Starting out

[getamap]

Hi guys! My name is Mike and i'm from the north texas area. I already own several long guns but as my 21st birthday approaches I am trying to decide what my first handgun purchase should be. I do not have much experience with pistols. From what i've read and seen the two I am interested in are the Glock 23 and the Springfield XD40 Sub-Compact. If anyone has any positive or negative experience with either of these, or has a completely different suggestion, any help at all would be great! I plan on getting my CHL but I would like to have more shooting experience before I do that.

[JasonH]

Those are both very fine handguns. I don't think you can go wrong with either of them.

I think I'd make my decision between those two based on the external safety and whether I wanted one or not. If you do, go with the XD. If not, go with the Glock.

[longtooth]

XD40 Sub would be an excellent choice. I like the ergonomics much better than the G.
Son has one. Excellent shooter. Covers easy.
Cant go wrong w/ a Springer.

[longhorn_92]

XD40 Sub would be an excellent choice. I like the ergonomics much better than the G.
Son has one. Excellent shooter. Covers easy.
Cant go wrong w/ a Springer.

XD40 Sub would be my choice between the two....

Welcome to the forum!!!

[longtooth]

XD40 - 3
Gs ----0

[mr.72]

Well I'm going to go counter to the collective.

Between those two, I'd pick the Glock, simply because I'm no fan of external safeties on a SD gun.

But I'd add a Kahr CW40 and a S&W M&P .40 compact to your list to check out... being a no-safety kind of guy :)

[couzin]

Only comment(s) I would make is that .40 ammo is a little pricey - and since range practice is something everyone should do - you may want to consider a 9mm if it is to be your only go-to handgun. Also, maybe try several different handguns if you are intending to carry as a CHL.

[RiverRat]

Walmart sells whitebox FMJ for $26ish in 40 for target, not too bad. on XD40. Both my sons and Mrs RiverRat use those for carry, never had a FTF or any other problem. They just work.

I can't argue about Glocks, have never used one, but the grip and pointing were not to my liking. Sure it's a safe bet, too.

I would suggest that you take one of each out to the range and see how they fit your hand and point of sight.....pretty sure that'll make up your mind pretty quickly. GL

[particle]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you can get the XD with, or without the thumb safety.

[CompVest]

Hi guys! My name is Mike and i'm from the north texas area. I already own several long guns but as my 21st birthday approaches I am trying to decide what my first handgun purchase should be. I do not have much experience with pistols. From what i've read and seen the two I am interested in are the Glock 23 and the Springfield XD40 Sub-Compact. If anyone has any positive or negative experience with either of these, or has a completely different suggestion, any help at all would be great! I plan on getting my CHL but I would like to have more shooting experience before I do that.

Another pistol worth considering is S&W's M&P series. Comes in all the popular calibers and sizes. It is very ergonomic and shoots great! I think it is easier to conceal as well. It does sit lower in your hand then the XD making it easier to control recoil. I have shot all three and the M&P is the easiest regardless of caliber to shoot.

[jbirds1210]

My vote would be for the Glock, but that is just because I shoot better with one.

You really can't go wrong with the XD or M&P....they are all really fine weapons.

My only problem with the XD is the palm safety.....I really dislike that feature.

Jason

[agbullet2k1]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you can get the XD with, or without the thumb safety.

I believe the thumb safety is only for the '08 model XD45's. And even then, I don't think they offer the thumb safety on a subcompact. Of course that's just going off of what I saw on their website a few months ago.

getamap, I carried a Glock 27 for almost 2 years before finally getting another Walther (which I really recommend BTW). I had no issues with the Glock as far as functioning, but my only compaint was the lack of anything other than the trigger "safety." If you're the type of guy who wants nothing between you and firing, that's fine, but if you like a bit of a safety factor, I'd go with the XD.

[Walther fanboy]
Seriously though, if you haven't looked at it, the Walther P99c does not have a grip safety to worry about, but it does have a decocker, so you can fire true double action, or single action. It would give you the pull and fire simplicity of the Glock with the added protection of a long, heavy first trigger pull. Plus they just look cool.
[/Walther fanboy]

Not sure of your location, but in a couple weeks, there will be a forum day at PSC in Friendswood, TX. You'd have a really good opportunity to try different guns and find one that fits you best without having to take a loss buying a gun you find out you don't like. Otherwise, if you post your location, I'm sure someone on here lives close and might meet you at a range to let you try a few out. Welcome, and good luck!!

[Skiprr]

Not sure of your location, but in a couple weeks, there will be a forum day at PSC in Friendswood, TX. You'd have a really good opportunity to try different guns and find one that fits you best without having to take a loss buying a gun you find out you don't like. Otherwise, if you post your location, I'm sure someone on here lives close and might meet you at a range to let you try a few out. Welcome, and good luck!!

Some of the shooting clinics at the Texas CHL Forum Day at PSC still have openings, and the excellent lectures still have room. 'Course, there'll be guns to try out, a great lunch, a CHL "fashion show," and let's not forget the two, deadly Texas Stars spinning morning and afternoon.

For more info, visit http://www.texasshooting.com/.

[bryang]

getamap, welcome to the forum, it is good to have you on board. As you can see everyone just about has there own idea of the best gun. I would suggest going to a gun range that rents different pistols and try several out, and that way can you see what fits you the best, before you are out a lot of money. Both of those you mentioned, the Springfield XD40 Sub-Compact and Glock 23, are excellent guns, but find which one fits your hand and your personal needs.

Good Luck & Welcome!
-geo

[Crossfire]

getamap, welcome to the forum, it is good to have you on board. As you can see everyone just about has there own idea of the best gun. I would suggest going to a gun range that rents different pistols and try several out, and that way can you see what fits you the best, before you are out a lot of money. Both of those you mentioned, the Springfield XD40 Sub-Compact and Glock 23, are excellent guns, but find which one fits your hand and your personal needs.

Good Luck & Welcome!
-geo

There's your answer. I'm a big fan of Glocks, but I don't know you, so I can't recommend them for you. I like them because they fit me. If they don't fit you, then you definitely won't like them. I see you are in north Texas. That's a broad area. If you are near Fort Worth, go to The Shooting Gallery (East Lancaster at Loop 820). They have lots of guns for rent. Lots cheaper than buying something you won't like later.

Oh, and WELCOME!