Well, you've narrowed it down to two quality brands. My duty weapon is a Glock 22 (.40 Cal) and it is issued. Great gun, shoots well, reliable. This is the second G22 I've had for work purposes. Can't complain, especially since it's "free". ::clapping:: The M&P's are another great system. I was never a big Smith fan until they came out with the M&P Series.
Long ago, I had been a rabid Ruger fan. I've owned the P85, P89, P90, as well as several revolvers (GP100, Security Six, Speed Six, SP101, 3 Vaquero's, a Blackhawk and Super Blackhawk). After being issued striker fired auto's (a Sigma - not a bad gun but soon replaced by a Glock) I found I could no longer "shoot" the Double Action/Single Action Rugers without seriously having to think about it. Striker fired pistols provide a consistent "every time" pull. Think Double Action Only. Whereas the Rugers have a ridiculous DA pull, then, what seems like a 6" pull to the rear to release the hammer once it's in SA.
With that said, I have never personally purchased a Glock for my very own. I just don't like them enough to want to buy one for myself. And it's purely aesthetics. That's it. I mean, I've counted on a Glock to be there when I need it so I kind of view it as a work tool. It's just a little too "boxy" and "plain" for me. Which it what makes it a great work gun. Accessories are readily available for Glock's. Lights, holsters, mags, sights, bayonets etc. You have aftermarket options exceeded only by the 10/22.
With all that said, I have never fired an M&P. I've handled them, and a bunch of the people I work with say they are great guns. Everything, for the most part, you could hope for out of the box. S&W hit it on the head with their M&P Line. From center-fire to rim-fire counterparts that make training with the "same gun" much, much cheaper.
The XD series is another line that I would recommend. I've owned one and I loved it.
And don't discount the .40 either. It's a good round. The recoil is definitely "different" but completely manageable once you become accustomed to its characteristics. The 9mm is recoil friendly, but in my opinion, a little on the meek side. Though an excellent round out of a carbine. I'm a huge fan of the .45; big and slow. The recoil though heavy, is slow. The .40 provides a nice medium. Bigger than the 9mm and faster than the .45; but the recoil is snappy. The whole experience in shooting a .40 is fast.
Obviously, pick what works for you. I, as I'm sure many others here have done, purchased the "had to have" whatever, only to suffer a devastating episode of buyers remorse. But I don't think you can go wrong with the Glock, the M&P or the XD. Especially for the money and versatility. If I had the money in my pocket, and was looking to buy, I'd probably come home with an M&P in .40
Or a Hi-point with matching carbine for the same price....:grin:::rambo::
Long ago, I had been a rabid Ruger fan. I've owned the P85, P89, P90, as well as several revolvers (GP100, Security Six, Speed Six, SP101, 3 Vaquero's, a Blackhawk and Super Blackhawk). After being issued striker fired auto's (a Sigma - not a bad gun but soon replaced by a Glock) I found I could no longer "shoot" the Double Action/Single Action Rugers without seriously having to think about it. Striker fired pistols provide a consistent "every time" pull. Think Double Action Only. Whereas the Rugers have a ridiculous DA pull, then, what seems like a 6" pull to the rear to release the hammer once it's in SA.
With that said, I have never personally purchased a Glock for my very own. I just don't like them enough to want to buy one for myself. And it's purely aesthetics. That's it. I mean, I've counted on a Glock to be there when I need it so I kind of view it as a work tool. It's just a little too "boxy" and "plain" for me. Which it what makes it a great work gun. Accessories are readily available for Glock's. Lights, holsters, mags, sights, bayonets etc. You have aftermarket options exceeded only by the 10/22.
With all that said, I have never fired an M&P. I've handled them, and a bunch of the people I work with say they are great guns. Everything, for the most part, you could hope for out of the box. S&W hit it on the head with their M&P Line. From center-fire to rim-fire counterparts that make training with the "same gun" much, much cheaper.
The XD series is another line that I would recommend. I've owned one and I loved it.
And don't discount the .40 either. It's a good round. The recoil is definitely "different" but completely manageable once you become accustomed to its characteristics. The 9mm is recoil friendly, but in my opinion, a little on the meek side. Though an excellent round out of a carbine. I'm a huge fan of the .45; big and slow. The recoil though heavy, is slow. The .40 provides a nice medium. Bigger than the 9mm and faster than the .45; but the recoil is snappy. The whole experience in shooting a .40 is fast.
Obviously, pick what works for you. I, as I'm sure many others here have done, purchased the "had to have" whatever, only to suffer a devastating episode of buyers remorse. But I don't think you can go wrong with the Glock, the M&P or the XD. Especially for the money and versatility. If I had the money in my pocket, and was looking to buy, I'd probably come home with an M&P in .40
Or a Hi-point with matching carbine for the same price....:grin:::rambo::
