looking for first gun suggestions?

[psd_va]

hey guys i'm looking for my first gun and looking for some suggestions. i've had some brands to consider like
-h&k
-kimber
-glock
-springfield

looking for some insight on these and maybe some others

i am wanting a .45cal for a concealed weapon.

[mike125]

I carry an H&K usp compact .45 It is a really nice gun and I have put thousands of rounds thru it. Any of the guns you listed would be good. What it really boils down to is personal preference. What I would suggest is shoot as many of them as you can. Find out what feels best in your hand and what you are most comfortable with. Good luck in your search, it can be challenging.

[2006PSDSD]

Like Mike said, shoot whatever feels good in your hand. I carry a G30SF FWIW, and it's easy to carry for a 45. My Dad and Bro both have the G36 that they really like, but I don't care for the thin grip (single stack mag vs my double stack). If you can afford it, H&K makes a BA weapon as does Kimber

[Bad Mojo]

I'll repeat what has already been said: Try them all, put as many rounds through as many varieties as you can. There's A LOT of physical and mechanical differences between the guns you listed. I'm a big fan of the 1911.

Is there a particular reason you're set on the .45?

[psd_va]

i think i am going to go with the springfield XD 45 acp compact. i am set with the .45 cause of the stoping power for one and a friend of mine convinced me that the price difference between a .40 and .45 is minimal so why not go with the .45

i have been talking to a guy that runs a local gun/police supply store and he said he would sell me the springfield XD 45 acp compact for $550 dose this sound reasonable

[2006PSDSD]

Sounds about right to me

[Bad Mojo]

Originally Posted by psd_va

i think i am going to go with the springfield XD 45 acp compact. i am set with the .45 cause of the stoping power for one and a friend of mine convinced me that the price difference between a .40 and .45 is minimal so why not go with the .45

i have been talking to a guy that runs a local gun/police supply store and he said he would sell me the springfield XD 45 acp compact for $550 dose this sound reasonable

That price isn't bad, you can find them online a bit cheaper.

I'm not trying to talk you out of a .45, but the whole .45 stopping power thing is kind of a moot point with the quality 9mm self defense ammo. A .45 bullet is only 1.4mm larger than a 9mm bullet. A bonded, hollow point bullet into the vitals, be it 9mm or .45, will kill someone as dead as can be. 9mm is cheaper, less recoil, and the guns have higher capacity.

[sly1types]

Originally Posted by Bad Mojo

That price isn't bad, you can find them online a bit cheaper.

I'm not trying to talk you out of a .45, but the whole .45 stopping power thing is kind of a moot point with the quality 9mm self defense ammo. A .45 bullet is only 1.4mm larger than a 9mm bullet. A bonded, hollow point bullet into the vitals, be it 9mm or .45, will kill someone as dead as can be. 9mm is cheaper, less recoil, and the guns have higher capacity.

Agreed for a day to day gun i use a 9mm with holo point hydrashox. I would also think about Sig, they are really nice.

for my carry I use a Taurus PT111 small and has a nice safety...they also come in .45

[HaysKSFirefighter]

I'm with the shoot what you're comfortable with crowd. I carry a Glock 23 40s&w and love it. I'm comfortable shooting it, and am confident if shtf that it will fire every time I pull the boom stick.

I prefer 40 to 9mm for the size of the bullet, I shoot well with both but like the snappyness of the 40. It reminds me of something a friend said a while back when someone asked him why he carried a 45. "Well would you rather get shot with a 9mm or a 45acp?" Guy who asked "9mm" Friend "exactly"

I also second the sig suggestion. They are pricy but very good quality. IMO shoot a bunch of different guns and find something you like and are good with, everyone is different. You could have a judge or a 9mm...both will work, but only if you hit your intended target.

A place to check out online is summitgunbroker.com

He has good prices and a lot of times has used guns and police trade ins that will save you $$

[Bad Mojo]

Originally Posted by HaysKSFirefighter

It reminds me of something a friend said a while back when someone asked him why he carried a 45. "Well would you rather get shot with a 9mm or a 45acp?" Guy who asked "9mm" Friend "exactly"

That's just retarded.

Because a wound caused by a 9mm hollow point is no big deal, but a hollow point out of a .45 will blow a man in half, and knock both halves of him into the next room. Right? Right.