I saw you were snooping around the Ruger site. I have a P345 and love it. Great gun so far. It points well and isn't to big. Ruger is discontinuing a lot of their all metal autos so if you want one don't wait. They are going Poly frame with nearly everything so I've read anyway. The P345 is a poly frame also.

I'm glad to hear you are happy with your P345, good looking gun. No, not looking for an all metal any time soon. I am very pleased with poly right now. I am very happy with my XD and my wifes M&P seems to be a GREAT gun too. I am looking forward to seeing two guns. The Ruger LCP and the SW M&P45c (late '08?). Oh and an all black Walther P22 w/ laser sitting in my collection.

Well... here we go again. She's not happy with the M&P. Kind of disappointing but hey, WE GETS TO DO MORE GUN SHOPPING!!!

Obviously we're going to take a hit on her gun but its a lesson learned, and a very expensive gun rental. She's more upset about chosing the wrong gun than losing the value on her brand new used gun. I'm sure seeing me happy as can be with my XD doesn't help either.
We will be looking at the XD9SC and the HK P30 tomorrow, among others.

I'll keep you guys posted so you don't get too sore sitting on the edge of your seats!

Wish her luck!

That would be great if she liked the XD9SC. Does she like the feel of your XD? If so, then she'll probably like the XD9SC. I almost shoot my sub-compact better then my service. Good luck on your search, the shopping is almost as fun as the shooting

-Jeff-

Almost, I think one of the best parts of shooting is when the gun store guy hands you the gun you just bought. After I bought my first gun a buddy asked me, with a grin, "How did it feel buying your first gun?" and I have to say it is a uniquely wonderful and empowering feeling.

She loves the feel of my XD and actually prefers the longer mag/fullsize grip, but wants something she can fit in her purse or IWB (and no wheels, WA Wa wa). She really thinks the XD9SC is ugly but loves how they are engineered and is willing to "settle" for one with the SS slide. I don't know whats wrong with her, I think they look great and would love to get the SC. I think if she gets one she'll appreciate what a great gun it is and won't think it's so ugly after a few hundred rounds. I admit I don't know too much about the HK's but have held the P30 and would love to see her be happy with this one too!! Really I don't care WHAT she gets as long as she likes it and will be motivated to go to the range with me.

She is often quick to bust out an "I told you so" when she can (which I admit is often). I have really been biting my lip lately... She gave me a lot of $H!T about researching handguns for 6 weeks before I decided to get my 4" XD45C. She decided on the M&P after about 3 visits to local gun stores. I feel bad for her because she is so upset with herself for getting the wrong gun so I'm not going to kick her while she's down, but man I gotta get this out... HAHA I TOLD HER SO!! I told her the time I put into my decision was not a waste. OK I'm done, now back to being an adult and helping my lovely wife find a great gun she will enjoy forever and ever.

I'll post pics when the time comes.

OH YEAH! Anybody want to buy a perfectly good S&W M&P9c? I posted in the Handgun Classifieds if anyone is interested, and I am open to negotiating a mutually fair deal.

p.s. Beefy, you guys still happy with that Stoeger? I currently have a Beretta Cougar 45 on loan from my cousin, should get to shoot it Sunday. I like the design of these guns and the Stoeger prices are great. Any issues with the different finish? My cousin tells me they are painted rather than blued like the Berettas were. True? Comments?

Well I think we found a winner. She got the P30, which was almost twice our original budget, but well worth it. I told her if she changes her mind about this one then she's on her own because I'm not letting it go anywhere, I ALMOST got this gun instead of my XD but decided I had to have the 45.

We bought it from a gun store / outdoor range so we walked right over to test it out. She fired off two rounds and turned to me smiling ear-to-ear and very calmly says "I LOVE this gun!". She shot about 150 more, I shot about 50. She really is in love with her gun now, I'm very happy for her. Today was a good day.

It sounds like you found the right one for her. Hopefully she continues to enjoy it just as much

Originally Posted by themayer78

p.s. Beefy, you guys still happy with that Stoeger? I currently have a Beretta Cougar 45 on loan from my cousin, should get to shoot it Sunday. I like the design of these guns and the Stoeger prices are great. Any issues with the different finish? My cousin tells me they are painted rather than blued like the Berettas were. True? Comments?

We both love the Cougar, but she is insanely in love with it. I joked about getting right of it one time and I thought she was going to rip my eyeballs out It shoots great and we haven't had a single problem. We have almost 800 rounds with it and it looks just like it did the day I bought it. But, we can't carry so there's really no reason for there to be any damage on the finish. Once we get home from the range, I clean the guns and the Cougar goes back in its case. The finish looks great and seems to be very durable, but it hasn't been tested by any means as far as carry/holster wear is concern. As far as it being painted and not blued, these Cougars are made on the EXACT same machinery as the Beretta models were. The guns are pretty much exactly the same besides the name stamped on the side. Mine even came with Beretta mags. Beretta owns Stoeger, and the guns are the same they were then, just cheaper. I got a great deal on this Stoeger. They raised the price on it $80 while mine was sitting in the back waiting for my permit to purchase to arrive. I say if you like it and you're considering buying one, then go for it. I really like the feel of it and she loves it. Hope that helps

-Jeff-

Glad to hear your liking the Stoeger, my cousin LOVES his. I did get to shoot it today and I have to say this is why they make different guns, I like my XD more. The Cougar is a real nice gun it just doesn't fit me as well. I now have 1200 through the XD, what a gun. Is your girl new to shooting or just new to the Cougar? My wife is new to shooting and she's loving it. It's nice to be married to such a cool girl, there is something hot about watching her shoot and seeing her get so enthusiastic about it.

I'll get some pics up next week, I'm leaving for NYC in about 3 hours.

She is totally new to shooting and the Stoeger Cougar was the first handgun she ever shot. She's shot a couple others now but still loves the Stoeger. I'm glad she does because I just want to see her happy. It's also great because she's an all-time range partner. She's always more than willing to go and even WANTS to go almost all the time when we actually have the time (provided I buy the ammo ). It's a lot of fun seeing her get so excited, and she's actually becoming a damn good shot.

-Jeff-