Thoughts on a new Pistol

Planning on grabbing up a new pistol for a hunting sidearm when I get back from deployment and move back to the states.

So far, I'm looking at the Ruger SR9 and the Springfield Armory XDm as possibilities, leaning a lot more towards the .40 XDm though, but I can't find anyone who has owned or shot either one, so looking for a little insight from someone who is a bit more knowledgeable in that area than myself.

I had a Springfield XD-40 for a while, wasn't a bad gun, and I'm sure it'd be fine as a hunting sidearm. I ended up selling mine to buy something more compact for concealed carry.

SA XDm - http://www.the-m-factor.com/specs_2.html

Ruger SR9 - http://www.ruger.com/products/sr9/index.html

What are you wanting to hunt?

Keep in mind that both of those are service pistols. A service pistol is designed for last ditch self-defense against a very close range human sized target. If you're asking it to hunt a deer sized animal at typical hunting ranges, you're asking the tool to do something it wasn't designed to do. Think of it like using a hammer to paint a wall. There are better tools for that job.

It won't be my primary weapon for hunting by any means. I hunt a lot of Whitetail in northern Michigan and Kentucky, and some Javelina (sp?) around western Texas. It's more of a self defense piece, for Coyote, Wolves and the stubborn ass pigs that like to get a little too close for my Martin bow or my 30/30.

Okay. That makes sense. About ten years ago, I learned to carry a sidearm when hunting as a backup.

I was working my way into the woods long before sunrise and all I had was my BAR. I came over a ridge and heard a pack of wild hogs down in the holler. Being so dark, I couldn't see them but I could damn sure hear them and they were a lot closer than I wanted them to be. If they'd found me and charged me, I'd have never gotten my rifle up in time to fire.

While I like the .40S&W cartridge for use at work and in a personal defense situation, I don't carry one as a backup while hunting. I'm not worried about coyotes so much as I am wild pigs and black bear. I need something a little more stout for the last two. I carry a Smith & Wesson 629 Mountain Gun.

Thanks for the input El, that S&W is a pretty damn sexy gun! I was looking at something similar at first, but I think I prefer an autoloader instead of a revolver. Personal preference more than anything, as I'll be the first to admit I know next to nothing about pistols. Any suggestions in that area?

Go out to a range and rent every pistol you can afford to rent. Once you've done your homework, buy whatever you shoot best. A hit with a .22LR bullet is going to be a lot more effective than a .44Mag bullet that misses.

Point taken, and I guess it's the only way that makes sense to figure out what I'm decent enough with and feels right in the hand.


Appreciate all the input El!

I'm biased because I'm an American and I like to do everything big. Big house, big truck, big boat, and big guns.

I hunt Whitetail Deer with a .45-70 because you never know when you'll be ambushed by a rabid Buick Deuce-and-a-Quarter. I carry a .44 Mag revolver as a backup.

But, I've been shooting big bores and magnum calibers longer than a lot of WordForgers have been alive. You take a guy that's only ever shot a .223, .270, or .22-250 and he's gonna blow his shoulder off if he just jumps to a .45-70 or 7mm Mag. The difference is comparable to a .410 loaded with #8 shot and switching to a 10ga Nitro Mag.

Glock 22

'nuff said....

I love my XD40. I always carry it hunting, specifically for any animals that might try to attack me up close. Spare parts are available, and there are tons of guides on youtube. I feel like we've had different experiences with the same gun frontline! Sorry, not trying to undermine you at all, I respect you as a shooter.

Next year, though, I am planning on carrying my 1911 as my sidearm while hunting. A 1911 in .45 ACP is a great gun against an unarmored target.

if you want an auto, stay the hell away from the S&W Sigma series, although i do Reccomend the .40S&W, it's signifigantly more powerful than the 9mm withouth the harder recoil of the .45, that said i carry an MPA M-10, but i'm a crazy bastard

What did you, or will you, replace your XDm with Frontline?

And I was originally looking at the XD40 as my primary choice, I just like the interchangeable grips on the (m) and a few of the safety features and chambered round indicators as well.

Unless it's pressing, you might want to hold off on any new purchases. I have it on fairly good authority that Glock is coming out with a game changer "shortly after the New Year."

I know a guy who uses a Glock chambered in .357 sig as his hog gun. He's taken down a few with it.

I honestly don't know. I'm on a first name basis with the Law Enforcement Glock Distributors for Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, and South Carolina and they don't know either. They're all just crowing that they've been told a "game changer" is coming soon.

If I had to guess, I'd wager a redesign of the pistol grip and removable/adjustable back straps.

What I've read: new frame, changeable backstraps, improved sights, reversible magazine release, ambidextrous slide latch, disassembly without trigger pull.

^Web speak seems to support your guess.

Excellent, but a lot of that already exists. Also, one thing that does concern me is the reversible mag release. They started doing this with the introduction of the Short Frame line of pistols. It was a DoD requirement.

The trick is, the magazines aren't interchangeable. A 21SF magazine will work in a 21SF or a 21. But, a 21 magazine will not work in a 21SF.

You've also got to look at the logistics. Consider Glock's primary customer, LE Agencies, Agencies that have bought millions of magazines that will not work in the new guns. Then you have people like me that have bought dozens of magazines that won't work in the new guns.

Sounds like something that could be irritating to the consumer, but if it's as drastic a change as it seems to be, then it is not so illogical to require new mags for what is a completely new gun.

I'm just betting that part will backfire and Smith will take Glock to the cleaners. Smith wants Glock's LE market baaaaad. If they come in and say I'll sell you M&P's for the same price as the new Glock and I'll just swap you one for one of each of your old magazines, Smith's going to be in like Flynn.

Edit: And before we start talking about operating at a loss. That's what Glock did for years. They actually lost money on Law Enforcement sales via the hefty rebates. But, they did it to get their foot in the door with the community and now it's paid off a thousand fold.

I've been wanting to buy a polymer-framed .45 for a couple of years, but deciding which one is difficult. If I could get it, I'd have the HK 45, but it's not available in California. The Glock 21SF seems a good bet; it's got a slim grip, it holds 10 shots, and I really like Glocks. I've test-fired the Springfield Armory XD45 and was impressed with it, but California's 10 round limit leaves a lot of wasted space in the grip. Finally, my friend has the SW M&P45 which I've found to be solid, accurate, and priced right.

I'll probably wait and see what Glock's coming out with (and whether it will be available in Ca), but unless it's something truly Earth-shaking, I'm going with the M&P45.

That much is certain.

Man, if I had it to do all over again, I would've buy the Glock 21 instead of the Glock 20. I love the 10mm as a cartridge, but the .45 remains the way to go. And I'd have 13 round magazines!

It's the fourth generation Glocks......



Also Glock is still going to be selling 3rd generation guns. They aren't tossing out the old line. Not yet anyway.

I got this from Glock Talk:

It's possible that the SF designation is different from what current SF Glocks are. In other words if this guy says they told him they could use all the old mags then I don't see why not. It would be a huge mistake for Glock to make the gun not able to hold the old mags.

yet more pics:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=134778&id=147550831588

As I'm in the process of leaving Glock behind and switching solely to 1911's, P220's, and derivatives this isn't something I'd want to buy. It doesn't jump out as me as a must have.