Buying carry pistol while I still can, want advice

March 16, 2009 | Not Your Mother

[notyourmother]

I'm going to buy a gun before Obama makes it much harder to do so. I'm really leaning towards a .45 ACP so ammo is interchangeable with my family and for stopping power. There's a reason the big boys don't use 9mm. I want a short-barreled gun, suitable for concealing carrying. My price range is under $800, ideally under $600. I'm really, really leaning towards a double action with internal hammer, I don't want to have to cock it or worry about the hammer getting caught on clothing in an emergency situation. Two more things that is preferable, but not absolutely necessary, would be a 1911 frame, and high capacity clip.

SO basically I'm asking if anyone has a favorite make/model that they'd recommend with the above things in mind, (especially reliability!).

Thank you!

[andy58-in-nh]

Re: your Taurus 1911 -

I've got one, too and it's among my favorites. Hard to do better, for the price. Kimbers are wonderful, but pricey. Taurus gives you a well-made gun, competition trigger, ambi safety, and 8-round capacity for under $600. My only suggestion would be to add custom grips to replace the factory plastic (which still feel pretty good), and night sights. I've put over 5000 rounds through mine with various ammo and it has never jammed once.

[andy58-in-nh]

I am convinced that the key to 9mm effectiveness is quality ammo. The high capacity of most service models (4”+ barrels) has led some to sacrifice training and accuracy for volume. That is always a mistake. Practice. Have a plan for each situation. Never get complacent. Make certain you have thought through the consequences. And walk away whenever you can - I can’t stress that enough. Anyone who truly loves firearms respects the enormous responsibility that comes with carrying them.

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

Also, you can get pistols with up to 19 rounds of 9mm in the magazine

I have 32-round mags (for my CX4) that fit my 92.

[Viking2002]

'I have one and love it. So does my wife.'

Really? What's the recoil like with a load of .410 Mags in it?

[Shooter 2.5]

Take a look at the MonkeyGrips on my profile page. The maker is a friend of my son. He makes the grips for Kimber, Springfield and STI.

[andy58-in-nh]

Thanks - those look nice. I visited their home page a few weeks back and was quite tempted to make an investment. I don’t recall offhand whether they offered to make the ambi cut for you on the right grip.

[Shooter 2.5]

The guy will make the ambi cut for you for no charge. There is a little something I should add. The Taurus grip screws were redesigned with a larger head than the Colt pattern. I had a choice of cutting into the grips or reducing the screw heads. I opted for the cheapest choice unless I made a mistake. I chucked up the screw in my handheld drill and touched it to my pedestal grinder. You can do the same and just use a stone with the drill if you don’t have a grinder. I used a six inch caliper to check my results. It worked perfectly. You might call the guy and he might be able to do it for you if you tell him the screw head diameters.

I wish he had a deal with Crimson Trace. That would be great.

[andy58-in-nh]

Thanks much. I do have miniature grindstones for my drill, and that ought to work nicely to sink the screw heads properly. Either way, I just love the way those grips look. FYI: I don’t yet have a Crimson Trace for the Taurus, but I’ve got one for my Springfield XD-9 and would recommend it unreservedly. It’s a brilliant (if expensive) little piece of technology that creates an instant tactical advantage. Also quite easy to maintain - just be sure to remove it prior to cleaning!

[vox_freedom]

[vox_freedom]

Sorry about the above post. It is just such a dream weapon, that I like to share the pic anytime there is an opportunity. And no, I don't own it, but I can dream.

To answer your question, I am partial to the H&K products. They are expensive, but hey, you only have one life. The USP compact 9mm is great weapon, perfect for concealed carry.

[Cosmo]

I currently carry a Kimber Crimson Cary II 1911 but I also like the Walther P99 in .40 and am especially fond of the Steyer M9A .40. You really can’t go wrong with any of the top hammerless Pistols from Glock, Sig Steyr, Walther or H&K. The 1911s are never going to be as reliable without lots of babying so I hesitate to recommend em unles the person doesn’t have a problem with maintenance.
At the pricepoint you’re talking, You’ve got alot of choices. A Sig or a Glock is probably your best and most accessible bet. Stick with .40 or .45 but be advised that it’s getting hard to find .45 ACP.

[Force of Truth]

I wouldn’t even want to be shot with a .22, .25, .32, .38, .357, .9mm, .40 much less a .45. Point a .22 at me and I’ll leave the premises.****

A drug-induced maniac will kill you if you shoot him with a .22. He will bleed to death in a few hours, but will have enough time to do his number on you in the mean time. You need to have something that will blow a nice-sized hole in him.

[Wpin]

Good link, I still say the .410 is a good defensive weapon, especially for those who do have the time or interest for practicing and learning adequate skills. But, that is just me...

Two years ago I saw a gang shooting where two guys were shooting at one other guy. They were about 30 feet away for most of the shooting and missed over and over. When they got about fifteen feet away, they hit the poor bastard (another gang guy) and wounded him. They continued firing and hit him with glazing wounds twice more. Now, I bet you these punks shoot guns more than the average good person does. I would bet you dollars to donuts that if a citizen had had a Judge Taurus with alternating shotgun and .45 shells joined the fray, they would have been much more likely to hit one of the punks and the psychological factor of being wounded would have stopped them or caused them to run away.

[Travis McGee]

I just meant mags that fit inside the guns.

[bandit123]

i have a taurus pt145 mil pro model
its in my pocket now and i carry it every day everywhere
its super reliable and has never had any issues
plus you get a life time warranty
but i want to say the best gun is one you will always have with you , this thing is tiny and holds 10+1 45acp
the small size is great because its easy to carry
nobody knows i have it , i think i paid under 400 for it new ,, try and put a 1911 in your pocket and you will see what i mean, most 45 autos are just too big , i spent the money i saved on more 308 ammo.:) lol

[Yosemitest]

Look for a Smith & Wesson Model 36 Chiefs Special 38. It doesn't leave empty cases at the scene of the shooting, and can stay loaded and ready to use for years, without taking the tension out of a spring like a semi-auto pistol will.

[Armedanddangerous]

I have one of those in a pocket holster in my pocket as I type this.

I bought it used at a gun show for $225..unpapered..yeah!

[pissant]

Welcome to FR. Troll much?

[RipSawyer]

Point a .22 at me and I’ll leave the premises.
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As will any normal, sane individual who has no great compelling reason to risk his life. The little .22 rimfire has filled many a coffin and the ammunition available today makes it far deadlier than it used to be. I have killed many an animal with a .22 and I certainly don’t want to be shot with one.