SBG gun nuts, your opinion?

[IRONHORSE]

OK guys, here's the situation.  Wifey and I are about to take a CCW  (Carrying Concealed Weapons) course together next month, and in celebration of this, We're each going to get a new pistol - 9mm for her, .45 ACP for me. I've been narrowing down my criteria, and here's what I decided for us: I want a gun that's large enough that going to the range and practicing isn't an exercise in punishment, but maintaining a somewhat small size for concealability (Although we're both 6 footers with large hands, so can get away with a larger framed weapon.) And lastly, I want a weapon that offers a choice of double action or single action shooting.

Right now, the front runners, based on my research so far are:

The Sig-Sauer P220 series
The Taurus 24/7
and
The Springfield Armory XDM

If any of you has experience with these that you can share with me, or any other reccomendations, It'd be greatly appreciated!

[Robmeister]

I had a Taurus for YEARS....great pistol !!!  Never had a jam.

Mine was the full-size 9mm (like Mel Gibson's in "Lethal Weapon")

[Brkeatr]

Am somewhat familiar with the Sig P220 and it's a good  piece and the local PD in Albany just switched to it but in the .357 magnum for better penetration....when I was in the PD here the last pistol I carried was the 9mm Glock and liked that also.....if I had to chose I would go with the Sig.

[nomad]

I'm very partial to my HK

[slyinglide]

There are other issues that need to be thought about in making your decision.

When and where are you going to carry it? If you are going to carry it all the time, then weight comes into play along with HOW you will conceal it.  Side carry, in-side the belt, outside the belt, small of the back, shoulder holster, the whole nine yards....weight does matter along with size of weapon as in frame.  Bulges here and bulges there can and will be seen.  Fanny pack holsters are also good, especially in the summer time and clothes are at a minimum.

These are just a few questions, I could write out probably 20 more.

[skiking]

I myself have a Glock 23.  I too have big hands but I decided to get the compact for concealability purposes.  Some friends of mine have tried the XDM and think that it is a great gun.  My experience with Taurus isn't the best, my dad's Taurus jammed all the time but it is an older one with quite a bit of wear.

[IRONHORSE]

There have been some great points made so far, and some questions I want to ask/answer, and one thing I omitted from the original post that I shouldn't have: Due to the fact that it will be a carry gun, I want a polymer/alloy framed weapon to keep the weight down - otherwise, I would just go with a high end 1911 platform like a Kimber or Baer Custom, and be done with it.

I had a Taurus for YEARS....great pistol !!!  Never had a jam.

Mine was the full-size 9mm (like Mel Gibson's in "Lethal Weapon")

Agreed. And the new 24/7 platform is impressive. I think Taurus is a very underrated gun maker.

Am somewhat familiar with the Sig P220 and it's a good  piece and the local PD in Albany just switched to it but in the .357 magnum for better penetration....when I was in the PD here the last pistol I carried was the 9mm Glock and liked that also.....if I had to chose I would go with the Sig.

I'm with you man! Of all the guns I've handled so far, the Sig fits my hand best and stays on target better, even double action. Though I hear that as of late, there are some issues with quality with the Sigs. Something to do with a new executive that joined the company going with cheaper production processes. (?)

I'm very partial to my HK

I had disqualified the HK's because I thought they weren't polymer/alloy. But the pic of yours, that looks like a polymer framed gun. Is it? (I'll be travelling over to HK's website to have a look-see.) Is it a Double Action/Single Action?

There are other issues that need to be thought about in making your decision.

When and where are you going to carry it? If you are going to carry it all the time, then weight comes into play along with HOW you will conceal it.  Side carry, in-side the belt, outside the belt, small of the back, shoulder holster, the whole nine yards....weight does matter along with size of weapon as in frame.  Bulges here and bulges there can and will be seen.  Fanny pack holsters are also good, especially in the summer time and clothes are at a minimum.

These are just a few questions, I could write out probably 20 more.

For the cold Missouri Winter, which is just around the corner, I'm going with an outside the belt strong side carry holster which will ride up nice and high, and be easily covered by a jacket. For the Summer, the jury's still out.  I hadn't really given much thought to a fanny pack, but that may end up being a real viable option. And  I am also very concerned about advertising the fact that I am carrying a weapon and will go to great lengths to avoid that. Thanks for the pointers! 

I myself have a Glock 23.  I too have big hands but I decided to get the compact for concealability purposes.  Some friends of mine have tried the XDM and think that it is a great gun.  My experience with Taurus isn't the best, my dad's Taurus jammed all the time but it is an older one with quite a bit of wear.

Ah, the venerable Glock! I've never spoken to a Glock owner who didn't love their gun! Sadly, the Glock is out of the running for us because it's a double action only gun. But, I appreciate the input on the XDM and the Taurus, although I'm inclined to be forgiving to the Taurus, because by your own admission the gun was worn - and any badly worn gun will malfunction...and the fact that it got worn tells me someone put a lot of rounds through it!

We'll be going to Springfield MO, to the big Bass Pro Shops to handle, inspect, and purchase our guns next weekend. Keep the input coming guys, I appreciate it! 

[skiking]

When you mentioned the DA only problem with the glock I was going to suggest a 1911, but I can see that you are one step ahead of me.   Whatever you decide to get I am sure that it will be a loyal firearm for many years to come.  Each person has their own preferences and there isn't one gun that suits everybody.  Good Luck and have fun

[IRONHORSE]

Yeah, that and I already have a gun based on the 1911. That would be my Star PD (Which was the first compact .45 produced.) which I bought new and have had for about 15 years now. It suffered some cosmetic damage (rust) while locked in a safe for 6 weeks when my Grandson was visiting. It's at the gunsmith right now getting a face lift - It's getting refinished in Dura Coat in HK black. I'm looking forward to getting it back, and it also might see some carry time.

[tomgallagher]

Geez, you guys sound like you live in a combat zone.

[nomad]

yes the HK USP is a polymer frame and it is DA/SA, the only problem I've heard from anyone is that they have a heavy trigger in DA but I like it

[IRONHORSE]

yes the HK USP is a polymer frame and it is DA/SA, the only problem I've heard from anyone is that they have a heavy trigger in DA but I like it

Well...a heavy trigger pull can always be lightened by a good gunsmith, and I happen to have one! Thanks Nomad, I now consider the HK's a part of the "in the running" list 

[PBurke]

i had the hk .40 cal. in the usp frame. loved that gun. you should try to go shoot several different guns to see what you lke. good luck bro.

[IRONHORSE]

i had the hk .40 cal. in the usp frame. loved that gun. you should try to go shoot several different guns to see what you lke. good luck bro.

I wish we could, but in the area of MO that we live in, there are no gun ranges that rent weapons for test firing. We're just going to have to go for fit and how they feel "dry firing" and trust my knowledge of recoil associated with different calibers. I wish it were otherwise, but you just have to play the cards you're dealt Thanks for another endorsement of the HK, though

[PBurke]

that is how i ended up with the hk bro. it felt the best in my hands. the recoil was not bad at all. the most important thing is you and the lay-day being comfortable with whatever you get. keep us updated.