Gun shopping: Where can I get the BEST DEALS on handguns?

[ATDM]

I'm not familiar with that area, but if you're looking for smallish pocketable guns and you already own and like an XD(M), I'd take a hard look at the XDS pistols. I have an XD(M) Compact 3.8" .45, and it is my favorite "large frame" carry gun. I really like my XDS. On the less expensive side, take a good look at Kahr pistols, particularly the PM9/CM9 and the CW9.....as well as the PM45 and CW45. But I'm betting that if you really like you're XD(M), you'll be charmed to pieces by its baby brother, the XDS.


http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php

I think you are right about the Springfield compacts. The more I look into it, the more I realize I want a compact XDm. My second choice would be Beretta Nano 9mm (I will probably end up getting them both). I don't really want to try to skimp on the quality of the gun. If I do get a good deal on these, it would be great, but I don't want to buy a cheaply made gun. I want to make sure I get reliable weapons for my family's protection and defense. Although I do wish Springfield had an even smaller weapon (something a little more compact and flat, maybe a .25 caliber).

Thanks for the advice. Any other recommendations for a small size reliable brand handgun?

Beretta Nano:

• Caliber: 9mm
  Overall Length: 5.63”
  Overall Height: 4.17”
  Overall Width: .90”
  Barrel Length: 3.07”
  Sight Radius: 4.92”
  Sights: 3-Dot Low Profile
  Frame: Chassis Stainless Steel Insert
  Grip Frame: Technopolymer
  Slide Material: 4140
  Slide Finish: Pronox
  Capacity: 6 plus 1 Rounds
  Weight Unloaded: 19.97 Oz. or .566 kg (including empty magazine)
  Weight w/o mag: 18.27 Oz. or .518 kg

Springfield XDS (not the XD(M) Compact):

• Length: 6.3"
  Height: 4.4"
  Grip Width: .9"
  Barrel: 3.3" Steel, Melonite©, Fully Supported Ramp
  Slide: Forged Steel
  Frame: Polymer
  Sights: Fiber Optic Front and Dovetail Rear (steel)
  Trigger Pull: 5.5 to 7.7 lbs
  Magazines: 2 Flush Fitting Stainless Steel
  
  Caliber: .45ACP
  Capacity: 5 + 1rds
  7 + 1 W/X-Tension™ Sold Separately
  (USPAT.7191556)
  Weight: 21.5 oz W/Flush Fitting Mag
  
  Caliber: 9MM
  Capacity: 7 + 1rds
  9 + 1 W/X-Tension™ Sold Separately
  (USPAT.7191556)
  Weight: 23 oz W/Flush Fitting Mag

Let's unpack that:

1. The Nano weighs 3.03 oz less than the XDS-9, but it carries 1 less round—6+1 to the XDS-9's 7+1.
2. The XDS-9 is 3/4" longer and 1/4" taller than the Nano, and they are the same width. The differences are negligible.
3. The XDS-9's barrel is .23" longer than the Nano's. Again, the differences are negligible.
4. The Nano extended magazine carries 8 rounds. The XDS-9 extended magazine carries 9 rounds.
5. The Nano's magazine release can be reversed for left-handers. The XDS-9's mag release is ambidextrous (you can still run the gun with an injured hand).
6. The Nano has no safety mechanism other than what is built into the trigger. The XDS-9 has both the trigger safety AND a grip safety.
7. The XDS has the same 5.5-7.7 lb trigger as your XD(M). The Nano trigger is described as "long."
8. The Nano lacks a slide lock, so it cannot be locked back with the magazine removed. The XDS-9 locks back just like any other XD/XD(M) series pistol.
9. The Nano comes out of the box with 3 dot sights. The XDS-9 comes out of the box with low profile sights with a fiberoptic front sight, and a set of red AND green fiberoptic inserts in the attaché case. (Yes, it comes in a nice attaché case, just like your XD(M), with all the accessories.)
10. The Nano has a non-standard dovetail for the front sight, being cut inline with the barrel. The front sight slides into place from the front of the slide. This means that you are restricted to front sights designed specifically to fit that dovetail. Lower market volume means higher prices, and less diversity of choices. The XDS-9 comes with standardized dovetails front and rear.
11. The Nano's takedown is different from the XDS-9's takedown, which is just like the takedown on the XD(M) with which you are already familiar.

That's just comparing the two 9m pistols. If you go for the XDS in .45 ACP, you get a gun that is an ounce and a half lighter than the 9mm XDS, and 1.5 oz heavier than the Nano......and with just 1 round less than the Nano......including if you factor in the extended magazines for both pistols. 9mm has the advantage over .45 when you can carry about 50% more cartridges in the magazine. When the difference is 1 round, I tend to think that the advantage goes to the .45......but that's just me. If you want the extra capacity AND a 9mm, the XDS-9 is better than the Nano in that regard.

The only downside I can see to the XDS-9 (or the .45) when compared to the Nano is price. The Nano runs about $100 less anywhere you look. None of this is to say that the Nano is a bad gun. It is not. Beretta's reputation for building good guns is fairly earned. But when I compare the two, I see a clear advantage to the XDS pistols over the Nano, particularly in some important areas like capacity, slide stop (or lack thereof), ambidexterity (I am personally left-handed), sight design/availability, and MOST importantly, familiarity in the manual of arms with the XD(M) pistol which you already own and carry. That last one is huge. It's like if you carried 1911s, you want to find pistols in that same pattern so that your muscle memory and hand/eye coordination would be unified across all of your pistols. Well, the various sizes and configurations of the XD/XD(M)/XDS line makes that entirely possible across a broad spectrum of configurations and sizes. That is a precious commodity in personal defense weaponry.

ATDM, you've stated in another thread that you are a physician. I'm not foolish enough to think that this makes you stinkin' rich, but I would assume that it provides you with enough income that a difference in buy-in price of $100 is not enough to dissuade you from choosing a pistol that might be better for your personal situation. It's like when I used to sell motorcycle helmets....."you only get one brain in life, why would you want to skimp and buy the cheaper one with the lower impact ratings?" When you amortize that price difference out over the lifetime of the pistol and your confidence in carrying it, that $100 is pretty small potatoes. I would urge you to take that into consideration in making your decision.

Have fun with it, and good luck. I'm sure you'll make the right choice for you.

I really appreciate the detailed report. I am sure it took quite a bit of research and time. I only knew bits and pieces of what you have shared, because these two guns (nano and XDS) were exactly the guns I was looking at to choose from. The side by side comparison you have presented confirmed my gut choice: I went with the XDS 9 mm and bought it this morning. And I love it already.

Thanks a lot!

[Bang4Buck]

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