Which gun would you chose ? A 1911 or a Striker fired design ?

[krupparms]

The 1911A1 GI model made by R.I.A. & the SD9VE or SD40VE made by S&W are in the same price range. And are very popular! Which of these guns would you choose as a E.D.C.gun? And yes you could add upgrades to the gun. These are budget guns so I chose them as examples . If you wanted to spend more what would they be?

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Neither. I carry a Springfield XDs in .45 acp.

But if forced to carry one of those, I'd choose the 9mm S&W gun because it's lighter. Don't like .40.

 

[Fiv3r]

Man, that's some personal preference. I would probably opt for the 1911 as I'm not big on striker fired guns. Plus I shoot a 5" 1911 better than a striker fired gun of any flavor.

 

[Big Shrek]

My EDC is a S&W, but it sure ain't the SD**VE...
If you are going to get a S&W, get a good one, please.
If cost is an issue, get a 3rd Gen S&W...you will be happy, it will not fail.

The RIA, is a better gun than either of the SD**VE's. No Joke.

 

[WestKentucky]

Of the two I would go 1911 for the safety and the steel frame. Add to that the exposed hammer and you have an open carry gun. The beaver tail safety tends to dig in if it is carried IWB. Shoulder holster would be cool but there's not many folks with practical armpit carry

 

[krupparms]

The choice could be a Colt or a Glock. I was just useing examples. The choice is between design. Although I would like it to be a budget model price.

 

[Big Shrek]

if it is Generic as far as Design, just get a good one...it really doesn't matter which type.

Striker-fired
Springfield is having a hiccup-fest with the SD's, so I'd avoid until they get it all ironed out...
Glock, is a Glock, you either love 'em or hate 'em...took me until the 3rd gen to find a 10mm I liked...lol
S&W has the M&P line, plus the Shield, which by all accounts, is a dangfine little EDC pistol
Steyr has a nifty little CZ-clone that ain't half bad...
H&K's VP9 is quite interesting, but I'm a cheapskate...lol
There's others...but those are usually the top choices.

Most of the pin-fired have been around a LONG time, so you won't be hurt by that feature...
its just the finding of one that you can handle the weight of...and the Feel that you like...
RIA Commander for EDC is a good choice for low price!
S&W 3rd Gens are truly awesome, same for their 1911's!!
Star Firestars are a bit on the scarce side, and a tinkerer's choice (no longer in production) but Very Nice.
1911's...pick your favorite MFR...there's literally a thousand out there.

Gun Shows are great for trying out how a LOT of guns feel, so go try Everything...
then, after trying Everything...go sit down and eat something...and relax, and think...
something will start calling your name...THEN, you think, what if That Particular One is GONE?
Your mind will then tell you what you really want...that one, or something else
Twisted, ain't it?

 

[wlewisiii]

Both design types are fine. I used to own a Glock 19 but sold it to pay an emergency bill. Just recently I chose the RIA Tactical FS for myself and it's been flawless so far. It may replace my S&W Model 10 as my EDC.

 

[krupparms]

Let me refine my question. If you were on a budget, which of these guns, would you choose for yourself?

 

[wow6599]

Let me refine my question. If you were on a budget, which of these guns, would you choose for yourself?

The S&W hands down. For an "E.D.G. gun" the S&W will be as reliable out of the box, if not more - plus it weighs a lot less.

Easy choice........

 

[9mmepiphany]

That is a hard choice between the RIA and the S&W SD series.

While I would usually choose a striker fired pistol for carry over a 1911 platform, I'm not sure I would recommend the SD...but, I would recommend a S&W Shield or a M&P.

I'd recommend a SIG 2022 over either of your two original choices

 

[jmr40]

I like 1911's quite a bit, my favorite guns. But I'd choose a $500 Glock, or M&P over a $2000 1911 if my life depended on it working. I can't say for sure about the SD, but the others are proven.

 

[Armored farmer]

I like the 1911

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Let me refine my question. If you were on a budget, which of these guns, would you choose for yourself?

Neither again. I'd get a Ruger SR9C if on a budget. I don't like concealing a 1911, and I don't really care for the SD line.

 

[Mike Kerr]

To shoot and enjoy at the range, with some carry characteristics I think the RIA tacticals are your best bet. 1911's are easy to carry open but are not the greatest IWB or Tucked for many folks. Depends on your dress style/lifestyle.

The SD series does not have a good trigger for many uses although it does go bang. If you substituted the Ruger SR9C, like 460 Kodiak proposed, you might have a winner for modest cost/decent trigger combo. Or the Sig 2022 proposed by 9mmephianny is good.

Did I mention the SD trigger is not as good as the Shield or MP line or especially the MP pro??. You are trying to stay under a certain price point and the RIA tacticals do come back into play.

Regards,

 

[Zaydok Allen]

The 2022 was my other thought. Stoegar Cougars are good guns for the money too.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Spend more!.....

Get a new XDm, a M&P, a PX4 Storm(C format/constant action), a Para USA LDA(the smooth DA only format), a SIG P250, Ruger SR9 or SR40, Glock 23 .40, HK P30 LEM or P2000(LEM).
3 dot night sights; HD Trijicon are worth adding.
Some guns like the Para USA & Smith and Wesson have lifetime service plans too.

Rusty

 

[hemiram]

I don't like striker guns much at all, but my choice wouldn't be a 1911. There are all kinds of hammer fired, metal framed .45's out there. If I wanted a range gun, not something to carry, I personally would be thinking about a CZ-97B, an EAA Witness full sized, or the EAA SAR K2. All of these are all steel, full size guns.

 

[tarosean]

The choice is between design.

Striker vs. hammer means little too me.. Both are proven reliable for the past 100 + years. Too many other factors are more important than how the firing pin is shoved into the primer.

 

[WC145]

Let me refine my question. If you were on a budget, which of these guns, would you choose for yourself?

I'm not a fan of "budget" guns for self defense, as in buying the cheapest thing made, unless you have no choice. I've owned both of the guns in question but, personally, I wouldn't choose carry either, if I have to trust my life to it I want better quality. If I had $400ish to spend for a carry piece I'd be looking at a new S&W J frame (642/442/etc) or the LE trade in Glocks and S&W M&Ps that are available right now. It has nothing to do with whether they are striker or hammer fired (I normally carry a 1911), what is more important to me is that I get the best quality gun I can afford if I'm going to trust my life to it.

 

[5-SHOTS]

I'd choose the SD9VE: ready to fire without manipulating the safety, lighter, more rounds, easier to mantain, stainless slide and polymer frame, heavier trigger pull for which I think for a self defense gun is better.

 

[Manny]

Let me refine my question. If you were on a budget, which of these guns, would you choose for yourself?

None of the above.

Since you specify semi-autos, I'd do whatever it took to come up with the cash for a new or used Glock. A person of limited means is the last person who should be buying low end stuff. Get one quality item that is a lifetime keeper, "buy once, cry once" as the saying goes.

When I bought my first tool set after high school, I got a Sears card and paid 20+ percent interest for over a year for a good set of Craftsman instead of settling for less. Those same tools are being used to day and I am grateful I didn't get the cheap crap. JMHO, YMMV.

 

[bannockburn]

Between the two I would opt for the RIA 1911. Not a big fan of the S&W SD9VE series and I'm much more familiar with the 1911 design.

 

[BSA1]

Let me refine my question. If you were on a budget, which of these guns, would you choose for yourself?

First of all the choice should be made on lifestyle, climate and daily dress which for me means neither. Our upcoming 90 and 100 degree days makes for light weight clothing.

Since I see your location is in the N.W. I assume climate isn't a issue. This is going to raise some hackles but the reason there are some many aftermarket parts for the 1911 is because they are needed to make a basic 1911 into a good carry and comfortable shooting gun. Plus the 1911 is a large, heavy gun to pack all day.

Of the two I would go with the striker fired handgun although my choice would also be the Ruger SR9C. Since you are on a budget I hold off for a while and wait the new Ruger 9E to come out as it is $100.00 cheaper than the SR9C.

 

[beeb173]

I used to own the sigma and a 9mm 1911 type s&w. The sigma was lighter, easier to carry, and easier to clean. It was also 'Glock reliable'. If you can shoot it well (I never could) the SD might be the best value going.

That being said, I shoot Glocks way better so that's what I carry.