Puttering along

[Mosin Warrior]

Can we narrow that down a bit? Heh!

Haha sorry. I love, love, LOVE 1911's but I'm afraid they are a bit short on the capacity for self defense usage (or I could just get REALLY GOOD with it). I've looked into Glocks a bit and they seem like a decent alternative as do the Springfield XDs if I want to go with something more modern. So I'm looking for what you would suggest between a 1911 style pistol and something more modern like a Glock or Springfield.

As for caliber, I'm not comfortable with a 9mm mentally although I'm sure it's a fine round. I like .45 ACP but it's damned hard to find and damned expensive so in order to split the difference I've been considering 10mm or .40 S&W. So, would you go with the tried and true .45 ACP or an intermediate round like the 10mm or .40 S&W?

[djl236]

Haha sorry. I love, love, LOVE 1911's but I'm afraid they are a bit short on the capacity for self defense usage (or I could just get REALLY GOOD with it). I've looked into Glocks a bit and they seem like a decent alternative as do the Springfield XDs if I want to go with something more modern. So I'm looking for what you would suggest between a 1911 style pistol and something more modern like a Glock or Springfield.

As for caliber, I'm not comfortable with a 9mm mentally although I'm sure it's a fine round. I like .45 ACP but it's damned hard to find and damned expensive so in order to split the difference I've been considering 10mm or .40 S&W. So, would you go with the tried and true .45 ACP or an intermediate round like the 10mm or .40 S&W?

I have a Sig Sauer P229 in .40S&W and I love it. I have yet to shoot what I think is a better pistol and I own a colt officers 1911 .45 and have shot the Springfield XDs. I'll take my Sig.

I'm not a huge fan of glock.

Also I every day carry my Sig. No issues. I'm not a tiny guy but I'm not huge either at 5'11 230-235 lbs.

If you go for the Sig, get the night sights with it like I did. They're nice.

[Oldster]

I have a couple cop buddies that carry Glocks that really like them. They both said they didn't want them but Dept regulations made them and both ended up buying Glocks for themselves. That seems a pretty good recommendation. I've felt a few and have to admit a few did feel good in my hand.

I'm no big Taurus fan, but will admit my lifting partner has a 9mm in a 24/7. He absolutely loves it and has never had a single problem with it in 10 years or more and boy has he shot the shit out of it.

I know a LOT of guys that have Springfield XD's. Not one has a bad thing to say about it. Not one negative remark. One did complain once about how inaccurate his was until I sat down and put it on paper for him, since I'm the marksman around here for a lot of shooters with gun problems or need a load worked up for a certain gun/bullet. It is a 45acp and kept 5 under 2" at 30 yards so he saw the problem was the nut behind the wheel. I'm planning on buying an XD just to have one just to have floating around here.

Now magazine capacity. There is something to be said about capacity. Its better to have it and not need it than the other way around. That being said I just got home and on my belt had my old tried and true Colt Officers Model, a 6+1 .45acp. But I also had an extra 2 mags on my belt too. When you get used to shooting quite a lot it is nothing to dump the empty mag and insert and run the slide forward if you emptied it and its locked back and be back ready to fire without even thinking about it. As a true blue marksman I tend worry about the spray and pray strategy simply because the average gunfight finds an average of 3 shots fired. Even doubling that would be covered by a sixshooter. And yes, I carry a Single action sixshooter sometimes too!

I tell shooters to buy one of two cartridges. Either 9mm because it is much much less expensive, or the .45acp for the bullet diameter and weight. I find anything in between to be attempting to straddle the fence though I have heard good things about the 10mm. But I can most easily put it this simply, I own .45's and nothing smaller.

Did I help any?

Heh, I just saw Daves post above. I can't disagree with anything he sez. Sigs really are good pistols. Just not the biggest fan of the .40 yet.

[Oldster]

..

[djl236]

I have a couple cop buddies that carry Glocks that really like them. They both said they didn't want them but Dept regulations made them and both ended up buying Glocks for themselves. That seems a pretty good recommendation. I've felt a few and have to admit a few did feel good in my hand.

I'm no big Taurus fan, but will admit my lifting partner has a 9mm in a 24/7. He absolutely loves it and has never had a single problem with it in 10 years or more and boy has he shot the shit out of it.

I know a LOT of guys that have Springfield XD's. Not one has a bad thing to say about it. Not one negative remark. One did complain once about how inaccurate his was until I sat down and put it on paper for him, since I'm the marksman around here for a lot of shooters with gun problems or need a load worked up for a certain gun/bullet. It is a 45acp and kept 5 under 2" at 30 yards so he saw the problem was the nut behind the wheel. I'm planning on buying an XD just to have one just to have floating around here.

Now magazine capacity. There is something to be said about capacity. Its better to have it and not need it than the other way around. That being said I just got home and on my belt had my old tried and true Colt Officers Model, a 6+1 .45acp. But I also had an extra 2 mags on my belt too. When you get used to shooting quite a lot it is nothing to dump the empty mag and insert and run the slide forward if you emptied it and its locked back and be back ready to fire without even thinking about it. As a true blue marksman I tend worry about the spray and pray strategy simply because the average gunfight finds an average of 3 shots fired. Even doubling that would be covered by a sixshooter. And yes, I carry a Single action sixshooter sometimes too!

I tell shooters to buy one of two cartridges. Either 9mm because it is much much less expensive, or the .45acp for the bullet diameter and weight. I find anything in between to be attempting to straddle the fence though I have heard good things about the 10mm. But I can most easily put it this simply, I own .45's and nothing smaller.

Did I help any?

Heh, I just saw Daves post above. I can't disagree with anything he sez. Sigs really are good pistols. Just not the biggest fan of the .40 yet.

I love my .40 but I do love 45s too though. Sounds like we have the same colt officers model. Great pistol. I shot a Springfield 1911 .45 my buddy owns and that is one accurate pistol.

[Oldster]

Sounds like we have the same colt officers model. Great pistol.

Yep, mine is a dandy and is my go-to when I have to go to town.

I shot a Springfield 1911 .45 my buddy owns and that is one accurate pistol.

I have one. Took it in to my 'Smith and needed some work done, he had nothing good to say about them. And he was really surprised I'd never had any real problems with it until I told him all the parts except the barrel, frame and slide had been swapped out with Gold Cup parts! Heh!

[Mosin Warrior]

I have a couple cop buddies that carry Glocks that really like them. They both said they didn't want them but Dept regulations made them and both ended up buying Glocks for themselves. That seems a pretty good recommendation. I've felt a few and have to admit a few did feel good in my hand.

I'm no big Taurus fan, but will admit my lifting partner has a 9mm in a 24/7. He absolutely loves it and has never had a single problem with it in 10 years or more and boy has he shot the shit out of it.

I know a LOT of guys that have Springfield XD's. Not one has a bad thing to say about it. Not one negative remark. One did complain once about how inaccurate his was until I sat down and put it on paper for him, since I'm the marksman around here for a lot of shooters with gun problems or need a load worked up for a certain gun/bullet. It is a 45acp and kept 5 under 2" at 30 yards so he saw the problem was the nut behind the wheel. I'm planning on buying an XD just to have one just to have floating around here.

Now magazine capacity. There is something to be said about capacity. Its better to have it and not need it than the other way around. That being said I just got home and on my belt had my old tried and true Colt Officers Model, a 6+1 .45acp. But I also had an extra 2 mags on my belt too. When you get used to shooting quite a lot it is nothing to dump the empty mag and insert and run the slide forward if you emptied it and its locked back and be back ready to fire without even thinking about it. As a true blue marksman I tend worry about the spray and pray strategy simply because the average gunfight finds an average of 3 shots fired. Even doubling that would be covered by a sixshooter. And yes, I carry a Single action sixshooter sometimes too!

I tell shooters to buy one of two cartridges. Either 9mm because it is much much less expensive, or the .45acp for the bullet diameter and weight. I find anything in between to be attempting to straddle the fence though I have heard good things about the 10mm. But I can most easily put it this simply, I own .45's and nothing smaller.

Did I help any?

Heh, I just saw Daves post above. I can't disagree with anything he sez. Sigs really are good pistols. Just not the biggest fan of the .40 yet.

All good info and food for thought. I just shot my first 1911 today and I must say, I am in love. Shot my buddies Springfield 1911 with night sights, and my God is that thing accurate and a blast to shoot.

I love my .40 but I do love 45s too though. Sounds like we have the same colt officers model. Great pistol. I shot a Springfield 1911 .45 my buddy owns and that is one accurate pistol.

Hmm sounds like I may end up going with a .45 since it's a known quantity to me and I would feel confident in the round should the situation arise. I looked at Sig's....sweet guns, but fuck they are salty for my budget.

[Oldster]

All good info and food for thought. I just shot my first 1911 today and I must say, I am in love. Shot my buddies Springfield 1911 with night sights, and my God is that thing accurate and a blast to shoot.

The 1911 was a .45? That may seem like a dumb question but there are some available in 9mm.

Hmm sounds like I may end up going with a .45 since it's a known quantity to me and I would feel confident in the round should the situation arise. I looked at Sig's....sweet guns, but fuck they are salty for my budget.

If you have no problems with the .45, there is no reason other than the 9mm fits a smaller budget or someone that doesn't reload (I don't have much of a budget, but have a reloading room to outfit a Cabela's!).

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to talk down 10mm's or 40's, I don't have a lot of experience outside of 45's and a few 9mm's for semi auto's.

[Mosin Warrior]

The 1911 was a .45? That may seem like a dumb question but there are some available in 9mm.


If you have no problems with the .45, there is no reason other than the 9mm fits a smaller budget or someone that doesn't reload (I don't have much of a budget, but have a reloading room to outfit a Cabela's!).

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to talk down 10mm's or 40's, I don't have a lot of experience outside of 45's and a few 9mm's for semi auto's.

Yep, the 1911 was what I consider a true 1911 in that it was chambered in .45. If it's a 1911 design and NOT chambered in .45, it is NOT a 1911 IMO.

Hmmm .40 seems like a perfect split-the-difference between a 9mm and a .45 but .45 is hard to beat. My best option would be to shoot the two side-by-side and see which I prefer and can shoot better.

[Oldster]

My best option would be to shoot the two side-by-side and see which I prefer and can shoot better.

That is exactly what I tell everyone. Go to a large gunstore and handle everything you can. Then when you can, shoot the two top candidates side by side and see which one you like.

Heh, that reminds me of a story when one time a buddy new to the sport of shooting was interested in a handgun. Unfortunately he didn't specify and a bunch of us showed up with a carload apiece. I think when we laid out all the handguns on a couple picnic tables there were over 100. It was awesome!