Question from a first timer

[Excalibur]

If you're worried about over penetration, get bullets that stop when it hits someone

[FirearmFan]

By the way the XDM 9mm has a 19+1 capacity I think do any other pistols on the market have that big of clip size without being modified?

The FN Five Seven comes standard with 20 round magazines, but the 5.7 x 28mm ammo is much more scarce and more expensive than the 9mm. Not to mention I would take an XDM any day of the week over the Five Seven. I do love FN, just not super crazy about the Five Seven or the 5.7 x 28mm cartidge.

I think the .40 is a great round, I think it's a great compromise between capacity and firepower between the 9mm and .45acp. I will tell you this though, even though I am a big fan of the .40S&W, I suggest going with the 9mm if you plan to mostly target shoot and don't have a ton of extra money to spend on ammo. 9mm costs way less and the more ammo you can afford the more practice you can get in and that's what is really important. Shot placement is everything so buy the cheaper ammo and keep practicing. Also the 9mm has enough knockdown power given proper shot placement, especially if you use +p ammo.

[jdun]

Glocks has three safety. Trigger safety, drop safety, and fire pin safety. It does not have a manual safety.

Here are the four gun safety rules:

1 Treat firearms as if they are loaded
2 Point the muzzle in a safe direction
3 Keep finger off the trigger
4 Be sure of your target—and of what is beyond it

[k9870]

40 recoils about the same as 45, it just works better in small guns and you get more capacity, it shoots flatter but you can't claim self defense at 50 yards can you? 9mm is betetr for a new shooter to get lots of practice cheap, and just move up to a bigger caliber in the future when you feel confortable with it and have the money.

[TheGunslinger121]

Sounds like 9mm is the one then and like I said I am really leaning towards the XDM I love the look and have been reading some pretty good things about them. Hopefully the range I go to has one to rent out so I can make sure I like the feel and everything.

Thanks a lot for all the help everyone I definetly needed it.

[TheGunslinger121]

One more (possibly stupid) question. Say I went with the XDM does any 9mm round work or is there a certain kind and if so where can I find out which one it needs?

[k9870]

Id suggest 124 grain speer gold dot for self defense. For rnage time, get cheaper fmj/ball ammo, remington umc works well for me and is generally a good price. 147 grain ammo tends to jam in autos.

[jdun]

Originally Posted by TheGunslinger121

One more (possibly stupid) question. Say I went with the XDM does any 9mm round work or is there a certain kind and if so where can I find out which one it needs?

That depend if the pistol is rated for +p or +p+. If the pistol is rated for +p+ it will fire any 9mm ammo (9x19). If the pistol isn't rated to fire +p, you are limit to ammo below +p.

I am not sure if the XD is rated for +p+. I'm not a big fan of XD and the only plastic pistol that I think worth the money are Glocks.

I suggest you go to a gun show or gun range (rent) to get a feeling on the pistols that you want to buy.