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Kimber Ultra Carry II |
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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Springfield armory is the best "inexpensive" 1911 going, I'd take a SA long before buying a Kimber. If you can find a Springfield Commander, try it! Slag some night sights on it and you are good to go, it'll run for years with no mods, unless you just want mods.
I have a Kahr PM40, very small, very light weight, very concealable, very uncomfortable to shoot. It does one thing well (conceal) but it would not be my first choice were I to only have one gun. Scrap the Defender, too much money for what you get. Go Springfield. Remf bought a Kahr PM45 a few years ago, had to send it back to Kahr 3 times, each time they were sure it was fixed, each time it died within the first hundred rounds of break-in. After the third trip back to them, he sold it. All that to say I love my Kahr, but I no longer recommend them, definitely not the PM45. I would add H&K P30 to your list, similar grip angle to 1911, numerous grip configuration possibilities, very well made. I own a P30 and HK45, both are great. The 45 is large, the P30 is concealable. Not the easiest to conceal, but Beretta 92 or 96 is a good gun. As is a Sig226, I'd give them both a look, at least hold them. ILya is mostly right on caliber, but that is a different post. Last for this post: keep enough money in the budget to buy a 22LR, similar in configuration to your carry gun. Best option is a 22 conversion if one is made for your gun of choice. The 22LR is a great trainer, you can put MANY rounds down range for little money. Whatever you get, practice, practice, practice! And get professional instruction.
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Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn. Equality is something you whine about not being given. |
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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The first time I took it to the range with a friend, I said "don't watch me, watch everyone else." This was an indoor range, concrete walls, steel support. I lit off the first round and EVERYONE there put down their gun and stepped back from the firing line. One guy said he thought someone had a catastrophic misfire. It is amazingly loud with an amazing concussion and literally a fireball exploding out the muzzle on ignition. Were I to come face-to-face with a bear, I'd want that in my hand; anything else, I hate that gun with a passion, it is the bunghole of misery to shoot - and I am genuinely not recoil sensitive. On the micro-45s, they are next to impossible to securely hold on to, and follow-up shots aren't quick. For a first gun, I would skip the single-stack XD 45 and instead go for something that handles better on the range, something you enjoy shooting. This might be your first handgun, it won't be your last. If you get a micro, you'll never want to shoot it.
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Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn. Equality is something you whine about not being given. |
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Marine24
Optics Journeyman Joined: June/07/2010 Location: Monument, CO Status: Offline Points: 687 |
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The 454 Alaskan will clear the firing line at an indoor range. Last time I was shooting, they asked me to move to the end of the line and clustered everyone else toward the other side.
Dillon: Agree with Rancid's comment on the smaller pistols. They are easier to conceal and more comfortable for all day carry, but find something that fits your hand and that you can fire comfortably. Rental guns are a good way to test drive your short list without having to invest in a pistol only to find that it doesn't work for you. How it feels holding it at the counter isn't the same as running a few magazines through one.
With a good holster, you can effectively conceal some pretty large pistols or revolvers depending on your body type. I carried a full size 1911 in a Mernickle Holster's high rise PS6 holster and currently use a Milt Sparks Axiom for my Commander 1911.
Here are a few other choices to consider
Glock 26, 27 and 30
Walther PPS
S&W M&P Compact
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BeltFed
Optics Retard Joined: February/12/2008 Location: Ky Status: Offline Points: 22287 |
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Just a few rambling points.
I like the CZ, but some find the grip awkward for DA fire, even though they have very smooth and light triggers. Shooting the CZ in SA is great, it has an excellent grip. The down side of the CZ, in my opinion, is it has a safety and not a decocker, so to lower the hammer on a loaded chamber for DA carry requires a lot of care. They do come in different calibers, and sizes; 9mm, 40S&W, 10mm, and 45ACP.
The Beretta 92 series is also a good choice. You can get them in 9mm, and 40S&W, full size or compact. There also no doubt that they are reliable.
When I rode a beat and had a take home car, I soon learned to carry my issue S&W6906 all the time. Even after we went to Glock 22s, I carried the 6906 when I was off duty. It was lighter, more compact and easier to conceal than the Glock. I also liked the ability to turn the 6906 off with the safety/decocker and magazine disconnect.
S&W autos are not as mechanically reliable as other autos over time (I went through 3, but that's another story), if they are not maintained, and regulary servised, but they have excellent triggers, safety features, and are accurate, and one of my favorite carry pistols.
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Life's concerns should be about the 120lb pack your trying to get to the top of the mountain, and not the rock in your boot.
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shooter07
Optics Jedi Knight Shooting Sprout Joined: June/12/2010 Location: PA Status: Offline Points: 5120 |
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Listen to the master. You will be extremely hard pressed to find a better option, for a fair price that hits the major points in a carry pistol. Check out the 3.8 XDm compact for carry. Never failed me and it's a perfect blend between size and round capacity.
Train and train as much as money allows once you make a choice.
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Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum
"Issac Newton invented gravity because some asshole hit him with an apple" -Chris Moltisanti |
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13182 |
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This is mostly a training issue. For a variety of reasons, I have been switching to revolvers for the most part and I am almost as confident with those at this point. The Glock is just about the only semi-auto I shoot at this point since I have a 22LR conversoin kit for it. All my other handgun shooting is with revolvers. ILya
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Marine24
Optics Journeyman Joined: June/07/2010 Location: Monument, CO Status: Offline Points: 687 |
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Revolvers are a good choice, particularly if you are comfortable with them. I carried a Ruger Security Six with a 2 3/4 barrel for some time. Even better and lighter options available today.
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13182 |
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I would be looking at the P9 rather than the PM9. P9 is small enough. PM9 is too small for most people. P9 is much more comfortable to hold onto. ILya
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13182 |
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My primary concern is to have something that is easy to shoot, very concealable and can be used by my wife in a pinch. That means it has to be something you grab and pull the trigger. In principle, she knows how to rack the slide, change magazines, etc. However, in a high stress situation, she will forget all of that and I will never get her to train enough to develop the right muscle memory. So revolvers it is... ILya
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Marine24
Optics Journeyman Joined: June/07/2010 Location: Monument, CO Status: Offline Points: 687 |
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Sound logic. My wife knows how to shoot a pistol, but more time than not, she forgets to rack a round in to the chamber at the range, which ends up being my fault.
She has a S&W Model 60 in 38 special for her use if she can't get to the shotgun first.
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Dale Clifford
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: July/04/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5087 |
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after using the cz, tangfolio's and eea's in competitive shooting some problems with them are: the sear comes in an assembly and the pin that holds it in the frame wobbles in a lot of models, this must be fixed to get a consistent let off, the slide pins are cast and this type of design does not use a link pin which will result in broken slide stops, (had several)
springfields are good, but have had a frame crack in a champion, and barrel lug assembly shear off of a ramped 40 in a defender- so anything can happen to any maker kimbers, double charge on a reloaded resulted in the a cracked frame on a kimber 10, colts, pins off center threw away frame. used s&w's to make major 9 in the late 80's but the fixed front end bushing cannot be adjusted to change poi, as the torque will move poi to left several feet. Had one of Don Fisher in Colo. hi powers which was virtually the first high cap 9 to hold up using major 9mm. a year later the rules were changed in IPSC to limit his guns. A lot of the matchs today and then contain a concealed carry stage. You would do wise to at least watch one of these. (I think they have some on webcam via youtube) as a civilian shooter and after becoming more familiar, you must decide something, -- police/military needs and civlian needs are entirely two different animals, and if you decide to go further with this you will need to go La-la-la to police/military alternatives. If there is commonality it is only chance. Don't recommend handguns much, because so much depends on the shooters capabilities. (aggressiveness in particular). |
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I love little league baseball-- it keeps the kids out of the house
Yogi Bera |
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Sgt. D
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: February/20/2008 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 4525 |
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I know you don't need another one on the list of possibilities but I have to share. I admit I'm biased toward certain brands for the 1911 Colt, Kimber and a few others. I hadn't given any consideration to what Remington had out until this week. While shopping price on my next 45 I had oppertunity to check out a Rem 1911 R1s. The trigger was impressive for out of the box and the slide fit and feel really suprised me. I have since researched the reviews and apparently 98% of those who have em love em. I didn't have in mind going stainless but if the guy accepts my offer it will likely be the one I build for compitetion. If you want another one to consider I do recommend checking it out. What do the rest of you guys think??
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Take care of Soldiers, Show em how its done and do it with em, Run to the Fight & and hold your ground! I die my men go home! If you're a NCO and this ain't you. GET OUT! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
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stickbow46
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: January/07/2009 Location: Benton, Pa Status: Offline Points: 4678 |
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Just want to add that when I have CC on tight clothing & the 1911 is a little large I carry the best pocket protector in the world....S&W 640 snub in the pocket with Hornady Critical Defense 125grn FTX.
Now that load may not take 'em down on the first shot but it sure will make them do a funny dance.[:} Just my $.02............
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Pearls of Wisdom are Heard not Spoken
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Sparky
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: July/15/2007 Location: SD Status: Offline Points: 4569 |
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Sparky
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: July/15/2007 Location: SD Status: Offline Points: 4569 |
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Sounds like the S&W 4 inch 500. With the exception I love to shoot it. But I can not compare them since I have never shot a Ruger Alaskan Guide 454. |
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Marine24
Optics Journeyman Joined: June/07/2010 Location: Monument, CO Status: Offline Points: 687 |
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[/QUOTE]
Sounds like the S&W 4 inch 500. With the exception I love to shoot it. But I can not compare them since I have never shot a Ruger Alaskan Guide 454.[/QUOTE] Sparky: More like the snubby variant of the S&W 460 except that Alaskan comes with a 2.6" barrel and no brake/compensator. All three are equally capable of generating awe or disdain after you light off the first round.
Sorry Dillon: Got us started down a rabbit trail. At a minimum you know that either the S&W 500 or Ruger Alaskan is not a weapon that should be on your conceal carry short list.
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