Springfield Armory XD9
My first handgun purchase was this Springfield Armory Xtreme Duty polymer frame pistol. I’d been reading about it on the HS2000 forums and in several mainstream gun magazines. This being my first handgun, I wanted to get something that was robust, modern, and interesting. Also, I wanted something that would be cheap to shoot in a reasonable caliber.
I was pretty much set on getting an HK USP in 9mm, because I liked the way it shot at the range and the operating controls. However, the day I went to Riley’s to get one, they were out, and weren’t expecting any for a couple of weeks.
When I picked up the XD9, I liked the way it felt. I also liked that it had the Glock-like action, but with a passive grip-safety that didn’t seem to impact the trigger pull in a way I could detect (but what do I know?). As I was thinking of getting 1911-style pistols after I had learned to shoot better, it didn’t seem like a bad idea to get used to it.
The XD also has two features that, as a newbie shooter, I found reassuring: the “chamber loaded” and “firing pin cocked” indicators. You can check ‘em by sight or by feel. The XD slide is also milled to take SIG-style sights, uses Beretta mags, and was very reasonably priced.
Why didn’t I just get a SIG or a Glock? I figure I’ll get them eventually to fill out the collection. I didn’t like the SIGs at the range, and everyone has a Glock. The XD9 was also a good intro gun, and I figured I can use it to introduce other friends to shooting.
