40 or 45

Im a fan of the 40. thats my first choice.in anything . plenty of power and a few more shots than a 45 .  what are you buying?

bi color stainless xd i just cant decide if im going to get the xd or the xdm

I bought a XD in 40 a few years back thinking that it would be easier for the wife to shoot than a 45. As it turns out it would have been about the same and I would have the 45. From a home defense standpoint there is something reassuring about that big bullet going down range with the 45. Otherwise the 40 is a good compromise, fun to shoot, and very easy to clean.

The XDM in 45acp would be a great choice because it will be accurate and very lethal. I am a 45 nut but there is nothing wrong with the 40. Both will put holes in people and are great for self-defense with the right ammo selection. So you should be happy with any one you choose.

9mm

Get a Kimber compact. Amazing firearms. And why would you buy a .40 when they make a .45

This is what I currently carry.....and yes it's a 9mm.  I shoot +P Gold Dots 124 gr and it performs just like a 40 with my particular load.  Also I can scale it down a bit with cheap fmj loads for practice.  Granted you can do that with a 40 also but the 9mm is still cheaper.  I've shot LOTS of handguns and this is one of my favorites! 

Bottom line:  Whatever you get make sure you can shoot it well.  Good luck!

Thanks guys now do you think that its worth 100 bucks more for a match grade barrel changeable grips and 4 more rounds in the clip

o yeah what one overall has the cheaper ammo thanks

No, no, and no

9mm is the cheapest, hands down....

I like the .45, and I load it down for practice.  I shoot it alot and it is a little on the pricey side if you don't reload, but so are all pistol calibers nowdays. 

Why shoot a Kimber when you can shoot a Colt.  A Kimber is a copy, and a little overpriced, and don't hold value nearly as well.  I am thinking of an XD in 45, for carry as I want something a little lighter, and the XD seems to be a good choice.  I see Ruger has come out with a new .45 also.

Jiffy,

Ever shoot that thing without hearing protection?  I have my 23 a couple times and GAWD.

...45 ACP a big hole leaves a better trail for tracking especially in the snow

All4eyes Said:
Why shoot a Kimber when you can shoot a Colt.  A Kimber is a copy, and a little overpriced, and don't hold value nearly as well. 

By the 1st sentence I'd expect you to shoot a Springfield, not a Colt, as the Colt is also overpriced and a copy too.

Between the 40 and 45 I'd personally go 45 simply because I have more experience with it.

As per Marksman,

Both are adequate deer calibers at sensible bow range.

svnmag Said:
Jiffy,

Ever shoot that thing without hearing protection?  I have my 23 a couple times and GAWD.

Yes, it's VERY loud!  Found out a 9mm won't bounce off skunks....

40 H&K compact for me. Love it!!!

S & W Airlite .357 revolver.  Weighs only 12 ounces.  Lots of recoil with the .357's though so I practice with .38's.  Only holds 5 rounds but that should be sufficient in most cases.