Waiting to try the M&P .40 compact.

Originally Posted by -gunut-

Well any gun is better than no gun! (snip)

I don't think I'd agree with that; Raven, Jennings, etc.

While the Hi Point products are butt ugly, the few I've seen went bang every time. Your milage may vary.

I don't have any experience with the RIA pistols other than holding one in my hand, once.

I recommend saving a little more money and getting one of the new MilSpec models from Springfield Armory. A friend has one and it's a nice pistol for the money. They can be had for about $450-500 at guns shows here in MD, so they probably go for a little less in other states. A good alternate would be the Taurus PT-1911. The .22lr conversion kits should fit either one.

Just my 2 cents.