If price is an object, this is the Hi Point .40 Smith & Wesson 4-1/2" at $146.21 with a LIFETIME transferable warranty. www.hi-pointfirearms.com
Good choices.
I selected a G19 for its versatility and less expensive, easy to find (so far) ammo, which means more practice. The 40 not so much.
YMMV.
If price is no object (which, if you are looking at a Taurus you are just about there) consider one of the new Kimbers, or a Kimber Crimson with the laser built in.
Both Glocks are nice guns. However their chambers DO NOT fully support the .40 cartridge, which can be an issue. (Google Glock and Kaboom.)
Take a HARD look at the S&W M&P and the Springfield XD before making your purchase. Their grips can be modified and they’re not quite as blocky as the Glock.
Bottom line is you really can’t go wrong.
John
PS-Wait, yes you can. Avoid Taurus like the plague.
PING
Personally, I’d go with the Springfield XD-40. Better made than the Glock, IMHO.
Can you only afford one?
Get the Glock, and I tell you why.
The Glock is a well made pistol. Also very important, there is a company “Advantage Arms” that makes excellent .22 cal. conversion kits so that you can go to the firing range all day long without going broke. Shoot the Glock with the conversion kit first until you thoroughly know the weapon and then replace the slide with the regular caliber.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t afford to shoot .40 cal. ammo for the entire day, but I can do it with .22 ammo and still have fun.
XD 9mm compact with thumb safety....
Keep in mind you have a bout 2-3 options for safetys on the XD, if you are an occasional shooter, thumb safety is the way to go, IMHO.
I have an XD, have shot glocks.. both shoot about the same. IMHO, XD has the advantage of being a recent design and adding features people want/need.
Go to a gun show, and look around. Keep in mind that guns are like religion, so you will get some strong opinions....take time to make your own.... I always ask the reasoning behind when a person recommends a gun....you will be surprised at some people’s answers....
See if you can find a 45 ACP revolver-they use moonclips to handle the rimless auto cartridges,but the minor hassle is worth having “six for sure”in a highly effective round with little potential for over penetration if you live in a congested area-reloading with a moonclip is faster than with a magazine.I have an S&W Model 22-4 with Pachmayr aftermarket grips.Firing more than six rounds in a home defense situation is unlikely unless you’ve pissed off an outlaw biker gang or something.Ashotgun with a pistol grip and a short barrel(legal length of course)like the Mossberg 500 Persuader is also great as a home defense weapon.#4 Buck is good as is 00 Buck.
I bought a really nice .380 Bersa sometime ago and I would highly recommend it. The problem with the larger caliber weapons is the kickback. I used to have a Beretta 9mm but couldn’t hit the side of a barn.
Having said that I still come down on the side of a good revolver. And if you want to really get someone’s attention a .357 will get the job done and you can practice with .38s.
There is a huge downside of the semis and that is that you have to be ultra careful to make sure that a round is not in the chamber when you unload it. And when you do load it you have to insert the magazine and chamber the round and pray there is no jamming. With a revolver you simply pull the trigger.
Now if you insist on an automatic, the Ruger Bull Barrel .22 is amazingly accurate, has no appreciable kick-back. And if you fit it with a laser sight, I guarantee you the bad guy isn’t going to walk away. Three in the head and they are dead. It is easy to load the magazines, ammo is dirt cheap and easy to use. Just keep it clean like all weapons and don’t shoot yourself in the foot.
And above all, check to see if a round is in the chamber when unloading. I can’t tell you how many times that has jumped up and nearly bit me. That’s why I recommend the revolver for home protection.
PS;Stay awat from taurus and the Glock 27-I owned one in 40 S&W and it didn’t handle the reoil well.I regularly shoot 44 Magnum so I’m not recoil shy,but the pistol is just too small for 40.If you must have a 40,buy a Springfield Armory XD-inexpensive,reliable,and handles reoil very well.
I have a Glock 23 - very happy with it and it is easy to maintain. Only objection is the lack of an external safety, but once you become familiar with it the trigger safety works very well. If you’re not familiar it does take a lot of practice.
I have a G23 .40S&W and I like it for its relative smaller size and being able to hold a hi-cap mag. Try www.glocktalk.com and ask them what they think.
For the extra “oomph” I carry the 10mm Glock.
Glock 23 or its 9mm counterpert the 19. Taurus is not glock dont let Taurus Koolaid drinkers tell you its on par with companies like Sig or Glock or Smith&Wesson
I can second all the suggestions for the Springfield XD in .40 S&W. I have owned several handguns and it shoots reliably and easily compared to most, plus it is reasonably easy to conceal. It can also be converted to shoot 9mm if you want cheaper practice rounds.
The PT140 PRO is an awesome gun and perfect for concealed carry. The best part is the Lifetime warranty it comes with, you can intentionally melt it down and then mail it back to Taurus and they will send you back a brand new one, no questions asked.
Quite a few of the LEO’s I talk to prefer the Glock in .45 cal and advise against the .40 cal.
My son just bought a Glock 21 SF .45 and it shoots like a dream for me at rapid fire - although I fire tighter aimed groups with my Springfield PX9109L.
Having fired the Glock, I urge you (along with several other posters on this thread) to look at the Springfield XD.
If price is an object, this is the Hi Point .40 Smith & Wesson 4-1/2" at $146.21 with a LIFETIME transferable warranty. www.hi-pointfirearms.com
Glock 23, great sized gun. Great for carry. I am very pleased with mine. Don’t let anyone fool you about “kabooms”. This myth has been circulated for years. Nothing related to Glocks, all guns will fail in the circumstances they suggest it happened.
Get the Glock, practice, and smile.
I have nothing bad to say about Glocks but will probably never own another. Had a .40. Sold it. Doesn’t fit or feel right in my hand.
Now I still have a bunch of .40 ammo...oh well.
IMO, if it don’t feel right in my hand I don’t want it.