Strongly considering first handgun - thoughts, please.

I don't have an XD of any kind so no comparison. What I do shoot in IDPA is the MP Pro Series 5" gun in 40SW. It is about the most comfortable, fun-to-shoot gun I own, and it's dead-nuts accurate (I don't think I've seen any handgun made in the last 20 years that isn't, so not much of a discriminator). It just plain feels GOOD to shoot, and to shoot fast.

So...I'd recommend the M&P because I like it a lot and because you suggested it might be easier to get parts for--although I would kind of doubt it's any harder or easier to get parts for either one assuming you're ordering them online.

I don't believe trigger feel or reset feel makes any difference whatsoever in IDPA shooting, except possibly for the 99th percentile shooter. Pretty much the last thing you'll ever notice in action shooting is trigger feel, IMO. That is very easily cleaned up with just the least level of mechanical aptitude a Dremel and a diamond plate, or drop in some Apex parts if you feel it's having an impact on your shooting (I would like to assure you it won't, however).
 
I hate to be "that guy", or one of those guys anyway, but I'm a bit neurotic and I get absolutely obsessive over the tiniest details of a pistol before making a purchase.

In the case of the XD, I can't get past the grip safety or the fact that it went from a 200 dollar pistol to a 500+ dollar pistol just by stamping the SA logo on the gun some years ago. I feel like the quality isn't there. Refer to my username on that one.

For the M&P, I'm a much bigger fan of this one. It's almost perfect for me, except that the grip is too slick for me. My hands sweat a lot and the M&P line leaves me in need of adjusting my grip too often. This can be remedied with a decal grip or custom stippling, but I just don't like either. I'm not sure why, I just prefer the vanilla pistol. The only things I ever swap are sights and factory part kits.

I would go for a Glock or a VP9, personally. I've owned a PPQ in the past but it also slid around in my hand a bit. The VP9 texture is a bit more rough, and that's a main selling point for me. It's what I've been carrying for almost a year now, not long after it came out, and I've been extremely happy with it. I also LOVE Glocks. Super simple, very utilitarian, no issues with the grips for me, tons of options both factory and non, and easily compete with the M&P and XD lines even though they predate them by a long shot.

Just my opinions. Take them for whatever you think they're worth. :)
 
I agree with earlier suggestions to consider a CZ 75 variant or clone of some sort. Customization and tuning are available from Cajun Gun Works and CZ Custom (although you shipping your gun across the border to them or them shipping gun parts to you might be verboten), and there is a good choice of accessories, such as grips. A CZ carrying the Shadow moniker is a pre-tuned "factory" pistol that should be available retail up there.

I believe the winningest IPSC production pistol in recent years is a CZ 75 clone by Tanfoglio.
 
10-rounds maximum is sufficient for self defense if you are trained and practiced.

But I would ask your purpose for the firearm, and suggest you go to the range and shoot various handguns to make your final decision of the one you like, can grip well and hit the mark at 7' to 10'.

If you are looking for target sport, there are many options. Don't rush to purchase because of the appearance on the lighted glass cabinet in the store. Talk to others about their reason for each purchase. Be wise with your money to get the most and adequate features that will make your practice fun.

Ruger LC9S (conceal carry) 7+1
Desert Eagle 1911 45acp 8+1
 
I was at the hospital this morning getting x-rayed for @#$ $©%¢ kidney stones. While waiting a fellow was looking at me oddly then asked if I worked for CZ-USA. I realized I was wearing my CZ-USA ball cap.

He told me in the late '90s he was living in Los Angeles and owned a couple of Colt Gold Match 1911s. He said those pistols were crap, in that they were no where near as accurate as one would expect them to be. One day he walked into a gun shop and the owner asked him if he had ever seen a CZ. He pulled out a CZ 75 (pre B), and the guy said it felt like it was built to fit his hand. He said it shot great and it's still his favorite pistol.
 
CZ 75, Beretta 92, Sig P226, HK P30, FNX-9 would all be excellent, excellent guns for your purpose.

I think you want a large, heavy, mainstream gun. I also think guns with hammers are WAY more fun (you have to rack a glock to dry fire it, da/sa you squeeze over and over). A glock will save your life, but it won't be an impressive or interesting range toy.
 
pathdoc, I have shot both the M&P and XD. A couple of both IIRC. Both types were reliable and both fit my hand better than the Glocks. I would be comfortable with either. I much prefer some of the hammer fired pistols that have been mentioned, but judging from my limited experience with both, I can't fault the XD or M&P.
 
If you get a CZ 75 or variant, make sure you get a trigger job with it or have a gunsmith available for one. They are solid guns to be sure, but the way the SA trigger works leaves a lot to be desired for target work.

On my CZ 75B in SA the hammer had to cam back about 1/8" before it released. It was very accurate even with cheap plated bullets, but it took quite a bit of concentration to make it happen. There are some drop in replacement trigger units, but I don't know about importing them north of the border.

The XD Tactical (not XDm) is a nice shooting gun, I like the triggers. Never tried an XDm.
 
Seems the common recommendation for Canadian pistol shooters is a Glock 22 or 23 with conversion barrels for 9mm and 357 sig.

If you are going to pay all that money for a handgun might as well have the ability to change calibers.
 
I don't have any experience with the M&P, but I have and XDs in .45 acp. I really do NOT like the trigger on the XDs at all. I changed it out for the Powder River trigger kit and it affected the gun's reliability due to light strikes. I have fired quite a few guns and I may be a bit spoiled by the great triggers on some of my guns though. While I know you don't like Glocks, I think their triggers are far superior to Springfield's XD line.
 
My XD is the oldest striker pistol I have among my many others. It is the only pistol I have that has never had an issue running reliably no matter what I run in it or how I shoot it. Maybe I just got lucky--but that has made an impression. I have the LC9s pro and agree off the shelf has one of the sweetest triggers around--but it is in my opinion really closer to an LCP point and shoot kind of weapon than a group for accuracy weapon--I go nuts trying to achieve good groups at anything beyond 10 yds--but my technique isn't the best, I have smallish hands but prefer bigger grips and the LC9's is difficult for me to grip well.

If it were me in your situation, I'd get an XD compact in 40 S&W--I've never cared for 9mm as it's snappiness to me doesn't make it much more controllable than the other bigger calibers available. My favorite handgun is a 41 mag revolver--but I know that's not on the table for consideration.
 
If you like the feel of a 1911 but you do not like the safety you can go old school with a Star Model B. If I were you I would keep looking and fitting guns into your hand and using snap caps until you find one that fits just right.
 
A glock will save your life, but it won't be an impressive or interesting range toy.
Click to expand...

Some people impress others with the fancy gun in their hands.

Others impress people with the tiny groups they can shoot out of that ugly, blocky piece of junk glock!:cool:
 
My alternative would be a surplus Arcus 98 DAC. The gun is cheap but build like a tank, takes HiPower magazines so the 10 rnd. limit is OK. Steel and reliability, DA/SA, external safety...
you're looking at $ 300-350 for new one and 200-220 for used one.
I used this gun as EDC self defense weapon for 2 years with CZ75b holster.
 
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OP chiming in.

Life outside shooting got in the way, but went for the M&P range kit in the end. The first hundred rounds have shown me two things.

1) This is a fun and pleasant pistol to shoot.

2) I am nowhere near as good a shot as I thought I would be. Yet.


Thanks to all who provided their advice.
 
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