New Toys, Finally

[bballbaby]

Well, after much deliberation and debate with the wife, i finally got my new toys. Bought the S&W Sigma .40 for the wife. 14 +1 Was gonna go with a wheel gun based on the fact that you can keep it loaded indefinitely and pick it up when needed, point and squeeze with no real worries, but then i figured that i'm gonna invest the time and energy into learning the wife how to shoot and then get her through CC permit training, so why not get here a semi-auto so that once she is more than comfortable, it'll be a useful weapon if the sh!t every really hits the fan and we go into survival mode. So we got her a cheapy...one that will do the trick when needed. I don't much care for it, but for a first gun, it'll do.

FOr me, i went with the Springfield Armory XD .40, 4" barrel. 12 +1 I shot several before i purchased and this one shot the best for me. All i need now is a compensator, oh, and CC permit. Anyone know anyting about the compensator for this gun? I shot one at the range that had one on it and it made a big difference.

 

[Swampfox21]

DEAD SEXY!!!:hearteyes... how does the XD shot? i havent shot one yet but am looking at one... Ive narrowed down my choices and its between an XD and a Sig 229

 

[bballbaby]

Obviously i loved the XD...was shooting 1 1/2" groupings at 15 yards. Pretty good for me. Didn't shoot a sig since i was looking to keep it under $600 Got my xd for $419 with 4 mags.

 

[rick12string]

FOr me, i went with the Springfield Armory XD .40, 4" barrel. 12 +1 I shot several before i purchased and this one shot the best for me. All i need now is a compensator, oh, and CC permit. Anyone know anyting about the compensator for this gun? I shot one at the range that had one on it and it made a big difference.

I wouldn’t recommend a comp on a defensive pistol. The comp ports the gasses up to control muzzle flip. If shooting at night the upward muzzle flash in your line of sight can temporarily blind you. Another reason is if you have to shoot from retention, meaning holding the gun close to you (elbow at your side) it could wind up being a painful experience.

 

[Tegu]

Nice Choices, I really like my XD 40, never shot one with a compensator.

 

[elderboy02]

Very nice Gale! I don't recommend a compensator. Congrats on your new purchase!

 

[bballbaby]

INteresting. I only inquire on the compensator as one of the XDs i shot had one and it had little to no kick and i shot best with it.

I'd be curious to see what Mitch has to say on the subject.

 

[bballbaby]

I will say this, as i know little on the subject, i will rely heavily on the expertise of you gents here. Thanks in advance.

 

[Soundwave13]

I like the XD!
Nice pick up!

I'm considering getting the wife a CCP too. Also - I've tried the Glock with a laser light built in - cheap & easy too. Pretty cool in a high-stress situation (I'd imagine).
(I'm sure Mitch will have something to say about that too...?)

 

[rick12string]

BTW congrats on your new guns Gale. Once you get used to your XD the recoil won't bother you and with prctice you'll be able to control the muzzle flip with proper grip and stance.

 

[Electric Sheep]

Just for the hell of it, I would like the first to say "Blimey!" and "Good one, Mate" for no damn reason whatsoever.

 

[Mitch]

Nice choices, skip the compenstator, the cons are equal to the pros at best, spend the money on range time and practice ammo. For a refrence I've got about a dozen defensive type pistols, only one has a ported barel.

 

[rick12string]

I like the XD!
Nice pick up!

I'm considering getting the wife a CCP too. Also - I've tried the Glock with a laser light built in - cheap & easy too. Pretty cool in a high-stress situation (I'd imagine).
(I'm sure Mitch will have something to say about that too...?)

AJ
A laser sight is definitely a plus. In a high stress situation, by nature your eyes are going to want to focus on the threat and the dot will be at that same focal point rather than trying to get a good sight picture or just point shooting. Another advantage is just seeing that dot on his chest may send an intruder running. Also if you’re shooting from an awkward position all you have to do is get that dot on your target. I would also recommend to you and Gale a tactical flashlight so you can identify your target in the dark. It can also serve to temporarily blind the bad guy.
I would definitely recommend a defensive course to learn the proper use and techniques associated with these tools.

 

[rick12string]

Do you agree Mitch?

 

[Soundwave13]

Cool advise Rick. Any leads on a good, inexpensive Tactical light?
I've seen plenty, but what would you recommend?
(Too late for the X-mas wish list enfortunately - Haha!)

 

[elderboy02]

Remember Gale... practice, practice, practice :assaultri

 

[rick12string]

Cool advise Rick. Any leads on a good, inexpensive Tactical light?
I've seen plenty, but what would you recommend?
(Too late for the X-mas wish list enfortunately - Haha!)

Inexpensive???
I like SureFire http://www.surefire.com/ but there are other good tactical lights. Streamlight is another but I don’t have any experience with them. Mitch may be able to help out on others. I’m drawing a blank right now (senior moment). You also want to decide weather you want weapons mounted or hand held. Both will have their pros and cons. The hand held one I use is the SureFire G2Z.

 

[Mitch]

Do you agree Mitch?

Depends on the level of training how the plus and minus weigh out on the laser, usualy a plus though. The light is always a plus, the laser can have some draw backs. Problems with lasers is they are only good if it's dark enough but not to dark, people who have them tend to use the so much that they can't shoot with open sights when needed. I'd spend money on tritnium sights before a laser. If you want a laser find one with a light combined that easily attaches and comes off and practice 90% without it.

But the short on lasers... you will give away your location and if the bad guys see how badly you are shaking (can't keep the dot steady on them), it may have the opposite result intended. Not worth much for concealed carry due to size, almost all laser/light combo's add a fair amount of bulk and don't fit in most holsters for concealed carry. I keep a glock laser light in my car to go on the Glock 19 that I carry with night sights and flashlight just in case I want it and have the time to get it, but my bread and butter is the Glock 19 wtih night sights. Also, lasers fail, many can't handle even modest knocking around and stay on target, batteries can die and most lasers give you no warning before they do.

Now that being said I've got quite a few weapons at home with laser light combo's (only two are pistols).

I go by the lowest fuit method - what is most likely to be useful, easiest to learn and easy on cost.

First - get training for a couple hours with an instructor, this will get you shooting better than the same money spent on ammo with no guidance.

Second Practice - 1,000 rounds minimum with your weapon per person, don't load more than 5 rounds in a magazine at a time, make each shot count. It should take 5-10 range visits to shoot up 1,000 rounds. Train like each shot counts so when each shot counts they will.

Third - If you don't have night sights get them and a good quality flashlight.

Fourth, another 1,000 rounds now work on your weak hand, point shooting, have someone else load your magazines for you and put some empty brass in with your live rounds to practice clearing jams, practice using cover, shooting around door ways, under objects, develop a fast reliable draw and magazine change. Shoot in all lighting conditions, practice using a flashlight at the same time, etc.

Last, buy any bells and whistles you want, lasers, lights, scopes, bayonets, grenade launcher etc. Some of these are great products and do help, competion shooters use compensators, dot sights etc to shave hundredths of seconds off their times and increase their hit score. I have never however seen anyone buy their way into a trophy at an IPSC match, skill and training is still 95% of their score.

 

[Mitch]

Inexpensive???
I like SureFire http://www.surefire.com/ but there are other good tactical lights. Streamlight is another but I don’t have any experience with them. Mitch may be able to help out on others. I’m drawing a blank right now (senior moment). You also want to decide weather you want weapons mounted or hand held. Both will have their pros and cons. The hand held one I use is the SureFire G2Z.

I wrote a flashlight recomendation to buy buds after we had our cops and robbers party I'll dig it up and post it here. In short though Surefire is tops for quality, but they are behind on technology for the LED's. Best rig I have is a Surefire 6P with a Malkoff M60 in it (Malkokffdevices.com). You can start with the standard 6P and drop the other 50 bucks when you can afford it. Incandesent lamps aren't bad for light output, but short run times and the bulbs blow out. A good LED lamp is good for 50,000 hours and they don't break when dropped. Standard 6P will run for about an hour; with this LED, it will be three times as bright and run for two hours or more.

 

[rick12string]

Depends on the level of training how the plus and minus weigh out on the laser, usualy a plus though. The light is always a plus, the laser can have some draw backs. Problems with lasers is they are only good if it's dark enough but not to dark, people who have them tend to use the so much that they can't shoot with open sights when needed. I'd spend money on tritnium sights before a laser. If you want a laser find one with a light combined that easily attaches and comes off and practice 90% without it.

But the short on lasers... you will give away your location and if the bad guys see how badly you are shaking (can't keep the dot steady on them), it may have the opposite result intended. Not worth much for concealed carry due to size, almost all laser/light combo's add a fair amount of bulk and don't fit in most holsters for concealed carry. I keep a glock laser light in my car to go on the Glock 19 that I carry with night sights and flashlight just in case I want it and have the time to get it, but my bread and butter is the Glock 19 wtih night sights. Also, lasers fail, many can't handle even modest knocking around and stay on target, batteries can die and most lasers give you no warning before they do.

Now that being said I've got quite a few weapons at home with laser light combo's (only two are pistols).

I go by the lowest fuit method - what is most likely to be useful, easiest to learn and easy on cost.

First - get training for a couple hours with an instructor, this will get you shooting better than the same money spent on ammo with no guidance.

Second Practice - 1,000 rounds minimum with your weapon per person, don't load more than 5 rounds in a magazine at a time, make each shot count. It should take 5-10 range visits to shoot up 1,000 rounds. Train like each shot counts so when each shot counts they will.

Third - If you don't have night sights get them and a good quality flashlight.

Fourth, another 1,000 rounds now work on your weak hand, point shooting, have someone else load your magazines for you and put some empty brass in with your live rounds to practice clearing jams, practice using cover, shooting around door ways, under objects, develop a fast reliable draw and magazine change. Shoot in all lighting conditions, practice using a flashlight at the same time, etc.

Last, buy any bells and whistles you want, lasers, lights, scopes, bayonets, grenade launcher etc. Some of these are great products and do help, competion shooters use compensators, dot sights etc to shave hundredths of seconds off their times and increase their hit score. I have never however seen anyone buy their way into a trophy at an IPSC match, skill and training is still 95% of their score.

I agree. Lasermax does make a guide rod laser (don’t know their track record though) that shouldn’t interfere with concealed carry but your right you must train without them because people will otherwise have a tendency to depend on them.