novice advice please

[j.trevor123]

hello I am looking to purchase a handgun soon and am not in the loop of information regarding them. First off Im not looking for anything perticular. I would like something under 500$ or so thats a dependable gun. As far as shooting goes what are the differences between a larger calliber (.45) and a smaller one (9mm) With practice would i be able to shoot a larger caliber as well as a smaller? What are some good handguns out there? I was looking at the springfield XD's and know someone whos loves his... what do you think. thnks alot

[Totenkopf]

XD's are good. The backstrap safety is a bonus since you are getting started. On the caliber. Bigger calliber generally means more stopping power in an auto pistol. The draw backs are higher ammunition, higher recoil and slower target acquisition for follow up shots. A 45 is very manageable to a medium framed person or larger.
 You may want to get a 22 Lr pistol for target. It's just cheaper to shoot so you will be able to fire 10 times as much or more for the same amount of money. Or you could get a popular model such as a glock and get a 22 conversion for it. They are around $200, well worth the money if you intend to shoot a lot. If not interested in a conversion a ruger mark 2 or browning buckmark mimic the feel of many popular autos. As of yet the xd does not have a 22Lr conversion on the market.

As for working your way up to a larger caliber many of us started with a 45 in the service. They are not terrible on recoil.
My advise would be to get input from these guys. Then take a safety coarse. Then rent what you are interested in before buying. With a decent range master, he can help you out a lot on your purchase. Your questions need to be expanded a bit for these fellows to help you. Is it for concealed carry? Home protection? Just plinking? How large are your hands? Do you have a spouse that will shoot with you as well?
Good Luck.

[j.trevor123]

thank you toten. To be honest its hard for me to go into detail on the questions because I just do not know much about handguns. I love rifles and bows... but diff story. umm well I probly will not be carrying it much if any, i would like to have it for home protection and vehicle mainly. I want to get one before the new "president" taxes the heck out of them. I would like a larger caliber but have no idea the pros and cons between them. I would say I have medium size hands and no one else will be using the gun. I was looking at glocks and Xd's yesterday and was curious do the compact guns with a same length barrel shoot just as accurate as the full size of the same model etc?

[Totenkopf]

Yes the subcompacts are a little less accurate due to the shorter sight radius. They have a little more recoil because of reduced weight. The smaller grip usually lets it wander a bit in the hand as well. I really have to concentrate at 25 yards on the grip to hit very well with a baby glock. I have large hands though. A friend of mine can shoot a subcompact as well as he can a full size.
 The compact model such as the glock 23 40 cal is a little easier for me to shoot, it took a little while to get acclimated. I shoot it about as well as the G 22 40 cal full size.

[j.trevor123]

well noted. Im looking at the compacts, not the subcompact that Springfield makes.. I like the glocks also, but i like the extra safety features that the Xd's have. Whats the main difference between the .40 and .45? Do they doth shoot true? Whats calibers do you like?

[Ak.Hiker]

I would take a good look at the Glock 19 in 9mm. Glocks in 9mm are very reliable and it is easy to find low cost plinking ammo. Another plus with the 9mm is it will have less recoil than a 40 or 45. For self defence a good 9mm +P like the 124 grain Speer Gold Dot would have you very well protected.