Now finding myself in a handgun mood, I wandered down the line and found some more poppers to fondle. I shot two different Browning Buck Mark pistols in 22 long rifle (one blued, one stainless), and loved every minute of it. These guns are nice and light, made in USA, the magazines load easily with a thumb assist that lets you relieve the spring pressure without getting the end of your thumb chewed off, and they are accurate to boot. A real handful of happiness, the Buck Mark.
Next came some pistols made by Springfield Armory. I found the XD-45 to be decidedly Glock-like, which to some is a boon and to others, well, not so much a boon. I shot a couple of these guns, which feature double-stack mags that hold up to thirteen rounds (yes - that's 13!) of 45 ACP ammo. That is a handful of gun that packs a lot of punch. I don't love Glock-type triggers, so it's not really my cup of tea... but it's still a very fine, fun gun that shoots well.
I enjoyed shooting the Springfield Armory EMP (Enhanced Micro Pistol) compact pistol, which is a 1911-style gun shortened and built around short cartridges such as the 9mm and 40 S&W. The single-stack mag of the gun I shot held nine 9mm rounds, and was a pleasure to shoot. I found it nice and accurate, and I always have loved the way a 1911 feels and fires.
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