Greetings! And looking for some opinions.

[remond]

Well first post, so greetings XDtalk forum!


I'm just going to jump right in to things.

I am in the market for a 9mm that will be a bit of an all-around pistol; mostly because I don't see the point in buying a gun that is only really good for one thing.

That means range, possibly ccw, home defense and so on.

I already have a lovely Kimber Custom TLE II, so I 'm not interested in another .45...for the moment.

What I'm really looking for is a good double-stack 9mm that will fit my above criteria. So, naturally, that means I'm looking for a mid-sized 9.

Glocks are pretty much out because I don't like them. If I stumbled upon a new one that was under 400 I might consider it, but that's a pretty firm /might/.

I'm a little wary of the XD-M because of where they are manufactured. It has nothing to do with 'region stability' as has been quoted in a stickied thread, but rather that when I think of solid manufacturing states.....well, Croatia isn't really up there. If they were manufactured in Ukraine I'd think differently, but well, that's another topic.

I'm 6'2" and a fit 185, so I have pretty good options when it comes to concealing (if I choose to).

So, that leaves my options pretty wide open, but a little -too- open.

Here's a list of a few pistols I'm looking at:

Sig sp2022

Sig 229

XD-M 3.8 (I'm wary of them, but I haven't written them off entirely)

Walther PP90 AS

HK P3000

S&W M&P (Maybe....)



And there might be more I can't think of at the moment. The price range here is pretty wide: 400-700.

My main question is: Are the higher cost pistols listed REALLY worth the extra ~300?

As I understand it the only real difference between polymer and metal frames is overall weight and cost per unit. I haven't been able to find any info on whether or not polymer frames will wear down any quicker than a metal frame.

For example: Is the overall performance and durability of a 229 going to be $300 better than a sp2022?

I have read in a lot of different reviews that the 2022 has the best trigger Sig offers, but that the 229 handles better.

Needless to say the reviews and my personal experience are conflicting.

I have been able to handle and fire all but the Walther and the S&W. Unfortunately I wasn't able to fire each pistol enough to get a proper feel for them and I didn't fire them side-by-side.

Sum up:

I have done a lot of research, I have actually handled and shot most of the guns listed. The research offers conflicting views of each pistol (shocking, I know), so I figured I'd write all this out and just ask.

If anyone can offer any solid advice you will have my gratitude. And possibly some cookies if you live in near West Palm

[Ridge]

You owe it to yourself to give the XDM a very good look. It's a very high quality gun. Croatia was a concern of mine as well but I have never thought twice about it since buying. I have the XDM 3.8 9mm full size and love it. Sounds like the compact is exactly what you're looking for.

I'm not trying to talk you into it, just make sure you at least try one compared to the others you're looking at.

And welcome from Ohio!

[remond]

The 3.8 compact comes with 19 round mags, right?

It's one of the ones I considered, though I don't think I've actually handled the compact.

Grabagun.com Springfield XDM CMP 9MM 3.8" BLK 19RD Online Gun Store

That one?

It looks to be about the same size as the standard 3.8, or is the picture just misleading?


And on a different note:

Does anyone think/know of any sites that might offer some good Independence Day deals on an xdm?

[Ridge]

Originally Posted by remond

The 3.8 compact comes with 19 round mags, right?

It's one of the ones I considered, though I don't think I've actually handled the compact.

Grabagun.com Springfield XDM CMP 9MM 3.8" BLK 19RD Online Gun Store

That one?

It looks to be about the same size as the standard 3.8, or is the picture just misleading?


And on a different note:

Does anyone think/know of any sites that might offer some good Independence Day deals on an xdm?

Yes. That's the beauty of it. You'll see the line towards the bottom of the grip. That's the extension. You get two guns in one. The 19 round mag and extension makes it the same size as the full size, the smaller mag makes it a compact.

Looks like a pretty good deal too. I've purchased from them. Good company.

You really should try one first though since you're undecided.

[remond]

Originally Posted by Ridge

Yes. That's the beauty of it. You'll see the line towards the bottom of the grip. That's the extension. You get two guns in one. The 19 round mag and extension makes it the same size as the full size, the smaller mag makes it a compact.

Looks like a pretty good deal too. I've purchased from them. Good company.

You really should try one first though since you're undecided.

Ahh, I see...that is quite handy.


I'm going to wait until the fourth of july before I make my purchase...mostly because it's also my cake day (birthday), but also because if there's going to be a better deal on any of the guns it's going to be around that time.

Thanks for the heads up on that.

[RobzXD]

Not sure why you left Glock off the list, as the G19 is a great multipurpose/all-around 9mm. I carried the G19 for about 20 yrs before I got my G-26 and the G19 is still a favorite range gun.

Also not sure why you're wary of the XDM9 or XDM9c. The XDM9c carries great with the flush mag and the 19 round Extended mag is great for the range (or vehicle). My XDM9c is my other favorite range gun and is what I use for my Club matches.

I didn't care for the Sig 229, but Like/Dislike can be very subjective.

The best thing to do is to find a range that rents (or some people in your area that has) the pistols on your short list and try them yourself.

[Brickboy240]

Any reasons why you are not looking at the Glock 19 or the Walther PPQ?

- brickboy240

[remond]

I just don't like Glocks is all. One of those things I can't quite put my finger on, but when I hold it it just doesn't feel 'right'.

I had considered the glock 23 and a 229 in .357 for other caliber choices, but the price, commonality, and reasonably similar ballistics of high-end loads (ie the ones I'd be carrying) of a 9mm made me axe that idea. When I picked up a glock and I couldn't get it to feel right I axed them altogether as an option.

I have, at one time or another, shot pretty much every pistol on my list. I've handled probably about 50 or 60 different platforms in rifles, shotguns and pistols. Though that'll happen when your dad introduces you to firearms at 8. I have only recently started to build my own collection, so I'm taking it slow and researching as much as I can.

I think for right now I'm going to narrow my 9mm choices to the 3.8 compact and the Sigs.

Those are the three that are likely to go on sale in the next few months. In the meantime I'm going to try to find a 3.8 compact to fire, but if I can't then I'll probably end up picking up whichever pistol I can find the best deal on first.

[remond]

Originally Posted by Brickboy240

Any reasons why you are not looking at the Glock 19 or the Walther PPQ?

- brickboy240

I'd consider the PPQ along with the AS. I had just heard that of the PP-series the PP90 AS is the stand-out.

Another problem would be actually finding a PPQ I could handle and fire.

I suppose the Gander Mountain near me would have one, but I'm not super interested in getting harassed in to buying from them. I'd rather buy online or from a smaller store. The former for better prices and the latter to support smaller businesses.

[RobzXD]

Originally Posted by remond

I just don't like Glocks is all. One of those things I can't quite put my finger on, but when I hold it it just doesn't feel 'right'.

Oh yeah... I forget that some just don't like the grip angle, or the general feel of the Glocks. You either like it, or hate it.

I think for right now I'm going to narrow my 9mm choices to the 3.8 compact and the Sigs.

Those are the three that are likely to go on sale in the next few months. In the meantime I'm going to try to find a 3.8 compact to fire, but if I can't then I'll probably end up picking up whichever pistol I can find the best deal on first.

Oh yeah... Come Sept (or there about), Springfield will probably do their Gear-Up promotion again. In the past, if you buy between Sept-Nov, they'll send 3 extra mags and mag holster... About a $100 value.