Handgun for Survival - Wilderness and Urban

I have a nice little selection for comparison; I don't have the XD in 9mm, but I do have the compact version of the .45 XD. You won't go wrong with either one, it's more important that you select the one that you're more comfortable with.

Selection.jpg


I think you're on target with your .357 selection. A 4" barrel is probably the more versatile for general field use; however I have a S&W 686 with the 3" barrel that I really like. It's nice to have 38SPL for target loads as well...definitely cheaper practice ammo.

I think you're on track with a 9mm for a starter; ammo is cheaper. Another nice option for the Glock that the XD doesn't have yet is a .22LR conversion kit...Advantage Arms makes a conversion slide and magazines to swap out for really inexpensive range plinking.

I have several Sigs and CZ pistols which I also fully recommend, but you won't go wrong with a Glock (the model 19 I think is the best option for capacity, ergo's and concealed carry) or the XD. I didn't like the 9mm versions of XD as they felt a little too blocky...even more so than Glocks. However, the XD.45 compact really is a great feeling pistol. Despite their blocky looks, they feel great in the hand. Both Glocks and XD's are more than prevalent and reliable enough that I wouldn't feel undergunned with either one.

ROCK6
 
I'll 2nd the suggestion for the P30, but do yourself a favor - get her one of her own if she likes to shoot
 
Without having read all the responses. The guns you mentioned should be comparable on nearly every level. Get the one you like/shoot the best and dont look back.;)
 
A cz 82. I cant hit crap with polymer framed guns, though they are fun to shoot. I'm better with a metal framed gun, the 82 just grabs my hand and doesn't let go too. And it was issued to Czechsolvakia in the Cold war, pretty cool.
 
ROCK6 said:
I have a nice little selection for comparison; I don't have the XD in 9mm, but I do have the compact version of the .45 XD. You won't go wrong with either one, it's more important that you select the one that you're more comfortable with.

Selection.jpg



ROCK6
Click to expand...

I dig that two tone xd man, nice:thumbup:
 
I have a Glock 17 and will always have a Glock around. With that said, the Springfields are very nice guns and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one.

Get the one that you and your wife like best.
 
Got to be a gun your hand likes, or it will never feel right. I like a nice .45, carry a Kimber 1911 for a woods gun and an XD45 for a street gun, with a back up scandium 5 shot S&W snub in the pocket in both places, woods and street.

I carried HK's for years, Sigs, Glocks, Rugers, Browning Hi Powers, and S&W wheelguns. in the end I've settled on the XD and the 1911.

The only change I would make is if I went to Alaska, then I'd caliber up to a .44 mag.
 
Masteroffajitas said:
A cz 82. I cant hit crap with polymer framed guns, though they are fun to shoot. I'm better with a metal framed gun, the 82 just grabs my hand and doesn't let go too. And it was issued to Czechsolvakia in the Cold war, pretty cool.
Click to expand...

With all respect to Czech guns, vz. 82/83 is a Walther PP class, and that means weak ammo. You can have this pistol in 7.65 Browning (.32), 9 Browning (.380), and 9 Makarov IIRC and this is not enough agains animals.
 
My wife and I could not agree, and we both enjoy shooting, so..

I got a Springfield XD9 Tactical.

29dzuxx.jpg


And she got the Glock 17.

x1jejn.jpg


Seriously you won`t go wrong with either, get the one that works best for both of you, or one of each. ;)
 
Stomper said:
I got a Springfield XD9 Tactical.
Click to expand...

Nice photo, it looks like a cross between Glock and Browning HP. :) I like the Browning style shape a lot. Does it have tennifered barrel like Glock? I was not able to find this information on their web.
 
I got this one to carry while backpacking. The lower one: amazingly light weight but still enough power.

roscoe.jpg
 
Masteroffajitas said:
I dig that two tone xd man, nice:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Thanks, I kind of "stumbled" into the deal and I wasn't too hot on XD's when they first came out, but I must admit it does grow on you and they are easy to handle and I was more than impressed on the range.

I'm the opposite to Robert; I usually carry a Kimber or Dan Wesson CBOB as my urban CCW. If I'm packing a semi-auto outdoors it's usually been my Glock 23 but I think I'll give the compact XD45 a little field time as it just seems to fit that role quite well.

ROCK6
 
vjb.knife said:
I got this one to carry while backpacking. The lower one: amazingly light weight but still enough power.

roscoe.jpg
Click to expand...

That Airlite .44 is a beauty! I don't care too much for full power 44 mags in my much heavier Redhawk...I can imagine full powered loads are a handful! The goodness is you can reload .44 Specials for much more enjoyable plinking:thumbup:

ROCK6
 
Definitely pick which is better for you on the autoloader choice. One word of caution on the XD: right now, it's hard to find XD magazines. If you want more than the 2 they come with, make sure you can get them first. Glock mags are common as dirt. Personally, I think the G19 is the perfect balance of carryability and concealability.

But I carry a G21, so what do I know?

For the revolver, I can't argue the .357 choice. I would also recommend a Ruger GP-100 or S&W L-frame (686) rather than a S&W K-frame if you're going to shoot it a lot. Botht he GP-100 and 686 can shoot magnum loads all day.
 
I just purchased a Glock 19! I went to the range for a "long lunch" today and my wife and I fired approx 300 rds through both guns. The Glock won out between the two. Thanks for everyone's helpful advice.

-Tim
 
Timblade said:
I just purchased a Glock 19! I went to the range for a "long lunch" today and my wife and I fired approx 300 rds through both guns. The Glock won out between the two. Thanks for everyone's helpful advice.

-Tim
Click to expand...

Grats, I think it was a good choice. G19 shoots almost as good as 17, I was not able to see a difference between the two at normal pistol range. It's incredibly light and small an has high capacity. You can easily use the longer magazines in this one, when I carry my G21. I have normal sized 13 rnd mag in the gun and longer 20 rnd in a mag holster as a spare. This way you don't have a prob with the longer magazine. In G19 you can use the 30rnd mags for fullauto G18. :) Meaning that with 15 rounds in pistol and 2x30 in spares you are at 75 shots in cc configuration. :)
9 luger is the second cheapest round just after .22 LR so you can shoot a lot, and the Glock will devour almost anything. It is also extremely durable. And you can have a lot of accesories which is a big bonus.
Another good thing is that you will carry a very gommon gun so you are compatible with most armed people and you will get acustomed with this type of gun.
And finally, Glock has very low barrel axis which means it doesn't lift as much as other guns, and you can shoot pretty fast.

The last thing, Blackhawk makes wonderful holsters. :) Enjoy your new toy!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top