Buying first handgun final questions...

[zmtd8]

Or more your all's opinion. I went and looked at handguns the other day and have narrowed it down to the Springfield XD 9mm and 40 or the Kahr 9mm or the Smith and Wesson 40. So any final opinions would be greatly appreciated. Barring any unforeseen circumstances I will be picking up one of these four tomorrow. I really liked the Springfield 9mm and the Smith and Wesson 40.

Thanks,

Tyler

[Oh Shoot]

Or more your all's opinion. I went and looked at handguns the other day and have narrowed it down to the Springfield XD 9mm and 40 or the Kahr 9mm or the Smith and Wesson 40. So any final opinions would be greatly appreciated. Barring any unforeseen circumstances I will be picking up one of these four tomorrow. I really liked the Springfield 9mm and the Smith and Wesson 40.

Thanks,

Tyler

9mm: Greater capacity, cheaper, international ammo suppliers, less recoil. And yes, it's "plenty".

- OS

[TN Outlaw]

im with Ohshoot, i would go with the 9mm for the same reasons he listed

[sschrick]

make sure you "try before you buy" if at all possible. . .that should also help with the decision

oh yeah, 9mm

[kwe45919]

There will be people saying that the .40 can do "this" as the 9mm can't. Ehh...maybe, but in normal SD situations a 9mm is fine. Ammo for the 9mm is cheaper and definatly more available as of right now. I also like the Springfield vs. the S&W because of the triggers on the XD's seem smoother and lighter.....though opinions vary.

In other words, you can't really go wrong with either so get the one that fits your hands the best.

[mikegideon]

You can't go wrong with any of the guns listed. As others have said, the 9mm is going to be cheaper and easier to shoot. I like .40, but you need to shoot it and compare it to 9mm before you buy. It definately has more recoil.

[peejman]

There will be people saying that the .40 can do "this" as the 9mm can't. Ehh...maybe, but in normal SD situations a 9mm is fine. Ammo for the 9mm is cheaper and definatly more available as of right now. I also like the Springfield vs. the S&W because of the triggers on the XD's seem smoother and lighter.....though opinions vary.

In other words, you can't really go wrong with either so get the one that fits your hands the best.

This.

[Guest Victor9er]

I have both a 9mm and a .40 and I like them both. I have to agree with what everyone else has said. But if you want a suggestion from me I'd pick the S&W, simply because if you're going to buy from an American company at least buy one that's actually made in America. But hey, that's just me and this is coming from someone who owns two Glocks

The most important thing is to get what feels best to you, and the one that meets all of your requirements. What I did was I made a list of what I wanted in a gun, my most important requirements. Then I chose the gun that met all of those. There's nothing wrong with the XD's, I hear they're great guns. The S&W M&P's are equally good, and they are made in America if that's important to you. Flip a coin if you have to, you can't go wrong with either one.

[JReedEsq]

I own pistols chambered for .40 and 9mm. I like having both but I'd definitely recommend 9mm for your first gun. Between Smith & Wesson M&P and XD, I'd pick M&P.

[zmtd8]

. Flip a coin if you have to, you can't go wrong with either one.

That is probably what i'll do

[dbla]

I'd go with 9mm too. Easier/cheaper to train with, and if you get a decent flavor hollowpoint you'll have no problem stopping the threat.

[DaveTN]

Or more your all's opinion.

The XD is not a Springfield; it is imported by Springfield from HS Produkt in Croatia. I don’t know if that matters to you; it does to me.

I own both M&P’s and a Kahr. The application for my Kahr is a Micro 40; that was missing in the S&W product line until a few weeks ago with the release of the M&P Shield. Nothing wrong with a Kahr but my Kahr (MK40) cost a lot more than my M&P’s. Just depends on your application.

I haven’t owned a 9mm SD gun in 20 years, but I read on the internet the other day that the 9mm’s of today are as powerful as a .357 Mag.

9 or 40 are both good SD rounds; 9 is cheaper to shoot.

Edited May 31, 2012 by DaveTN

[mikegideon]

The XD is not a Springfield; it is imported by Springfield from HS Produkt in Croatia. I don’t know if that matters to you; it does to me.

I own both M&P’s and a Kahr. The application for my Kahr is a Micro 40; that was missing in the S&W product line until a few weeks ago with the release of the M&P Shield. Nothing wrong with a Kahr but my Kahr (MK40) cost a lot more than my M&P’s. Just depends on your application.

I haven’t owned a 9mm SD gun in 20 years, but I read on the internet the other day that the 9mm’s of today are as powerful as a .357 Mag.

9 or 40 are both good SD rounds; 9 is cheaper to shoot.

Sure... a 9mm is as powerful as a .357, and you don't have to put up with all the noise and recoil. I tried to add a smiley there, but the editor in this software REALLY blows.

I've seen all the jelly pictures. I still like something with more power than a 9mm, even if it is only a bigger bang (and bigger hole).

[TMF]

I own three 9mm and one .40. Get a 9mm for all the reasons above. Get a .40 later down the road.

[chances R]

Have 2 M&Ps, both in 9mm. 2 XDs, one in 9, one in 45. The MPs are my favorite, and super guns if you have a pro trigger job done. The triggers are better out of the box on the XD, but to me MPs still get the nod.

[maddog909]

I can't vouch for the Springfield but the warrenty and customer service at smith & wesson is first rate. You should go with what you feel comfortable with. Try some different brands, models and calibers at a firing range that rents.