Which firearm for carry

[DONT TREAD ON ME]

I have and carry an XD 9 subcompact and I love it! I've got the itch for another gun right now, but as my only handgun it's been everything I thought it would be and everything I needed.

The only reason I'd go with something else is I'd like to have something smaller for concealed carry (the XD9 is great for concealed carry, but not super small), and then a larger gun for a larger caliber and something to carry when I can conceal easier. Now I'm just torn on whether I should buy a larger .45 for my next gun or a smaller gun.

Why not get both? A 1911 is a single stack gun so it is very slim and easy to conceal. It is also a 45acp so it is the larger caliber that you are looking for. As I stated above I carry and easily conceal my 1911 and it is a Gov't model (5" barrel). They come in 5", 4.25", 4" and 3 inch barrels. So you have multiple sizes to choose from. This would allow you to get a slimmer gun for easier concealment and that larger caliber.

2 birds one stone

[mr surveyor]

if you are new to concealed carry.... meaning you have not yet carried every waking hour (where allowed) for more than a month or two, you have more to consider than "what gun". You first need to do some serious soul searching and determine how serious you are about carrying a firearm: How to dress around the firearm; What method of carry to consider - IWB, OWB, Pocket, Shoulder holster, ankle holster; What caliber of weapon seems "adequate". Once you have sorted out those issues the make, model, caliber of firearm can be considered. There's nothing worse to start off a CC program than starting off with a firearm that ends up being left at home most of the time because it doesn't fit the carry style of the day. Sometimes a single type of firearm just can't be carried with all types of clothing, whereas another may fit the pocket or boot. Other days, you may be able to carry a 6" Ruger Red Hawk.

Determine your own carry style and percieved needs, then start with a handgun that can be carried the majority of the time. A second (third, fourth...) handgun will soon follow to fill in the gaps for those "other times".

surv

[bigred90gt]

I dont have the 9mm, but I carry an XD40SC every day (every day except the days I carry the KelTec PF9 anyway) in a Crossbreed Supertuck. It is a great gun, and not hard at all to conceal. I honestly did not have to make any adjustments at all in my daily wardrobe in order to carry it. I carry it with the short mag in it and an extended mag in my pocket for backup. I will suggest to you to pick up a Pierce Grip extension for the short mag.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/11593-1.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I put one on mine, and it made a world of difference. For the first 4 years of owning and shooting it, I always preferred the extended mag because I could get a full grip on it. I was at the Arms Room one day looking around, and found the grip extension and picked it up. Before the addition, my pinky would not fit on the grip. Now, I get all fingers on it with ease.

Your location is listed as between Houston and Galveston. I would suggest making a trip to the Arms Room. They are in the shopping center at the southeast corner of 45 and 646 in Dickinson. They have several different handguns you can rent, as well as rifles if you get a hankerin for some full auto fun. Their prices, as far as purchasing a handgun, are a bit high, but you get a local shop you can take it to if something doesnt work right, and their customer service has been great for me.

[joelamosobadiah]

I have and carry an XD 9 subcompact and I love it! I've got the itch for another gun right now, but as my only handgun it's been everything I thought it would be and everything I needed.

The only reason I'd go with something else is I'd like to have something smaller for concealed carry (the XD9 is great for concealed carry, but not super small), and then a larger gun for a larger caliber and something to carry when I can conceal easier. Now I'm just torn on whether I should buy a larger .45 for my next gun or a smaller gun.

Why not get both? A 1911 is a single stack gun so it is very slim and easy to conceal. It is also a 45acp so it is the larger caliber that you are looking for. As I stated above I carry and easily conceal my 1911 and it is a Gov't model (5" barrel). They come in 5", 4.25", 4" and 3 inch barrels. So you have multiple sizes to choose from. This would allow you to get a slimmer gun for easier concealment and that larger caliber.

2 birds one stone

From what I'm able to tell the difference in width and weight between the XD 9mm subcompact and the 1911's I looked at are pretty negligible. However, these are just based purely off the raw measurements I've been able to find and not the actual feel of the two compared with each other. I might just have to go out and test one...

[longtooth]

We have one of the DX9sc. It is Moms. I got it for her in Nov & she loves it for carry & range.
You asked about Pro's/Con's.

I sum that up by saying
Pro's = It meets my requirements in all things for new shooters.
Strikerfire, excellent trigger, flush fit or extended mags, capacity, accurate available high quality gear.

Con's - none in my book.

All the old hands on the board know I am a "died in the wool" "Jeff Cooper" 1911 carry fan.
I own a XD45 compact & due to autheritis really starting to effect hands this is be my daily carry gun very shortly.

Since Mom got hers & other ladies have shot it I have found one & am 5deep on a waiting list of other ladies & one man that wants one as soon as I can find them.
You will not be disappointed. OH, & BTW, I am not on the payroll at SA. Wish I was though.

[longtooth]

I have and carry an XD 9 subcompact and I love it! I've got the itch for another gun right now, but as my only handgun it's been everything I thought it would be and everything I needed.

The only reason I'd go with something else is I'd like to have something smaller for concealed carry (the XD9 is great for concealed carry, but not super small), and then a larger gun for a larger caliber and something to carry when I can conceal easier. Now I'm just torn on whether I should buy a larger .45 for my next gun or a smaller gun.

Why not get both? A 1911 is a single stack gun so it is very slim and easy to conceal. It is also a 45acp so it is the larger caliber that you are looking for. As I stated above I carry and easily conceal my 1911 and it is a Gov't model (5" barrel). They come in 5", 4.25", 4" and 3 inch barrels. So you have multiple sizes to choose from. This would allow you to get a slimmer gun for easier concealment and that larger caliber.

2 birds one stone

From what I'm able to tell the difference in width and weight between the XD 9mm subcompact and the 1911's I looked at are pretty negligible. However, these are just based purely off the raw measurements I've been able to find and not the actual feel of the two compared with each other. I might just have to go out and test one...

This is correct. Grips on single stack 1911 are beautiful. The polymer (gotta learn to spell that word) frame on the the double stacks used the space instead of the grips & total width is same.

[terryg]

I carry a Ruger SR9c and love it.

[aaangel]

i would just stay with the xd family. have you seen the new xdm 3.8 subcompact.

[troglodyte]

I carry the XD9SC most of the time. It's what works for me but I'd feel just as good carrying a M&P or Glock.

I also carry a Colt Defender on a regular basis.

Both carry good, shoot better than I can, and have been totally reliable. That's all you can really ask of any carry gun.

[txbirddog]

Don't overlook the offerings from M&P (9c) or Glock (26 or 19). Main thing is that you get a GOOD belt and quality holster so you CARRY IT ALL THE TIME.

[rmr1923]

I'll second BobCat in saying that the CZ 75 is an excellent pistol, I'm very fond of mine.

As others have said, the XD is a fine choice. Since you are in south Houston, there are plenty of ranges where you can rent guns. I'm pretty sure Memorial Shooting Center has XDs to rent, also look at Top Gun and The Arms Room.

this would be my recommendation. i believe Memorial Shooting Center does indeed have the XDs for rental, i'd call around to see which range has at least a small variety of similar guns to test-shoot. when i was shopping around for a full-size handgun a few months ago i had narrowed it down to the Glock 22 and XDm .40, ended up going with the XDm .40 because it just felt more comfortable and natural in my hand. i've got a Beretta PX4 Storm subcompact 9mm that i plan on using for concealed carry once my plastic comes in the mail, but may be shopping around for another gun within a couple months. my wife would also like to get her CHL and has grown quite fond of the little PX4 (she likes the external safety/decocker). i've taken her gun shopping on several occasions and we've yet to find a handgun that she feels more comfortable with than my Beretta, so i'd rather let her have it and try to find another one for myself. i'd really like to get another PX4 subcompact but might go test fire an XDm subcompact as well as a Glock before making a purchase.

[Jumping Frog]

As mentioned, any of the reputable manufacturers will have a 9mm that you can rely upon. There have been a lot of plugs for SA-XD so I won't repeat them.

However, I also own both a S&W M&P and a Ruger SR9. Both are reliable are should be in your list for consideration.

You also mentioned you are "price challenged". You should be able to pick up a Ruger SR9 brand new for $400, which is going to be less than S&W, Glock, or SA. Actually "Made in America" too, if that matters to you.

[jcarp02]

Your location is listed as between Houston and Galveston. I would suggest making a trip to the Arms Room. They are in the shopping center at the southeast corner of 45 and 646 in Dickinson. They have several different handguns you can rent, as well as rifles if you get a hankerin for some full auto fun. Their prices, as far as purchasing a handgun, are a bit high, but you get a local shop you can take it to if something doesnt work right, and their customer service has been great for me.

I went to the Arms Room before I purchased my Glock and rented one. They have the XD there as well. The good thing about it, as I mentioned in a previous post, is the $10 you spend to rent the gun will go towards the purchase if you choose to buy it. Just present your rental receipt when you buy the gun and they will deduct it from the purchase price.

When I first started looking, I was looking at the XD9 SC also. Everyone I talked to that had the SC said they got the extended magazines for it. This included the salesman at The Arms Room. He said he had yet to sell an XD SC without the extended mag. When you do that, it makes the grip the exact same length as the compact. As far as XD vs. Glock, it seems to me that it just comes down to personal preference. People I talked to that had XD's love them and people I talked to that had Glocks love them. I rented a Glock and was very pleased with it. To me, it felt the Glock had better weight distribution where the XD felt a little more top-heavy. The Glock also seemed to fit my hand better. It was for these reasons that I ended up going with the Glock 19 and I am very pleased with my purchase.

All of this basically to say go to the Arms Room and rent them to try them out and see what you like.

[Vandelay Ind.]

you should look at the keltec pf9. It has good deminsions for concealed carry and runs about $275-300.

[A-R]

As some have aluded to, if you're considering a Springfield XD (a fine choice, by the way), you owe it to yourself to also look at Glock, Smith & Wesson M&P, and probably Ruger SR9 and Walther P99 as well.

And if you prefer a hammer-fired weapon (instead of striker fired as those three are), also add to your list Beretta PX4 Storm series and H&K and Sig Sauer (if you can fit those last two in your budget). And goes without saying a 1911-pattern gun is worth looking at, but it's a breed unto itself that may or may not fit your needs.

If you want something smaller, lighter, thinner - then a single-stack magazine 9mm could work. Look at Walther PPS, Taurus 709 slim, Kel Tec PF-9, various Kahr products - plus new offerings in this category soon to be released from Sig Sauer and Ruger.

If you decide on dedicated pocket carry, strongly consider a 5-shot snub nose .38 or .357 caliber revolver from Smith & Wesson, Ruger, or Taurus. Or any of the newer pocket .380 designs - Kel Tec P3AT, Ruger LCP, Taurus 738 (do I have right number on that one?), Smith & Wesson bodyguard, etc.

I think that just about covers it. Probably leaving out some other good choices.

Point is, go try as much as you can before you buy. You'll thank yourself later.