I've got a friend that's looking into buying a pistol, and I told him I'd try and get some recommendations for him. If you have any input, it would be greatly appreciated!
this is the one i and a neighbor (D34) just picked up. Springfield Arms .40cal XD Service Edition 4" barrel its a little small for my hands, already gave myself a good dose of "rail road tracks" (slide rips the top of your off-thumb, leaves two marks that look like RR) but am learning to shoot it. price was good ~$500 and ammo is relatively cheap. my biggest concern was what color to get!
There are FAR too many pistols available in .40 to even begin a recommendation. You can find one in any price range. Is it for plnking, self defense, concealed carry? Does he want to spen $300 or $1000? Does he have small hands or big hands? Do you want a plain one, or you want to add accessories? Go to a shop with a good selection and handle every one that interests him. If possible find a place that lets you shoot htem as well. Too many options to make a meaningful suggestion.
yepper great for the money, it was either this or the Glock, like stated above tons of choices, my bottom line was the price and then...................... PRACTICE, PRACTICE AND MORE PRACTICE so frickin hard to shoot accurate (50yds) oh and now they make an XDM version.... more money not worth it to me. great website though!
Like Rybo said it all depends on what he wants it for? For the best bang for the buck I would look at Glock, or Springfield. Glock: The Glocks come in three different styles, the sub compact (27) and compact (23), and the full size (22). The sub compact 27 has a very, very small handle, but you can use a full size mag. with a pinky extension. The 23 fits my medium size hands perfectly. It has a longer barrel and handle than the 27. The 22 is the full size, great gun! The glocks only have one safety, the trigger safety. Some people have issues with them, I do not. Glock just came out with the 4th gen., which will have replaceable back straps. Pros: Glocks are built like tanks and will fire no matter what. A few color options. Decent accuracy. Two Mags Cons: Large handled and cumbersome, unless you have big hands Price: $500 for standard Model $579 for Nightsight Model ( Not Sure on Different Colors) Springfield XD and XD(M): Both of these are great! The XD comes in a fullsize, compact, and subcompact. Where the XD(M) comes in a fullsize and a 3.8" model, same size handle. Both styles come with multiple color and finish options. The XD(M) has replaceable backstraps which are VERY ergonomic. Now, the differences. First the XD has a very long trigger reset, this was fixed on the M series. The XD(M) now has the shortest production trigger reset. The M series has replaceable backstraps where the XD does not. The M has a match grade barrel. And the best part, the mag capacity. The XDM will hold 16+1 and the XD is 13+1. Pros: Springfield's performance is just as good as the Glocks, they will fire no matter what. Many color options. Trigger Safety, 1911 Style Palm Safety, and the rare thumb safety. Very good accuracy out of the XDM. Field ready package of; Two magazines, Speed Loader, Holster, Mag Holster, and the nicest production hard case out there. Cons: Nothing XD Price: $500 for any color lower and black slide $550 for any color lower w/ stainless slide $550 for tactical 5'' barrel black slide $600 for tactical 5' barrel w/ stainless XD(M) Price: $600 For any color w/ black slide. Full size or 3.8" $650 For any color bottom w/ Stainless full size or 3.8" Sorry for the long post! I used to sell guns so feel free to PM me if you have any more questions. Good Luck!
The PX4 was basically a copy of the old Cougar, with the rotationg barrel. Which reduces felt recoil, with the exception of the compact that is a standard barrel design. Great things on this gun so far, good accuracy and reliability. External hammer gun, so it is de-cockable. Replaceable backstraps. And the coolest part is that the compact has a pinky extension that folds down for target shooting, and folds up for concealing. With that being said, i'd still go glock or springfield all the way
