Good to see a guy with "Beretta" in his name who's OK with a Ruger.

Smitty,
You are right on the mark in my opinion as far as looking for a range to fire at. I strongly recommend that you find a range the rents pistols to be fired at their range. This will give you a chance to fire a weapon and see how it feels, in your hand and also when you fire it. One thing to remember when you are carrying for self defense, if you have to pull your weapon out of the holster, you may have time to get two rounds fired before the individual is on top of you. The way I was taught, even after 20 years in the Marine Corps, is to go with the highest caliber you feel comfortable with. Its not how many rounds you carry in the weapon that matters, its your ability to place the shot in the kill zone when required. I have carried a .45 and I have also carried a 9mm. Both were GLOCKS, I am currently thinking hard about purchasing a SIG P220R (.45) on November 1st. I like the .45 for its knock down power but lets face it, you should carry what you can best fire and be comfortable with. I hear people say "I like ....... in case I miss the round won't travel far). If you continue to practice at the range, you will know your ability and training will come into play just like it did in the military when (pray it never happens) you have to pull your weapon and fire it in self defense. Remember, firing under a stressful situation is alot different than just firing at paper at the range. OK, WITH ALL THAT SAID, DO SOME RESEARCH AND FIRE A 9mm, .40, AND A .45. WHICH EVER YOU FEEL MOST COMFORTABLE FIRING, BUY THAT ONE. Semper Fi !!!!!

Hmmmmmmmmmmm.....the slide stop not working is probably not a good thing. Yes with a new gun springs are tight and so on but the slide stop should work with the mag in or out loaded or unloaded. Anyways.

I just purchased three M&P's. The .22 pistol, the full size 9mm and the Shield in 9mm. Two of the three have arrived the Shield is due in this week. Any of your choices are good ones. I shoot and carry some of everything but find myself liking the M&P's more and more.

In regards to sights. Some like adjustable sights on a SD gun but the question always comes up "Do you need them?". The simplest answer is probably not. Combat accuracy and target accuracy are two different things. Fixed sights tend to be more rugged and take abuse better than adjustable sights. I have adjustable night sights on my 1911 simply because I use the gun for longer range accuracy work on occasion. Once you get your gun there are dozens of after market sights to choose from.

It all goes back to what you like.

cant go wrong with the XD-40

If I could afford it, I would have one of each

Originally Posted by Smitty79

Good to see a guy with "Beretta" in his name who's OK with a Ruger.

I recently purchased a 9mm CZ 75 P07 Duty. Comes new with 2 16 round mags. It is a polymer frame, but feels plenty substantial in my hands. I will let you read the specs on it if you care to. It is one of my home defense options and a joy to take down to the range for some target shooting.

Originally Posted by Smitty79

I shot lots of 22 rim fire, with my own rifle, as a kid. I qualified with a 1911 and M-14 many times in the service, though I never really carried one much. I would like to have one hand gun that can do all of the following:

Can be concealed carried (I am a chubby 6'2")
Would be effective for home defense. I know a shot gun or revolver is generally considered better for home defense.
Would be useful in an out of the house defense issue. Why I don't take the shotgun or revolver. I know that in a firefight lots of bullets in the magazine is useful.
Fun to go to range and put holes in paper with. Semiauto more fun at range than shotgun or revolver (Unless it's a Desert Eagle, which I can't afford to shoot)

I am thinking that a compact Glock or Springfield XD is where I wind up. 9mm or .40 cal.

While I was a better than average shot in the service, I think I should take a class. I would also like to find a place where I can shoot a variety of weapons and take a good hand gun class.

Thoughts?

Anyone know a good place to try handguns and take a good class near Portland Oregon?

Smitty:

You are asking too much of one gun.

A full size will out do a pocket size gun at the range but the full size is too big to conceal in the warm months unless you like wearing a jacket in 100 degree weather.

I have bought and sold two ccws until I settled on the M&P Shield 9mm as my all weather ccw.

Bottom line ofr me I wanted a ccw that went bang everytime. The Kahr CM9 and Beretta Nano was hit and miss the Shield for me is more reliable with all types of ammo.

Is it the perfect weapon for all occasions, NO. It lacks a rail for a light which could come in handy for home defense and a 3 inch barrel is never going to be as accurate as a 4 inch barrel. However, I bought the Shield 9mm for protection, concealment and reliability and for 7 yard shots I can hit consistently the kill zone of a target and the firearm fits in my front pocket dress slacks and it goes bang everytime. I would say for my specific needs it was a good purchase.

Russ

The M&P slide stop/release will loosen up fairly rapidly. The contact point is fairly sharp initialy and can be polished a bit or allowed to wear in. I have owned 4 to date (9, 40, 45 and 45c)and love them.

If the rear sight is dovetailed, many are, windage can be adjusted. Elevation can be tuned with different height fronts but probably don't need to be for defensive applications.

Three dots are two too many for me. 1 dot or fiber optic on front suits me fine.

Good luck in your choice.

LOVE My PX 40 Sub compact with the pinky finger mag also has a rail for the extra ad on's just fine with 10rds of Gold Sabers and a Uncle Mike's Size 12 in the Pants holster.

one gun to do everything takes a lot of compromising
for instance: big full size for hunting isn't convienient for concealed carry but ok for home defense
the question is concealed carry - if that is NOT and issue then several guns can be JUST ONE GUN
for instance - 1911, glock 17, Beretta 92fs, S&W 686 (357 and 38 specials), any 44mag (44specials or 44MAG)

if no hunting is involved and you may want to conceal carry, then the compacts and subcompacts are in play.
if you want a lot of bullets in the gun then 9mm guns are the design that you want to look at.
for COST of ammo - 9mms are what you want to look at.
from the mid 1800's to around 1935 when the browning hi power came out almost everything was 6 shots
when CC became a lot more legal then the sub 380's with 6 shots became hugely successful
even glock came out with 6 shot glock 36
now the industry has developed to 6 shot 9mms, to up the power from the 380's
check out the latest G&A magazine - it has an article on 6-7 different 9mm subcompacts

however I am like steve - I may stay with the 380's in beretta 84fs (13 rounds) or the bersa thunder plus (15 rounds)

The winner is:
Ruger BSR 40
40 cal with recoil so soft that it doesn't ever come off target

Any recommendations for bed side gun safe?

Originally Posted by Smitty79

The winner is:
Ruger BSR 40
40 cal with recoil so soft that it doesn't ever come off target

Any recommendations for bed side gun safe?

Would the safe be for your primary home protection weapon, I personally do not use a safe, I would not consider that easy access in a needed situation of a primary weapon for self defense, but every situation is different. It might work for you, I have not really looked at bedside safes myself, maybe they are easily accessible for your needs and your circumstances at home require this mode of gun security,, that is only my opinion. I'm sure you will get some great recommendations on this forum. There are very knowledgable members who can help