Some work to do before choosing a self-defense handgun

[twofifty]

grip fit

Before you purchase make sure that you have been coached on what a proper two-handed grip looks and feels like. Once you have acquired a consistent grip, you can compare different pistols to see which one fits you best.

About grip fit minimums:

What you're looking for as a must have is a natural -snug but relaxed- feel in both hands, while being able to comfortably reach the trigger with your 1st finger pad on the trigger.

Of equal importance is that your strong hand thumb can flick the safety or decocker on and off without having to shift your grip or the motion feeling awkward.

Finally, if your strong hand thumb can also reach and activate the mag release without having to shift your grip, consider that a bonus.

It helps if your eyes can line up the sights and target without too much effort or fidgeting, or without having to make major stance or head position changes.

Have fun.

 

[PabloJ]

Actually, it makes an extremely GOOD choice for CCW, if you have a good one that runs well. Easy to shoot, and shoot well, and about the easiest carrying full-sized gun out there.

But not everyone's choice, certainly.

I looked over RIA 1911 9x19/22 TCM and was intrigued by it. The gun had fully adjustable rear sight so it would make nice range gun/ small game hunting gun. RIA is pretty good outfit. Matter of fact recent American Rifleman had very nice writeup about the company. The 1911 is nice classic gun but I would rather carry P-38 or P-1 if I wanted old military pistol as CCW.

 

[coma]

The RRA 1911's seem to be selling very well here in the peoples republic of Massachusetts. It is one of the few 1911's we can buy and the gun store near me said they have had great luck with them.

Coworker just picked up a 4.25" model used for cheap money and loves it.

The RIA would let you buy it, lots of ammo and the 3 day class all in one. That should be looked at for sure.

Let us know how you make out.

 

[Kleanbore]

One Other Important Thing...

Don't forget to get a good holster and belt.

 

[Doc7]

Don't forget to get a good holster and belt.

Thanks I have a beltman belt and plan on trying out a crossbreed super tuck.

 

[benzy2]

If you go with a 1911, understand it has drawbacks (like everything). They are in general more picky with parts fit and ammo choice. Plenty are very reliable and well built but many are not. The difference between a good 1911 and one that's frustrating is more than what meets the initial new gun buyers eye.

If I were to get a single gun for proficiency work and CCW it would be a Glock 19 as I think its the best of all worlds. Other guns carry better and other guns are better at the range, but the 19 is just the right size for me to do both in large quantities. A full size 1911 is a joy to shoot at the range but not what I'd carry every day or even most days. Either way, I would worry more about shooting what you get than debating what to get. That first gun is a guess. Once you've put time in behind the trigger, you will know what you like and what you don't and can buy a second (even if you have to sell the first) around the preferences you've made. Until you shoot a bit you simply won't know what matters to you. We can tell you what matters to use but we all are different in what we like.

 

[Warp]

Thanks I have a beltman belt and plan on trying out a crossbreed super tuck.

Very good choices

 

[BSA1]

I looked over RIA 1911 9x19/22 TCM and was intrigued by it.

If there is a lesson to be learned from the Great Ammo Banic of 2013 is less common calibers are much harder to find as production is smaller and not as many dealers stock it. Unless you can build up a stockpile fairly quickly I would be leery of jumping on a new caliber bandwagon.

 

[murf]

doc7,

suggest you watch a few videos on youtube by doug koenig to learn basic shooting skills. his national shooting sports federation videos are very good and doug is a very skilled shooter. just do a search on his name to find them.

murf

 

[Warp]

If there is a lesson to be learned from the Great Ammo Banic of 2013 is less common calibers are much harder to find as production is smaller and not as many dealers stock it. Unless you can build up a stockpile fairly quickly I would be leery of jumping on a new caliber bandwagon.

That wasn't really te lesson I saw.

I saw the most common cartridges being the first to sell out because everybody wanted them. 9mm and 5.56, for example (my two primary cartridges), were both very difficult to find for "sane" prices for a little while there.

And of course, the most common cartridge of all is .22lr, and we know how that went (and is still going).

What didn't sell out was 12 gauge and the more popular bolt action and lever action cartridges. Of course, the per-round cost of the hunting ammo for the bolt cartridges is pretty high, and most people using that ammo don't shoot very many round at all...hence the continued supply...but still...I saw the more popular stuff being harder to find.

 

[strambo]

If you do get a 1911, don't go smaller than Commander size.

Hard to go wrong with a G19, or a S&W M&P, Sig P220 or the new P227 10 shot 45. I carry a 9mm P226 and love it. The DA/SA operation isn't an issue at all, I like the simplicity of it and the short/crisp SA trigger pull for every round after the 1st.

 

[Doc7]

I am going to go rent and shoot the Kimber ultra cdp one more time just to see how I fare with a 50 round box recoil wise. If I find It enjoyable enough , I know that the weight is OK for the 3-4 oz heavier Commander style guns with officer size grips in terms of weight of gun vs recoil.

The two that I can find used (and sometimes new) in my price range with that CCO style (officer grip on commander barrel) that I like the most looks wise and similar weight are the Kimber Compact CDP II and the Sig Compact RCS. Both come with night sights weigh a similar amount. The Sig is slightly less expensive although I am eyeing a deal where it is 1200 for the RCS Compact and the 1911-22 packaged together on gunbroker.

I am kind of worried that the "melt" on these two models may cause trouble finding a holster with the retention it is designed for - CrossBreed website seems to sell kind of "one size fits all 1911" holsters which I don't know will work with the kimber Cdp melt or the sig rcs melt.


Based on rave reviews and also price, I think the Sig RCS may be my gun if I settle on that weight of frame for a 45 acp being comfortable.

 

[PabloJ]

Took this to the range and fired four magazines worth. No problem hitting near center of Dixie plate at 10 yards. Two range officers tried and said it was easy to shoot. Hand too sore to shoot more so went home and now use it as defensive weapon. It does not take lot of practice time or thinking.

 

[wellthought]

You are over thinking this. There is a saying, "Perfect is the enemy of good enough". Your obsessing on buying the the perfect handgun when there is no such thing. Get a decent gun and practice with it. The G19 or Kimber would be fine. Shoot it a lot and then as you evolve as a shooter you will know where you want to go from there. Your going to change your mind and buy different guns as you evolve as a shooter and some guns will not work out. You have to get out there and shoot.

Right on...

 

[Doc7]

Everything when out the window today when I brought a coworkers glock 19 to the range and shot it side by side with the kimber. I can't believe how much faster and recoil tolerant I was with the 19. Decision made, for my next year or so I will train with the 19 and refine my wants/needs after I have experience.

Thanks all!

 

[strambo]

I think that is a great decision! Get good with the G19 and you will have a solid base of experience with a solid gun to base future decisions on.

I started out with a finicky 1911 variant (Para Ordnance P13) and after it proved to be an unreliable POS, I had to start all over.

 

[1911 guy]

If the Glock is easy for you to shoot and feels good in your hands, then it's the right choice for you.

 

[rs7]

Glock is good? Who'd Have thought that. Make mine a 26. It's my BUG. Primary is a Kel-Tec P3AT (say what you will, but I'll throw it hard as I can after a few rounds). I'm 5'7", 150 lbs. Can't really hide a 1911.