[Polycarp]

Thanks. This was a very timely post for me. I've spent 6 hours today online researching various pistols. I want to upgrade from my current cheap DAO 9mm to either a .40 or .45.

I'm almost sold on either the Steyr M40 or a compact Para Ordnance LDA.

I'm leaning towards the Para, because I want to use either Crimson Trace or LaserMax lasersights, and I like the concept of Para's LDA DAO mechanism. Its available in both .40 as well as .45. This added "Cocked And Locked With The Hammer Down" LDA safety measure may not be necessary but it would make me feel more secure.

Any advice?

[resistance]

I prefer my old winchester model 12, full choke, with 00 buck shot. My guess is at 10 yards the bad guy would have a hole the size of salad plate all the way through him. At 40 yards it would be like getting shot about 12 times at once with a 22.

[Euro-American Scum]

Any advice?

Get the Para. You won't be sorry. I've got a P-12 LDA and it's simply an outstanding weapon.

[Atlas Sneezed]

If you like the Para LDA, be sure to check out Glocks and the HK USP LEM .40 (which comes in two trigger weights, so be sure you know which you are trying.)

[2nd_Amendment_Defender]

I personally don't like the Para Ordnance. My brother owns a .45 Para Ordnance handgun and I'm not impressed. It jams every now and again because the magazines are not very good quality.

What do you intend to use the pistol for? Concealed carry? Home defense?

You can't go wrong buying a Glock, Sig Sauer or Heckler and Koch. My next handgun purchase may be a Colt .45 Defender 90 series. I have heard good reviews about the .45 Colt Defender 90 Series. It holds 7 or 8 + 1 rounds of .45 ACP ammunition and it is very light and good for concealed carry.

I am also a fan of the Glock 30 and Glock 23. Both are also great handguns.

.45 Colt Defender 90 Series

[USMC0351Grunt]

I carry a Taurus PT1140 as a conceal carry during the summer and a Glock Model 22, .40 Caliber during the cooler seasons (Jackets and shoulder holster or side holster) and transfer my Taurus to the back-up position.

You want to play ganes carrying anything less than a .40 caliber, then write your obituary now so it looks good and sounds cool in the newspaper.