Sold my Glock 43 & 36. What metal frame carry gun should I get?

[12Bravo20]

Help, my metal carry gun thread has been hijacked...
Someone call the AFT!!

I did keep it pistol related especially considering the Kimber Micro and Sig 938/238 have aluminum frames

 

[citizenconn]

I did keep it pistol related especially considering the Kimber Micro and Sig (38/238 have aluminum frames

 

[lysanderxiii]

Pretty much all US armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, and self propelled howitzers are all made out of armor grade aluminum that has also been properly heat treated and tempers.

And most reputable pistol manufacturers will use 7075 aluminum for their pistol frames that has been properly heat treated and tempered. Plus when anodized, the anodizing also acts like case hardening (to a certain extent).

Actually, most armored combat vehicles are made from 5083, which is non-heat treatable, so they are not heat treated but it can be tempered to H111 or H32 condition.

6061 is also a popular grade for up-armor kits, and it's fairly effective. More so than most people think given popular attitudes towards 6061 aluminum.

Back on the subject: A S&W 6904

 

[lysanderxiii]

I would avoid anything in aluminum too. It's a poor metal for most gun parts and the few parts where it doesn't really leave anything to be desired could just as well be made of steel and the gun wouldn't be any worse. Take the 1911 for a good example. What's great about aluminum ones? Nothing. Just get steel. For SA, there's the 45, and the Hi-Power. For DA/SA, the 92, CZ, or one of the CZ-variants like some Sphinx. There's even steel-framed striker-fired guns now like the P320 and the Walther Q4.

The difference between the same pistol in an aluminum frame and a steel frame is considerable, around 25%.

At three quarters the weight, that's pretty great.

 

[JR24]

Im a Glock fan,but for metal ,Kimber x2.Only drawback is they only come with one mag.

That’s a blessing in disguise. I’ve owned 3 Kimbers and 2 came with garbage mags that didn’t work from round 1. As a rule I immediately disregard 1911 mags and just use Wilson or CMC.

But can you fight with it?
I wonder if anyone ever told Sig or more importantly those guys using the P series guns that you can not fight with them.

The P226 sure has developed a reputation as a poor fighting gun, that’s for sure

Thanks for the recommendations. I had been planning to look at the RIA options. I figured if anyone has the setup I wanted they would. So thanks for the reminder.

As far as the Micro 9, I'm leaning towards this one:
View attachment 1098311

Make sure you shoot one first, I was all set to get a micro 9 or 938 until I discovered my monkey paws and grip hit the mag release under recoil and puke the mag out every 2-3 rounds. I spent some time trying to figure out how to adjust and still shoot well, never did figure that part out.

 

[citizenconn]

Make sure you shoot one first, I was all set to get a micro 9 or 938 until I discovered my monkey paws and grip hit the mag release under recoil and puke the mag out every 2-3 rounds. I spent some time trying to figure out how to adjust and still shoot well, never did figure that part out.

Thanks for the warning. I'm ambidextrous so if its a problem right handed I can always shoot it left handed, maybe?
I'm left eye dominant and shoot scoped rifles mostly lefthanded, but pistols are fine either way.

 

[westernrover]

The difference between the same pistol in an aluminum frame and a steel frame is considerable, around 25%.

At three quarters the weight, that's pretty great.

It's still only a few ounces, and the weight of steel is to its advantage. Look at any competition gun and it's loaded with weight. They put tungsten on the things, because it shoots better when its heavy.

 

[lysanderxiii]

It's still only a few ounces, and the weight of steel is to its advantage. Look at any competition gun and it's loaded with weight. They put tungsten on the things, because it shoots better when its heavy.

Race guns aren't carried all day and night, they are carried for an hour or two during competition.

And it's not "a few ounces".

25% of the 39 ounce weight of an M1911 is 9.75 ounces, or 2/3 of a pound.
25% of the 37.4 ounce weight of an Astra A100 is 9.375 ounces or or .58 pounds.
25% of the 32 ounce weight of an HP-35 would be 8 ounces or or half a pound.

 

[Average Joe]

CZ 75

 

[westernrover]

How long is a fight?

 

[GE-Mini-Gun]

Since you have 1911’s already why not carry one of those, or get a S&W Scandium 1911...

 

[citizenconn]

Since you have 1911’s already why not carry one of those, or get a S&W Scandium 1911...

I am currently carrying a Commander sized 1911 in .45 acp to replace the Glock 36. I would like to get a .45 that is a bit smaller. Rock Island has a couple smaller 1911 options, but I was just wanting to see what other people are recommending as well.

As far as replacement for the Glock 43, I'm looking at the Kimber Micro 9 as well as a couple other options.

I have not been a pistol enthusiast in the past, so I'm finding a lot of older metal frame models that are pretty appealing.

 

[JDR]

A Sig P225, P6, P239, P228, and M11-A1 are all great choices. Look for nice examples at decent prices, whatever that means these days!

 

[12Bravo20]

The Rock Island compact uses a cone shaped barrel instead of a barrel bushing. I do like that it has a 3.5" barrel versus a 5" barrel.

Here is another photo comparing a few pistols I own.

Top: Left Sig P938, Right RIA Compact 1911
Bottom: Left G43, Right Star Firestar

 

[lobo9er]

The difference in weight is only a few ounces, and it's to the steel gun's advantage. Lightweight handguns might be easy to carry, but they're no good to fight with.

Name one.



I didn't write that aluminum isn't dependable. Heck, the plastic is dependable.
The example I gave were some Sphinx that are steel-framed.

if you concede aluminum is dependable, why avoid the 92x aluminum frame?

 

[Smaug]

I am currently carrying a Commander sized 1911 in .45 acp to replace the Glock 36. I would like to get a .45 that is a bit smaller. Rock Island has a couple smaller 1911 options, but I was just wanting to see what other people are recommending as well.

As far as replacement for the Glock 43, I'm looking at the Kimber Micro 9 as well as a couple other options.

I have not been a pistol enthusiast in the past, so I'm finding a lot of older metal frame models that are pretty appealing.

I have a friend who just got a Micro 9. I got to shoot a few mags through it; it is really nice.

I don't feel like a Commander-sized 1911 is a long-term CCW for most people; just too big & heavy. The Micro 9 is no problem. It is dense, but not too heavy and it's nice & thin. Soft-shooting too.

Micro 9 would take advantage of your 1911 muscle memory.

I think that's the route you should go, with your sudden allergy to polymer.

 

[12Bravo20]

I don't feel like a Commander-sized 1911 is a long-term CCW for most people; just too big & heavy. The Micro 9 is no problem. It is dense, but not too heavy and it's nice & thin. Soft-shooting too.

The Kimber Micro 9 and Sig P938 are actually smaller and weigh less than a Glock G43. The Micro 9 and P938 are 16 ounces while the G43 is 20 ounces.

Micro 9 would take advantage of your 1911 muscle memory.

This is very true. The main difference is lack of a grip safety, otherwise they are very similar.