Can you talk me out of the XDM 3.8" 9mm?

Not necessarily trying to talk to you out of the XDM, but I would go with the M&P compact.

I have owned both. The XDM will have a better feeling trigger out of the box, but drop in some parts from Apex Tactical into the M&P and you have a trigger that blows away anything that you can get on an XDM - for about the same price as the stock XDM.

With that said, both are good guns and you'll be well served by either. I prefer the M&P ergonomics, lower bore axis, and trigger(after Apex parts). I have a complete Springer Precision match trigger in my XDM and it's still not nearly as good as the break on my M&P's.

Reliability is equal and both are very good, reliable guns. If the XDM calls to you more, then go with that one. There is no wrong choice here. Just be sure to share some pics of whatever you go with. ;)

As for CZ... I'm not a fan. I don't deny that they are great guns. The ergonomics just do not work for me at all. That's likely due to me being a huge Sig fan. As a contender against you CZ P01, I would suggest the Sig P229. :p
 
With respect. You could get custom trigger
Work on any gun.

Also worth noting I just watched Colion Noir CZ p01 video and saw a primer strike fail lol what!?!?

Sig seems very nice but very pricey from what I saw but will consider.
 
With respect. You could get custom trigger
Work on any gun.
Click to expand...

Yes, of course you can. But as a simple matter of mechanical design, the XDM trigger will never produce the crisp break of the M&P with Apex parts. They just work differently.

As I said, I have a Springer Precision match trigger in my XDM. It's good. It's just not as good as my M&P's. :)

You're right though. The P229 can be a little pricey. A used one is well worth the money and sometimes you can find then at decent prices. For a standard P229, you're looking around $675-$700 usually.
 
Yeah that's way too much for me.

I'm looking at $600 tops including FFL and shipping but I see what you mean about the trigger.

So many options. Too many.

Need to just buy something and get it over with.
 
If you make it quick, you can still get in on the HK rebate days (good through dec 31).

They are giving a $200 rebate. You can get a USP 9 for $550 after the rebate. Damn hard to beat that.
 
I just bought a XDm 45 3.8.I absolutely love it. The aggressive grip feels good in my hand and the gun points naturally for me. I also carry a Shield 9mm. It is, as others have mentioned, an entirely different gun. If possible, handle both guns at the same time to feel the difference. Have never done more than pickup a CZ at a gun show.
 
"I didn't think it would happen but I guess I'be been talked out of the XDM"

Try not to do this ^^^if you can help it. Find another place where you rent the XDm and possibly a CZ75. Different guns tend to point different for different people.

For me the CZ pointed a lot better than the XDm. But other people will tell me the complete opposite. For a long time, I could not fire my Sig P239 well but I love it now.

Bottom line is you will shoot best the gun that you shoot most. But if this is going to be your first, take your time and find a range that has them for rent.
 
I believe Springfield came out with the XD(M) Mod 2. You should check that pistol out before you make your decision.

My XD(M) 4.5" .40 (and I believe all XDs) retains the striker with a spring pin. So, if I want to clean the striker channel I have to hammer out that pin and then hammer it back in when I'm done. That isn't convenient compared to other designs.

But, I'm getting kind of ahead of things based upon your other posts. It doesn't look like you've settled on a type of trigger let alone a particular gun.

Striker fired pistols, like the XDs, M&Ps, Glocks, et cetera don't have a manual thumb safety. They are simple because they are point and shoot. They generally have a ~5lb trigger.

Single-action pistols are carried "cocked and locked" or "condition 1." People like the fact that you can disable the trigger until you consciously choose to fire the pistol. The only flaw is that sometimes people who aren't proficient with this style of gun can forget to deactivate the safety. They remember to draw and pull the trigger, but they forget to deactivate the thumb safety first. They generally have a ~5lb trigger.

Double-action/single-action pistols are usually carried in "condition 2". Condition 2 is like condition 1 but the hammer is not cocked. These guns have a heavy (~10lb) trigger pull for the first shot and then the hammer is cocked by the slide for all subsequent shots. This lowers the trigger pull of the following shots to a much more manageable ~4lbs. Some people like this type of trigger because you can't "forget the safety" yet you are less likely to unintentionally pop off your first round like you might with a striker fired pistol. Of course, these guns come with the downside of having a long, heavy first trigger pull. That trigger pull and the transition between the heavy trigger pull and light trigger pull can inhibit the accuracy of the shooter.

This is a very personal and important decision you need to make before you can narrow it down to a particular pistol.
 
I'm not much for plastic guns but I do favor the CZ type action. Aside from that, have you looked into the Beretta PX4s?
 
Grrr - I lost a long post because my phone dropped signal unexpectedly.

Anyway, the short version: the the worst thing you can do as a new shooter is to lock yourself in on a particular gun because of reviews or internet chatter. Actually, come to think of it, do your best to filter out the internet chatter. There are partisans for every gun out there, but ultimately, it's all subjective.

Every gun feels and points a little bit differently from the others, and only you can decide what is best suited to you. We can collectively suggest other guns you might have overlooked, but only you can decide if it works.
 
Appreciate all the replies. Obviously idk much. This will be my first semi auto.

Due to that I think striker fired is best. No extra nonsense to worry about and same trigger pull always. (As far as I know) decocker is just another thing to worry about for me with little experience.

After reading these replies I still like the XDM or maybe mod 2.0 but also looking at the CZ and H&K.

Now the H&K has the USP which looks beastly but also the VP9. I think the VP9 looks so much better, it's striker fire AND $200 less than the USP. With their $200 rebate I'm REALLY considering an H&K.

Also considering the PX4 Storm. Those feel perfect in my hand and also have a $75 rebate and pretty affordable.

I guess I have a top 5

XDM (or Mod 2.0)
CZ SP-01
PX4 Storm
H&K VP (or USP)

I know firing first is best and I'm possibly a fool but I'm not gonna be able to try these all out first. Just impossible, especially if I want the New Years rebate. ($200 rebate on H&K is huge)

Also by the time I tried them all I could have paid for the gun.
 
PX4 Storm Compact

If you are considering the PX4, be sure to look at the PX4 Compact. Just a little smaller than the regular version, but that could make a difference if you ever plan to carry concealed.

I have more than 20 pistols/revolvers, and I like them all. But none feel any better in my hand than my Springfield XDs and my Beretta PX4 Compact.
 
I'd give the VP9 a go, just to take advantage of the $200 rebate. I guarantee it'll have great resale value if you don't like it. If not for the rebate, I'd have suggested the Walther PPQ - it's a very similar gun at a very reasonable price (typically $550 or less). If I were to buy a striker-fired gun, I'd take the PPQ.

Two other oft-overlooked striker guns are the Ruger SR9 (at $450, it's one of the best values on the market), and the FNS-9 (the ones with a black finish have a $100 rebate through the end of the year, and I believe Kentucky Gun Company sells them for about $500).

Since this is your first gun, you might also want to take a look at the Sig Sauer P320. What's unique about this gun is it's completely modular - so if you buy the compact model to carry, and you decide you want a full-size for the range or home defense, you can just swap out the upper. Same if you want to upgrade to a .40, etc. I believe the trigger group is what's considered the 'firearm' - everything else can be delivered to your door without filling out the 4473.
 
That's awesome that the p320 can convert to a full size as well as compact. Really awesome actually. I did end up seeing the VP is not included in the rebate and also couldn't find FN giving $100. I'll look more, I did see something about FN 15 coming with a $125 visa.

Anyway this next one is important. While Id love an excuse that doesn't make me look dumb, I simply forgot to mention my carry will be concealed. :/

I'm not opposed to a full sized and the XDM is 3.8" so what's another .2" is the way I look at it but compact may be best. Do not want SUB compact. At the same time I like a full grip, that's why Id need those pinky extensions if I get the XDM.

Still debating and Id love to take advantage of some type of year end rebate but that isn't mandatory.
 
I have the XDm in .45 acp. I liked the idea of having .45 acp and the small size. I also liked the idea of having a grip safety as one extra measure of safety to prevent accidental discharges. However, the stock trigger is garbage in my opinion. Glock's trigger is far superior. I ordered the Precision River kit, but it is a pain to install. It requires a punch set which I have to go out and buy. I put in the replacement striker spring and it has lightened up some, but it isn't nearly as "crisp" as Glock's triggers.
 
@Maddnotez:

Maddnotez said:
XDM (or Mod 2.0)
CZ SP-01
PX4 Storm
H&K VP (or USP)
Click to expand...

I think full-size pistols (CZ SP-01, PX4 Storm) are meant to be in OWB duty holsters, but can be concealed in cold climates. Mid-size/compact pistols (H&K VP9) are easy to conceal in the winter, but they might be too big to conceal in warmer climates. Sub-compact pistols (XD(M) compact or XD Mod 2.0) conceal well in all but the lightest clothing. Small single-stack pistols(XDs single stack, Walther PPS, S&W Shield) are hard to leave at home no matter what clothing you wear.

The height and width of the pistol are what print, the length is hidden below the belt line.

You know your body, how you dress, and what the weather is like where you live. Try to focus on pistols that work for you with those factors in mind.

Without knowing any of that I think your first CCW semi-auto should be an XD(M) compact or XD Mod 2.0. They carry more cartridges than single-stack pistols, they are still easy to conceal, and you can slap higher capacity magazines in them if you don't need them to be as compact as possible that day. i.e. You can always put a bigger magazine in a smaller gun but you can't put a smaller magazine in a bigger gun.
 
@Maddnotez:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Maddnotez
XDM (or Mod 2.0)
CZ SP-01
PX4 Storm
H&K VP (or USP)
I think full-size pistols (CZ SP-01, PX4 Storm) are meant to be in OWB duty holsters, but can be concealed in cold climates. Mid-size/compact pistols (H&K VP9) are easy to conceal in the winter, but they might be too big to conceal in warmer climates. Sub-compact pistols (XD(M) compact or XD Mod 2.0) conceal well in all but the lightest clothing. Small single-stack pistols(XDs single stack, Walther PPS, S&W Shield) are hard to leave at home no matter what clothing you wear.

The height and width of the pistol are what print, the length is hidden below the belt line.

You know your body, how you dress, and what the weather is like where you live. Try to focus on pistols that work for you with those factors in mind.

Without knowing any of that I think your first CCW semi-auto should be an XD(M) compact or XD Mod 2.0. They carry more cartridges than single-stack pistols, they are still easy to conceal, and you can slap higher capacity magazines in them if you don't need them to be as compact as possible that day. i.e. You can always put a bigger magazine in a smaller gun but you can't put a smaller magazine in a bigger gun.
Click to expand...

Good points. I live in MO. It gets hot in the summer.

I'm 34, while I do not "sag" my pants or appear to be that type, I definitely wear loose clothing.

Im 5'7" and maybe 180. Fairly small frame. Definitely short :)

I do keep size in mind and that's what drew me to the XDM to begin with although Another gun I've been looking at is the Taurus 24/7. Reliable according to a friend who owns one and they sell for $300.

It's likely I'll buy another gun down the road and maybe I should get a subcompact for the summer time.
 
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First of all, Maddnotez, I have no appreciable experience with any of the pistols on your short list, so I can't really answer your question. That said, don't worry about being new to these or not knowing much. While some of us may have started with guns earlier than others, we were all newbies at one point or another. I grew up with shotguns, but until about 5 years ago, I knew next to nothing about pistols.
 
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