Handgun for Survival - Wilderness and Urban

T

Timblade

Joined
May 31, 2006
Messages
82
I have a basic handgun question and am hoping some of the very knowledgeable people on this forum might be able to offer some insight. I wasn't sure if this topic is appropriate for this forum, but I've seen several handgun and rifle questions posed here, so I thought I'd give it a shot (no pun intended).

I am a novice shooter and my wife and I are looking to buy our first handgun. I'd actually like to get a good revolver as well as a good semi-auto. I'm looking a S&W .357 for a camp gun. My wife and I both enjoy shooting 38s with it.

But I have a delima with regard to a semi-auto. I just about had my mind made up to get a Glock 19 as soon as my local gun club gets one in. But when I went shooting last night, I tried out a Springfield XD-9 (9mm) and loved it! Both are polymer frames and are very similar to each other. On one hand, I know that Glock is the considered by most to be "the standard" in polymer semi-autos, but some of the reviews on the Springfield are very good and the XD seems to shoot really well. Glock is time-tested, but Springfield seems to be a pretty trusted brand as well. Both are comparable in price, although the XD is a touch cheaper.

I know a lot of the decision comes down to personal preference...that's why I'm going to go and shoot both models, side by side, again. So far, I have really enjoyed shooting both and can get fairly good groups with each. But I was hoping someone out there might have some experience with the XD-9 and can compare it in use to the Glock 19. Thanks for any help in making my decision.
 
I love my XD9,I have had if for years and not one hiccup in it.... I have the 4" barrel version, Great Gun,Great Company.....I would not hesitate to buy a second one...I also had the XD45 which I loved but not a fan of 45acp so I traded it for my S&W 686...my favorite revolver.
picture.php
 
If you wife will be shooting it too, get her opinion on what she likes.

When handgun shopping, my wife wasn't comfortable with the thick, double stack handles and the long DAO trigger on the Glock, XD, and found the Beretta 92 to big in the grip as well.

Se really liked the slimmer single stack and short trigger of a 1911 style pistol.
 
I'd prefer the XD. Main reason is that I like to carry a round in the chamber and like the idea of the grip safety. My favorite platform is the 1911. Also, stick with the 9mm. I had a G19 and it was easy shooting. My brother's G23 is a little snappy. Sold the G19 though and bought a S&W 629.

My wife has shot most of my guns. The one she wants handy when I travel is a 5 shot Ruger SP101 3" 357 (w/38's). Reason - it is simple and easy to use.
 
XD is great Glock is the AK-47 of handguns...It Just Works!
A friend just got his first handgun he tried the poly and metal frame guns, he fired the XD, G23, Sig etc but fell in love with the look, feel and shooting of the Beratta 96.
I hate to say it but yes you have to be "comfortable in your own skin" which includes your wife if you are both shooting it. Dont discount other makers or configurations you may be suprised.
 
for wilderness survival I would go with a 4" barrel .357/.44 magnum revolver, since it would have to suffer amazing damage to be rendered completely unable to shoot. You can get a good Taurus pretty cheap, and carry several loads from light .38/.44 special to hot +p magnum rounds to shotshells.

urban survival = whatever gun of reputable manufacture that is comfortable for you & your wife to shoot and carry
 
I think you made a great choice with the .357 for the woods gun.

As far as the auto, I shoot a Glock 19. As you already know it is mainly a personal preference. I shot the 19 and the XD counterpart alternating back and forth and chose the Glock. In my opinion it was more comfortable and I was more accurate with it. I believe the main difference between the two is the safeties and the grip angle. The Glocks use the more canted angle similiar to the Luger and other European pistols while the XD used the more perpendicular American angle. I think which ever gun you choose will be a good shooting pistol.

On a side note a buddy of mine picked up a Sig after looking at all three pistols. I have yet to shoot it but he loves it. The thing he liked about it is that you can change the rear grip panels to better fit your hand and well as the exposed hammer and de-cocking lever.
 
I have a Glock 17 and love it.

A friend of mine has an XD and wants a Glock. He says that he can find more accessory's / upgrades for the Glock

Beatle
 
Pick the one that both of you shoot better. Only slightly less important (and related to the above) is the ergos of the gun and how it fits you. My Glock 19 works for me, but YMMV of course...

Timblade said:
I have a basic handgun question and am hoping some of the very knowledgeable people on this forum might be able to offer some insight. I wasn't sure if this topic is appropriate for this forum, but I've seen several handgun and rifle questions posed here, so I thought I'd give it a shot (no pun intended).

I am a novice shooter and my wife and I are looking to buy our first handgun. I'd actually like to get a good revolver as well as a good semi-auto. I'm looking a S&W .357 for a camp gun. My wife and I both enjoy shooting 38s with it.

But I have a delima with regard to a semi-auto. I just about had my mind made up to get a Glock 19 as soon as my local gun club gets one in. But when I went shooting last night, I tried out a Springfield XD-9 (9mm) and loved it! Both are polymer frames and are very similar to each other. On one hand, I know that Glock is the considered by most to be "the standard" in polymer semi-autos, but some of the reviews on the Springfield are very good and the XD seems to shoot really well. Glock is time-tested, but Springfield seems to be a pretty trusted brand as well. Both are comparable in price, although the XD is a touch cheaper.

I know a lot of the decision comes down to personal preference...that's why I'm going to go and shoot both models, side by side, again. So far, I have really enjoyed shooting both and can get fairly good groups with each. But I was hoping someone out there might have some experience with the XD-9 and can compare it in use to the Glock 19. Thanks for any help in making my decision.
Click to expand...
 
Hi Tim,

I recommend going to the local indoor range with your wife and shooting several different semi autos. Whatever you do, don't shoot the Sig 226! If you do, that is the one you will want - and it sin't cheap!

If you have settled on 9mm as the caliber of the semi auto, try both models with hi-cap, double stacked magazines as well as single stacks, which will be much slimmer in the hand.

-- FLIX
 
While i have seen too many issues with glocks to buy into the hype about how they always work both the guns you mentioned are solid and should serve you well. Just remember they are machines and can fail. If you don't have a strong opinion either way i would second letting the wife choose.
josh
 
I prefer wheelguns, I love the 45LC.
Your choice of the 357 is a good one. My advice for a wheelgun...Ruger GP100 (if you want double action) Ruger Blackhawk or Vaquero (if you want Single Action, and the different sight options)
I love my Rugers....you can't kill them!
Now my S&W Mountain Gun is pretty damn nice also, but I'll never give up my Rugers.
For autos???
I've never been much a fan of Glocks, but it seems like they just keep on running.
I'm not rich enough for a nice 1911.
I really like my CZ 75 (9mm) and my wife liked it so much that she took it from me! :)
So I went and got a EAA Witnes, pretty much exact clone of the CZ, in 45ACP.
That poor old gun gets the hell beat out of it and it keeps running also.
I don't have very big hands so the CZ/EAA fits them better.
Definately take a look at EAA, you don't hear alot about them but they are very nice guns. Can carry cocked and locked also.
But I also have a Sig P220 thats pretty nice too.
So, shoot as many as you can.
I've also been known to carry my wheelgun and my wife carrying her CZ when were out...seems to be the best of both worlds.
 
A .357 wheel gun is a great choice for an all around handgun.

You can easily get ammo to cover just about everything from target .38sp to heavier stuff.
 
Go for a Ruger GP100 for the woods. Just got one myself, fantastic gun. A bit beefy, especially the 6" barreled version, but then again, it gives a whole new meaning to "pistol whipping." :D It will take the hottest loads you can find and ask for more. The .357/38 family is also a very versatile batch of ammo. Covers almost anything you'd reasonably want to do with a handgun, from plinking, to self defense, to taking pretty good sized game.
 
For a 38/357 The Taurus six shot revolvers are pretty darn good. DO NOT go for the eight shot models. Tried two and they both had to go back to Taurus. For auto's, Believe it or not, The Ruger 45 Auto will shoot along side ANY 45 auto at any price. I have had almost every Brand of 45 auto and shot completion for ten years I have had the Sigs, Colts, Springfields, Browns and three Kimbers. My new Ruger 45 auto will match them shot for shot for both Accuracy and definitely dependability. OK, they might be ugly but you don't want one shooting at you.
 
My wife didn't care for any of the double stacks except for the Beretta 92Vertec and the HK P30L. She got rid of the 92 but loves the P30L. She liked the way the the grip panels could be changed out to customize it for HER hand.
BTW, my carry piece is a HK45. She loved the grips but wanted a lighter recoil.
Just my .02

Bob Mills
 
Last edited:
For the wheel gun big +1 on the S&W 686. Fantastic revolver. :thumbup:

For an auto. I'd go with a Glock .40. Why the .40? Well, because you can buy a 9mm barrel that will drop in to the .40 slide and along with 9mm mags, you have a Glock 9mm. Storm Lake conversion barrels are the way to go. Mine is flawless. If a dual-caliber pistol isn't good enough for you... buy a .357 sig barrel and you can shoot 3 calibers out of one pistol. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Versatility gives the Glock a big edge. But perhaps it's most significant edge over the XD is the trigger. With Glock, a $15-25 part, a 3.5 lb. disconnecter gives you a supurb trigger pull (for DA only). You can't do that in an XD. Also, parts are an issue. Glock parts are readily available (including mags).

Hope this helps...
 
Timblade said:
I have a basic handgun question and am hoping some of the very knowledgeable people on this forum might be able to offer some insight. I wasn't sure if this topic is appropriate for this forum, but I've seen several handgun and rifle questions posed here, so I thought I'd give it a shot (no pun intended).

I am a novice shooter and my wife and I are looking to buy our first handgun. I'd actually like to get a good revolver as well as a good semi-auto. I'm looking a S&W .357 for a camp gun. My wife and I both enjoy shooting 38s with it.

But I have a delima with regard to a semi-auto. I just about had my mind made up to get a Glock 19 as soon as my local gun club gets one in. But when I went shooting last night, I tried out a Springfield XD-9 (9mm) and loved it! Both are polymer frames and are very similar to each other. On one hand, I know that Glock is the considered by most to be "the standard" in polymer semi-autos, but some of the reviews on the Springfield are very good and the XD seems to shoot really well. Glock is time-tested, but Springfield seems to be a pretty trusted brand as well. Both are comparable in price, although the XD is a touch cheaper.

I know a lot of the decision comes down to personal preference...that's why I'm going to go and shoot both models, side by side, again. So far, I have really enjoyed shooting both and can get fairly good groups with each. But I was hoping someone out there might have some experience with the XD-9 and can compare it in use to the Glock 19. Thanks for any help in making my decision.
Click to expand...

Both are fine weapons and you can't go wrong with either... but I will say what allowed the Glock to win out over the XD for me. First off I HATE the Glock Grip angle... but you get used to it believe it or not. And it doesn't effect your ability to go right back to a standard grip so it's not really an issue after about 500 rounds. For me a gun needs to be reliable and accurate. Both the Glock and XD are. After that... it comes down to trigger. And the Glock has a trigger with more options on trigger jobs. I think there are like two places that offer trigger mods for the XD and both are expensive... for about $40.00 you can turn the Glock trigger into anything you want. Heavy revolver like, or a short light speed trigger, and everything in between. Plus the fact that there are more accesories out there for them and more holsters (Which finding the exactly right holster for yourself can be a challenge). Perhaps in a few more years this advantage will no longer be so as the XD is gaining popularity and I'm glad to see it. The weapons Glock makes are easy to use, accurate, cheap to fix, easy to mod, and work really well.
 
FLIX said:
Whatever you do, don't shoot the Sig 226! If you do, that is the one you will want - and it sin't cheap! -- FLIX
Click to expand...

Man I know what you mean! I shot a 229 the other day and now I have to have one. Anyway, woods gun is an XD .45 Tactical. I have gotten it filled with dust riding around on the atv's and never had a problem when firing it afterward. Its one amazing gun.
 
Handgun choice is a very personal issue. I am very suspicious of anyone pretending to have all the answers. Hold and shoot every gun you can. That being said, for me, my choice was a SA XD45c. 2 guns in one, a full size or a compact. Good luck
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top