recommendation i cant decide

[02transam]

well first id like to say i stumbled onto this board and really like it. you guys seem to be group of very mature and constructively criticizing group which i like. anywho ive had my chl for about a year now and i already have a s&w sigma 40ve anywho im going to replace the gun because somehow between a trip to the range and my house one day the sights got knocked way out(the pistol has never been dropped and im very curioius as to how they got knocked out of whack). i took it to a gun smith and he said he could try and it back to center as much as possible but it wouldnt be perfect so its not nearly as accurate and in mind does me no good if it cant be shot straight. that being said i have been on the fence for sometime now about which new carry to get. the two ive been juggling are the para hawg hawg 45 and the xd 45acp compact. i like the mag extension on the xd but im think it would fairly easier to carry the 3 in hawg. the downside to the hawg is there is no mag extension although it does have a 10+1 capacity. other than that im concerned about accuraccy(sp) given the 3"in barrel. i do remember from the chl class they say most encounters are usually between 3 and 12ft but id like to know that if i have to engage a target past that i can hit it. the other thing i like about the hawg is its a full steel construction where as the xd is polymer grip and steel slide. the other factor is the xd is about 500 bucks and the hawg is closer to 900. so does anyone have any recommendations for me? im not sure how much support there is for the hawg ie holster selection. i know the xd has alot. so any help would greatly appreciated. thanks

[Vic303]

Try the XD. The compact 45 comes in a couple configurations--compact 4" or compact 5" barrel. You then get the choice of using the flushfit 10 rnd mag, or the full size mag with spacer, and get 13rnds. It carries and conceals rather well even in the 13+1 set up, at least with a good holster. I love the new Comptac MTAC!

Springfield has better customer service should you ever need it, too.

I vote XD45 compact over the Para Hawg.

[flintknapper]

that being said i have been on the fence for sometime now about which new carry to get. the two ive been juggling are the para hawg hawg 45 and the xd 45acp compact. i like the mag extension on the xd but im think it would fairly easier to carry the 3 in hawg. the downside to the hawg is there is no mag extension although it does have a 10+1 capacity.

You don’t say which Para “Hawg� model you have in mind. There are quite a number of Para models and configurations designated “Hawg�, some single stack others Hi-Cap.

http://www.paraord.com/product/category.html?cat=20

The single stacks currently enjoy a better reputation for reliability than do the Hi-Caps (just being honest).

other than that im concerned about accuracy(sp) given the 3"in barrel. i do remember from the chl class they say most encounters are usually between 3 and 12ft but id like to know that if i have to engage a target past that i can hit it.

Either pistol will be sufficiently accurate at distances exceeding 25 yards (well beyond normal self defense range). Short barrels do not = “inaccurate�.

Here is a target I shot with my Daughter’s Para Carry 9. That is 10 (not five) shots in 1� at 10 yds. (30 feet) from a 3� barrel. I am sure the Springfield would do very well also.



Most “Shooter’s� tend to be less accurate with a short barreled weapon because of the shorter sight radius, less weight forward of the grip centerline, etc….but the gun itself should be capable of very good accuracy. Both Springfield and Para are known for good accuracy if nothing else. Both companies offer lifetime warranties and both companies have excellent customer service.

the other thing i like about the hawg is its a full steel construction where as the xd is polymer grip and steel slide.

This amounts to personal preference. Both weapons will outlast you if properly cared for, and the weight of either can be closely matched. Para offers frames made of steel or Aluminum alloy… so weights run between 24 and 32 ozs.

the other factor is the xd is about 500 bucks and the hawg is closer to 900. so does anyone have any recommendations for me? im not sure how much support there is for the hawg ie holster selection. i know the xd has alot. so any help would greatly appreciated. Thanks

Cost is something you will have to decide on for yourself. Even though I am a Para owner and generally like them, I will tell you that “resale� value on Para’s is not in line with some other major brands… when you consider their high initial cost. Again, just being honest.

Holsters are not a concern. There is a plethora of holsters for either the Springfield or the Para.

If you want the most bang for the buck, I would go for the Springfield. If you have $900.00 burning a hole in your pocket and want something unusual, buy the Para.

Consider also…that if your budget allows $800-$900 you can look at a great variety of firearms. Springfield, Para, Kimber, Kahr, Smith & Wesson, Gl…Glllooo….Gloooc…Glock.

Good luck, let us know what worked for you.

Flint.

[frreed]

Add to that list Sig and H&K. If you are priced in the market for a Para, but like the XD you can get a top notch hi-cap semi. Nothing wrong with the others, but you have many choices.

[Keith B]

Here is a target I shot with my Daughter’s Para Carry 9. That is 10 (not five) shots in 1� at 10 yds. (30 feet) from a 3� barrel. I am sure the Springfield would do very well also.

Dad-gum kids and their fresh eyes!!

Thuts sum purdy gud shootin' thur Flint. You dun gud wit yur girl!!

[M9FAN]

It carries and conceals rather well even in the 13+1 set up, at least with a good holster. I love the new Comptac MTAC!

I've got the XD 45 Service model, which has the 4" barrel and 13-rd. magazine, and I carry it concealed in an IWB Comp-Tac Minotaur (MTAC) holster as well. Given my lack of experience with the other weapon you mentioned, I'd have to vote for the XD 45 with an MTAC holster!

[flintknapper]

Here is a target I shot with my Daughter’s Para Carry 9. That is 10 (not five) shots in 1� at 10 yds. (30 feet) from a 3� barrel. I am sure the Springfield would do very well also.

Dad-gum kids and their fresh eyes!!

Thuts sum purdy gud shootin' thur Flint. You dun gud wit yur girl!!

Actually, I shot that group with her pistol, in case I was unclear about that.

Had she shot it, it would have been in the bullseye and probably a bit smaller group. I hate that!

[Keith B]

Actually, I shot that group with her pistol, in case I was unclear about that.

Had she shot it, it would have been in the bullseye and probably a bit smaller group. I hate that!

Well Flint, then I only have one thing to say to you; phhhhttttpp



Nice job

And for the record, I think either are good choices. However, I am leaning toward the purchase of an XD in the near future, so that would be my first choice.

[45 4 life]

My son shoots the XD in 9mm and loves it and although he has a Sprinfield mill spec 1911 he is about to purchase an XD for more cancealability. I have started my Daughter toward moving away from her 22 and she shot the XD well right out of the blocks. Good reliable weapon, priced right, and Sringfield will support their owners.

I do applaud you choice of caliber!

[Jason73]

I recently purchased an XD 40 service model (4" barrel) to replace a Ruger P90 as my daily carry gun. I took it to the range last weekend and ran 500 rounds thru it and very impressed at the accuracy. My father has an XD 40 tactical (5 in barrel) and it’s a great gun too. I don’t have any experience with the Para so I can’t help you there but I definitely recommend the XD. Hope this helps. (the only reason I didn't get the .45 was because of ammo prices)

Jason

[MoJo]

You may want to check out the S&W M&P, really like mine. I own an XD also it is a great gun too.

[02transam]

Add to that list Sig and H&K. If you are priced in the market for a Para, but like the XD you can get a top notch hi-cap semi. Nothing wrong with the others, but you have many choices.

i like sigs dont get me wrong but i want a .45 and last i checked they were just starting to come out with them. as a rule of thumb i never buy first gen guns from anyone for several reasons. as for h&k i would love to own a usp compact 45 but they are more expensive than the para. btw the specific model i was looking at was the hawg 45

[Vic303]

Add to that list Sig and H&K. If you are priced in the market for a Para, but like the XD you can get a top notch hi-cap semi. Nothing wrong with the others, but you have many choices.

i like sigs dont get me wrong but i want a .45 and last i checked they were just starting to come out with them. as a rule of thumb i never buy first gen guns from anyone for several reasons. as for h&k i would love to own a usp compact 45 but they are more expensive than the para. btw the specific model i was looking at was the hawg 45

Not exactly...the P220 has been out in .45acp for decades! Now the P250 IS new this year so you might want to wait a little to see how the bugs & supply chain fall out.

[flintknapper]

Add to that list Sig and H&K. If you are priced in the market for a Para, but like the XD you can get a top notch hi-cap semi. Nothing wrong with the others, but you have many choices.

i like sigs dont get me wrong but i want a .45 and last i checked they were just starting to come out with them. as a rule of thumb i never buy first gen guns from anyone for several reasons. as for h&k i would love to own a usp compact 45 but they are more expensive than the para. btw the specific model i was looking at was the hawg 45

I only ask because it could be any of these in .45 acp.

Nite Hawg
Warthog
Slim Hawg
Lite Hawg .45
Stainless Warthog
Covert Black Slim Hawg

[02transam]

Add to that list Sig and H&K. If you are priced in the market for a Para, but like the XD you can get a top notch hi-cap semi. Nothing wrong with the others, but you have many choices.

i like sigs dont get me wrong but i want a .45 and last i checked they were just starting to come out with them. as a rule of thumb i never buy first gen guns from anyone for several reasons. as for h&k i would love to own a usp compact 45 but they are more expensive than the para. btw the specific model i was looking at was the hawg 45

I only ask because it could be any of these in .45 acp.

Nite Hawg
Warthog
Slim Hawg
Lite Hawg .45
Stainless Warthog
Covert Black Slim Hawg

well the only difference if i remember correctly was the finish and rail(for the nite hawg) i thought that all the hawg's were double stack.