First handgun, Ruger P95 or Springfield XD?

[svandamme]

Bought me one like this as my first...
Hope to have the permit papers sorted out end of week

[Rick Lee]

This is the last one I bought. Took less than five min. to buy it and that was only because there were a few people ahead of me in line. The guns were laying on folding card tables and, when the doors opened, it looked like the bridal gown sale day at Fillene's Basement.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

OK, from the other side of the fence and the where did that question come from:

Have you tried a revolver? Seriously, go try one before you buy a semi-auto.


Ruger is a good firearm, nothing spectacular. It will get the job done. It is average.

XD is a nice firearm, considered more desireable in many circles though definately not all.

I like the 1911 frame and safety features, but that is me.

IF you a stuck on a 9mm, I would sugget to try the Browning as well. I do not like the S&W though many swear by them. I'd rule out Taurus. There are also some very nice, older European models out there you might consider as well. Just because it is used does not mean it is a poor choice.

If you are stuck on the Piccatinny rail system then you are stuck on modern spoons.

Seriously, try a revolver before buying the semi. Easier to use, safer to handle, fewer (WAAAAAAYYYY fewer) issues with misfire/misfeed, and they can be more interchangeable. For example, buy a .357, also shoot .38 through the same weapon. Just saying.... ;-)

[RoninLB]

Eric Holder must explain 'Fast & Furious'--Michael Walsh - NYPOST.com



"Law-abiding gun owners and dealers think they already know. With the Obama administration wedded to the fiction that 90 percent of the guns Mexican cartels use originate here -- they don't -- many suspect that "Fast and Furious" was a backdoor attempt to smear domestic gun aficionados as part of its stealth efforts on gun control by executive fiat."

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Not that I'm biased or anything...but my suggestion is to pick up a decent .22 1911 (there are a couple available now) and a real 1911 (in any caliber you choose, but .45 is what real men shoot).

Alternatively you could get a real 1911 and a .22 conversion kit. After you put about a 1000 rounds through the .22 kit then you can graduate to using the orignal slide/barrel.

[masraum]

OK, if you want to mod a gun, then a 1911 or Glock is the way to go.

I shot a bunch of guns before I bought. In one sitting, I was able to shoot a glock 9mm and XD 9mm back to back to back. Both guns felt and shot nearly identically to me. I was equally accurate with both. I ended up feeling like there was just a tiny something that I preferred about the XD even thought I couldn't put my finger on it. I can only guess that it was the grip angle, but can't be sure.

Glocks and XDs are like timex and casio. They are both entry level, reliable to a fault, and will serve you well for a long time.

I really liked Browning Hi Powers and 1911s, but the BHP is pretty pricey, as the 1911 can be.

I ended up going with a full size XDm in 9mm, then I sold it and bought an XDm 9mm Compact to make it a bit easier to carry.

I have no doubt that I'll end up with a 1911 and a BHP, and probably others as well eventually.

I don't believe there is a 22 conv kit for the XD line, and I don't think there ever will be. You can get that for a Glock though, I believe.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I'm not getting a 1911. Just not interested in either a .45 or a .22. Plus, none of the 1911's I looked at fit my hand.

This is just going to be an entry level, fun on the weekends thing. I'm not really looking for something expensive at this point.

The only thing I can think of is a guitar analogy. I played lesser quality guitars for years before I got good enough to justify buying ESPs and Gibsons.. With a gun, I'm just looking at the original MIJ Squiers right now.

[svandamme]

1911 not fitting your hand?? did you by any chance look at hi capacity 1911's?
i haven't got big hadns myself..
When i was looking for mine, i had a hicap in my hands, felt ackward too, but the single stack fit's like nothing else.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by svandamme

1911 not fitting your hand?? did you by any chance look at hi capacity 1911's?
i haven't got big hadns myself..
When i was looking for mine, i had a hicap in my hands, felt ackward too, but the single stack fit's like nothing else.

I second the notion. Considering the flexibility offered with "slim" stocks, regular stocks, arched vs. flat mainspring housings, bobtails, officer's, magwells, a plethora of grip safety options, short vs. long triggers...Unless you use your feet to shoot, 1911s fit or can be made to fit just about any grip found in genus homo.

[Rednine11]

I vote for the XD. Its a great firearm.
I love 1911's but rarely carry one because they are single action on the first round. I dont like to carry cocked and locked.
The Para LDA 1911 45 ACP is double action...I will probably grab the next one I see
Till then I will carry the SIG

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

I carry the 1911 around the farm when I am not carrying a SA revolver. Safety in the back must be depressed before using trigger. Holsters hold with hammer ready and have a safety strap of leather between hammer and pin. Then again, I prefer revolvers so cock to fire is not an issue to me.

It is my choice, you have your choice. This is the same arguement with the Glock, effectively no safety besides yourself on the Glock if you touch the trigger. My 1911 has several safety mechanisms that can be turned off rather quickly.

[JAR0023]

Sounds like you're doing a good job with you selection. You have caliber and budget considered and you've narrowed this down to a couple of guns that feel good. Go fondle some more guns and if possible actually shoot them. Any ranges in your area that rent? Feeling good in your hand is important but that doesn't always translate to accuracy in actual shooting. I have a M&P .45c that for the life of me just doesn't ever feel 100% right to me. That being said I shoot plenty tight groups with that gun. So it remains a tool that fits a need.

Both the Ruger and the XD have a reputation for going bang every time and for addressing any warranty issues that might arise. Springfield has one of the best reputations for customer service around. I'd take either in a pinch and not loose any sleep thinking the gun wasn't going to work.

All that aside I have an XD40 that is one of the early ones, back when it was a $425 gun. Unlike the M&P it feels like it was made for my hand. It's been great. 1000's of rounds and not one single hiccup. Ever. More that one freind has purchased their own XD after shooting mine. I carried it for a long time and it's since been moved to bedside duty. Once broken in the trigger settled in somewhere between 4 and 5lbs. Some complain about the long reset but I shoot relvolvers as well and it doesn't bother me.

At some point you'll have to ingore the fanboys and just pick a gun from a reputable manufacturer that shoots well for you.

J

[Superman]

I love my XD. Glocks have a different handle angle, which does not feel as good as the XD. One of the main reasons I bought the XD (.45) is because according to reports, it is about as reliable as the Sun.

[Taz's Master]

Originally Posted by Jared at Pelican Parts

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I'm not getting a 1911. Just not interested in either a .45 or a .22. Plus, none of the 1911's I looked at fit my hand.

This is just going to be an entry level, fun on the weekends thing. I'm not really looking for something expensive at this point.

The only thing I can think of is a guitar analogy. I played lesser quality guitars for years before I got good enough to justify buying ESPs and Gibsons.. With a gun, I'm just looking at the original MIJ Squiers right now.

Jared, I have no idea how inconvenient it is for you to shoot. I shoot in my yard whenever I want. I have shot thousands of rounds this summer, and while I'm getting better, I need more practice. Shooting well takes practice. I've saved more than enough to buy either of those weapons by shooting thousands of rounds in a .22 rather than a 9mm. At 20 cents per shot (9mm from Cheaper than Dirt) vs. 3.5 cents (for the Winchester .22 ammo I like). For every 1000 rounds fired thats a cost differential of $165. If you shoot 2000 rounds from a Ruger MkIII, you've saved more than the cost of the gun.

Seriously, if you want to build your skills with an inexpensive tool and when you're worthy get a higher priced firearm buy a .22. They are WAY more fun than you think, and you can much more easily afford the practice you'll need to be a good shot. You're going to end up with one anyhow if you like to shoot.

Oh, and Groesbek is right about revolvers.

[KarlCarrera]

Springfield.

Look at the different models in the caliber your looking for.

M&P (S&W) is also making a very nice CCW in 9mm, dependable/reasonable as well. Keep an eye on Co. Gun Market (Rocky Mountain Gun Owners) for private party sales. A sale or transfer through an FFL may work (RMGO) for you.

Karl
88 Targa

[Mike C]

I would recommend you look at the CZ P-01 or Compact. Excellent guns for the money. It's the only 9mm I own as I usually shoot my 1911's.

[jyl]

Thinking about this, a longer-barrelled gun would be great at the range, easier to shoot accurately, and you're not going to carry concealed in CA anyway. Here's some inspiration pics, I recognize the OP said he wasn't into certain models but I'm just throwing out pics (edit: none of these mine! Sorry for any confusion.)

Glock 24C competition model w/ 6" ported barrel


Longslide 1911 w/ 6" barrel


Colt Trooper w/ 8" barrel, scoped

[Bill Douglas]

Wow, nice 1911 there John.

[Tim Hancock]

I have a 9mm Glock 34 (it is a G17 frame with slightly longer competition geared slide and barrel) for range and IDPA competition. 1 1/2 years ago when I bought it, 9mm practice ammo was scarce so I bought an Advantage Arms .22 G17 sized kit for it. I have probably shot 5000 rounds of .22 thru it. It is by no means a bullseye competition type gun in .22 (I have a Buckmark and a couple Ruger MarkII bull barrel guns for that, but it definitely has been nice for IDPA practice where I typically shoot at cardboard targets with an 8" zero zone at 5-20 yards.

It takes mere seconds and no tools to switch back and forth between the longer 9mm barrel/slide and the .22.

I have about 10,000 rounds of 9mm thru the gun and it simply works every d@mn time. It has been cleaned only a few times unlike my .22 bullseye guns that get cleaned between each match to keep the hair trigger smooth and light. Shooting from a rested position it still groups 2" or less at 25 yards. Once I started using a high/thumbs forward/weak hand rotated max forward type grip, the Glock felt incredible in my smaller hands. I now use this basic grip style with all my handguns and it now feels "natural" to me.... It provides great recoil control for faster follow up shots.

.22 conversion on my Glock 34 next to my old Ruger Mark II bullseye gun.



G34 with 9mm parts installed


IDPA gear