What's your definition of affordable? I have heard very good things about Springfield Armory's xD line, but have no experience with them. I'm looking at get a handgun for the same reason you are, so I'm looking forward to the responses.
I skimmed most of the replies. I've been looking at it, seems cool. I have a P3AT pocket gun. After breakin, it's been like buttah. It took 500 rounds of .380 ball ammo.
I've seen great reviews of that gun. Technically since there's no stock, it can have a barrel shorter than 16" as it's handgun. If it had a stock, it would be required to have a barrel longer than 16" (or have the corresponding licenses).
It's a neat gun, but if I wanted a semi-auto rifle it'd be an AK, AR or Mini-14. Not because these guns are that superior, but because I know that I can almost ALWAYS get parts. Barring the end of the world...
I saw a mention of deer hunting, some states have a minimum caliber for deer hunting with pistols and rifles. The bullet may pass for a rifle in your state (some only allow shotgun slugs, muzzleloader or bows), BUT may not for a handgun. In Ohio, a handgun has to be a straightwall cartidge with a diameter of .357 or larger. No rifles allowed, only shotguns firing slugs or muzzleloaders in .45 or larger.
I'm actually looking at a purchase of a semi-auto 9mm pistol right now. I was very interested in the Sig-Sauer P226. I went looking the other day. Also compared to a Ruger (forget the model). Didn't like the feel of the Ruger. The Sig felt much better to me.
The salesman gave me the "mind if I show you something" line. He got out a CZ 75. I dropped it in my hand and WOW. It just felt right! I made some calls and found a range where I can rent one to shoot. I intend to do so soon.
EDIT: Many of the CZ75 models can also be gotten in .40 S&W chamber.
A bit off topic... I just got a S&W 38 special at Christmas. It was owned by my stepfather and I really didn't know anything about it. After some internet searches I found it it's a Victory model produced between 1942 - 1945. It's in great shape and shoots just fine. Pretty cool!
As far as 9mm goes I really like the Beretta 92FS.I have shot four differant ones and they are dead reliable but I have never cared for the 9mm.I carried a Springfield Armory 1911 worked on by Wilson Combat for years until I got a Glock 21.If 14 rounds of .45 won't solve your problems you are in over your headI do have pretty large hands though so these pistols may not work for you.
What fits is what's best. The test? ( after making sure gun is not loaded ) Pick a spot on the wall at chest height, usually in a gun store, a poster or stuffed critter. Verify that no one is going to walk in front of you, Aim pistol at target, line up front & rear sight so it's all proper & aimed at target. Verify no one will walk in front of you. Lower pistol. Close both eyes & point the pistol, at eye level, at the target. Open eyes. If it all lines up, it's a natural fit.
Now, going from a 1911 to a Glock, ( for instance ) you have to adjust, as grip angles are not the same, and it's possible to really like a gun and have to program your muscles to aim naturally, but a natural pointer that fits the hand is really nice.
I'd suggest 9mm as ammo is cheapest & that means you practice more. If you choose a 9mm, practice with cheap ball ammo, but carry it with modern, high quality expanding ammo. That's important, since 9mm ball ( full metal jacket military ammo ) will often zip a hole in a wolf sized critter without stopping it right away. Expanding ammo like Federals FMJ-expanding ( with a polymer ball in the tip you can't see ) Corbon Powerball, or Hornady critical defense, ( to name a few ) will expand and transfer more energy to the target &, in general make a bigger hole to let the angry out.
40 S&W, or 45 ACP will make a bigger hole to start with, but also does better with expanding ammo. It will be more expensive to practice. ( the cost of ammo you HAVE to use is irrelevant ) .357 Sig is well thought of by some police dept.'s but is harder to find & costly.
Around here IPSC shooting is popular & I see Kimber 1911 clones used in perfect shape fairly cheap. I don't know about your neck of the woods. Don't be put off by a polymer pistol, they work fine.
If you want different, try a Beretta PX4 Storm. Rotating barrel, unique set up. You won't see them everywhere.
Good stopping power (As Aesquire pointed out expanding ammo is part of that). 9mm ball ammo can go right through a person, through a wall, and into unseen things beyond.
Good availability. Speaks for itself.
Manageable recoil.
Relatively low cost of ammo. Allows more practice.
Don't be put off by a polymer pistol, they work fine.
I agree, but... Polymer pistols tend to be lighter. Great for CCW. You get a bit more recoil though. It's nice to find a place you can test a weapon before purchase. If the recoil isn't a problem then I see no problem with polymers.
9 mm? I have a WW1 broomhandle Mauser, an H&K squeeze cocker, and an SP89. But the last Pope took three 9 mm hits fired by a muslim assassin and finished out his term from old age, so I carry +P or +P+ or Hydra-Schock rounds when I might be playing for keeps.
[Evelyn is cut off in a parking lot] Evelyn Couch: Hey! I was waiting for that spot! Girl #1: Face it, lady, we're younger and faster! [Evelyn rear-ends the other car six times] Girl #1: What are you *doing*? Girl #2: Are you *crazy*? Evelyn Couch: Face it, girls, I'm older and I have more insurance.
12x9, I am a fan of the XD sieries I have a 45 and a 40, and I like them both. The ammo for the 45 is hard to find but not the 40. The knockdown power is equal in them but all in all for a poly frame pistol they are very nice to shoot and inexpensive to buy (40cal $500, 45cal $600). The"essential" dosen't have the mag holder or holster included, but a Uncle Mikes holster is only about $30,so its not that big a deal.
I went to the range and shot the CZ 75 and the XD 9mm. 50 rounds through each with zero malfunctions. Both felt very good to me. My groupings were equally poor with either gun. I'm no marksman so don't make anything of my performance.
The safety features of the two are very different. The CZ has a manual safety that can only be engaged while the gun is cocked. Of course this must be turned off manually before the gun can shoot. The XD uses passive safety mechanisms. Basically there are a pair of passive safeties that must be pressed to fire, one on the back of the grip and on on the trigger.
I liked the XD for it's simplicity of use, i.e. you pick it up chamber a round and it will fire when you attempt to fire it in a normal manner. This makes it so you will not be surprised by a safety left on when you really need the gun to fire. The XD is also completely ambidextrous. That will be nice if my wife decides to start shooting it as she says she might.
The CZ does offer models that have an ambidextrous safety, but not the magazine release.
The XD is very light by comparison being mostly composite. The recoil on the 9mm isn't bad though even with such a light gun. The XD also comes with a composite holster as a bonus. On top of all of that the XD is about $100 less than the CZ.
I think I see an XD in my future. Thanks for the suggestions on that piece!
I do have pretty large hands though so these pistols may not work for you.