Need a full size 45 with a rail... HELP!!!

[railroader]

I had an xd 9 and a taurus24/7 pro 45acp. Of the two brands I would recommend the xd's. The xd had a better trigger and it springfield seems to have better customer service. Also if there aren't different height sights available for the 24/7 so if the gun doesn't shoot to point of aim you are out of luck. Mark

 

[KINGMAX]

Glock 21

It is not much on looks, my choice when at the same place you are at now, was a GLOCK 21.

Take a look at the 'torture test' on the GLOCK 21. I bought one of the newer generations of the GLOCK 21 w/ the rail.

The only thing I do different, since a GLOCK is a double action only, is to never carry w/ one in the chamber. I do hear stories where folks have been shot in the rump while returning the pistiol to the holster.

I have read one story about a tie down button on a patrolman's jacket was lodged in the trigger and trigger guard causing a discharge when getting back into his patrol car.

Chose a holster that covers the trigger completly. Think saftey at every purchase and any modification to a firearm. The life you take my be unintended, make's it no less of a loss.

 

[TBT]

I couldn't fathom carrying a weapon without one in the pipe. I always see someone somewhere with that mindset and it baffles me every time. The whole concept behind a defensive pistol is the idea that you will need to defend yourself with a split seconds notice. If we are taking a liberal approach to how much time we will have to respond to a threat why not pause the gunfight and retrieve a 12 gauge from your truck?

If I was uncomfortable carrying one in the pipe in a given defensive pistol said pistol would not be in my holster. If you are going to rely on a weapon to save your life or the life of a loved one then rely on it. Believe in it's every function, including it's provided safety features or lack there of.

I thought Springfield had a lifetime warranty? I just sent my friends XD 9mm back to them no problem, they're even going to reimburse shipping. The thing about the S&W thats turning me off is that its the same height is the same as the XD and it has 3 less round of capacity.

Springfield does have an excellent lifetime warranty but the service from what I understand (mind you, I've never had to personally use warranty service for my Smith and Wesson SW1911 nor any of the Springers I have owned) is inferior to what S&W is offering in regards to going the extra mile. Smith and Wesson's paid postage is a big plus as are the constant testimonials I've heard with S&W covering things that are technically not covered under warranty. They just seem to be gathering the reputation for really going out of their way.

As far as the capacity, as has been pointed out, the M&P will soon have available to it the 14 round capacity. From what I understand the price of their magazines are supposed to be dropping as well. To near Glock prices.

 

[Markbo]

I went through that same mind %$&# a while back about carrying cocked and locked in my vehicle - not on my person. I didn't like the idea of the condition 1, but not under my control. After much flaming here and some thought and practice I came to that same realization. I may not have time to cock it! I had BETTER be able to bring it to bear just as quick as I am capable of doing it and adding 1 to 2 seconds could mean the difference.

Also just a couple of other random thoughts to throw out there.
I have never felt under-gunned with only 8 rounds in a 1911

I use the extended magazines in my XD Subcompact not for the additional rounds, but for the better grip. I carry an extra mag for both

No matter what handguns I have tried over the years, I still carry a 1911. It is purely a comfort factor.

Those are the ones I am comfortable with and KNOW that I can hit with - quickly. Probably more than any other reason though is because that is what I trained and practice with. The best shot that attended all the training classes I did was a thin, retired gent with a baby glock. He just shot RIGHT there and smaller groups than anyone with that little bitty pistol. He wasn't the quickest, but he was the most accurate. The fact that he outshot his buddy that had a customized (read high dollar) 1911 with about 20 magazines made us all laugh.

So no matter what you choose, in the end the key will be training and practice.

Jeeze... all this gun talk has made me realize, I gotta get to the range more!

 

[Steelharp]

+1 for the Taurus 24/7... 13 rounds, rail, C&L option, accurate, comfortable... great everyday carry, and in your budget...

 

[Will Learn]

I've though about the Taurus option but like Ruger and S&W(autos) its just hard for me to warm up to the design. Plus I've heard conflicting reports on Taurus' customer service.

I just wish Glock made their guns without the polygonal rifling. I've been pricing Plated bullets and they're darn near twice as much as lead. I have a feeling I'm going to end up shelling out more than I had planned for the pistol I want. Tha problem is the higher dollar 45s I've been looking at are lower capacity i.e... Sig, 1911, etc.

The complaint most people seem to have about the XD is long trigger pull and lack of after market parts. I don't intend on buying very many after market parts but may have trigger work done if it really bothers me. Can you get the XD 45s with night nights or would that be something I would need to add myself?

I really didn't intend for this thread to turn into a glock VS XD thread and since i've ruled out glock(polygonal rifling) it's really a non-issue. I'm also not a big fan of all the plastic parts that Glock uses(trigger,sights,guide rail). Anyway whatever I do get I will definitaly try and give a write up on out of box performance with pros and cons. Thanks again for the help guys.

 

[ASM826]

I carry an XD45, and I shoot 200 gr. SWC out of it for practice. It has conventional rifling.

It also has a grip safety that must be depressed to pull the trigger or rack the slide. When I reholster (in a DeSantis IWB), I get it started, then press the pistol in with the back of the slide, keeping my hand off the grip safety. I am always cautious, but I do not feel the same risk level that I would feel holstering a Glock the same way.

I like the XD, and like it better now than I did when I first got it. YMMV

 

[DevilDog0402]

I love my XD45.

I liked the way the M&P felt in my hands, but the only one I've fired (belongs to a friend of mine) failed to feed more than 1 round out every 10 that we fed it. We fired 150 rounds of Blazer Brass FMJ and experienced 15 - 20 FTF. I fired the same ammo/quantity through my XD the same day with 0 malfunctions.

Not saying this is a trend with the M&Ps, but its the only experience I have with them...