Just bought my first handgun - XD9 - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

PolsVoice · 04-23-2008, 09:31 PM

A good friend took me shooting a couple of weeks ago and I was hooked. Shot a couple of glocks, a ruger, AK-47 and an AR-15? and had an absolute blast! Previous to this, my gun experience was limited to rifles, sporting clays, hunting, and a little bit of black-powder shooting.

So I decide I'm gonna buy a gun.

Go to the local range/gunshop, try out two guns at a time to compare side-by-side until I find the one that I shoot best and feels best to me.

Tried the G17 and G19 to see if I wanted to go full-size or compact. Stuck with the G17. I didn't like not having my pinky securely on the grip (I've got big paws!) Then I compared the G17 to the H&KUSP9 and went with H&K, liking its weight, safeties, and I shot a bit tighter group with it.

Next up was the XD9 and I almost instantly fell in love with the way it felt in my hand. It shot better and felt better than the H&K and, to make a long story short, after shooting the XD side-by-side with the G-17, Sig 226, and a Beretta 92F, the XD was the one that felt and functioned the best for me.

I like the safeties, the way that it's a bit heavier with more weight on top (makes it feel more balanced). It points more naturally almost to where I don't feel I need sights. 16 rounds/mag is nice, too.

I almost went with the glock, but only because they have .22 conversion kits that would make shooting and practicing regularly far more economical... but I hear that Advantage Arms is working on an XD conversion kit that's due to be out sometime 2008.

No buyer's remorse here... but I did have a small heart attack after seeing the bill from my rental fees and ammo. Still, I believe it was worth it to know that I'm getting the right gun for me.

- Pols

NYSEGuy · 04-23-2008, 09:39 PM

Congrats man! I get to pick mine up tomorrow after waiting since last week... You're gonna fall in love with it!

Broadside · 04-23-2008, 09:58 PM

Congrats on the purchase, now its just ammo and range time. If it's your first handgun you might consider some formal handgun training. It's cheap about ~$50 for a few hours and a lot of fun.

apbrian112 · 04-23-2008, 10:10 PM

good choice! my first pistol was a xd9 service (production class)... and tomorrow i pick up my xd40 tactical (for L-10) from jail (CA dros)... in between the 2 i pick up a HK USP9 F and like that as well.

just curious to know which size you went with (ie: SC, service, tactical, compact)

PolsVoice · 04-23-2008, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apbrian112

just curious to know which size you went with (ie: SC, service, tactical, compact)

I went with a 4" service model. Since I'm not too interested in carry, the tactical was really tempting but ultimately I liked the balance of what I picked.

Also, in the back of my mind I'm thinking that maybe just maybe I'll want to carry someday. After all, rights that go unexercised have a way of becoming privileges.

... plus I live in Texas.

I'm a tall guy and I think I might just be able to conceal this one, although the idea of having a piece of metal jutting into my side all day sounds uncomfortable and I've been told that shoulder holsters are only for Floridiot detectives and make about as much sense as a groundhog with his hole broke.

cypress · 04-23-2008, 10:35 PM

Congratulations on the XD9! I went through a similar shopping process. Decided on the tactical for my first handgun, and I love it. Ofcourse you are right about starting to think about carrying. Now I'm trying to put together my wish list for the perfect carry.

I took a NRA basic pistol course sponsored by a local club and felt it was well worth it. It only cost me for the $7.00 book and 50 rounds of ammo. I'm going to take a second defensive course in June for about $50 which is not bad either.

Have fun with the XD!

Doc 3773 · 04-23-2008, 10:37 PM

Congrats. I did the same thing you did, tried a Glock, M&P, Tarus. Didn't shoot all of them. But after handling them the XD9 service was the one. Went to the range and rented one loved it went back to gun shop and bought one. After about 1000 rounds not one problem. The only thing for CCW gets alittle heavy after awhile. I, carry it IWB right hip.

Poolside · 04-24-2008, 04:47 AM

I am also the very satisfied new owner of the XD-9. I too tried several different pistols, but alway kept coming back to the XD. I don't know about carrying it, because I'm skinny and there's not much room to conceal it. If I carry, it is going to be my 38 spcl. Much more concealable.

**mhillsing23** · 04-24-2008, 06:22 AM

Congrats on the new XD! Those rental bills do suck, but having the peace of mind that you chose the right gun for you is worth every penny!

04-23-2008, 09:31 PM	#1
PolsVoice XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Irving, TX Posts: 522	Just bought my first handgun - XD9 A good friend took me shooting a couple of weeks ago and I was hooked. Shot a couple of glocks, a ruger, AK-47 and an AR-15? and had an absolute blast! Previous to this, my gun experience was limited to rifles, sporting clays, hunting, and a little bit of black-powder shooting. So I decide I'm gonna buy a gun. Go to the local range/gunshop, try out two guns at a time to compare side-by-side until I find the one that I shoot best and feels best to me. Tried the G17 and G19 to see if I wanted to go full-size or compact. Stuck with the G17. I didn't like not having my pinky securely on the grip (I've got big paws!) Then I compared the G17 to the H&KUSP9 and went with H&K, liking its weight, safeties, and I shot a bit tighter group with it. Next up was the XD9 and I almost instantly fell in love with the way it felt in my hand. It shot better and felt better than the H&K and, to make a long story short, after shooting the XD side-by-side with the G-17, Sig 226, and a Beretta 92F, the XD was the one that felt and functioned the best for me. I like the safeties, the way that it's a bit heavier with more weight on top (makes it feel more balanced). It points more naturally almost to where I don't feel I need sights. 16 rounds/mag is nice, too. I almost went with the glock, but only because they have .22 conversion kits that would make shooting and practicing regularly far more economical... but I hear that Advantage Arms is working on an XD conversion kit that's due to be out sometime 2008. No buyer's remorse here... but I did have a small heart attack after seeing the bill from my rental fees and ammo. Still, I believe it was worth it to know that I'm getting the right gun for me. - Pols __________________ "Rights that go unexercised have a way of becoming privileges" Springfield XD9 Service Weatherby Vanguard 7mm-08 Remington 11-87 AK47 - Romy G. Kawai BL-51 Last edited by PolsVoice; 04-23-2008 at 09:34 PM.

04-23-2008, 09:58 PM	#3
Broadside XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,935	Congrats on the purchase, now its just ammo and range time. If it's your first handgun you might consider some formal handgun training. It's cheap about ~$50 for a few hours and a lot of fun. __________________ XD - 9 Subcompact XD - 357 Service w/ SA Custom Carry Pro Pkg SA - Mil Spec 1911 A1

04-23-2008, 10:35 PM	#6
cypress XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Central PA Posts: 527	Congratulations on the XD9! I went through a similar shopping process. Decided on the tactical for my first handgun, and I love it. Ofcourse you are right about starting to think about carrying. Now I'm trying to put together my wish list for the perfect carry. I took a NRA basic pistol course sponsored by a local club and felt it was well worth it. It only cost me for the $7.00 book and 50 rounds of ammo. I'm going to take a second defensive course in June for about $50 which is not bad either. Have fun with the XD! __________________ This aggression will not stand, man. - The Dude Quit Smokeless Network

04-23-2008, 10:37 PM	#7
Doc 3773 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Dbrn Hgts, MI Posts: 129	Congrats. I did the same thing you did, tried a Glock, M&P, Tarus. Didn't shoot all of them. But after handling them the XD9 service was the one. Went to the range and rented one loved it went back to gun shop and bought one. After about 1000 rounds not one problem. The only thing for CCW gets alittle heavy after awhile. I, carry it IWB right hip. __________________ XD 9 Service Walther P22 wifes S&W 642

04-24-2008, 06:22 AM	#9
mhillsing23 XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: +38 26 31 -90 22 48 Posts: 3,177	Congrats on the new XD! Those rental bills do suck, but having the peace of mind that you chose the right gun for you is worth every penny! __________________ Governments tend not to solve problems, only to rearrange them. - Ronald Wilson Reagan

04-23-2008, 09:39 PM	#2
NYSEGuy XDTalk Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 31	Congrats man! I get to pick mine up tomorrow after waiting since last week... You're gonna fall in love with it!

04-23-2008, 10:10 PM	#4
apbrian112 XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 18	good choice! my first pistol was a xd9 service (production class)... and tomorrow i pick up my xd40 tactical (for L-10) from jail (CA dros)... in between the 2 i pick up a HK USP9 F and like that as well. just curious to know which size you went with (ie: SC, service, tactical, compact)

04-24-2008, 04:47 AM	#8
Poolside XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Boca Raton, Florida Posts: 19	I am also the very satisfied new owner of the XD-9. I too tried several different pistols, but alway kept coming back to the XD. I don't know about carrying it, because I'm skinny and there's not much room to conceal it. If I carry, it is going to be my 38 spcl. Much more concealable.

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