Buying first hand gun, need help deciding.

[dunnowhat2use]

I have been trying to decide for months and can't make up my mind. I need a good accurate reliable safe gun and I plan to conceal carry it. I think I have narrowed it down to 2 it's between the Xdm 3.8, and Kimber pro carry II. What do you guys think? I know I could buy almost 2 guns foer the price of the Kimber but it seems everybody who has one is madly in love with it. I don't plan to get another gun for a while so I want to make sure I do it right, what do you guys think? Thanks Matt

 

[Ryan.moran]

if its possible in your state try to find a friend that has one of these guns and shoot it to see how you like it. or try to find a range that rents guns and see what is available for rent, this will help you see which one you like better to shoot and hold and which would be easier to conceal on your body.

 

[Mosbyranger]

I have an XD 9 and the Kimber Ultra Crimson Carry 2. I gave the XD to my son. He'll get the Kimber with I'm 6 feet under. Kimbers are indeed spendy, but if you decide to go for it you will see what the rest of us Kimber owners are raving about.
MR

 

[bwg1920]

Go with what feels best in your hand. Gun fit is very important for a handgun.

 

[invertedhorizons]

i have a colt defender (similar to the kimber), its a great gun, but the 1911s can be finicky and have feeding issues.. also the .45 can be a bit too much for somebody with their first firearm in terms of recoil... im currently getting a Glock 23 .40 because i have had some feeding issues / reliability issues with the colt.... Also, the glocks can legally hold 10 +1 in NY, where as my colt only holds 7+1, something to think about..

Go with a Glock for your carry gun!, i do like the 1911s tho, as well as the Ruger sp101 revolver.

 

[chiefpropellerhead]

I agree with Ryan. Go to a local gun shop/range and rent several weapons. Find the one that fits your hand properly and that you can handle comfortably. You should consider weight of the weapon, the accuracy, cost of ammo and upgrades etc etc.

 

[Andrew17]

Is it your first time handling a handgun? Or just your first time buying one? For first time users, I usually recommend a Glock, XD, or revolver because they're simple designs; the Kimber is a 1911 style handgun, and therefore is more difficult to get used to operating because of its safety features. If you're comfortable with handguns, then both the XD and Kimber are great guns, though obviously Kimber is one of the nicest 1911's around.
*If you get the XDm 3.8, make sure that you get the XDm 3.8 COMPACT, the full size has a much longer grip that prints badly, and the compact comes with a full size extended mag with grip extension that makes the grip full size if desired, but you also keep the option of having the short concealable magazine.

 

[Iam2Taz]

For the first gun. Your choices XDm or Kimber. XDm 3.8 compact for the first one. Save the expensive tastes for when you want to upgrade. Besides you will want different guns for different times. Invest in a good holster and a good belt. (Not a wallyworld belt.)

Rent or borrow both before you buy. I fully agree with above that 1911s can be finicky. If you are not a tinkerer, they can be a pain. (Sometimes even if you are one! lol) The biggest reason I would pick XDm for you would be cost of the gun, ease of cleaning/care, practice ammo, holster, belt, etc. You may have already planned for this, but if not? All that said, there is nothing, absolutely nothing as fine as a well tuned 1911 trigger system. (Sweet.)

Practice, practice, practice. Go home rest, come back and practice more.

 

[B2Tall]

I think you'll do well with either. Both are fine pistols.

I think I'd go with the Springfield only because I'd be worried about scratching the Kimber :biggrin:

 

[Bill Cavalieri]

I have a Kimber Pro Crimson Carry II, a Glock 23 and Ruger SR40c. I bought the Ruger because I wanted a compact .40 and didn't like the trigger on the XDm-40 compact. The Ruger's trigger, to me, felt like a Glock trigger (almost no creep, crisp easy pull). But neither gun matches the trigger on my Kimber. Go shoot one if you haven't. Kimber recommends a 500-round breakin, I believe, before you put hollow points through it. I have had zero failures zero feed issues.

If I had to choose between my Glock and Ruger I would choose the Glock because it is more accurate. If I had to choose between all three I would pick the Kimber, because it is a .45 and because it is the most accurate of the three. Mine came with black iron sights. I had the factory install Meprolight night sights; I don't want to rely on the laser at night and the white dots help during the day.

Go to a range with rentals and try them on for size. In my hands the recoil from .40 and .45 caliber is negligible--I've had .380s beat me up worse. I think that has to do with the fact that these are not mouse guns, neither is the Springfield you're considering.

 

[Rayb]

Whatever fits your hand and lifestyle. I find that I can't have just one that fits all needs and circumstances though.

 

[dunnowhat2use]

Thanks for ll the advise guys, I appreciate it. I have been shooting for quite some time now, including my friends 45 Xd many times, so I have a pretty good idea what to expect. I think it's going to boil down to gun fit, I'm a fairly big guy and big hands so the single stack concerns me. Has anyone ever chose the holster before the gun? I think comfort when packing should bear some weight too but not sure how to pull that experiment off.

 

[dunnowhat2use]

I have heard about the 500 rounds for the Kimber before it's broke in, I don't think that is going to be a problem

 

[aviatorcharlie]

A gun dealer recently put it like this "trying to pick a gun for someone else, is like you trying to pick a wife for someone else." What appeals and feels right to someone else, might feel all wrong to you.

Seems the BEST advice given is to DEFINITELY find a place that rents different caliber/brands. A picture of a gun, or holding an empty gun for a few minutes doesn't really tell you a lot about how you really match up with the gun/caliber/shooting experience. I, for example have 2 carry guns. A Glock 19 and the S&W Shield. I LOVE carrying either gun. I feel BEST when I have my Glock, but the Shield fits some attire better. They are both 9mm and so far have shot any brand of ammo that I put in it.... 9mm ammo is very inexpensive compared to some calibers. So shooting a lot does nit break the budget. Ammo in the long run is far more of the necessary expense than the cost if the gun. Kimbers are SEXY guns!! However, for me I chose a gun for half the price and spent the difference on ammo.

Buy a gun the same way you would buy a car. Get what works for you and your lifestyle.

Just my 2 cents. Good luck and happy shooting!!

 

[Tucker's Mom]

Thanks for ll the advise guys, I appreciate it. I have been shooting for quite some time now, including my friends 45 Xd many times, so I have a pretty good idea what to expect. I think it's going to boil down to gun fit, I'm a fairly big guy and big hands so the single stack concerns me. Has anyone ever chose the holster before the gun? I think comfort when packing should bear some weight too but not sure how to pull that experiment off.

What if the gun you choose will not sit right with your pre-bought holster? What are you going to do now? A gun should have a good fit on the holster so buy your gun first then get a holster that will truly fit and be comfortable for you to wear. just my point...and my caps button is still stuck...

 

[chapguy]

I've got a 9mm XDm compact but I don't carry it much anymore. I love shooting it but it's very uncomfortable to carry. I now have a S&W M&P Shield for summertime carry and a M&Pc for colder weather since it's a bit bulkier. I have gone through five holsters for concealed carry and finally have it down to two choices. My favorite right now is a StickyHolster for my Shield. I spent a lot of time trying to adjust other IWB holsters and couldn't find the right combination of comfort and accessibility so I decided to try the Sticky; it's fantastic. I can put it where it's comfortable for driving and easily move it to a better carry position when I get out of the car. It doesn't move around at all and it's extremely comfortable. I can also stow it in the gun safe in the car when I need to go places where it is illegal to carry (Post Office, Police Station, etc.). When the weather gets cold again and the coats go back on I'll review my choice but for now, Summer is here and I'm really digging my StickyHolster.

 

[dunnowhat2use]

The more I think about it now, the more I am considdering pocket carrying. Hadn't considdered putting the gun in a holster while in my pocket. Have a lot more things to considered now.

 

[UATKP]

There are some really sensible posts in this thread. I'd just like to add that for fit and comfort and reliability and price, you owe it to yourself to have a look at some Bersa handguns. I think you'll be surprised by what you learn.

 

[Insanebyname]

had the same question. Thank you everyone been very helpful