Need some advice on a .45

[Spta97]

I recently got my pistol permit after waiting 18 months (thanks New York!). For my first pistol I got a HK VP9 as it fit well in my hand. I've got more practice to do but find shooting it a lot of fun.

Now I'm looking to get a .45 primarily for home self defense. I was all set to get a Glock 17 until I saw a springfield Xds sub compact (I like the hi viz front site and SS top). However the gun is a little small for my hands without an extended mag.

I also looked at the XDM (full size) and it feels better in my hand than the glock 17.

Around here the springfield's are more money and extra mags cost more too than the glock. In reseaching online, people seem to say the XDs are better built than the glocks although glocks are indestructible.

So my question, should I just get what feels best in my hand? Unfortunately you cannot rent guns or shoot other's pistols (at the county range I go to). I don't have any local friends with pistols anyway.

Thanks!

 

[Delford]

Glock 17 is 9mm. Glock 21 is full size .45, G30SF is compact double stack and G36 is single stack smaller compact but not sub compact. It is narrower and good for CC.

I have a Ruger P345 as my home defense and CC gun although it is not a true compact. I'm looking at the G36 as a new CC gun. I like the XDs but after renting one I found it a bit too small for my hand. The G36 fits well. For a home defense .45 you have a lot of good options including various 1911s. There are still some new and used P345s for under $400 and mine is a good shooter.

 

[Spta97]

Yea, my mistake. I'm having trouble keeping track of the glock numbers

I know it shouldn't matter but I find glocks so utilitarian and bland. I love the way the XD looks and it just feels right.

I'm tempted to just get the compact with the extended mag and see what I think. It would be an easier decision if I could actually shoot them first but I can't.

I'll look into some of the other ones you mentioned. Thanks!

 

[judgedelta]

Can't see any use for a subcompact in .45 for home defense. You might want to get something that fits your hand and easy to control. Subcompact could get lost in the couch cushions..... Whatever you get, shoot it a bunch...

 

[george burns]

Have both 45's you mentioned. I got the Glock 30 as soon as it was released some 20 years ago, now I got the 30 S, also. The S is about the perfect gun, as it also takes the 13 round Glock 21 mags.
I have an XDS for pocked carry and backup, and it's a little gem. You can't go wrong with either gun or brand.
1911's are great, but if you want a gun that is 20 ozs, and holds 11 rounds along with the 14 round capability, the 30 is the gun. The S is just slimmed down a tiny bit, making it easier to carry, and hide. It's half the weight of a standard 1911 and twice the capacity. and at 25 yards it is extremely accurate, with very little recoil..

 

[krupparms]

I have a Glock 30. It is nice, accurate &reliable! Great gun. But when things get serious I go back to my 1911A1. It is also nice, accurate &reliable! I have been useing those since I was a boy & they work fine, so that is what I use the most. Check some out! The only other .45 that I would recommend is the SIG. Arms P220. You can get one used at a good price &these are nice & accurate and reliable also!

 

[MikeJackmin]

Just a reminder, in NY state you are limited to ten round magazines.

You might also look at the Sig P320 (striker fired) or P 250 (true DA) pistols. The grip frames come in various sizes, which helps a bit for getting a good fit.

You also might consider a rail for a light, if it's to be an HD gun.

 

[Zerodefect]

If I was trapped in NY, all I'd carry would be my Dan Wesson Valor or ECO.

 

[rogerjames]

Yep, a subcompact doesn't make a lot of sense for home defense. If you like the XDm (I have one in 9mm and really like it) but cost is an issue, you might want to look at the original XD in .45. You can find them used for $400 or less and are comparable to the XDm, minus a match grade barreI, different size magazines for changing grip length, and a few other minor details.

I owned one of those in 9mm as well and it was rock solid. Don't remember if that one had a rail, but as mentioned, a rail to mount a light is a nice accessory for home defense.

 

[Djay]

Another strong recommendation for the Glock 30 or 30s.

Only 6+1 but the out of production Sig 245 is also excellent.

 

[needmorecowbell]

If it's for home defense might as well get a full size with 10 round magazine. Glock, Springfield, Sig, all good options. I'd take a good look at the Ruger SR45 too. No bad choice. Go with what you like best after handling them. Rack the slide and test out the trigger pull if you can. One will feel better to you than the others.

 

[Spta97]

Glock 30 huh? I'll have to check that as well.

The thought behind the compact is so I can hide it around the house and so the gf can use it if I'm not home and something happens. The guy at the gun store said he has been selling more of the xds than the glocks but it could be he is making more margin on them.

Due to the cost of 45 ammo I will not be shooting it as much and it will spend most of its time in an accessible hiding place.

The glock 21 I held today felt clunky and my middle finger hit the trigger guard as I was holding it. I'm thinking shooting it would rub my finger raw but I could be wrong.

The xds I looked at was $630 and I think the glock was almost $100 less. I'm not sure of the price of the g30.

Anything I get has to be 10 rds or less. I had to wait 2 months for my hk as they only had the LE model with the >10 rd mags. That one set me back almost $750 but that will be my primary target gun so I wanted to get something that fell great in my hand.

Considering I will not use the 45 much, I don't want to spend as much. If I had the ability to carry I would get the xds in a hot second. Maybe one day when I find a good job out of state...Texas has not come through yet

Light on the gun is in the plan - any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks again for all the input!

 

[tuj]

Due to the cost of 45 ammo I will not be shooting it as much and it will spend most of its time in an accessible hiding place.

A weapon you don't train with regularly is not good defense. The ammo costs are high, but you can go to a gun show and find a local class-6 reloader that might help things or you can reload yourself. Or bite the bullet and pay for ammo and practical training. These are the things that will save your life one day if it comes to that, not whether you bought the XD or the Glock. I know you say you have another gun, but that's a different caliber and model. You need practice shooting what you might actually use.

Ammo costs should vastly exceed the cost of the gun over the lifespan. If they don't, you're not doing it right.

 

[herrwalther]

Correct me if I am wrong but is the NY SAFE ACT's 7 round magazine limit still in play? If so then most of these firearms are illegal. So a 1911 or a 5/6/7 shot revolver is all you would be looking at.

 

[Spta97]

Agreed. I've burned through 200 rds of 9mm this week and about 100 of 5.56. I'm hoping not to use as much with the 45 so perhaps I'll get really good with the nine first

 

[Cee Zee]

I have an XDm in .40 S&W and I believe it is an excellent choice for a HD/SD handgun. The extra capacity means a lot IMO. It's not likely you will ever need that many rounds but if you do they are available. And as the one armed deputy in Unforgiven says, "I don't want to get killed from lack of being able to shoot back."

The SA fits my hand too which is very important IMO. You should learn to do some point shooting and a gun that fits you well is essential for that. It not only needs to fit your hand but you need to be able to point it and shoot it accurately based on it's design and how it fits you but that's very hard to know from just holding it. You can know if it feels good in your hand and the better it feels the more practice you will put in.

 

[TestPilot]

Betewen XD and Glock, there is not any significant quality difference.

Just get what feels better for you, unless you have a strong objection to "grip safety" as I do. But, I still prefer XD over Glock. But, that is only because Glock's grip angle makes me feel like I am about to suffer Carpal Tunnel even after training with it for thosands of rounds.

That's why I have an M&P. That way, I can do witout the grip angle I hate and "grip safety" I hate.

When I look at top level trainers or competition shooters, it's either Glock or M&P for the most part. I rarely see an XD. That would not stop me from buying an XD in your position, but that might mean something to you.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

Your VP9 will work very well for home defense, there's no need to get another gun just for that unless you're just fishing for an excuse to buy another gun. Not that there's anything wrong with that!

If you like your VP9 maybe consider adding another HK in .45 ACP? The rebate is still going for a couple more days on the HK45, HK45c and USP guns ($200 in Visa gift cards). If your heart is set on a .45 ACP then any of them would be a good choice.

I echo the sentiments of the previous poster that says if limited to 7 rounds go with a wheelgun. A .44 Mag loaded with .44 Special would be great as would a .44 Special like a Charter Arms Bulldog. Ruger and S&W both make some good large frame guns that would serve you well.

Lastly if I had to deal with a mag cap limit I'd strongly consider using a Remington 870 for home defense.

 

[nugun55]

I would have no problem using my XDS45 for home defense. How big are the rooms in your houses? I shoot it as well as any of my 1911's and with HST+P, it has plenty of knock down.

 

[Tallball]

If only 7-10 rounds, a 1911 or revolver.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

So my question, should I just get what feels best in my hand?

Between Glock and Springfield? Yes.

My favorite polymer 45 is the HK45, which comes with 10 round magazines. The LEM trigger may suit you well.

 

[BlindJustice]

you might take a look at the S&W M&P45 & there's a compact M&P45C
as well. I've shot the M&P 45C and liked it - I'm a 1911 as well as
.45 ACP 625 Revolver as well. I don't recommend the .45 ACP with
Bbl. Len. les than 4"

I like the M&P platform, imo easier to use controls better sights and
trigger for ME.

R-

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I don't recommend the .45 ACP with
Bbl. Len. les than 4"

Because of velocity loss?

 

[JDR]

Due to the cost of 45 ammo I will not be shooting it as much and it will spend most of its time in an accessible hiding place.

The glock 21 I held today felt clunky and my middle finger hit the trigger guard as I was holding it. I'm thinking shooting it would rub my finger raw but I could be wrong.

I shoot "cheaper" Tula steel case and the Federal aluminum case ammo with my Gen4 Glock 21, Wally sells these in .45 for about the same $ as their 9mm brass case ammo. Yesterday I put 100 rounds of each through my G-21, and it shoots both types of this "cheap" ammo beautifully.

I agree that the G-21 feels blocky in my hand but it shoots great, so this is "NBD" for me. I put the large backstrap on mine since I have large hands, so I think I'm more on target with it set up this way. And I have a callous on my strong hand middle finger from shooting this gun, but that's "NBD"

I think it is a bad idea to invest good money in a firearm that you don't intend to train and practice with on a regular basis. You might be better off to stick with your 9mm and commit to regular training & practice with it.

 

[Spta97]

I'm back from the gun store. I tried several glocks including the 30 but with every single one the trigger guard rubs against my middle finger. So Glock is out.

I loved the XDM 45 competition but now am looking for the XDM with the 4.5" barrel as I will not be competing and its $100 less. Out of everything the XDM fit best in my hand. I will train with it but prob not as much as the 9mm. And yes, I'm fishing for a reason to get another . Good to know about the steel case ammo. They don't have it all the time but I will keep my eyes open.

NY amended the SAFE act so you can have 10 rnd mags but can only load them to 7 rds except at a range or competition. Yea, stupid. But at least that opens up more options.