Yeah, like Lays potato chips - betcha can't eat just one!!! LOL!
I agree with the advice given above. And that's why I said you will probably have more than one. I've got a Dan Wesson 744VH with an 8" barrel that I use for hunting. That thing weighs a ton... not at all practical for self defense or concealed carry, but it's the most accurate handgun I've ever fired, time after time, every time. I also have a .50 black powder percussion pistol to go along with the .50 black powder rifles that I use for hunting, but again not in the least practical! I have a little-bitty Raven Arms Phoenix in .25 ACP just because it is absolutely a ton of fun to shoot, and it's the only one my wife actually enjoys shooting, and therefore has confidence shooting. Contrary to almost everything I've read, that little gun is extremely accurate out to about 17 yards. I wouldn't want to hit anything anywhere near that range, it would only pee them off - it's better than nothing at close range. But for her, a small caliber that she can shoot well and confidently is better than anything else that she can't. As for what I carry, I have a Stoeger Cougar 8040 in .40 S&W. I thoroughly enjoy that gun. The ONLY issue that I have with it is the back left edge of the slide is sharp and pointed, but the gunsmith said it's absolutely nothing at all to fix it. I will probably do it myself, but I'm not sure it'll look as good as it would if he did it instead. That Cougar is one heck of an accurate gun. I was pleasantly surprised. And although it's the Beretta Cougar under the Stoeger name (made in Turkey instead of Italy), it's only about half the cost. Quality is there, not skimped. Not too sure if money is an issue, but for me getting a brand new gun for less than used price of most others -- no-brainer. I had been looking for one anyhow. Price wasn't the reason I started looking for one, but it was a factor in getting one a lot sooner than I figured. The 9mm is easier to find, though, if you're looking. Here in NY we have a 10-round limit on the mags, so a lot of guys go with .45 ACP because they figure if we can only have 10 (actually it turns out to be 10 + 1 in the chamber, but leave it to the politicians to not have a clue), they'd rather have the most bang for the buck. That said, if you like the XD, go for it. But try others as well just so you don't suffer buyer's remorse. You really can't go wrong with that, though. I just liked the feel of the Cougar better than anything else I tried outside of the 1911-style, and the Cougar seemed to best fit my shooting style.
Anyhow, welcome, and enjoy!
- Tim C.
