Narrowed my choice to three...

[Troy26]

I've taken the advice given me from a fiew on this forumn, and have taken other guns into account as well. Here's what my "research" has given me"
1. The XD9 Sub-Compact (Still my front-runner in terms of ergonomics, shootability, and concealability
2. The Tauras PT111 (Fairly attrative in terms of price (245 used/ 280 new). It's roughly the same size as the XD9, but doesn't have the light rail, or the lifetime guarantee)
3. The Smith and Wesson SW990L in 9MM (The dealer got some sort of sepcial deal and is able to offer them for $399 w/ they last...that's WELL below the regular price. The gun seems to have a solid reputation f/ law enforecement. It has adjustable grips too. What gives me pause though is that it's a full-size gun, and I thought I would wait until I was ready for a .45 before I got one full-size).

I's be interested to know if you think my reasoning is sound, or if there's another gun I should take a look at.

 

[Black Majik]

Without a doubt, the first and ONLY one that popped out when I saw that list was the SA XD.

The SW99, well, go hold one ,try out the trigger. Compare it to the XD. I'm sure you'll like the XD.

Quite honestly, even though the XD is priced slightly higher, its rightfully so as I feel the XD is a better gun than the other two.

Good luck

 

[Monkeybear]

"Still my front-runner in terms of ergonomics, shootability, and concealability"

I think you've already made your decision

 

[osteodoc08]

No doubt in my mind....XD. I've got one and I love it.

 

[Fun2Shoot]

Happy XD9 sub owner here. I had traded off an XD9 4" to aquire a Sig, but I knew that I would get the XD9 sub in the near future and I'm just as pleased with the sub 9mm as the service XD.

If you haven't held the little XD with a magazine that has the Pearce grip extention, then check out the pics of it at the link below. That little add-on really improves most people's hand-fit with the sub XD and a 10 rd mag.

http://www.pearcegrip.com/pr15.htm

I looked at the Taurus PT111 also as my CCW, but although Taurus has improved greatly I hear and the prices are an excellent value, I had enjoyed my XD9 4" so much, I figured it was a no-brainer to just get the SA sub-9. No experience with S&W autos though ( would like a S&W 1911 though )

All your choices are worthy though.

 

[Troy26]

hmm...

Fun2Shoot,
You have the XD9 Sub-compact? What kind of ammo have you found works best in it, and what do you think's best for everyday shooting. Also, is the holster that comes with it worth a crap or should I look somewhere else for one?

 

[Troy26]

One more question "Fun2"

Have you had much practice shooting it WITHOUT the extension? The way I figure it, the extension would make it harder to conceal...with is the whole point behind my choosing a smaller frame, so it would serve me well to learn to shoot without it.

 

[shane justice]

Troy,

Don't know anything about the three...

But on spec...from my experience...dump the Smith.

Repeat...dump the Smith.

Shane

 

[eagle45]

I'll vote for the XD again!

Shooting without the extension - how does it fit your hand? This is always a personal decision. My boss hates it, has a subcompact in 40 and has only shot it a few times because he doesn't like his pinky hanging off the bottom. It doesn't bother me and I don't find the 40 hard to control with the shorter mag in it.

As far as the holster goes, the one he got with his is a kydex type of 'tactical' holster. Not too great for CCW IMHO. Don Hume has a great line of holsters for the XD, just check out their web site and search by model.

http://www.donhume.com/

 

[jerkface11]

I missed the original post but how about a witness compact? You can get them in plastic or metal. 9mm .45 .40 or even 10mm. Of course you may have already considered these if so But they are priced nicely. I paid $375 for my 10mm.

 

[RaetherEnt]

Sorry to throw another into the equation, however, I love my HK USP Compact 45...

 

[Fun2Shoot]

Fun2Shoot;You have the XD9 Sub-compact? What kind of ammo have you found works best in it, and what do you think's best for everyday shooting. Also, is the holster that comes with it worth a crap or should I look somewhere else for one?

My XD9's, 3" sub and 4" service have never had one single malfunction with any type or brand of ammo. Everything from low budget UMC yellow box to expensive personal protection rds like Gold Dot, Cor Bon function perfectly. This includes firing strong and weak hands and two and single hand grips. I have fired about 1500 rds between the 2 XD's. I find that Winchester white box is a clean and accurate choice for everyday practice.

The XD holster that came with the XD package is still in the case, untouched. Looks cheap to me so I am scouting a Hume or Galco unit.

 

[Fun2Shoot]

Have you had much practice shooting it WITHOUT the extension? The way I figure it, the extension would make it harder to conceal...with is the whole point behind my choosing a smaller frame, so it would serve me well to learn to shoot without it.

I shoot the XD sub just fine with or w/o grip extension. I have smallish hands, so the small frame is a good fit either way. The Pearce extension does little to cause my XD sub to "print" under my shirt because I carry it IWB at 3 o'clock with a forward cant.

I will say this though, I was somewhat surprised that I was not quite as accurate under rapid fire, close range practice with my XD sub as I am with a Bersa .380 or my S&W j-frame .38. I may get a trigger job to get this XD to about the 4.5 lb range and a tad smoother too. It is more toward 6+ pds in my estimate. More shooting will aid also just to smooth it out. It is perfectly fine for my SD needs as it is now though.