .40 or 9mm. Right now I am looking at a Springfield XD or CZ Rami 2075. I would like the 9 in subcompact, not sure of the.40 yet. Any reason to pick one caliber over the other? I would use it mostly for target/plinking and defense. The 9mm would be a carry weapon. Any other guns in the 400-500 range you would recommend? Also any experience with the different size XDs? I'm thinking 4" on the .40. One more question, I would like night sights on the XD as well, thinking the Heine's are the way to go? Sorry for all the questions, thanks for any help

 

[NavajoNPaleFace]

I won't get into "this make of the gun is better than that brand of gun." That will open a can of sardines that would stink to high heavens.

All I will say is find a handgun...be it 9MM or .40 S&W ( or even a .22 for that matter)...that you feel comfortable with and that you can can hit the target with and go for it.

If you can't hit the broad side of a car dealership with a .40 S&W but you can with a 9MM the issue of accuracy, power, and penetration is mute.

Rule number one: You gotta be able to hit your target. If you can't...lay the gun down and run like hell.

I'm being sarcastic but my point is obvious.

 

[DirksterG30]

I've heard that the .40 cal Rami has more than its share of problems. The 9mm seems to do pretty good. Check out these sites - great CZ info; the 2nd website has a section devoted to the Rami:

http://www.czshooters.com/modules.php?name=Forums
http://p201.ezboard.com/bczechpistols82792

 

[bountyhunter]

CZ makes the best guns for the lower priced range. They are very solid (all steel), point well and have decent triggers....and come in both 9mm and .40. I have a CZ-85 and it has been outstanding.

 

[possum]

I'm thinking 4" on the .40.

great choice i have one in od green frame and have many many rds through it. You will be evry happy. no problems what so ever an absolute joy to shoot. I like the cz's but the xd cought my eye from the first time I saw it. I personally like the 40cal better, a little bigger a little more punch, but the loads that they have for the 9mm these days are very potent and will do the job just fine. The good thing is that both calibers fit in the same frame, but the 9mm will give you more capacity. pick up the cz and xd and see which one you like better!

 

[kentucky_smith]

See if you can find a cz 40b, wonderful guns.

 

[wahsben]

If you can try some different models out at a range. I own 2 Walther P99's, one in 9mm and one in 40 S&W. With the interchangeable back straps they fit my hand very well. I have been pleased with their operation and they are very easy to field strip.

 

[Marshall]

I have the 4" service model XD-40 with Trijicons, matter of fact just bought two 12 round mags for it today. I love the gun, seriously, never a hitch and accurate. I never have used the Heinies. However, for carry, I would recommend the sub compact. There quite a bit of difference when trying to conceal the two. Either 40S&W or 9mm in either size is fine, your choice.

 

[gunfan]

Whatever you do...

Purchase a .40! It will serve you better and in more varied manner than ANY 9mm manufactured.

JMHO,

Scott

 

[Lex]

Go with the XD .40, buy the firedragon 9mm barrel, put some TruGlo TFO's (tritium fiber optics....glow in day and night time conditions) and never look back. If you're the paranoid type, get the XD coated in Duracote clear ($25) and don't worry about "rust".

I have the XD in 5" tactical chambered in .45 GAP....would have enjoyed being able to drop another barrel in and plink cheaply!

Lex in NC

 

[Gary G23]

I like the 9mm because you can get a lot more practice per dollar spent due to the cheaper ammo. I bought 1000 rounds of 9mm Blazer for $84 yesterday. I have a XD-9 Service with Heinie sights. Great gun. I also am a big CZ fan although the RAMI is too small for my hands. I like the P-01.

 

[HSMITH]

I like the 9mm because you can get a lot more practice per dollar spent due to the cheaper ammo. I bought 1000 rounds of 9mm Blazer for $84 yesterday. I have a XD-9 Service with Heinie sights. Great gun. I also am a big CZ fan although the RAMI is too small for my hands. I like the P-01.

I too think the P01 is a better choice unless ankle holster will be your method of carry.

If I was in the market I would look seriously at the G22 and G23. You might buy a gun you like better but I don't think you can buy anything that will run better.

 

[lyricsdad]

I would also get a 9mm i purchased a .40sw as my first larger bore pistol, and I wish I would have gotten a 9mm, because it may be only 5 dollars or so more for a box of 100 rounds, but that money saved would have gotten me more trigger time. I went from .22 to .40 sw, and at first developed a flinch. I since unlearned my flinch, and feel that if i went w/ 9mm, I would have enjoyed the hobby of shooting more.

 

[possum]

I don't know about where you guys are but my wal-mart sells winchester white box ammo at a great price
100rds 9mm $11.97
100rds .40cal $15.97
100rds 45acp $20.97
The only thing about that is in custom guns and tight 1911's you might want to run hotter loads through it first and then when it is broke in good then go to the white box. I have never had any problems with it. It is great range ammo. And reloadable for a little more than the non reloadable!

 

[Island Beretta]

px4 in either caliber.. though I prefer 9mm for self defense...

 

[armoredman]

The RAMI is a great pistol - my wife loves hers. The 40 has a snappy recoil that puts some people off, but the 9mm is easy to shoot. If you move up in size just a little, you can get the CZ75 PCR or PO1, and get more ammo, decocker, etc, unless you like either manual decocking or cocked and locked carry. I love my PO1, greatest pistol I have ever owned.
The Springfield XD/Croation HS2000 has a lot of devotees, people that wouldn't touch it when it was the HS 2000 but went ga ga when Springfeild brought it in....kinda like the P9, AKA Witness. Good guns, and the guys I know who have them really do like them.

 

[Erinyes]

I've owned two .40 pistol and I liked them both. One was a Beretta 96 Centurion and the other a MkIII Browning High Power. The Beretta's grip was just a touch big, but it still felt good (I have average size palms but short fingers). The Browning feels better in my hands than any other pistol I've ever fired. It's like it was built specifically for me. Despite being a double stack grip, there's not a lot of distance between the frontstrap and backstrap, so it fits very well. It's also probably the thinest full size, double stack auto I've held.

As far as 9mm, the only pistol I have any experience with is the Glock 17. It was okay, accuracy was pretty decent, but it's thick. On the other hand, it's very light, and in my winter coat, I could actually pocket carry the thing (coat has two large front pockets like an old style military field jacket). I haven't had a chance to get out to the range with my P38 yet, but it's size and lack of capacity makes it difficult to justify as a CCW.

The best advice of course is to go to a range and rent a few pistols and see what fits you best. Most of the major manufactures make a reliable product, so the major variable is how it feels to you. Besides, the better the gun feels to you, the more you'll shoot it, and the better you'll be with it.