So for the past few months I have been considering purchasing a handgun. After my moms house we burgarlized, I was pretty much convinced of getting one. I have narrowed it down to a Ruger 45 or a Springfield 40. I must admit I am leaning to the side of the Ruger due to the heft that comes with it.

However the Springfield has the new saftey on it. Instead of having to push a button or lever, there is a pad on the back of the grip and on the trigger that must be pushed at the same time for the gun to fire. No more messing with a saftey lever.

What do you all think?

I've read good things about both. Never shooting the Springfield I can't comment.I have never owned one of the Ruger "P" series which is odd since I like all the Ruger products. More into long guns over the last several years for some reason.I know allot of people who own these Rugers and truthfully never heard anything bad.I do know for a fact if there is a problem with any Ruger they will and do stand behind their guns.To me that's a big factor or deciding point when buying anything.I might also suggest looking at the Glock's.You have a few 45's and 40's there to choose from. My Carry gun is a Baby Glock Model 27. Wouldn't trade it for the world.Good luck with whatever one you decide on.

Ruger Redhawk

Strictly for in home defense? get a guage

I just picked up the Service model XD in 40 cal. The sub-compact was just too small for my hand. The gun feels good in your hand. The trigger and grip safety's are nice design. I have not yet fired the gun.(just picked up on Wed.) I plan to shoot this weekend..

I'm assuming this is your first handgun, correct me if I'm wrong....

The Ruger P-97 is a great gun for beginners, in the manual safety version, it's probably at it's best for a beginner.
A) It's a polymer frame, so it's top heavy and balanced toward the muzzle when low in the mag...this means recoil is more rotational, which is nicer for new shooters, however, it increases muzzle hop a bit, but that's somewhat compensated by the balance towards the muzzle....So, you start out with a full mag, evenly balanced, it rocks back a bit, but as you run each round out, it gets more balanced toward the muzzle, which helps keep your muzzle under control while you're taking less and less steady shots.

B) The stainless P-97 is really nice for beginners since cleaning is a lot easier.

C) Take down is tool-less and very quick, I've only taken apart a Glock once (basically the same as the XD line), and I don't care to do it again.

D) They're big, but not overly heavy, so you keep tabs on them and aren't really likely to shoot yourself in the foot. They fill your hand but don't drag it down. And when someone breaks into your house and has a gun pointing at them, the bigger it is, the more their underpants will suddenly weigh.

E) They're cheap (relatively), but they're very well made and Ruger will appease any qualms you might EVER have with them.

I might suggest a Springfield 1911, great guns for sure, and they're really pointable for most people. They've also got a bit of heft to them.

I've shot a few XD40's, really nice feel, but they took a bit of getting used to for me, like you said, you've got to do a few things AT THE SAME TIME, which isn't easy to remember when in a home defense situation, especially as a beginner handgunner.

The XD is super easy to take down. Much easier then a Glock. The XD is not like a Glock in many ways and takedown is one of them.

The XD takes down like a Sig, feels like a CZ in the hand, is polymer like many pistols today and has a trigger safety like a Glock or a Savage. It's the best parts of several pistols and put into one fine handgun.

As to doing several things at one time. If you have the gun in your shooting grip the grip safety is ready to go. If you pull on the trigger in one smooth motion it's ready to go.

The Ruger and XD are both good pistols. Try to shoot both of them and see which one fits YOU best. Good Luck.

If you want heft, get a Beretta 92 or 96. These guns never choke, are very accurate, and are well made. Unlike the Rugers, you can easily find 15 round magazines for them.

A Glock or Springfield would be a very good choice.