So, I'm looking into buying a new pistol.  I don't have an automatic, so I'm looking for a good one.

I think I want a Springfield XD, but I don't know if I really want a .45, since my .357 fulfils my "heavy pistol" requirement.  Does anyone know anything about the XD 9mm?

I shot a Barett 92FS the other day, and I wasn't all that impressed.  I mean, it was a nice adequate gun, but I found it slightly heavier than I like and overall just "meh."

I've never shot a Glock, so I can't judge on that.  Really, I'm looking for a slim to compact 9mm that would be reasonably accurate and reasonable priced.  A secondary consideration (in case I move to a state where this is legal) would be comfortable to carry.

The reason I've asked here is because I trust you people, and the gun sites I know are really scary.  If you know any decent gun sites, linky please!

That's one thing I dig about a small hobby, btw, there are like 5,000 gun fora out there, but maybe 100 RPG ones...

Make it a big one so that you can stand in the mirror whilst pulling it out and going "DOOM COCK!"

Or do you have one of those already?

As an Englishman, i still have to give a double-take when i see threads like this.

Carry on...

Quote from: One Horse TownAs an Englishman, i still have to give a double-take when i see threads like this.

Carry on...

The english government likes having it's people nice and unarmed, so you can't do anything about it putting cameras everywhere, installing monitor devices in cars so it can track your every movement, etc.

Quote from: One Horse TownAs an Englishman, i still have to give a double-take when i see threads like this.

Carry on...

 Threads like this one NEVER surprise me. I grew up with a father that was a lifetime member of the NRA and a founding member of the Ruger Collecter's Association.  Father & son journeys around town usually involved long stops at Gun stores and Sporting Goods stores.  Dad used to write a "Gun Advice" column in the 1970s for a magazine called Hunting Dog.

 Joe , I will  give my Dad a copy of your questions. He still knows more about guns than I do or most people that I know.

- E.W.C.

Quote from: KoltarDad used to write a "Gun Advice" column in the 1970s for a magazine called Hunting Dog.

  Dude!  That's deranged!  Your father told people how to hunt dogs?  like offing neighbourhood dogs with high-powered rifles?  isn't that illegal?  I can understand hunting dear or a wild boar because them's good eating but killing dogs?

Glocks are great. My brother owns a Glock 19 that is a pleasure to shoot. They are very comfortable to shoot, both in shape and perceived recoil.

I recently got to shoot the Springfield XD-9 at my local shooting range, and it performed well. Not quite as comfortable as the Glock (but not uncomfortable), and a bit heavier and bulkier, but I felt like I was a bit more accurate with it.

For a small light 9mm, I own a Kahr CW9, and it is incredible.  Weighs about 16 oz (polymer frame), holds 7+1, single stack so it's pretty slim (much smaller than the Springfield or the Glock). It runs about $450 in my neck of the woods.

Cute Joke Mr. Analytical - but no.

 The magazine was for hunters that used trained hunting dogs.
 My father gave advice about various hunting rifles, shotguns, guns of all kinds, if they might be collecter's items, the right kind of ammo to use ,  - that kind of thing.

The column was called ASk Bob about Guns.  Whats funny is in that when I look at the old copies of the magazine  my Dad looks the way James Doohan did in the first STAR TREK movie . He has the same salt & pepper mix in his hair and same kind of mustache.

- E.W.C.

For my 9mm, I have a Walther P-1, which has about the smoothest action of any pistol I've fired, but also is wayyyy too long for the sort of slimmer pistol it sounds like you're looking for.
 
For a 9mm with a reasonable tag, would you consider the Ruger P89?  A lot of folks swear by 'em, and you can get them like new in my area for about $230-$260.

Quote from: TechnomancerGlocks are great. My brother owns a Glock 19 that is a pleasure to shoot. They are very comfortable to shoot, both in shape and perceived recoil.

I have an Austrian-made Glock 17 that is a dream to shoot.  I have been burned by recommending Glocks to friends in the distant past because at least for a while the ones made in the United States (after the ban) had some serious quality issues.  They may have worked those out years ago, but that was my limited experience with the American-made examples.

Quote from: TechnomancerFor a small light 9mm, I own a Kahr CW9, and it is incredible.  Weighs about 16 oz (polymer frame), holds 7+1, single stack so it's pretty slim (much smaller than the Springfield or the Glock). It runs about $450 in my neck of the woods.

Listen to Technomancer here, Joe.  Kahr pistols rock the house.  I have a Kahr PM9 and, with the exception of my Austrian Glock, it has been the best gun purchase I ever made.  Light, slim, and feels great.  It is not the most comfortable shooter if you are using +P loads, but it's not bad.


TGA

I would suggest looking at the HK USP lineup, but then again you mentioned heaviness.  I have fired the .40 S&W and found it a dream, and I am about 99% certain there is a 9mm out there that is smaller than the .40 or the .45 that I have.

On that note, have you considered the .40 S&W rounds? Last I checked, and it was a few years back, a lot of police departments were trading up. It's not really any(much)  bigger, heavier or harder to shoot, but does seem to work better.

Hm... to be honest, I'm at a loss. I like shouting DOOM COCK.

Sorry, when it comes to pistols I'm much like Quigley.  "Never had much use for them".

Quote from: The Good AssyrianI have an Austrian-made Glock 17 that is a dream to shoot. I have been burned by recommending Glocks to friends in the distant past because at least for a while the ones made in the United States (after the ban) had some serious quality issues. They may have worked those out years ago, but that was my limited experience with the American-made examples.
 
TGA

Yeah, there are some quality issues if you're looking at the US-made ones of a few years ago. Friend of mine had one (not sure on model), and said the action was really rough.  Glocks are dreamy, but you want to watch where they're made. Don't know if this is still the case..

Quote from: GunslingerSorry, when it comes to pistols I'm much like Quigley.  "Never had much use for them".

You do realize the delicious irony of this coming from someone calling themselves Gunslinger...  


TGA

I had a chance to shoot my uncles P-89 and I liked it. It felt good and balanced in my hand. I have smaller hands (i'm ~5'7) and the grip was perfect.