For those who didn't like the grip or whatever about Glocks, I would highly recommend the Springfield XDm. Fantastic gun. I comes with three sizes of grip replacements, as well as a kydex holster and dual magazine holster. The aggressive traction of the grip allows for a solid purchase on the gun; and as a fan of 1911's it feels very close to the same with the small grip in a double-stack .40 cal. It has a loaded chamber indicator and a cocked indicator, both of which can be easily seen or felt in the dark. And if its possible, its even easier to take-down than a Glock. Best trade I ever made on a handgun. four stars

Yes, good thought. In some areas I frequent and work it is open carry so I wear a Ruger .45 Colt. The other miners often carry weapons as well, and we keep them nearby when not on us. I usually have a .44 magnum Marlin close by. We have a lot of lions and bears and claim jumpers. Last year a neighbor ran a jumper off our mine at the point of his .357 mag. We find lion prints about, hair balls, bear prints, and dumps which are rather large. There have been two Big Foot incidents as well. Some bears will walk right up to me. Have found remains of eaten bears on the mine, too. I have noticed that miners usually carry single or double action revolvers. I have seen men in black with black autos and belts on occasion. Unidentified but weren't locals. They did not return my wave and smile. Frowns.

Left at home?! My dear fellow, not so, not so at all. I carry my big iron on my right hip when away from home.

Also good slipped into the front pocket during the middle of summer. A Ruger LCP can go a long way when it's 100 degrees outside.

My best shooting friend has a XD and a XDS. I like them both, but I have a problem buying a modern striker fired poly handgun at an MSRP of 600 smackers that is made in Croatia. I understand with Glock as they are an Austrian company. I cannot get over this with Springfield Armory. I think I will stick to the SR series from Ruger.

Although, the small gun you brought with you is better than the big gun you left at home. :-)

I cannot say too much bad about them. My EDC is a Ruger SR9c, and aside from the manual safety there is not much difference.

+1 for 1911s

While it is interesting. I have a 21 sitting in my collection that was an attempt to improve my times in IDPA matches. I was never really able to get along with the grip angle and fatness and the sights.. so, I am back to 1911s and its collecting some dust. I have been thinking about messing with making it into a long slide, the extra weight would help.. as for a small carry piece, ill stick with the ppk.

I like my Glock.

Rugers, yes, have a Vaq .45 Colt and a Blackhawk .44 magnum. Like to have enough gun. I get amused watching them city folks at the range trying to hit a bull with a pea shooter at 15 yards while I bang away at 50 yards with .44. It lobs well out to about 150 yards, too. Once knocked out a Big Foot with it.

Never fired the .380, though their .357/9MM is a good piece when properly maintained. However, the KD power comment is directed at the light grain weight of both the slug and the powder load, not the weapon.

Nah! .380 has the knock down power of a fly swatter, hit em and they go down, but they won't stay there!

I can see that. The Glock grip angle is really weird. I think someone could get used to it, but it would take time, and a lot of rounds.

Oh yeas. The GP100 is still in production, but now they come with a hogue monogrip on them. You can still get a classic set like mine from shopruger.com or Ebay.

Ah, so you would like my little Ruger...

http://i786.photobucket.com/albums/yy144...

I have no use for them either. They are the verboten hardware in my house. ;-) Now a nice .357 large frame revolver, aahhhhh