[masraum]

Originally Posted by smokintr6

my vote is for springfield XD 9mm. They make it in many configurations, you can select the size that works the best for you. The best advice is to go to the range and rent several different models. Its definitely worth the money

You should be able to get a Springfield XD 9mm or Glock 9mm either in the <$500 range. You won't get an XDM at that price, you'll have to toss in another $50-200 for an XDM. I've got an XDM 9mm (mine's the 4.5" barrel as opposed to the 3.8" barrel that smokintr6 has), and I've fired a couple of XDs. I love my XDM, but I'm not sure it was worth spending a bit more to get it than the XD. The XDs that I've fired were just as nice.

When I first was looking (last year), I actually was firing an XD and a Glock (direct competition for each other) back to back to back. I tried switching back and forth several times. I was equally accurate with both (and more accurate with both than with any of the rest that I fired). What it came down to was that something about the XD just felt a little better. I was never able to figure out what felt better, but it did.

Again, your best bet is to try to fire several guns including a couple of revolvers. I'd suggest trying to shoot at least 10 different guns, maybe as many as 15+ if you can get your hands on them. Shoot a bunch, then go back through them again once you've shot them all, then decide what feels right for you.