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Commander wrote:The general feel (grip angle) is the same for both guns. The grip texture on the XDm is different. One feature difference between the two - the XDm allows you to remove the slide without pulling the trigger, while you must pull the trigger on the XD to remove the slide.

Thank you so much for providing me with this very useful information.

Commander wrote:Are you looking at the XD-9 or the XDm-9? The XDm-9 is the newer design and has changeable grip backstraps. If it's the XD-9 you looked at, take the time to compare it to the XDm, I think you'll like the difference.

As to malfunctions, I've never had a malfunction in either my XD-45 or my XDm-40 using various types of ammo. They are very reliable firearms.

I am looking at the XD-9 not XDM-9. I know I have held XDM-9 and don't think I felt any difference if I did I didn't realize what it was and didn't think anything about it as it didn't make much diff to me. No one mentioned backstrip to me so I will go and hold it longer and ask about backstrip and compare. Thanks for telling me about it and the difference.

CompVest wrote:The biggest issue I have with the XDs is they are a pain to clear malfunctions due to the grip safety (if you have small hands). I know this by experience with student's XDs in my classes. I also believe the recoil isn't as easy to manage compared to M&Ps, Glocks, and 1911 style handguns. this is because the XD doesn't sit as low in the hand. The good news is that with good functioning ammunition XDs don't have a lot of malfunctions. I haven't noticed that limp wristing with the XD causes anymore issues than with any other handgun.

If you like it get it. Guns are personal and you need to get what you like. Any issues your choice may have whether with the gun or you can most often be worked through. Sometimes good shooting instruction may be the answer and rarely getting another gun may be the answer if you get a lemon. Either way enjoy the journey!

Thanks.

austinrealtor wrote:Also, if you haven't already, take a look at the Ruger SR9 and SR9c - which are similar, but have very thin grips (comparative to the other three above) and might fit your hands better. Remember with the M&P guns and some of the others, there can be more than one available grip size by changing the "back strap" of the grip - so ask salesman to get the smallest possible backstrap to see if it fits your hands better.

No one has offered "back strap" to me. I have shot with Ruger SR9. I have a limp wrist and have problems with the bullets loading in the chamber... handled both SR9 and the Ruger LCP. Both guns did the same thing as the last bullet doesn't load correctly. I am steering away from Ruger brand as I have problems with them.

austinrealtor wrote: As for the PK380, I think it's a great gun design. It's one of the few available mid-size guns chambered in .380 with a locked breech, short recoil action that provides less felt recoil to the shooter; most other guns in this caliber and size use an old fashioned straight blowback design that is slightly more accurate, but also much more punishing recoil - even from a .380 round.

After handling the Springfriend XD 9 sub compact and than handling the Walter PK380, the Walter PK380 did not feel as comfortable as the Springfield. The grip felt a little bigger or as not comfortable and I was trying to put too much finger on the trigger and with the Springfield the grip felt good and I wasn't putting too much finger on the trigger. After re-handling the Walter, I have second thoughts...

austinrealtor wrote:
If you like Walther, try the PPS 9mm. This is a very thin 9mm gun with a single-stack magazine (as opposed to thicker double-stack magazines in Glock, Springfield XD etc) and two sizes of grip backstraps. The size is very comparable to the PK380, but it will have a bit more recoil and costs more (should be able to find it for $575 or so, but many shops overcharge as much as $650-$700 still for these guns). Also, if you haven't already, take a look at the Taurus 709 Slim, Keltec PF9, and Kahr K9, P9, or CW9 .... all of these are similar sized "single stack" 9mm semi-auto guns.

I did handle the Taurus Slim... I did not like the feel.. grip still big. I did handle a Kahr today... I think it was a .40 and particularly didn't like the gun... I can't find Kahr. I have not held the Keltec PF9 but the P3AT.

The pawn shop I am going to has the best prices I have found so far.

After choosing the Walter PK380 which I did not buy it at the time,I started reading about the gun and rying to find a place where I could try it before I buy it which I couldn't. Today, I went back the gun store to ask a few more questions and they happen to give me the Springfield XD 9 Sub compact to hold. My brother is partial to the Glock 19 if I would get a 9 MM and suggested me to get a 9 MM versus a .380. I qualified with his Glock 19. Because of my tiny hands and grips on some guns all seems too big to which didn't feel comfortable and at the time the Walter PK 380 felt the best for my tiny hands. No one ever showed me Springfield guns and I think I have fallen for the Springfield XD9 sub compact as it feels good in my hand and the my finger feels perfect on the trigger as I don't feel like I am trying to put too much finger on the trigger as I am with the other guns I have handled. The Springfield grips which I did not know are a little smaller. I am seriously thinking about purchasing the Springfield XD 9 sub compact. Comparing it with a Glock 19, the Springfield XD 9 sub compact is a little shorter but little heavier and grip a little smaller... does it have about the same recoil or less recoil as the Glock 19? The Glock 19 are known to work under extreme conditions... how is the Springfield gun under extreme conditions? Is it more touchy? I like how it has the grip and trigger safety too. What holsters do you'll suggest to carry concealed and is it a easy gun to carry concealed?

I have a limp wrist and have had problems with the bullets loading in the chamber on Rugers but I did not have any problems with the Glock. Today, I was told that some folks have had problems with the Glock with limp wrist and the Springfield guns are good for folks with a limp wrist...has anyone had problems with the Springfield XD 9 sub compact who has a limp wrists?

Thanks.

I have gone a few gun stores the last couple of days and looked at some guns. I went to a gun store on Wednesday and the person wasn't too helpful. I went to another gun store yesterday and the person wasn't too helpful.

Today, I went to a different gun shop and my brother was able to come with me this time. This particular gun shop, I handled some more guns and this particular person along with my brother was more helpful in sharing his knowledge with me in helping me find the right gun for me... my tiny hands. Both, my brother and the sales person, said the PK380 would be the best gun for me that fits my hands correctly along with the trigger pull. The sales person explained the gun to me and the gun felt good to my hands as well as the trigger. The gun felt really easy for me to operate where as some of the 9 MM are a little harder until I got use to them. The site looks like it is a good site... and the salesperson said the gun doesn't have much of a kick and is accurate and is a fun gun to shoot.

I have also looked at the pocket .380, the Ruger LCP, I believe the Taurus TCP (small pocket gun... think I have the correct models so please correct me if I am wrong.), as well as the Keltec. I have heard folks say that these guns are good guns to shoot and do not have much of a kick to them... and than I have heard other folks who have shot with multiple type of guns and said these guns have a big kick to them compared to the 9 MM and are not a fun gun to shoot. Yeah, I hear they are good back up guns for law enforcement and etc.

Before I purchase the PK380... and the one I looked at has the laser, I like to hear everyone's pros and cons to the gun... if there has been problems or no problems... accuracy... and anything else you like to share along with what type of holster one uses for this particular gun.

I like to hear feedback/knowledge from others who have owned this gun before I buy which I am planning in the next couple of weeks. I do not know of anyone that has a PK380 to where I can try it before I buy it as a lot of people advise so I am trying to find out as much information about this gun before I spend money on it.

I know folks mentioned for me to get a 9 MM and not have one talk me into a .380... but I feel that if I am going to carry on my person and need to use in a defense type of situation, I would like to have a gun that fits my hand better for me to operate quicker and so forth versus having a gun that doesn't fit my hand as good to where I have a chance of operating not so quickly. I am not saying I can't handle a 9 MM as I can... I just want one that fits my hand better to where I can operate quicker... and perhaps I can get at a later date a 9 MM after I am able to look around more or wait for when a gun show comes to see if there are better choices to where I will find a 9 MM that will fit my hand better that I have not found in the last several days... and if I am going to do a lot of target shooting and I am not saying that I won't with the PK 380... I would use a 9 MM but I would also use the PK 380 as I need to learn how to shoot it and keep up on my skills and improve my skills better. I hope that makes sense.

Some people have shown me revolvers and I am not sure if I 100% want a revolver... a friend of my brothers came into town tonight to give him one of his revolvers for me to try out so hopefully in the next couple days I will try the revolver to see how it feels... and it would be nice to find someone with a PK380 or a place that rents to try it out before I put money towards it.

Thanks so much in advance and also for all the advice and suggestions.

Thanks everyone for providing me with information as it has given me a lot to think about. I hope to make it to a gun store in the next few days. Also, thanks for those who ride that shared how they carry as it has given me some thought as well. I will welcome all helpful advice.... and thanks again to all those who has chimed in.

cbr600 wrote:

BMWGSRider wrote:I don't mean to be "dumb" but for those who mention try before buy... how do you try before you buy? I did not think there was a way to try a gun out before you buy one. Or when you say try before you buy meaning to find a gun range that will rent guns?

Rentals are one way. If you've handled many handguns and found a few that feel good in your hand, sometimes people are willing to meet new shooters at a range and let them try their guns, especially if you offer to supply the (factory) ammo you will shoot.

BMWGSRider wrote:Thanks for all the welcomes... I never got an email notification to replies... are you suppose to get email notifications on replies or no?

Only if you "Subscribe topic" (see the bottom of the page)

Thank you!

Thanks for all the wonderful advice as I will use all the advice that was given in my research for the right gun for me.

I have already qualified and did qualify with a semi-automatic.

I don't mean to be "dumb" but for those who mention try before buy... how do you try before you buy? I did not think there was a way to try a gun out before you buy one. Or when you say try before you buy meaning to find a gun range that will rent guns?

Thanks for all the welcomes... I never got an email notification to replies... are you suppose to get email notifications on replies or no?

Thanks again for sharing you'll knowledge.

I am a female and new to the forums and hope I am posting in the proper place and if not please direct me to proper forum... sorry in advance.

I just recently took my CHL class and am awaiting for my birthday to roll around before I apply for my CHL. I borrowed a gun to use for the class as I have not purchased one as of yet.

I am looking/seeking advice on what gun/pistol that maybe right for me. I am 4' 11" about 130 lbs athletic built. I am petite and have very tiny hands.

I do not plan to carry all the time on my person but mainly be able to carry while traveling as I travel alone. When I travel, I travel long distance on a motorcycle. I am looking for a possible gun that I may start out with that will fit me properly especially my tiny hands and being able to conceal on my person with my petite stature. I am also wanting one that will suit me best as well for traveling/carrying on the motorcycle for when I travel long distance.

I know there are many different types, makes, and models... I just not sure which gun to start researching to find the right one for me. I am sure a lot of guns will be trying until you find one you like... but I am sure those who have a lot of knowledge and so forth in diff pistols and sizes will help to start guide me in the correct direction for a small gun that may suit my needs to start out with until I am able to gain more knowledge about all the diff sizes, makes, and models of all the guns that are out there.

Thanks so much in advance.