trying to buy my 1st handgun

hello all, I am new to handguns and I am trying to own my own handgun now that I am 21. I'm used to rifles and such since my dad has a few and I am in the army.

I went looking yesterday and was really fond of the Springfield xD .40 S&W. Is this a good choice? What are your opinions and does anybody have any advice on other types of handguns?

Also my wife will need to be able to use it. I want something for self defense on the road or something for my apartment and so my wife can use it while im deployed?

Thanks in advance for any and all information!

I love my XD's as do many other people on these boards. I looked at the Glocks and the XD's, but I liked the feel of the XD's better. My Service model is also our (my girlfriend and I) HD weapon. You really cannot go wrong with the XD in my opinion. If you can, shoot one and many others before you make your decision. If not, then go with the one that feels best.

-Jeff-

The XD's a fine pistol, but consider it in 9mm rather than .40. Ammo is much less expensive, and the lighter-recoiling round will be easier for both you and your wife to handle. 9mm is perfectly adequate for defense when you load with good modern JHPs.

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Originally Posted by Mike Barham

The XD's a fine pistol, but consider it in 9mm rather than .40. Ammo is much less expensive, and the lighter-recoiling round will be easier for both you and your wife to handle. 9mm is perfectly adequate for defense when you load with good modern JHPs.

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Mike beat me to it in recommending the 9mm over the .40. I have the XD40 and I know my wife would never want to shoot it because the .40 is snappy. My XD9SC would be the one she's have in a HD situation. Ammo here is running about $8 cheaper per box of WWB, which equals more range time for both of you.

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Originally Posted by CDemarais

I went looking yesterday and was really fond of the Springfield xD .40 S&W. Is this a good choice? What are your opinions and does anybody have any advice on other types of handguns?

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Although the XD is not my cup of caffeinated beverage of asian origin, they are a very good pistol and would indeed make a good choice. As for other types - you might look at the Glock 19, the FN9, the S&W M&P9, the Walther P99, and the Sigs in their many permutations. One nice thing about the S&W and the Walther are the interchangeable backstraps, which might help to fit the wifey a bit better. I think there is also a newer Sig that does the same thing. All of the above also comes in smaller versions, in case you plan to one day carry (the XD does as well).

+1 on the 9mm suggestion as well.....

PhilR.

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Originally Posted by PhilR.

Although the XD is not my cup of caffeinated beverage of asian origin..
PhilR.

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PhilR, what the heck does all that have to do with the price of a cup of caffeinated beverage of asian origin? :anim_lol: jk

@CDemarais I'd recommend the 9mm as well. I think people sometimes buy too much gun to start off with. Learn/teach your wife the basics with 9mm or heck, even a .22, then move up to heavier calibers.


Zhur

<---- newbie here....

what do you mean by interchangeable back straps

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Originally Posted by CDemarais

<---- newbie here....

what do you mean by interchangeable back straps

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The backstrap is the rearward portion of the grip where the grip meets your palm/base of thumb. Some guns come with inter-changeable straps to allow for different hand sizes or a more custom fit. Check out the pic of the HK P30 on the home page. It shows the interchangeable straps for the grip.

Essentially, an insert on the back of the grip can be removed and replaced with smaller/larger inserts to make the gun suitable for different hand sizes.

EDIT: Wyatt and I posted simultaneously. What he said. :mrgreen:

aahh ok that makes sense thank you...umm does anyone know why my georgia state flag isn't the georgia state flag..

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Originally Posted by Mike Barham

Essentially, an insert on the back of the grip can be removed and replaced with smaller/larger inserts to make the gun suitable for different hand sizes.

EDIT: Wyatt and I posted simultaneously. What he said. :mrgreen:

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Let it be known I'm a faster draw than you. Of course, you were drawing from your ankle rig while I was at low ready. :anim_lol:

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Originally Posted by Wyatt

Let it be known I'm a faster draw than you. Of course, you were drawing from your ankle rig while I was at low ready. :anim_lol:

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Since you live in California, I will assume you will be making all draws from a gun safe. :mrgreen:

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Originally Posted by Mike Barham

Since you live in California, I will assume you will be making all draws from a gun safe. :mrgreen:

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And since I have to unlock the gun once accessed, retrieve the ammo from a different safe, register the ammo and notify the AG and local sheriff that I am combining the bullets with the gun, it illustrates just how fast I am. Assuming he got caught, the BG is already up for parole for breaking into my house by the time I'm ready to defend myself. :smt082 If I'm lucky I'll have drawn by the time he attempts to rob me again.

9mm XD subcompact...get it. Damn fine gun. Easy to shit, fits well in your hand, cost isn't too bad ($500 here) and with the extended mag it's a great range gun as well.

I just bought one yesterday. I'm going to install the Powder River basic striker safety lever kit. Only $35 with shipping and it decreases trigger travel and reset. I'll probably also add some Trijicon night sights.

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Originally Posted by Joeywhat

9mm XD subcompact...get it. Damn fine gun. Easy to shit,

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No matter how hard I try, I just can't imagine an XD as being easy to pass, even with a stool softener....

PhilR.

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Originally Posted by Joeywhat

9mm XD subcompact...get it. Damn fine gun. Easy to shit, fits well in your hand, cost isn't too bad ($500 here) and with the extended mag it's a great range gun as well.

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:anim_lol::anim_lol::anim_lol::anim_lol::anim_lol: :anim_lol::anim_lol::anim_lol::anim_lol:

ROFL...that would probably hurt...

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Originally Posted by Todd

...my wife would never want to shoot it because the .40 is snappy.

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I'm new to a lot of the lingo, and have never shot a .40. Could someone define "snappy"?

Thanks.

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Originally Posted by fish_tattoo

I'm new to a lot of the lingo, and have never shot a .40. Could someone define "snappy"?

Thanks.

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It's referring to how much the muzzle jumps after each shot. Even if the muzzle only jumps a short distance overall, it might still feel harsh and...snappy. Like it's being snapped upwards violently.

On the other hand a .45 tends to feel more like a push. It feels slower and less violent, although the felt recoil is actually more powerful then the .45.

When all is said and done I believe that the first handgun should be a
22lr..The light recoil and cheap ammo all go a long way in learning how to shoot a handgun without picking up bad habits along the way..
It could serve as a home defense gun untill all are ready for a larger caliber
and still be used as a fun gun later..

Meh... all guns are snappy compared to shooting your remote control at your TV. The .40 isn't snappy like it will break your wrist off and punch you in your face with your own fist snappy. The .40 is controllable if you grip the pistol right. Go for the XD40 Tactical model. It's the 5" barrel. It's a breeze to shoot. I had an XD40 Service (4") and it felt very close to the XD9 Subcompact (3") model at the range. In other words, the ammo isn't the only factor to consider. The barrel length and overall weight make quite a bit of difference too. Don't rule out the .40. You might find a good deal on an XD40.

you don't want a .40 in an apartment environment
walls are too thin
yes to all the readers - all the guns are powerful but let's minimize the probabilbity of hitting someone in the other room

is your wife strong?
can she rack the slide on a semiauto?
if so then get a 9mm either glock or XD
there are several manufacturers of bullets that are frangible or "safety" to stop quickly
if she cannot...
then get a revolver: either a S&W .357/38special or a 44mag/44special
HAVE HER USE the 38specials OR THE 44specials. they are mild and a lot of fun to shoot.
The 357 and 44mag is for your own personnal fun ourside of the apartment- hehe
these two have a lot of versatility in terms of energy - they cover all the bases

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Originally Posted by hideit

you don't want a .40 in an apartment environment
walls are too thin

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That doesn't really matter. Pretty much ALL rounds suitable for defense will sail through multiple interior walls - .38, .357, 9mm, .40, .45, whatever. All you can count on with any of them, if using good HPs, is that they will stay in a human being with a center hit. They'll all go through walls.

Make the hits on the bad guy.

Get a XD in 9mm and have fun!

I second (3rd or 4th) the 9mm...I just bought an XD9 service...It is a breeze to shoot...I had an XD40 SC and it had flip as I compare it to my XD45 Service...The 45 definitely has a backwards push...it is controllable and I shoot the 45 better than I ever shot the 40...The 9 I just got...

I shot a SC .40 Glock and shot it pretty well, but the short grip bothered my strong hand middle finger...

Racking the slide is definitely something to consider for her...My girlfriend can barely rack the slide on the 9 or the 45 (same as when she tried the 40)...

Willy