good side arm to complement the 15-22

[hairtumor]

I want a nice sidearm to go with my 15-22, mabye a 45 or a 9mm, I'm on a budget but would love something "more". I can't decide if stopping power or clip size is more important. I'm asking this group because you guys have a vast amount of firearm knowledge and I would love to hear what you have to say. Thanks for any input.

If this is off topic for this forum please feel free to remove.

 

[Jack_117]

I would vote for stopping power if you're looking for a personal defense type of weapon. It will take you far longer to fire off an entire mag of ammo than the typical "encounter" would last. I personally love my XD-40 - extremely reliable, powerful, and affordable.

 

[Steve_NEPhila]

Pick whatever you are comfortable with and shoot well. If you want to stay with the .22 LR ammo theme go with a 617 K frame.

If you are looking for a handgun for some other purpose, pick what you like. Performance is more important than opinion.

 

[buckeye0223]

A .40 caliber is a great blend of clip size and stopping power. I enjoy my Springfield XD-40 but also like the S&W M&P .40.

 

[grimreaper21]

I don't see a purpose for the higher caliber if it is just a range gun.. if however it is for protection that is a different story. shoot both and see how you manage the recoil. even in a defense situation the 9mm may give you way more accurate shots on target.. the 45 can be difficult to get back to point of aim between shots in comparison. (And is it something you want to practice towards and excel at in the future? another consideration)

these were my favorites
M&P Pro

XDM

 

[Incredible Me]

I like S&W but that XDM looks nice.

I'm not an expert, but Glocks have add-ons for the mags and even a 30round mag. Not sure if this is also true for the .45 Glocks.

 

[Rustpot]

In my mind fit is a much larger factor with pistols than it is with rifles since more shooting is done offhand and proper grip is easier to maintain when it's comfortable and not forced.

Go to a gun shop and hold some guns, and ask if you can dry fire them to get a feel for how the trigger reach is (both SA and DA if applicable). Don't be put off by a heavier trigger unless the pull is inconsistent or overly gritty.

To highlight this I'll mention Glocks. I personally shoot very well with a full size 9mm Glock, but my natural grip causes slide bite and my middle finger knuckle hits the trigger guard. I would have to modify the frame to improve this and won't buy one until I find a melt job that fits comfortably.

On the other hand Sig, M&P, FNP/FNX and 1911s all fit very well out of the box and simple tweaks like thicker grips is all I need.

Unlike a rifle, pistol skills tend to take quite a while to get down. Since the gun is only in your two hands it takes quite a while to be able to shoot accurately, especially at longer distances. I had a Sig 229 .40 that I shot around 3,000 rounds with, and when shooting at speed I always pulled right from a grip/trigger pull issue. If I slowed down I could nail the bull.

If you want a Striker gun the Glock, XD, and M&P are all great, and they all fit differently, and now all come with grip panels (Gen 4 Glock and XDM).

If you want a DA/SA, the Sig, Beretta 92/96, HK, CZ, and FNP/FNX pistols are all great.

If you want SAO, the 1911 is a big winner, and companies like Sig, HK, and CZ make variants that are SAO.

Lots of choices to look through.

 

[john16443]

Yes, there are lots of choices. OP mentioned being on a budget, and with the cost of the firearm and ammo to gain proficiency. 9mm may be the best all around choice. Stopping power is there with the correct ammo. The Best Nines - Best 9mm Pistol Site handgun review test gun dealer auction may contain useful information for you. Make sure you hold anything you're interested in, depending on your hand size, etc. some pistols just won't fit you well.

I'll go out on a limb and suggest a non S&W choice. Ruger SR9 or 9c if you're interested in concealed carry. Recoil is noticeably lighter than other 9mm's and accuracy is very good even in the compact version.

 

[Jav]

I'll go out on a limb and suggest a non S&W choice. Ruger SR9 or 9c if you're interested in concealed carry. Recoil is noticeably lighter than other 9mm's and accuracy is very good even in the compact version.

Was definitely thinking about the SR9c as my first pistol for home defense and just having fun at the range. I really dig that one.

 

[Skeptic 9c]

Check out the S&W SD 9mm about $100 less than the M&P Autos and a better trigger than the Sigma.

Geoff
Who is fond of the grip on the Sigma 9VE, but my wife annexed mine, leaving me with the SWaMPy 9c..

 

[BELT_FED]

I definately like the m&p but I love my glock and a trade in glock is around the 350 marker cdnn gets them from time to time.. I've got a glock that is my carry gun chambered in a 357 sig.. check out those balistics and the recoil is a fast snap rather than a push like a 45.. and there is just somethin about a pistol that shoots a round that breaks the sound barrier and has 16 rds without a reload

 

[Powderburn15-22]

Well with my 15-22 rig I use a p22. It's great for the range and they can be ordered out of the box with some extras. But for defense you might want to stick with a 45. Auto

 

[MR_T]

I prefer 9mm, I like to go shotting often and just cant afford anything bigger. That being said a 9mm you are comfortable with is a much better defensive weapon that a 44 magnum you cant shoot well. I own a beretta 92fs and absolutely love it. It eats through any ammo I have put through it and I have never had any jams with over 700 + rounds through it. My buddy just got a Taurus M809 and I would highly recommend it, especially for the price Taurus M809 9mm 9mm, 4", Blue - 1809041

 

[BELT_FED]

I have a p92 also.. and totally agree they r a great weapon. You could look at the pt92 made by taurus or even the new at92 that ati is importing it is an exact copy of the p92 and cdnn has them for 299. The only thing I've read "bad" about them is that the barrel isn't chrome lined but most of todays ammo isn't corrosive anyway

 

[hairtumor]

I didn't realize that handguns in calif can only have 10 round clips, so I guess that answers my stopping power vs clip size question. I think I'm going with a 45, can't decide between the s&w and the springfield. Must go to the range and try them out . Thanks for all good info posted here

 

[kd4gij]

My side arm

This is what goes with me to the range .357 mag

 

[grimreaper21]

I didn't realize that handguns in calif can only have 10 round clips, so I guess that answers my stopping power vs clip size question. I think I'm going with a 45, can't decide between the s&w and the springfield. Must go to the range and try them out . Thanks for all good info posted here

good choices, there is a real nice compact 45 xdm too if necessary.
edit: at least i think they should be out by now, quick google didnt find much but i know i've heard about em.

 

[hairtumor]

good choices, there is a real nice compact 45 xdm too if necessary.
edit: at least i think they should be out by now, quick google didnt find much but i know i've heard about em.

I'd love an XDM but they are not CA compliant. But the XD is a great 2nd choice.

 

[samhill]

M&P 9

M&P 9 is a natural fit - keep it in the family.

Shot placement (practice/proficiency) is more important than caliber once you get above a 9mm IMHO.
Lower cost of 9mm ammo vs .45 means more practice/range time for me.
Plus with good JHP ammo these days, you can get some great performance out of a 9mm round.

If you do go M&P, get the Apex goodies...they are worth it.

 

[Brett248Vista]

I agree with anyone who says you need to first handle the pistols/revolvers to see what fits. I've shot Ruger 9's, Ruger 45's, 1911's, XD's of all flavors and some wheel guns and for me, I prefer my Beretta 92FS. I have big hands, the 92 fits me perfectly. I added hogues with finger grooves and it's like wearing a glove.

I actually got rid of a fairly desireable S&W wheel gun to get my Beretta, because the .357 snub was absolutely no fun to shoot for extended range sessions, hard on the hands, and expensive to feed.

At home the Beretta always has .147 Grain Hydrashocks in it.