Help me pick a handgun

[triaged]

I've been thinking of getting a new handgun.
I own a Kimber CustomII 45acp. It is very fun to shoot. Now I want something a bit better for home defense and maybe CCW

Here is a list of what I want...or at least think I want (most important to least)
-Semi auto in .40S&W
-Compact (not sub-compact)

-around 10rd std mag capacity (small but still fit all 3 fingers on the grip while not having a lot of dead space)
-about 3.5" bbl

-Under $500 would be good.
-Rail for light
-American made
-Able to convert to 9mm for cheaper plinking (I have heard you can do this with XD40's and Glocks)

I don't really care if it is a polymer, aluminum, or steel frame as weight is not really an issue. Obviously it has to be on the roster.

I'm not a big Glock fan because they just don't point right (I like the 1911 grip angle)

I guess I really wish that Springfield actually made the XD and made a compact instead of the sub-compact I have seen some pictures of XD's that were cut down to take the sub-compact mags...but not sure I want to take a hacksaw to a new gun

[natrab]

Take a look at Taurus. Their Millenium Pro is a very comfortable gun and is at a great price point for HD. These are now being made in the USA as well. I think my quote out the door for one of these with tax was around $445 here in Santa Cruz.

[Henry47]

If you're able to increase your budget (or at least go CPO) and forget about it being made int he US, I would highly recommend a sig sauer p229 in .40 (which can be converted to 9mm w/ a drop in barrel)

[caduckgunner]

Check out the sig pro! Great gun and you can swap in a 9mm barrel. If you want I can bring to the next Big Dawgs meeting if your going to be there.

[delloro]

XDs are not made in the USA.

I strongly advise against plinking in 9mm and shooting in 40. the price difference is not that much. for cheap plinking buy a 22.

[sintax]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=25479

there is a XD .40 for sale with a 4" barrel.

You can easliy convert it to 9mm.

Delloro is right, XD's are NOT made in the US, but they are sold by Springfield. They are great guns, i own one and would buy another in a heart beat.

[tpliquid1]

agree with henry, sig. got couple of them shoots great

[triaged]

A Sig 229. It was designed from the ground up to be chambered for the .40 S&W. They're built in both Germany and New Hampshire. You can get a Certfied Pre-Owned one for your price. Barso makes a 9mm barrel conversion.

How much do the CPO's go for and where would I get one?
It still seems a bit on the big side (12 rds standard capacity). How are they to carry?

The Taurus looks nice...only missing the light rail. How do they shoot?

The only guns on the "list" that are 10-rounders in standard capacity (for 40S&W) are:

• Mini Firestorm (Heco en Argentina...never even heard of them)
• Taurus PT140P
• Beretta 9000 S

Maybe I'll just get the XD in the for sale section and hack off the grip...just not a big fan of green guns

This is a nice looking gun...but it costs more than my Kimber used

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=41359621

[Left Coast DJ]

By limiting yourself to just American Made ones, you're eliminating some great handguns. For the sub-$500 price range, get a brand new Croatian made XD or the Czech made CZ 75b.

Or you can wait for the Red, White, and Blue S&W M-P to come out in a few months.

DJ

[triaged]

By limiting yourself to just American Made ones, you're eliminating some great handguns. For the sub-$500 price range, get a brand new Croatian made XD or the Czech made CZ 75b.

Or you can wait for the Red, White, and Blue S&W M-P to come out in a few months.

DJ

I'm not really limiting myself...more like if it was a toss up between 2 guns I would rather get the US made one. Limiting to US only would limit me to S&W and uh...S&W

The SW990L looks nice...but only 8rd capacity...I might as well get a revolver. It is also a bit more than I would like to spend. From what I understand the slide and barrel are US made and the frame is German

[czp01]

If you weren't really sold on the .40cal, I'd recommend the CZ 75 P-01. I own one and it feels great in the hand, accurate, has a light rail, and has not had one malfunction whatsoever from the 1000rounds I have put through it. And its under $500! I also have a Ruger P95, Springfield Black Stainless, Taurus Model 82, and a FEG SMC-918, but the CZ is my self-defense gun. I thought I was sold on SIG's, but that was until I handled the CZ. Give it a try and see if you like it. But if not the CZ, I'd go for either the SIG P229 or the Springfield XD