Thanks guys, I'd looked into the m&p but I can't find it anywhere locally for less that $450.
I've gotten to try a smaller .45 but not as small as what I'm looking at. It wasn't too bad, more than the 21 obviously, but not too bad. One of the shops here has a indoor range and some rental guns cheap, and I got to try out a Glock 30 they had. I just gotta say being on a budget sucks.
I'm a .45 guy. Part old school, and part having seen first-hand what a .45 does in an OIS. It's a show-stopper. Yes, advances in ballistics have brought the .40 and the 9mm into the argument, but the .45 was, is, and remains a proven fight stopper. 'Nuff about that.
I have three of them. A Rock Island compact, a Glock 30S, and a Springfield 1911 Range Officer. The Springfield is my favorite, but being a full size .45, not on the concealable list. So I alternate between the RIA and the Glock. Both work at my 1 o'clock in an IWB holster. The RIA wins on the light trigger and recoil management, and the Glock wins on capacity (10+1), weight, and the sights. Usually, I carry the Glock.
The Kahr, M+P, Sig, and Springfield XD-s models are all highly rated. As is the Glock 30, 30S, 36 (take your pick). I just happened to end up with what I have, and I'm happy with it (them). Regardless of what you buy, there is no substitute for practicing under realistic conditions, like drawing from carry and firing at realistic engagement ranges (5 ft to 5 yards). I do all my self-defense practice at those ranges, without even looking at the sights. For longer shots, I have started working from a kneeling position. I'm accurate out to 15-20 yards, and lethal inside 10. Note that this is completely different from what I do with my duty weapon, where the qualification range starts at 25 yards. In truth, at 25 yards+, I'm probably coming out of the vehicle with my AR, which is another topic.
GV: On that note, I ordered the Federal XM556SBCT round, which is the same as the FBI round (just a different stock number). Also picked up another case of the XM855FF30 (30 round sealed cans) 62 gr FMJBT, which is a good armor-puncher. Just in case. My AR, which is 1/9, just seems to really like the 60-64 gr. rounds. Don't ask; I found the money. And as always, thanks for the advice.
Go Vols.