I looked at a Glock compact 40. I didn't like the way it felt. This is going to be my carry weapon, so it's got to be comfotable.

 

Another great weapon to look at (especially for the price) is the taurus 24/7. It won handgun of the year the year before the springield XD. I agree with glocks and the walther as well. I owned a Walther P99 for quite awhile, until that got stolen.

A couple other things to keep in mind, besides "feel". Safety..... how many external safety's does it have? Zero like the glocks, wather P99, Springfield, or does it have one (1911) or more. And of course is this an issue in your opinion. Secondly, if you go with a high end 1911 (Kimber, my favorite, or Springfield, Wilson combat, etc.) they have a tendancy to be a bit jam happy for the first 500-1000 rounds. Basically due to the super tight tolerances and heavy duty springs. Due to this they require a break in period before they can reliably be used for self defense. My Kimber jammed for the first 600-700 rounds, when it got a little dirty or using cheap ammo. Since then it has performed flawlessly, I now have 3000+ rounds through it.

 

My Kimber never has jammed with 1K+ rounds through it. The only problem that happened with mine was a feed problem with a fresh mag. But that only happened once. No problems since then.

 

The feed problem is what I'm actually talking about. I'd say about once a clip, it wouldn't fully chamber a round. Especially with a fresh mag. Like I said, I haven't seen it since the first 6-700 rounds (2-3 trips to the range for me).

 

Yeah, 'cause they're cheap.

The Glock grip angle doesn't fit some people well. They're definitely a love/hate pistol, there's no real middle ground with them.

 

For me, the Glocks are just not comfortable.

 

Buy a Kimber or Springfield 1911. The 1911 has always been & will always be the best hand gun ever made.

KC-10 FE out...

 

If you are going for personal protection the best handgun to buy is a snubnose revolver in the 38/357 chamber. They are perfect for personal protection because 1)the only way the jam is if there is something infront of the hammer
2)most are light weight and easy to conceal
3)most instances of use are point blank and the small size is easier for your hand up shoot reflex
4)you can practice with a .38 but carry a hot .357 load for protection.
And that is what most concealed weapons class teachers will tell you.
I personally carry a smith&wesson 1911 why because I love my baby but she is fully custom, and If im going to shot someone I'm gunna look good doing it

Also the sig sauer 229 in .357sig is awsome I wish I never sold mine. That to me is the best handgun caliber ever made!

 

Someone agrees with me on the revolver .38 specials are cheap for practice, just have it loaded with .357 when you may need it.

 

I respectfully disagree with that. Small frame revolvers are a bitch to shoot well and have lots of bark and bite, especially the .357 models or shooting .38 +P loads - lots of bark and bite that won't inspire the shooter to get out to the range and practice with the durn thing. They have their purpose, but as a primary fighting gun, I think they're a bad idea.

Now, a revolver isn't necessarily a bad idea, but I'd so go up a size, like a Smith 686 sized revolver with a 4" or so barrel on it. The important thing is to get out there and start slinging rounds down range, itty bitty guns that beat you to death shooting them aren't the way to go IMO.

 

Whatever your comfortable shooting is what you want to carry. Dont want to be second guessing yourself when you need to use it.

 

A 4" 686 is the next revolver on my list. A friend of mine has a 1 7/8" .357, i fired it with some hotloaded 357s and it was painfull. I enjoyed shooting a 44 mag more.

 

That is why I said that it is just a personal protection gun. Statistics have proved that most concealed weapons permit holders that have used there weapon in self defense were less than 3 feet from the attacker, and used no more than 2 shots. I too agree with the fact that a snubbie with a hot load is a pain, hince the reason a carry a full size. . . But as far as what is recomended most by concealed teachers and those of the like, you will hear Short barreled revolver in .38/.357 with a shaved down hammer. But I like the feel of a good'ol .45 big round, slow, big thud!

But If you want a "FIGHTING" gun I want a 3 click russian ak-47 with milled receiver a 100 round drum and a 1:10 twist,chrome lined, bird cage ended barrel, Not to much fight when ya got one of those on your gun rack.

 

I bought the S&W M&P compact 40 last night.

 

True, I own Glock, Beretta, Baby Eagle, Ruger and several other pistols. However, the best shooting, most accurate most carryable pistol is the Springfield Armory 1911. I was never a 1911 fan until I bought one. Now I can not see myself buying anything else. Once you own the best, it's tough to shoot the rest.