Next time you are in college station go to Champion firearms, they have an indoor range and they rent quite a few pistols. That is where I took my wife.

That was the plan but ran short on time. They're cheaper than Academy too but I have a boatload of gift cards from Academy so I'm buying the pistol from Academy.

If you're still looking, you might try this method. Find a couple of models you like the feel of, even if you don't shoot them. Then look for a used model on Gunbroker, a gun show or even right here on the THF swap and shop. Some decent deals on very lightly used pistols out there most of the time. Then take them to the ranch or range and give them a whirl and see if you really like them. If they work for you, great. If not and want to try something else, you can normally get your money back out of it and try another.

I used this method several times, once when trying different revolvers where I bought and traded a few times at no cost to me....and actually a little on the plus side.....and then when I was looking for a mid sized 9mm and found a Beretta PX4 Storm compact used at a great price and loved it. I loved it so much, I bought the full size PX4 Storm Inox 9mm brand new, but on sale for a great price for my nightstand gun. Just a different way to go about the process, but gives you the time and opportunity to "test drive" a pistol without paying full retail.

Glock.

I think you should also look at the Springfield XD Mod2 subcompact
It is my current choice for a daily carry which holds 13 rounds in the compact magazine and will also come with the 16 round magazine that extends the grip.
you can get them in your price range and they shoot very well for thier size.
I went with it over the XDM subcompact mainly because i shot it better.
The mod2 version comes with the fiber optic front sights.

Most of these guns people have listed you can probably rent and shoot at a local range, so go try a couple.

I just did not like the feel of the glocks.

I actually liked the feel of the XDM right behind the SR9. I'm going to hold'em both again before I "pull the trigger"...thanks for the input.

S&W M&P 9mm Shield
w/ Upgrades

Tell me more about the upgrades.