[mark555]

Need some advice: Kansas just passed a Canceled Carry Law and as has happened every year for the past few it was vetoed by the Governor. The big shock was that the veto was over ridden. That being said I am looking for a good reasonably priced .45 semi auto. Ruger is out as they just don’t fit my hand. I don’t care for the feel of the 1911’s for all you 1911 die hards out there it’s a great gun and I can hit what I aim at I just don’t care for the feel, been leaning to the Springfield XD with the 3” barrel. I can find them new at Cabala’s for $459.00 + tax. I am retired form the AF cops so had lots of training with the Berretta M-9 and before that the S&W Mod 57. Does that date me? So if you folks could be so kind as to give me some suggestions I would appreciate it. I am not anti any manufacturer I just don’t want to blow $500.00 plus on a POS. Not in a real big hurry as CCW does not take effect until Jan 07 and the next gun show is in late Jun. So I am slowly looking around and asking lots of questions.

 

[one eyed fatman]

Springfield XD with the 3” barrel...

Excellent choice. I've got 8000+ rounds through mine and no problems. It is my carry gun. Get the Pierce grips and an Answer holster and your in business.

 

[Rock and Glock]

The XD's seem like fine guns, as are many others. Do you have a range available where you can actually shoot rental guns? That could help you filter out some, and get a feeling for what you'd like. I prefer my Glocks, but the more you can try out at a range - the better!

BTW - Welcome. Born in KS and lived there 30+ years!

 

[mark555]

Thank you both, closest range that rents out is about 65 miles away, I'll probably take a drive up sooner rather then later.

 

[CopperKnight]

XD is a good gun. Lots swear by them. If it feels good to you, I'd recommend going with it.

 

[P95Carry]

Hi Mark - and if I haven't already -

You seem to have some good ideas already and that whittles things down a bit. I think some of this re size and weight will be what you reckon you can conceal, with your garment options. I like large and heavy so go full size (SIG 226) but that is easy because my cover options are so versatile.

Very likely the XD compact will be very worthy of consideration. It certainly tho is gonna be best if you can actually try out a few guns - because ultimately it will be not only what you can conceal but what fits, suits and shoots - best in your hands.

 

[one eyed fatman]

OOPS! I forgot, get a good gunbelt too.

I also have and carry the XD 45T. I'm 5' 8" and 180 and no problems carrying either. I just grab the one nearest and head out.

 

[kansas_shooter]

MARK555... Welcome from Olathe,KS. Let me know if you want to goto "The Bullet Hole" and shoot some time, I have a membership there. The Bullet Hole has guns you can rent and try out. They have a wide range of 9mm and .45 to try. It's on 5.00 to rent a gun and you can change guns for the original 5.00. Not a bad deal.

I went there the other night and shot a 100 rounds through a Kimber Ultra CDP II 3" bbl and it was AWESOME. I had more fun shooting it than my Tauraus PT-111 9mm that I conceal around the home for now until KS gets off its duff.

I was in your position about 3 months ago. I went to The Gun Shop in Olathe, The Bullet Hole in OP, and Cabellas in KS north of Olathe every Friday for 8 weeks. I bet I handled 30 different guns until narrowing it down to 3 then finally decided on one and purchased it and now carry.

Recomendations:
1. Put hands on a lot of guns and make sure you can work the controls.
2. Do a lot of research on your narrowed gun list.
3. Shoot them if you can before you buy them. (I wish I would have shot the Kimber Ultra CDP II. I may have bought it instead of the Taurus. I like the Para LDA with PXT also. I'll let you figure out what LDA and PXT is !!)
4. Don't be in a hurry. You will have this weapon for a long time.

Hope some of this helps.

 

[AKsrule]

If you Liked the M9 , you can buy a commercial model Beretta
for about $500.

Shoot the heck out of it until you decide what you want to carry.

 

[Huzar]

Springfield XD with the 3” barrel...

Excellent choice. I've got 8000+ rounds through mine and no problems. It is my carry gun. Get the Pierce grips and an Answer holster and your in business.

Which XD do you have? .40 or the 9mm?

 

[Redneck Repairs]

if your allready confident with the smith line consider a 3913 or similar for ccw they are light , thin , and pack a healthy enough punch with reasonable ammo costs ( 9mm )

 

[frankmako]

go with the glock 36. it is a nice 45 acp. i love the one that i have. or you can move up to the glock 30. i love that one too. they both shoot well.

 

[gunmetal]

I would stay away from the Glock 36 for the time being, there have been an inordinate number of folks with problems after several hundred rounds have been through them. (Note that I am not saying they are ALL like this.. before anyone gets fired up.)

The G30 would be good to consider if you have large hands.

My hands are small but a Taurus MilPRO PT-145 fits me very well.

 

[DizTbone]

Huz... I'm not O.E.F...but I am fat and do have a XD40sc. My round count is somewhere close to 1000 without any failures (FTF, FTE, FTL). The day I got mine I had been shooting a friend's and we put a whole hodge-podge of reloads of all types through without any problems. It is also an accurate little piece. My friend, who shoots better than I do, put Hornady TAPs into a 3/4" whole at 15 yards! I had a Glock 22 at the time, and found the BHP-esque grip to be much more comfortable and more natural to shoot.

Michael

 

[sixgun]

I have a xdsc 9mm and its an awesome little gun. Do try before you buy if you can. good luck in you choice.

Sixgun

 

[one eyed fatman]

Which XD do you have? .40 or the 9mm?

I carry the 9mm.

 

[MR D]

I like having lots of rounds so I used to carry a Para Ordenance P-14 (expensive)

then I caught wind of a good deal on a Taurus PT24/7 Pro in .45
I paid under 400 for it and I get 12+1 in the gunhides pretty well and it shoots very fast

has no magwelll safety and also goes from single action to double (allowing a second attempt on a primer that doesn't ignite the first time)

I have had LLamas in the past, 2 were lemons, one was excellent...

good luck!!

:banana: my son got a USP compact (.40) recently what a great shooter!!

 

[Huzar]

I carry the 9mm.

Don't want to hijack the thread too much :wink: But I am in similar situation as mark555 and while I am still trying to see if there are any other "Fish" in the sea worth checking out, I think it will just come down to deciding between the 40 or the 9 XD. Problem though is finding a range that has them available to try out :frown:

 

[Freedz]

If the xd fits your hand then for sure go for it, its a great piece. As for other options some people dont like the taurus autos but I've had really good luck with them. The Bersa/Firestorm .45's are supposed to be a great bargain. Also dont count out the old standby glocks. Im not too big on them but I can say they're about as reliable and tough as your gonna find. If you want to go upscale a bit look at h&k and sig.

 

[mark555]

Thank you all for your advice. I have seen some postings on other sites that the Taurus Millennium Pro line might have some problems with the polymer frame cracking after 500+ rounds. Did I misunderstand or get my models mixed up? Or has Taurus fixed the problem? The 24/7 is supposed to be an outstanding weapon. I like the feel of and the price of the Millennium Pro line and was less then happy to see those posting. Has anyone heard the same or am I a bit lost.