[MS.BEHAVIN]

PING to some guys that might be able to help.

[Beaten Valve]

*

[hiredhand]

I'm an admitted 1911 .45ACP bigot, and it's my preferred carry weapon, but my good friend at work has a Springfield XD chambered for the .40. It gets good reviews, is ballistically superior to the 9mm and is easy to shoot IMHO. I know you wrote that you have a preference for the H&K or the Sig, and they're both fine pistols, but consider the XD. :-)

[Bryanw92]

I just bought a Beretta PX4 Storm Sub-Compact in 9mm and it’s the best “small” handgun I’ve ever had. 13 round magazine (don’t ask me how they do that...black hole technology??), very pleasant to shoot, and as accurate as my big Beretta.

[Secret Agent Man]

The SP101 is good for 9mm. Glock or Sig for 40 cal.

[TYVets]

Talk to people who shoot them

Try message boards, of course opinions will vary

An indoor range near here rents handguns by the hour. $40 to use their firearm plus a box of 50 rounds and one hour range time. Not a bad deal

[mountn man]

Can't go wrong with either. Personally I think H&K make some of the best guns. The Sig226 was used by the Navy until the H&K Mark 23 came out, so its a very reliable gun.

Find a range where you can rent either or, and have your son try them both.

[scottfactor]

This is not personal, so please don’t take it that way, but...I am not a fan of laser sights. I believe that, for the most part, laser sights are a great feature to show a customer when someone is selling them a gun. The reality is that all the laser sights, red dots, tritium, gps homing bullets, or other fancy gizmos won’t do you any good if you can’t control the trigger. If you master the trigger, the rest of that stuff will lose it’s value to you. Control that trigger and you will win that gunfight. No gizomos needed.

[KoRn]

Having larger hands, I never liked sub-compacts.

During the past year, I was in the market for the exact same thing, and I got a Springfield Armory XD .40 compact(their next to smallest size). The mags will hold 12 flush fit, it’s as accurate as you’d want it to be, and they are rock solid. Like you, the HK handguns have always been my favorite, but you can’t beat the XD for a solid semiauto carry gun.

[RoseyT]

My son tried to reply but I guess his account is still in the verification process or something.

Anyway, his questions are:
What will it be used for? Home/self defense? Range? Concealed carry? Does the person have prior firearm experience? And what is his stature?

[smokingfrog]

I’m partial to Glocks (hard to beat a G19 or G23), but think the new Springfield XD[M] is real nice too.

Sig has sort of a unique thing going with their P250 2SUM. You get a 9mm and .40 cal together for a lot less than the price of 2 guns.

[kbennkc]

Is he a pygmy? If not good gun leather and full size 1911 are the only choices. No Sig, no hk, no glock, no double action semi, no magazine disconnect silliness, no double stack, fat grip junk. You can not tell which gun is best until you have them in leather and on your person . Overall size is one one factor. 1911s are flat and one of the easiest guns to carry with more options,accessories, parts and availability of set up and repair know how, than any 10 other guns.

1911 and Milt Sparks leather.

He might have to learn I'm right the hard way, but he will have fun doing it and he will then think he discovered 1911 singlehandedly . Most pistoleers do. Good luck

[Joe 6-pack]

I am particularly fond of CZ products. The RAMI is their entry in the subcompact field. It can be had in .40 or 9mm.

[Tijeras_Slim]

You’re at the top of the food chain with either of those. A bigger bullet is always nice, but modern 9mm ammo is very good.

I’d say go with the one you like the fit, ergonomics, and trigger on best.

[tony549]

A SIG P226 is a full sized gun; I have one. If you have smaller hands, like I do, the SIG is a good fit. Instead of the P226, go with a SIG P229. It’s a compact size pistol. I also like Kahr pistols; they’re small and very flat, but pricey. However, if you want good stopping power, and a compact size, it’s hard to beat a single action 1911 45ACP ( as mentioned above)in either Commander size or a more compact version. Colt, Kimber, and Springfield Armory (to name a few makers) make good 1911’s. Kimber came out last year with a bobtail version of the 1911 to improve concealability.

[C0y0Te]

.45 he’ll want out of the 9mm first time he tries a .45
Just save some time and money.

[mylife]

You cannot beat the Sig 226 if you have that kind of money

[NYTexan]

Go with this and get the laser grip too...

[Travis McGee]

Xd or Glock.

[El Sordo]

One of each. Just in case.