I'm looking at the Glock 21SF. It's huge in the sense that it's a full size, but has a smaller front-to-back grip than a normal 21 (and that's the only difference), which makes it much more comfortable to handle, and I am pleased with its otherwise large frame. If you meant huge in terms of carrying, I don't plan to carry it, except openly while I'm at work (RSO). Otherwise, it's going to mainly be my HD gun.
Good luck with your search OP, I expect many gunshops are pretty bare at the moment but keep us updated on your situation.
And please join the NRA if you're not already a member and write your reps to oppose any new gun control laws. Gun owners' 2nd Amendment rights are under serious attack right now.
I'm a member of the NRA, and I've written my senators, reps, and president a number of times this week. Thank you for your diligence.
Went to the gun store today to get my hands on a few guns. I checked out the Glock 21SF, and the XD45 Tactical. I liked both, though I've heard repeatedly since the day started that the Glock is superior. I trust this assessment. They didn't have any other G21s to try, so I've no idea if a regular sized fits better than the SF, but the SF did fit great, and I have shot it on previous occasions, and I know I can shoot well with it. I've also heard that regular sized G21s can be uncomfortably large to grip, especially since my hands are not the size of dinner plates. I've shot XD9s (competition guns specifically), as well as many Glocks, and while I did enjoy shooting them all, the Glocks feel sturdier, in a way. Handling the XD45 today seems to have confirmed this opinion.
Thank you all for your reponses so far. I see a lot of votes for the HK45 and USP45. However, as I mentioned in earlier comments, price is a concern, and those are above my price range. I also mentioned that higher capacity is preferred. The only gun that I would consider in a higher price range would probably be a Sig. I'm a big fan! And that's just a preference thing. I do not discount the quality of the USPs and HKs. Someday, when price is no problem, I'll remember these suggestions and buy myself something "purdy".
The key to most gun purchases is to "Try Before you Buy" which a lot of Gun Ranges can provide. Me, I have one of the first G21's that came into the US with an XL serial number that has had several updates (provided by Glock in nearby Smyrna Ga) including a new extractor for the one's that chipped after not too many rounds in the early 1990's. It has had more than 30,000 rounds shot thru it, mostly reloads running Lead 200Gr SWC in IPSC competetion with the factory barrel as there weren't any after market barrels back then. It has performed flawlessly and is now my House Gun stoked with Winchester Ranger T's.
I'm a RSO at my local gun range; I spend a lot of time there. Trying isn't so much the issue, as I've shot most of the guns that have been suggested (if not similar models). I can pick up pretty much any gun you put in front of me and effectively kill some targets, and I am
very comfortable shooting .45s. The only thing really for me to do is just get my hands on them again and really focus on which one's more comfortable. I did that today at the gun store as I mentioned a minute ago.
Thanks for your review of the 21, by the way; it was very helpful.
Again, thank you all for your suggestions, and please, feel free to leave more. I'd especially like to continue hearing reviews from those that own, or have shooting experience with the XD45 and M&P45. I understand that many don't drink the Glock "kool-aid", but it's hard to just write Glocks off as simply "hip" given their history and extensive use across the globe. For this reason (their use and history, not the kool-aid :tongue
, the G21 is sitting at my top choice at the moment.
EDIT: 1911s are not an option right now. There are many fantastic 1911s out there, but it's not what I'm looking for right now. When I have the money someday, I will be fixing myself up with a very nice one, but that's for another day.