Need to fill a gap in "Hand Gun Row"

Hey Man !!

I'd decide if this is a business pistol, a fun pistol, or both. DocGKR posted this a couple months ago about service pistols. I quoted it because it has a lot of good insight from an industry professional. Go down his list if you're looking for another business pistol.

DocGKR said:

For me, the platform picked tends to dictate the caliber. For example, Glocks and Sigs tend to run best in 9 mm, the S&W M&P is the first .40 S&W pistol that seems to offer an ideal ergonomic and shooter friendly package, while a properly customized 5" steel-frame single-stack 1911 in .45 ACP is a superb, unparalleled choice for the dedicated user willing to spend a significant amount of money to get it properly initially set-up and considerable time to maintain it. For folks who want a .45 ACP pistol, but don't want to invest the funds and effort into getting a good 1911, they would be better served with a S&W .45 ACP M&P or HK45.

Everyone should have a J-frame (hopefully w/Lasergrip and w/o lock) as they are ideal BUG's and are good pocket guns when you don't feel the need to be armed...

The best out of the box pistols for reliability and durability remain the Glock 17 and 19--I have no problems carrying them.

In some recent USG testing, the XD's reportedly had the highest parts failure rate of any of the pistols tested...

CZ's, Walthers, and Rugers do not have an enviable track record of use by U.S. agencies and organizations.

Let's not talk about Beretta...

The Sig P226 and P228/229 work well, but the P220 has been prone to significant failures and the newer Sig's are not well proven over the long term.

The older FN Hi-Power is a time tested pistol, although they do not handle high round counts as well as the 1911; the newer FN's don't have enough of a track record in the U.S. to know how they will fare over the long term.

The HK45/45c appear to be good pistols, however, there are not many agencies/organizations using them yet, so we don't have as much data on them over long term use. The other HK pistols also run reasonably well, but are not a good ergonomic fit for many folks.

1911's can be quite reliable and are very durable when when properly configured, however, as mentioned it is going to take more money, effort, and time to initially set them up and keep them running compared to more modern pistols. I do feel well armed with a good 1911.

Whatever you choose, make sure you fire at least 500 and preferably 1000 failure free shots through your pistol prior to using it for duty. If your pistol cannot fire at least 1000 consecutive shots without a malfunction, something is wrong and it is not suitable for duty/self-defense use.

Click to expand...

S&W MP 45 would be a nice business partner for your Glock and 1911. Or how about a Sig 226, either the Blackwater (edited, sorry) model, or the Navy model? You can get cool tutones in Sigs also.

Or if you want to do something different... Go for a cool revolver? SW brought back the Model 29 (Dirty Harry's) this year in their classic series. Or buy one of the Emergency Survival Bear Defenders the Model 500ES and have the biggest 50 cal SW snubbie ever made!! If you do CCW.. cool JFrames with Crimson Trace grips are sweet. I know you hunt, so how about a large frame hunting revolver? I carry a Model 29 with me when I'm hunting.

I didn't know if you wanted to stay similar to what you have already or move into another line of handguns. Let us know what you come up with.

Thanks for all the GREAT advice!!! And think you Art for the quoted post!!! It really helped!!

I've got the .22 cal covered with this lil' beauty. Decent grip, a good "heft" to her and a GREAT trainer!!!



My buddy let my shoot his Sig the other day and I really didn't care for the feel. Another Glock would be okay, but I already have the G23 with a G19 on the way... If for no other reason than to just to have a GREAT 9mm in the "stable". Wheel guns have never been a real favorite of mine. However, I do have a S&W 629 Classic for deer if the spirit moves me. And it follows me everywhere when armed with a bow in bear country.

All that said, I'm still leaning heavily on the 4", XD45. (With the stainless slide to keep the lil' woman happy. :wink: ) I hoping to make down to "the fun house" (indoor range in the city that draws a lot of "freaks") and put a few rounds through a rental in the next day or two. Hopefully the trigger won't be as "mushy" as I've heard they can be.

If it is... Is there a fix available for the XD trigger?

Well I didn't get a revolver, but did find a smokin' deal on a XD45. It's not the two tone, but got the "okay" from her to go ahead with the purchase due to the savings!!

My safe door is now complete... At least for this week!! :wink:

mine have both functioned flawlessly with or without being cleaned... I know they do not like cheap ammo like the blazer brass from walmart and I have had a couple issue with that ammo... but not the gun itself...

I was going to recommend the XD .45 service or tactical..... I have them both but I sold the service model for 6.8 money.... I now only have one pistol and that is my XD .45 5" tactical.... it has a tungsten guide rod/ 20lb spring / unlimited mag well/ storm lake semi drop-in ss ported barrel with an insight M6X on it.... I wanted to keep both but I only "need" one.... If I do anything else I will get a 1911....

Looks like you already made a good decision....

as far as the trigger.... there is a cheaper upgrade or a more costly one.... check out http://www.pistolgear.com

one is a simple kit that will bring the pull down as much as 2lbs .... might want a dons fat guide rod and better spring.... definately get an extended mag release... ss ones are like 20.00.... and a decal grip set since it provides extra pieces so you can add them to the slide, backstrap etc......

great choice.... it wont dissapoint you and springfield stand by thier warranty for the life of the gun