Looking For A New Handgun

[mdvaldosta]

I currently own a Llama .45 and, while I like it, I don't really know any better. Seems like a great gun but it's alittle heavy and it only holds 7 rounds in the clip.

Went to the local gun store today and looked at some guns. Didn't really care for the Glocks because they felt cheap and top heavy. I liked 4 of the guns they had in stock, mostly because they felt like good quality, looked good, and held a good number of rounds:

• Springfield XD 9mm $549.00
• "Baby" Desert Eagle 9mm $529.00
• SW Sigma 40VE $399.00
• SW MP40 Series $529

I wanted to look at a P90 and a Sig Sauer but they don't carry those in stock. Thoughts? I want a mid-full size handgun that looks like something James Bond would carry. Yea, kinda shallow I know but it's important the gun looks and feels as good as it shoots.

[06RedfireGT]

I've shot the XD9 and the M&P. My favorite out of the two is the XD. It is a nice gun, but I prefer the Glocks. A good thing about the XD though, is I believe that it holds 17 rounds.

[Bigfatts]

Wouldn't touch a Sigma. They are cheap and have had numerous problems in the past. Out of your choices I like the Baby Eagle. I don't care for the XD and haven't shot the M&P yet. I am thinking of buying a polymer gun and am looking at the Walther P99. Nice ergonomics and looks good. Haven't actually shot one though. If you like the Baby Eagle look at some of the CZ guns. And if you have a bigger budget check out Sig.

[mdvaldosta]

Been really thinking hard about a Sig Sauer. I'm thinking about the P226 because I like the classic 1911 style although the new P250 looks like a nice gun too. Never shot or held either and I can't find a local Sig dealer but the local shop can order them. I'd just hate to order it and not like it... or know which one to get.

[06RedfireGT]

I hated the Sig I shot. And don't buy anything without holding it and making sure it is comfortable.

[mdvaldosta]

Just found info on more P-series Sigs, and liking the looks of the P228 after reading this article. Really leaning that way... anyone talk me out of it?

[Marco]

Articles and reviews and the advice of friends doesn't hold a candle to actual experience. Under no circumstances should you ever purchase a gun without taking it to the range and firing a good number of rounds through it. Holding it is great, but shooting it is a must.

Good example: Everyone seems to love Glocks. My supervisor owns two and swears by them. I purchased a Glock 23 without really giving it sufficient range time. I now know better, and own two Springfield XDs (.45 Compact, and a ported 9mm), and one of my supervisor's two Glocks is the one that used to be mine.

All of the good reviews and passionate endorsements of Glocks didn't mean a hill of beans when I realized that, to me, the Glock was uncomfortable to shoot. Sig P-Series, H&K, Glock, Springfield XD, S&W M&P. All great weapons in a technical aspect, but make sure that it's a great weapon for YOU before you throw down money on one.

[Butter]

I am a huge fan of Sig firearms. I've got a 239, which is my carry gun, and a 230. Make sure that you shoot, and at the very least hold that gun.

[Bigfatts]

I have never shot a Sig that couldn't outshoot just about any Glock and wasn't just as, if not more, durable. My P226 although it is more than 15 years old and looks a little ragged now will still shoot like it was new. I cannot get it to jam. Even doing clearance drills (where you randomly fill the mag with live and spent rounds to make it jam) it will feed everything. It's also one of the guns that fits me the best.

Definately try and hold one if not shoot one before you plunk down $750 though. Are there any ranges that rent in your area? Range guns are usually pretty worn out but it could give you an idea of what the Sig is.

[stangfather]

Originally Posted by mdvaldosta

• Springfield XD 9mm $549.00- Not a bad weapon
• "Baby" Desert Eagle 9mm $529.00 overpriced
• SW Sigma 40VE $399.00 - trigger like 5 miles of bad roads
• SW MP40 Series $529- good pistol

fixed

why no Glock or Walther?

[mdvaldosta]

The Glocks just fell... I dunno, cheap to me. Never fired one, and have only fired a few guns ever so I'm not real experienced and couldn't tell if it was any good anyways just by holding it. I did get to play with a Sig P229 though, one of the guys at the local gun store carries one... as much as I wanted a Sig I really didn't like it... the trigger makes a flop/clunk sound and although I hear it's one of the best guns it didn't feel as comfortable or as quality as the SW M&P 40 I was looking at.

So it looks like after lunch I'm gonna go back and pickup the M&P with a laser/light attachment and some ammo. I like the 15 round clip too, that's very attractive. Looking at $529 for the gun, $199 for the laser/flashlight attachment, and they've got some sort of ammo that's like a hollow point with a dot in the middle that's supposed to have good stopping power for $22 per box of 20. That's what I think I'm gonna get in a bit.

[mdvaldosta]

Got it

Purchased: Smith & Wesson M&P 40 S&W

[Derrick8t6]

Originally Posted by mdvaldosta

Got it

Purchased: Smith & Wesson M&P 40 S&W

So I see

[stangfather]

its not a clip, its a magazine..

[Bigfatts]

they've got some sort of ammo that's like a hollow point with a dot in the middle that's supposed to have good stopping power for $22 per box of 20.

That sounds like Federal Hydra Shok, good stuff. If that's what it is, that's a good price.