Under $500.00 Semiauto pistol. Looked at CZ's, S&w's , Magnum Research, Ruger's Taurus and others.9mm too light for me.
What are the differences between 40 S&W, 45 ACP, and 45 Colt.Ups and downs on pistol makes and different caliber choices.
This will be a carry around firearm for farm and field. A plinker and a self defense arm as well.Accuracy a plus.Reliability a must.

Springfield XD's are pretty nice.

FOr that kiond of money look to the Ruger P345 in 45acp

I am leaning that way.Ruger P345 in 45 ACP. I read a review online , plus reviews from several owners all were positive.The only other contenders are a used Sig in 357 Sig and a CZ75 in 45 ACP.

I looked at tons of pistols, glocks are nice but the grip angle sucks, basically now its chisled down to springfield XD in 40 sw or the CZ po1 only comes in 9mm thought, I am leaning toward the springfield xd, I want it to carry and for plinking from time to time. what is the better pistol for this??

Another possibility is a used gun. SIG has reconditioned pistols [ ex police ] with guarentee.

I've done business with a guy named Summit Gun Broker. He's got S&W 4506's for a pretty good price right now. They are kind of big but the one's I've had are shooters. Any of the 45 series are nice. You just don't hear of FTF or FTE with that group of Smiths. I've also got a 4566 that is very nice. Worth a look.

You sound like a 10mm guy to me. Very flexible and accurate, and a legitimate hunting pistol to boot. Factory ammo for every application, including the low pressure FBI loads up to 135 JHCs at 1650 fps if you like velocity.

A full sized 34 OZ EAA Witness runs $350 and has all the great features of the CZ 75s. The 4.5 inch bbl is a must.

Having used a 9mm and a .41 mag on people, and close colegues having used 9mm and .45 ACP I draw the following conclusions.

Bullet selection is more critical than caliber. The Winchester Ranger +p+ 127grn ammo most of us carry in our 9mm's beats the heck out of a .45 loaded with old fashioned speer 200grn hollow points (the old flying ashtrays).

I currently cary a S&W 329 loaded with speer gold dots, or an STI Edge in .40 S&W loaded with .155grn Gold Dots at 1250fps. In the light of my experience I believe that the bullet impact velocity needs to be above 1150fps

Given equivalent hollowpoints, a subsonic .40 is less effective than a subsonic .45 and certainly no better than a supersonic 9mm

If you want to use it for small game hunting as well- get a 10mm as sabot sugests. That is a great round, and can be loaded to do things that the best .45 only dreams of or loaded down for a bianchi match! Had a 10mm revolver -

I agree with Sabot on the EAA Witness line of pistols. I have two. Very serviceable, nothing fancy, but do the job. For more $ you can get the Witness Hunter in 10mm. Supposedly very accurate, longer barrel, muzzle brake, looks like a nice gun.
Peter.

I own an EAA Witness full size polymer framed 40 S&W. I also bought an unported frame and barrel for the pistol.

For target shooting or events like IDPA it's a joy to shoot! It's a toss up for me which I like baset the XD Springfield in 9MM or the EAA Witness in 40 S&W.

Here is a link to CDNN INVESTMENTS

Download the catalog. YOu can buy one of the EAA pistols for under $300 if memory serves me right.

If you are going to carry it around alot, I suggest one of the lightweight (scandium) S&W 1911's in a Commander size, .45 ACP. Good pistol right out the box in a proven caliber.

Springfield XD in 40 S & W V10 would be my choice.

Either a glock 19 (9mm) or a glock 23 (40). You won't be sorry.

Larry

Another vote for the Glock 23.

This JUST became an easier question to answer

XD-45