Glock 19 is my daily carry now, used to carry an 3.5 inch barreled compact 1911, but honestly I can place more shots on target with the lower recoil 9mm and I have more ammunition as well, as well as the ability to run Glock 17 mags and as a bonus my wife can operate it where she has difficulty with my 1911, plus it shares ammo with her s&w m&p 9mm, another pistol I would carry with no reservations, though it isn't really practical since it is rather big.
If you do go for a 1911, my opinion is to worry more about the non-corrosive coatings, quality components, and looser tolerances...a trick 1911 is nice at the range but for carry reliability is king, so I always prefer 1911s with a bit of "rattle" to them.
Finally, Wilson Combat mags are excellent, and Ranger bonded ammo is my preferred ammo combo for a 1911...good ballistics and lower risk of over-penetration.
A pet peeve of mine is that people don't quote the whole second amendment:
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
Personally, I don't get much into the politics side. Pure and simple if someone threatens the life of those I love I have made the decision that I am o.k. with killing to defend them, pure and simple.
As far as needing, I would prefer to never need a firearm. I look at my pistol the same way I look at the jumper cables in my trunk, better to have and not need than need and not have.
Ease of carry. More readily available (potentially). Easier to maneuver in close or tight confinement or in narrow corridors. Less likely to alarm or cause concern to the general public if carried concealed. Transportability.
A handgun might not be the "best" choice for all situations but it does have some aspects that make one a good choice for various scenarios.
Because it's my right. 233ish years ago a lot of good men died for that right along with all the other freedoms we're afforded. Would seem a shame to waste that.
Because you just never know. I've drawn mine once and while it wasn't a bluff it did defuse the situation. Proof enough that sometimes bad news comes to find you.
Because guns aren't bad. People are bad, guns just make the news better than other weapons.
Get training, practice, be proficient. We practice on our bikes don't we? Same applies if you carry.
I have plenty of guns. Most of them are nice, blued steel with walnut furniture. They are pretty, and show the art of the American (and Czech and Yugoslavian...) worker like nothing else can. I have them because they are machines, and I love machines. And I love to shoot. Thanks to Uncle Sam and your tax $$$ pretty damn well too.
I also have a Ruger PC9, Police Carbine 9mm, that is functionally ugly, has a black oxide finish with a truly uninspired polymer stock that rests in my home that I hope I never have to use. But it is my right if I have to.
To carry or not, to own or not is not so much an "American" thing. So much more "personal" than that.
I will admit I have a CHL and I carry more often than not. If not on my person, it is within easy reach.
That being said.....
There is another pistol out there to look at. Anybody remember the Beretta Cougar? I really like mine. Most of my buds who have tried it also like it. Currently have one in 40S&W and looking for a twin in 357Sig.
I've just now gotten in on the conversation and have just recently purchased my first pistol. It's a P229 Sig Sauer and I really like it. As far as the open carry laws I can only speak for my state, Kentucky. We have an open carry law. As long as it's in the open then it's perfectly legal. Not many people do because people want to make a fuss over it. We just had a local festival where hundreds of gun buyers, sellers, and traders come to town and openly buy, sell and trade. No muss, no fuss. Let me see if I can find an old link to show you how we do it here. This is about two hours from my house...
The 1911 is going to be the only full size pistol that carries well due to it's flat profile. They are heavy, especially in an all steel version. Any of the Beretta and Taurus pistols you mentioned are too wide to carry well under light clothing...and are uncomfortable. The Taurus PT911 is the best thing going right now. There's no reason to pay more money for a comparable pistol.
I'd highly recommend a CZ in a compact aluminum framed version in 40S&W or 9mm if an all metal pistol is wanted. They are light, pack well, have amazing ergonomics and are very accurate and reliable.
My Colt 1991A1 had an extractor clocking issue. A $19 part fixed it, but if I hadn't read a book on tweaking the thing, I probably would've been pretty miffed. Everything else I've done to it has been largely unnecessary enhancements.
Posted on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 - 12:04 am:
I favor a Commander size 1911 with alloy frame. Even so, a 1911 is still a big thing to hide.
A bobtail mainspring housing ( and matching frame mods ) helps a lot, but not as much as proper body shape & clothing. ( one you just buy, the other, not so easy ) Clint Eastwood in a suit jacket can carry a big gun. Larry the Cable Guy in a t shirt & jeans needs to carry a lot smaller.
I wouldn't bother with +p ammo for a .45ACP, it has a fine balance of recoil to terminal effect, especially with good modern expanding ammo.
That said, I prefer several clones over the Colt. They pretty much abandoned the civilian market in handguns a while back. I'm very fond of the Para LDA series. They don't make yet the one I really want which would be a high cap short grip w 4 1/2 inch barrel in alloy & LDA... but they probably will. And they are now made in the U.S.
Laser sights rock. both for bad visibility ( when most bad things happen ) and to train out hand movement on trigger squeeze.
Posted on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 - 08:49 am:
owning a kimber and having owned a few other brands i wouldnt worry about saving the pennies for one. its just a name. granted their customer service is great but you can get close to the same thing for less. i do like carrying my kimber pro tactical
the best bang for the buck on the market is the new taurus 1911, i own one with a rail on it and let me tell you it is all business! half the price of my kimber and put together every bit as well!!!
Posted on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 - 12:11 pm:
My 1991 has occasional jams. I had access to a Colt 1911 that was made some time in the 1930's, and put several thousand rounds through it, and the only misfire was one I failed to put powder into when I reloaded.
(A pistol primer alone will not push a round .45 slug out of a 5 inch barrel. DAMHIK).
A number of friends have Kimbers too and always have raved about them. I couldn't justify the cost until one friend let me try his. I shot a better group with it the first time I fired it then I had with the full size Springfield I was shooting that I'd owned for years.
Court, if you are in East Troy in the near future and want to take my Kimber for a "demo ride" you are welcome to.
It is the Ultra Carry 2 with regular sights in .45
For a .45 that small it has very little kick. I think a couple of the other guys around Buell have it in the full size frame.
I ended up with the model I did because I just happened to stumble into a killer deal on it through a close friend and Buell rider who has an FFL.
I have a 40 round drum for it (just because I can) that kills the balance but it a riot to put on it and blaze away with. The drum is bigger than the actual gun.
