Went to the Indy 1500 last Saturday with the intention of holding as many compacts as I could find. On my short list were the XD(M) 3.8 .40, and the M&P Shield, with a heavy biased towards the XD(M). I was disappointed as to how it felt in my hand, very "chunky" and too full for my comfort. Needless to say I was very disappointed and I mustve "tried it on" about 10 times. Im quite sure the guy at the booth was getting tired of me, but never once did he show it. As I stood there, dumbfounded, he pointed out a Ruger SR40C. BAM! As soon as it hit my hand it felt like a long lost lover that had come home. Everything about it felt right and boy was she pretty. This thing had never entered my radar in all the info I had gathered these last few weeks. When I thought of Ruger, I thought of Germany 1942. Anyway, I got what I think turned out to be a smoking deal, picked up a couple of holsters and a few boxes of ammo and THAT was my first gun show experience and gun purchase. Its been a frantic but fun week learning everything I can about this gun. Im in the process of trying to get some lessons so I can hurry up and shoot this thing.