I'm debating about some handgun choices. My son has talked me into getting a handgun. The ones I'm looking at are the Glock 19, 21 and the Springfield Armory XDM 9mm or 45. Talking with some of my local gun shops say that the difference between 9mm and 45 would be personal preference. That the 9mm now has some decent ammo for defense. I've been researching on the internet and talking with friends who have handguns. I plan on shooting my son's Glock 19 and his Springfield XD 45 to get a feel between the 2 calibers. I'm just wondering on other thoughts about these choices.
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Your thoughts about gun choice
- Thread starter mscore
- Start date
sigarms228
New member
Shooting what you are considering is the way to go to determine what works best for you.
I like 9MM because the ammo is typically considerably less than .45 which means more shooting/practice for your dollar but in the end the decision is what works best for you. I use Federal HST 147 GR and Speer Gold Dot 124 GR for my 9MM SD ammo.
Out of your choices I like the Glock 19 because of its size making it a great candidate for concealed carry if that is a consideration and that the Glock 19 has a reputation as an excellent all around pistol. If concealed carry will not be a consideration go with what you like shooting the best.
Also IMO it might really help if you get some basic training on shooting and safe practices with a handgun. I find that the majority of shooters are not using a good grip on their handguns and a proper grip goes a long way to good shooting and recoil control. Of course training would also cover stance, site acquisition, and trigger control. The short video below by trainer Travis Haley is excellent on explaining how to use a good pistol grip.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMzQIHN-LiI
I like 9MM because the ammo is typically considerably less than .45 which means more shooting/practice for your dollar but in the end the decision is what works best for you. I use Federal HST 147 GR and Speer Gold Dot 124 GR for my 9MM SD ammo.
Out of your choices I like the Glock 19 because of its size making it a great candidate for concealed carry if that is a consideration and that the Glock 19 has a reputation as an excellent all around pistol. If concealed carry will not be a consideration go with what you like shooting the best.
Also IMO it might really help if you get some basic training on shooting and safe practices with a handgun. I find that the majority of shooters are not using a good grip on their handguns and a proper grip goes a long way to good shooting and recoil control. Of course training would also cover stance, site acquisition, and trigger control. The short video below by trainer Travis Haley is excellent on explaining how to use a good pistol grip.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMzQIHN-LiI
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The gun store guy was right for once. It's all about personal preference.
Myself, I prefer the Glock in 9mm over the XDM. Cheaper, simpler, and more proven with better aftermarket support.
When it comes to caliber, take your pick. The difference in the end result on the human body between modern ammunition in 9mm and .45ACP is practically negligible. 9mm is less expensive, allows greater capacity, and has lower recoil, so that would be my pick, especially since this sounds like your first handgun.
Myself, I prefer the Glock in 9mm over the XDM. Cheaper, simpler, and more proven with better aftermarket support.
When it comes to caliber, take your pick. The difference in the end result on the human body between modern ammunition in 9mm and .45ACP is practically negligible. 9mm is less expensive, allows greater capacity, and has lower recoil, so that would be my pick, especially since this sounds like your first handgun.
Both great rounds. If it were my money and I could have only one, it would be the 9mm simply because it is cheaper to shoot, really, that is the only reason. Sounds like you will get a chance to shoot them both and find out what you prefer. Between your choices I would go with the Glock, not because it is better than the Springfield, I just like them better. This is exactly why you need to familiarize yourself with both and see which one you like more, it could very well be the Springfield.
Limnophile
New member
FBI 9MM Justification, FBI Training Division
http://soldiersystems.net/2014/09/25/fbi-9mm-justification-fbi-training-division/
The gold standard caliber, in terms of effectiveness, for a Hague Convention-compliant semiauto combat pistol is .45 Auto FMJ. The Hague Convention does not apply to self defense, so you can use JHPs. As you note, bullet technology has advanced to the point where 9 Luger premium JHPs can provide adequate penetration with reliable expansion, such that terminal ballistics performance exceeds that of .45 Auto FMJ. Plus, the 9 Luger platform offers less recoil (thus, better precision and faster follow-up shots), greater magazine capacity, and less cost (due to popularity).
http://soldiersystems.net/2014/09/25/fbi-9mm-justification-fbi-training-division/
The gold standard caliber, in terms of effectiveness, for a Hague Convention-compliant semiauto combat pistol is .45 Auto FMJ. The Hague Convention does not apply to self defense, so you can use JHPs. As you note, bullet technology has advanced to the point where 9 Luger premium JHPs can provide adequate penetration with reliable expansion, such that terminal ballistics performance exceeds that of .45 Auto FMJ. Plus, the 9 Luger platform offers less recoil (thus, better precision and faster follow-up shots), greater magazine capacity, and less cost (due to popularity).
I would also recommend the Glock 19, especially if it is your first (and perhaps only) handgun. It's fun at the range, and works well for home defense and concealed carry. If you shoot the XD and like the feel, I would still try and fire one of them in a 9mm just to see the difference in calibers.
lee n. field
New member
The ones I'm looking at are the Glock 19, 21 and the Springfield Armory XDM 9mm or 45. Talking with some of my local gun shops say that the difference between 9mm and 45 would be personal preference.
I agree. Mostly.
Buy a modern gun, in a readily available chambering (my usual rule is, can you get ammo at Walmart), from a manufacturer that will support it. Skip the lowest tier guns/manufacturers, unless your finances constrain you.
I've been researching on the internet and talking with friends who have handguns.
<snicker>
Never mind.
I plan on shooting my son's Glock 19 and his Springfield XD 45 to get a feel between the 2 calibers. I'm just wondering on other thoughts about these choices.
I think that's a good plan. The Internet’s full of yammerheads that aren't nearly as knowledgeable as they think they are. Running some actual rounds through a couple is a good plan.
That the 9mm now has some decent ammo for defense.
So they say.
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101combatvet
New member
That the 9mm now has some decent ammo for defense.
That's funny, they said that?
Colt 1911 or Berretta 92FS
Talking with some of my local gun shops say that the difference between 9mm and 45 would be personal preference. That the 9mm now has some decent ammo for defense. I've been researching on the internet and talking with friends who have handguns. I plan on shooting my son's Glock 19 and his Springfield XD 45 to get a feel between the 2 calibers.
You are getting sound advice, overall, and shooting both calibers in guns of similar weight is a good next step. A lot of shooters find that they are faster and more accurate with their second shots with 9 mm than with other center fire calibers, all else being equal. That matters quite a bit because a one-shot stop from a handgun is at best an unreliable outcome. So pay attention to your results with double taps and give that some weight in your decision.