Of the following manufacturers, tell me what you don't like

Kimber
H&K
Sig Sauer
Glock

The local dealer offers all of these manufacturers and I would like to narrow it down to maybe 2 for the feel and fit test. On price, I'll spend extra if the value is there. The Kimber and H&K are ~720-1300 w/ the Glock just under $500. They are not SA dealers and I've heard good things about them but this is what they have, well they also have Berreta, Browning, Para Ordinance, S&W but I only looked at those listed above. Thanks. Oh, this is for home defense purposes.

Out of all listed, all are too expensive for a home defence gun. You don't have to get 1" groups at 25 yards for home defense. I like the glocks. Affordable, simple home defense guns that you point and fire. And are affordable.

I buy kimber for target and fun. H&K, highly overrated for 99% of us and too expensive. Sig, amost too expensive, but good gun. Of course Berreta is a good gun, and would fit your purposes fine, and is affordable these days.

Really depends on what you want to spend. I have a glock for carry, and only keep wheel guns for home defense. Rest are just to make tiny little groups at the range.

You might want to look at Springfield, but they are getting pricey. Paras are good.

Like Bigcountry said those are expensive guns just for home defense.For home defense one of the Ruger semi auto's would be fine.The Glock's are another good choice and allot less expensive then the H&K,Kimber and Sigs.I use a Glock M-27 for my CCW guns.I've had it for along time and has proved to be reliable.Another option is buying a revolver for home defense.Get a 357 mag and you can practice with 38 spls.You have allot of different options to choose from.Go to different gun shops and ask opinions. Handle as many as you can and see which one feels good to you.What may feel good to me might feel terrible to you.You have to make the final decision.I do agree with you on your choice of caliber.The 40S&W is a great round.
Ruger Redhawk

Well for me my off duty choice is the GLOCK 23. My department just switched over on duty guns form the S&W 4046 this gun was garbage, we now use H&K USP, it's better then the S&W, but for me it doesn't compare to a GLOCK. For alot less money I would go with Glock, simple to use, take apart, and very accurate.

I would say a ruger or glock would be a good choice with the others you my be paying out a little more money.

I DON'T have a .40, I'm a .45 or or fun kind of guy (i.e. I have a 9mm for fun, .45's for "serious stuff")...

Of this type of gun, I've got a Kimber, a Springfield Armory 1911, two Ruger P-series, and have had two Glocks in the past....

My Rugers shoot pretty much just as well as I could ask of a pistol, and cost me $318 and $360, both new...they just aren't as nice to look at and they're not 1911 style. My Springfield cost me $425 new, I did $150 worth of upgrades to it (half price though, really $300 worth) and it shoots a good deal better than my Kimber...I can't comment on what the Springfield XD's would be, but based on my experience with the SA 1911 types, they're as good as gold. I just don't like the feel of glocks.

My kimber does everything I could ask of it, and it's the prettiest of them all, that's what I figure we're paying for on that one.

Moral of the story, for $350 you can buy a Ruger P-series and have every bit as good of home defense weapon as those you listed that are about twice the price.

I feel that a shooter needs to own a weapon that he feels comfortable with, can shoot well and that he has confidence in. For me that is my Glock 22 and my Springfield XD. The Glock is my duty weapon and the XD is my CCW. I can shoot both very well and have 100% faith in both and like the feel of both.

If you can, find a local range that rents differn't guns try them on for size. Granted don't look at reliabilty super hard, range guns get shot alot and cleaned very little. It will still give you the information that you need in regards to accuracy and feel.

The weapons you listed are all great guns and are all proven. A home defense gun just like a duty gun or a CCW gun should be reliable and you should have faith in it. If that means $200 extra for a Glock/Kimber/H&K then so be it, it's your life.

For home defense, I would recommend the .45acp. Has plenty of stopping power but with low enough velocity so you won't have to worry about shooting through the perp and into the room where your children are sleeping, ie no over penetration.
Ruger was not mentioned in your post as that is what I would recommend, maybe a P-97.
The Glock would be my choice of what you have listed.

pa257
If you really want a weapon for home defense buy a pump 12 gauge.
If you also want to shoot for fun, then I would go with the ruger or glock. The ruger would be about $100 cheaper.

i have a glock model 35 in the 40sw..... it will eat ANY BULLET you put in the pipe... i have shot atleast 2000 rounds thru it with no jam... i payed $485.00 w/ night sights
i killed a 2x2 muley in idaho with it 165 grain speer gold dots.. ONE SHOT>>ONE KILL..
the 40 caliber is a damn great cartridge........good luck on choice...