I have been thinking about purchasing a first-time pistol. Numerous long arms, but never a pistol. The SA-XD .40 with a 4” barrel is what I’m thinking about. I like the various safety features that it has, seems to be reliable in the “always fires” mentality, and from the reviews seems to be pretty quick to pick up on accurate pointing. Still not real sure - but need to make up my mind soon before the laws all change. (A revolver might still be in the running too - S&W .357).
Think fast - the bans/restrictions are coming (HR45).
Go to a range and try out a few guns, see how they point and hold for you. The big draw of the XD is that it’s the first polymer frame pistol to duplicate the ergonomics of the 1911 and Browning High Power, plus have the “transparent in use” grip safety of the 1911. Both the 1911 and the BHP are known to be natural pointers (the BHP more so than the 1911) and the XD continues in that line.
I like my XD45s. They’ve superceded the BHP as my frontline pistol choice.
Here is an affordable .40 cal that I carry almost always:
http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=36&category=Pistol
and here is a .357 I love:
http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=259&category=Revolver
Taurus has really improved their quality over the last few years. I have other brands, it is just coincidence that my two favorites are Taurus and they are affordable.