[Nurse]

I'm looking for a pistol that I can use the CTC laser grips on. I don't want a Glock, and I'm unsure of their competitors. I know the S&W sigma is close, but according to Crimsons web site, they don't have a laser for that style of smith. Any other options out there? Looking to buy used and would prefer a smaller/lighter gun. I shot a Glock 19 last weekend and it was perfect, but I don't want a Glock.
-Todd

 

[Fuelburns2]

Welcome to the forum Todd!

Have you looked at Sig handguns? They offer many models and sizes and are well known for reliability and quality. CTC does make grips for several models. I would also suggest you look at CZ handguns. They are listed as having lasergrips available on www.crimsontrace.com but the website doesn't seem to be working right now. The Springfield Armory XD line has a compact model that is very similar to a Glock and more reasonably priced as well. I'm not entirely sure CTC offers grips for the XD but I believe they can be found from other manufacturers if not CTC.

It may help to know what your budget and intended use as well as preferred caliber are. One thing to consider is that for a carry gun lasergrips may not be a useful feature since they will give your position away in the dark and may make drawing the gun slower if they hang up on your pocket or holster. Just a thought.

 

[Pistolero]

I shot a Glock 19 last weekend and it was perfect, but I don't want a Glock.
-Todd

That's very interesting.

Like Fuelburns said, the Springfiled Armory imported XD series of pistols are really nice. If you thought a Glock was perfect, you might just find the feel of one of these to be more than perfect.

 

[Nurse]

Thanks for the info guys. The purpose of this gun is purely plinking, and price range around $400. I'm pretty new to the auto world. I have several wheel guns, but only a Colt Target .22 and a Berreta 8040 in auto's. I'm leaning more towards the 9mm just for inexpensive ammo, and more rounds per clip.
Thanks again
-Todd

 

[Fuelburns2]

For your budget and since its just for plinking I would suggest you consider a full sized 9mm Desert Eagle. Its marketed as the "Baby" Desert Eagle because its a normal sized gun compared to the behemoth .50AE Desert Eagles. I bought mine for about $400 and its been great for target practice. Here's my review and a picture.
http://www.pistolworld.com/bbs/viewtopi ... 5&start=30

Its very similar to a CZ design which are also great guns but it doesn't fit your small/light specification. For plinking a full sized pistol is typically easier to control though.

 

[Nurse]

Re: re: not a Glock

For your budget and since its just for plinking I would suggest you consider a full sized 9mm Desert Eagle. Its marketed as the "Baby" Desert Eagle because its a normal sized gun compared to the behemoth .50AE Desert Eagles. I bought mine for about $400 and its been great for target practice. Here's my review and a picture.
http://www.pistolworld.com/bbs/viewtopi ... 5&start=30

Its very similar to a CZ design which are also great guns but it doesn't fit your small/light specification. For plinking a full sized pistol is typically easier to control though.

I want something pretty light. I've been packing my Beretta around while bird hunting this season, and although it's a good size, it weighs on your belt after awhile(belt holster). A good friend of mine has a Baby DE and is a fun gun to shoot, it's just not what i'm looking for.

CTC does not make a laser grip for the XD either but laserMax does. At $400 it's pretty pricey. I'm going to check out a bunch of pistols Friday!!
thx

 

[Fuelburns2]

I get it now. It does sound like you want a polymer gun. The last suggestion I have is to look into the fairly new S&W M&P. I haven't had a chance to see or hold one yet but they sound interesting. Good luck with your search, thats half the fun!

 

[Nurse]

Re: re: not a Glock

I get it now. It does sound like you want a polymer gun. The last suggestion I have is to look into the fairly new S&W M&P. I haven't had a chance to see or hold one yet but they sound interesting. Good luck with your search, thats half the fun!

thanks
I'll let you know what I come up with.

 

[xd40works]

I would have to confirm the XD is a good choice.

I have heard good things about the S&W M&P.

I didn't want the glock and went with the XD40, the trigger is better and it had a smaller grip with a better natural point for me ( very important ).

I have friends with glocks and some of them are selling them to buy the M&P.

If you can find a range with a M&P for rent it might be worth checking out.

Doug

Hey Guy’s Check this out: 15 Gun Training Reports written by Front Sight Firearms Training Institute www.frontsight.com
Some GREAT information taken right out of their course curriculum that was previously only taught when you attended their courses!

 

[Nurse]

Have you guys shot/used the SW40GVE?
-Todd

or 9mm which ever

 

[Nurse]

So I went to my local gun shop, that I've bought numerous guns from, and the jerk behind the counter got annoyed with me when I wanted to compare the 40 and 9mm in the XD. I know they're the same gun, it just cheesed me off. If i'm going to spend $500, I'm going to take a good look at the gun first. Never even got a chance to look at the M&P because the guy left to help "another customer".

I'm sure it gets really old that everyone and their dog is looking and not buying a gun, but jeez. I bet he would have changed his tune if he knew I have five big ones in my wallet.

Just my soap box....sorry.

I'll go back tomorrow and find the guy I've bought from in the past.
-Todd

 

[Fuelburns2]

Don't ever feel like you have to apologize for being ticked after getting poor service. YOU and others like you are the only reason they have jobs. Sometimes they forget that.

 

[uglydog]

I had an S&W SW40, otherwise known as a Sigma. It was an OK gun but it had a hellacious trigger pull. It was slightly smaller than a Service model XD but had a 14 round mag rather than a 12 round like the XD. I shot it well but did not like the trigger as much as about any other non-Glock pistol I've owned. My wife found the grip to be much more to her liking than most of my other auto pistols though. It went down the road shortly after I bought my first XD. I am an XD fan as it fits my hand very well. I've had all three models in 40 S&W but currently own just a Service. The Tactical was too difficult to get a holster for while the grip on the SC was really not any smaller than the Service if the finger extension was used and carried 3 fewer rounds. If you put a flat floor plate on to make the grip shorter, a finger and a half were left out in the wind which does not greatly aid accuracy. The inch or so difference in barrel length is virtually unnoticable for belt carry with the longer barrel having a few noticable benefits.

 

[billt]

I shot a Glock 19 last weekend and it was perfect, but I don't want a Glock.

Then you'll have to try a less perfect gun. I would recommend the Springfield XD Series, or one of the S&W Sigma's. Both are far less perfect than a Glock. :roll: Bill T.

 

[Nurse]

I shot a Glock 19 last weekend and it was perfect, but I don't want a Glock.

Then you'll have to try a less perfect gun. I would recommend the Springfield XD Series, or one of the S&W Sigma's. Both are far less perfect than a Glock. :roll: Bill T.

I was meaning the size of the Glock 19 was what I like.

I handled XD's in the 40 and 9mm today, along with the XD compact. I really liked the feel/size of the service model. I think that is what i'll end up with. Now I just need to decide between 9mm or .40. I already have a Beretta in a .40 so the 9mm will be something different. Plus, 17 rounds is pretty cool. No laser grip offered though. The salesman said that SureFire makes a flashlight/laser combo for that pistol, but I think he's full of it. I could only find a flashlight for the small sum of $400 plus. What I was really impressed with was the "kit" the gun comes with. Pretty neat!
-Todd

BTW- $469 is a pretty good price for a new Service XD in 9mm isn't it?

 

[uglydog]

One nice thing about the .40 S&W XD is that you can buy a drop in 9mm barrel for it and have the capability to shoot both calibers. I think the brand name is Fire Dragon and they run $180 on www.pistol-gear.com (at least I hope that is the right site). I haven't done this yet but plan on doing it one day. Surefire does put out a rail mounted light/laser combo that will fit the XD and they are indeed pricey; in fact Surefire is pretty proud of all their equipment and the prices reflect that. There are a couple other brands that produce a similar product but they are nowhere's near as common and may not be as dependable either. I have a couple rail mounted flashlights for my guns and am happy with them. Another future purchase is the guide rod laser when the funds become available. I have more faith in these to keep their zero than something I take off and put back on a number of times between firings.
I am not too fond of the kit, about all that is really usable is the mag loader. The holster is not overly secure and the mag holders are not the most secure or comfortable either. I would much rather have just the gun and mags for the $40-$50 premium that is charged so I can go and get the holsters I want. I just hate paying extra for something I will knowingly never use and have to replace. The kit is not junk, it just does not meet the needs/uses I expect.

 

[Fuelburns2]

$469 is about what the current market dictates the price to be. It isn't a great deal but it is a fair (standard) price.

 

[uglydog]

Nurse,
I misspoke up above regarding the rail mount lights for a handgun. There is the Streamlight out there that is quite good also, I should have thought of that as I have two of them, an M3 and a TLR-1. The M3 has a version with an integral laser that is named the M6. it lists for something in the $250+ range while the M3 is around $100-$150. These M series have halogen bulbs and throw a kind of harsher, yellowish light. I think they cast a beam further than the LED but won't swear to it. The TLR-1 is an LED light and it appears to be softer on the eyes of the holder though not on the recieving end. It is much whiter in color, almost a bluish tinge, but doesn't seem to extend the rays as far as the halogen. I picked mine up for a little under $100 this summer. I believe the TLR-3 has an integral laser and runs correspondingly more expensive. The Streamlights are a fair bit cheaper than Surefire and I am sure will do well for the majority of uses one will put them through. At least I can buy a couple for the price of one Surefire and replace them as they go down.
As FuelBurns2 says, $469 is a typical price on a black or olive XD9 or 40, Bi-Tones and Earth Tan go for more.

 

[Roadkill Bill]

I don't know if they make a Crimson Trace grip for it yet, but a good dependable 9mm that would be great for a plinker would be the polymer Ruger P95.

www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdR ... ype=Pistol

 

[BigDog]

I'd recommend you look over the SIG 226, 229 or 239 models a little bit. I think they make a real nice gun. They do have a poly frame gun in the 2022 models - but all of the models I've suggested are available in 9mm, .40 or .357 sig

SIG has a lot to offer - and a lot of variety in finishes. The 226 is my favorite but pretty heavy to carry / so I'd probably look at the 229 or 239 depending on what fits your hand the best ( I'm not a Glock guy either ) I shoot the Glocks ok, I just don't like them - and I admit I'm biased against them. But if for some reason I don't want to carry a 1911 - I carry a SIG.

There are 1911's in 9mm out there - Kimber, Les Baer and others have them. The Kimber Tactical Pro II in a 9mm is a pretty nice gun with a 4" barrel - and occasionally I will carry it as well.