Recommend a pistol to fit these criteria

[Strakele]

Hey guys,

I'm looking to buy a semi-auto pistol within the month and would like a few good recommendations to fit these specific criteria.

- Range use and home defense
- 9mm or .40
- Polymer grip/lower frame
- Full size
- High capacity mags
- Laser grip or laser spring guide is made for it
- Accurate, reliable, performs well... all that good stuff
- Adjustable sights
- Comfortable ergonomic form

I'll be able to test a decent selection at a local range, but I'd like some recommendations to start with since rentals aren't free.

I like Glocks and they fit my criteria pretty well, but I know there's a whole lot more out there that I don't know as much about. What else should I look at?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Claude Clay]

S&w40ve

 

[f4t9r]

Springfield Xd series is worth taking a look at.

 

[Jim Watson]

Glock is going to be hard to beat. Guns, magazines, parts, accessories, and knowhow are available leagues ahead of nearly anything else on the market; compartable to 1911 and AR.

I like my S&W Plastic M&P but adding magazines beyond the two with the gun and the two promotional "free" mags has been a chore.

The XD is a decent gun, averages better factory triggers than S&W, but they are confusing the issue with a new model, the XD-M with many bits not interchangeable with the original model.

Nothing wrong with Sig-Sauer or Beretta, either.

I would get a 9mm. The .40 has more recoil out of proportion with its ballistics and ammunition is more expensive. Note the large numbers of advertisements and internet posts about 9mm conversion barrels for .40s. No need to buy big and pay more later to shoot small, start out with the older round. A good 9mm JHP will get you through the night. Or if it doesn't, the next 16 can.

 

[JustinL]

I would recommend the p226

 

[SLCscottie]

XD's

The whole family can shoot well with my XD, Sub Compact 9mm. Plus easy to conceal.

 

[mr.trooper]

stick with what you like. G35 with a GTL 21 light sounds perfect for you.

 

[priler]

if your looking for one that does every thing a proper traditional DA/SA should do,there is ONLY one,the walther p99AS.plus,a light trigger pull in both DA and SA right out of the box.

 

[abuelo]

XD would be an excellent choice either 40 or 9mm. the new XDm sounds like it will be hard to beat for high cap with 19 in the mag for the 9mm. Interchangable grips and a rail to mount all your goodies.

 

[Z71]

The XD 40 or the Glock 22 would likely be the easiest to find.

I can vouch that the XD 40 is a good pistol, although I do not own one. I have shot the XD 40's a bunch, and would buy one in an instant if I needed one.

 

[Strakele]

Thanks for all the replies. I've used a decent variety of handguns but an XD was never one of them. I really need to get out and try one of those. Same with Sigs.

I'd like to be able to get the gun, laser, and a few mags for about $1000, give or take.

I was always under the impression that .40 was a good compromise between 9mm and .45. But I suppose you're right that the extra 1mm won't be worth the additional price.

 

[Hk Dan]

GLOCK 34 or 35 and an Innsight M6 will do it.

HK Mark 23 with UTL, too...Of course you can buy 5 GLOCKs for that price.

G'luck!

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

The S&W M&P meets all your criteria except for the adjustable sights.

 

[sparky923]

I just got a S&W M&P .40 and love it. I got it from Academy for $500 with a $50 mail in rebate. It came with a case, 2 15 round clips and 3 different size backstraps for the grips.

 

[speedsix]

Sounds like a Glock 17 is just the ticket. I love mine.

I have owned a lot of guns over the years so I can speak on at least a few that were better than average.

Beretta 92fs. Great gun and probably the most reliable pistol ever made.

SIG 226. Accurate and well balanced. Most simple and safe pistol made. DA/SA with decock and no safety. That is the best system there is.

Ruger P-95DC. Way better than it has a right to be.

Guns that I feel were sub-par.

SA-XD-9. Pass on that one.

Glock 36. POS and worst Glock made

Browning High Power. I know it is almost a sin but this gun just doesn't stack up.

 

[benderx4]

Sig Sauer P229 Platinum Elite in 40SW!

Pure shooting nirvana, and you're in luck! This one is for sale:

 

[kitsapcharly]

Xd can't be beat. I have and dearly adore the XD-45c 4" but any of them are good guns. If you won't move up to the 45 then try the 9MM. 40 has not been all that popular with many because it really has a snappish recoil. Most would rather have the "push" of a 45 or the lighter snap from a 9MM.
Do try the XD and if possible all three calibers.

 

[heavyshooter]

Another vote for the XD40.

 

[Heck]

XD 9

 

[CPshooter]

If you don't want a manual safety I recommend the Glock or XD. The XD is available with a manual thumb-safety, if you want one. The new XDm makes .40s&w that much more appealing. 16+1 is more than you'll ever need in this caliber. A 4.5" match-grade barrel is also on the XDm. It's a perfect range or home-defense gun. Even has the light-rail for a tac-light or laser.

If you want a thumb-safety take a look at the H&K USP series. I'm trying to sell a .40 compact V1 right now with less than 100 rounds through it. Great pistol, but I'm selling it to fund a 1911 Besides, my Glock 19 takes care of my polymer needs just fine.

H&K has other polymer options too, but buying them new gets pretty expensive.

People also swear by the M&P, but I've never owned one and don't plan on owning one anytime soon.

Btw, the .40 is a great caliber. It's a fast-moving round with a slightly larger diameter than 9mm. It is definitely a more powerful round than the 9mm, but not by much in the real world. Shot placement usually determines the outcome of a gunfight, not caliber. Only problem is these days it costs about 40% more to shoot .40 over 9mm. Good luck!

 

[Geezer59]

Bud's Gun Shop is selling the S&W M&P 9mm w/ 17rd magazines and no mag safety for $439.00 out the door. Extra magazines run about $35.00, when you can find them in stock. Crimson Trace makes the model LG-660 lasergrip rear panel for them - retail price is $329 for them, Midway shows them at $279.99, but they're out of stock at the moment.

You could get the gun, lasergrips, extra magazines, and still have $100 left over for holster, etc. My full-size M&P9 is one of the nicest shooters in my collection, one model you can't go wrong with. The ergonomics on these guns are outstanding, take down is simple, materials are high quality, and triggers can be made very close to a 1911.

 

[don95sml]

You have specified adjustable sights, which I wholeheartedly agree with because you mentioned range use and home defense (not carry). Some of the members who replied seem to have forgotten this requirement.

 

[everallm]

CZ SP-01 Phantom with $60 after market adjustable rear sight.

19+1 capacity
DA/SA
Decocker
Crimson Trace laser grip

 

[Keeterbird]

Only one CZ? Think about the CZ75; it is great, accurate, and fun, but quite heavy and big.

 

[gtmtnbiker98]

M&P or a Glock. There are several out there meeting your criteria.