[East of Texas]

I am sure these questions have been asked before so pardon me for asking them again.

First, I am interested in some recommendations for a carry pistol. I have two pistols I could carry now: an older SIG P220 (with the magazine release on the bottom) and a Springfield Armory Defender (full size). I have a Yaqui slide (just purchased from High Noon Holsters) and it appears to fit either pretty well. I am right handed but have had rotator cuff surgery and think I need to carry in a cross draw with the slide slightly to the front. The SIG is pretty well concealed in that position with a coat (or in the summer a loose shirt). I think the Defender will also be okay but I need just try wearing it.

I also have a SS Officer’s Model which is missing a front sight and I do have a Milt Sparks summertime special made 15 years ago for it. (The matching belt no longer fits.) I am going to have the front sight replaced.

I guess I am leaning towards either a full size Colt or similar pistol. However, I would consider a SIG. I am totally undecided about Glocks. I have fired a Glock years ago but don’t remember how I liked it (think it was a Model 17).

Yesterday, was the first time I had fired a handgun in a long time (probably ten years) and I need to practice a lot if I am going to carry.

So if I purchase another pistol, what are the best 1911 style weapons around? I am thinking full sized or maybe a LW Commander? Colt? Kimber? Do the new full sized Colts work well?



What is the general experience with Glocks? The opinions seem to be love them or hate them? Model 30 or 36 for the summer?


How about the Officer’s Model? I thought about sending it to Novak or another gunsmith but was told that they are hard to get to function reliably. I had about 3 failures to extract with my Officer’s Model (out of 500 rounds?). It always functioned with reloads (done by a friend) but didn’t extract some Remington UMC (remember this was probably close to 15 years ago).


If I go to another SIG what are the variations on the P220? Also, what is the opinion of the DA to SA switch? I have probably put about 500 rounds through the SIG but except for the 40 yesterday, they were so long ago I can’t remember much other than it was an accurate pistol.

I honestly don’t remember what the Springfield was like since back when I was shooting I had a friend with a whole bunch of 1911 type pistols and we switched back and forth so much I just can’t remember what it shot like. I probably will put a hundred rounds through it later this week.

I am a Jeff Cooper fan and read Cooper on Handguns until it was worn out. Don’t know what happened to my copy!

So SIG or Colt or Kimber (would like to stay under a $1000)? Do Glocks really blow up that much?

Any advice about the small gun vaults for cars. I may need to put one in my truck.

Lots of questions and I would like to hear lots of opinions and experiences.

Thanks, EOT

 

[Rock and Glock]

I'll limit my rely just to my experience: A Glock 17 (9mm, full size) and my wifes Glock 26 (9mm, sub-compact). I love them both, I just ordered another 26 for me. Reloads are not recommended in Glocks, so I shoot the cheapest quality 9mm I can find (CCI Aluminum case FMJ 115 gr.) for the range. Speer GDHP 115 gr. or 124 gr. for SD. I have never had any failures in either. No FTL, FTF or FTE. I know nothing about the "blow-ups" - never have seen one - only "rumored".

I use this for locking mine in the car:

http://www.center-of-mass.com/About_Product_Safe_Incar.htm

You'll find a lot of opinions and great information here on 1911's!! We also have a bunch of highly experienced Glock shooters, as well as Sigs, Kimbers, you name it. I'm as close to a newbie as can be without still being totally wet behind the ears.

BTW - Welcome!

 

[Bud White]

i carry a Fullsize 1911 myself

Any of the springers kimber or colt should serve you well just pick the one that has all the features on it you want if your buying new

 

[Redneck Repairs]

glock Kabooms are a non issue with FACTORY ammo ( not remanufactured or reloads , but virgin factory ). That being said glocks dont work for me lol .

I would say get a good action job done on the officers and use it ( the extraction problem was most likely improper extractor tension just make the smith aware of it ) have him dovetail in some nightsights, a trigger job and you should be good to go with what you have . If you are dead set on a new pistol and like the 1911 try the smith and wesson scandium 1911 i have seen good postings on them tho i dont own one .

 

[frankmako]

i carry a glock on duty (g22 and g27). i would go with the glock 36. it is a great year round gun. this gun is small and is in the good old .45 acp cal. i have one a love it for the range gun and off duty. don't worry with the cross draw thing. start rehab on the shoulder. then along with rehab work on it on your on time to build it backup to where it was before the operation. setup a home gym. i known i had a major rotator cuff surgery (they had to cut, no scope for me) last August and now i am back on the bench press doing 250 lbs. six weeks after the operation i went on a "raids" and i had to pull my gun out of my holster with my left hand. I could not pull up from ther leg holster. could point the gun at the BG only. got on the back of the "snake" and was just my luck two "BG" came out the garage door on top of me. put both down and controled the area while the rest of the team did the house. at this time i knew i had to get to work and get back where i was before the operation. trust me it is going to hurt and you will not want to do it. but just do it. yes i still have pain, but i just got to do it. so, get your shoulder back in shape, pick a gun that you will carry each day.

 

[dr_cmg]

If you are open to other calibers, the Sig P239 is a more compact and lighter pistol than the 220 and is available in 9mm, .357Sig, and .40 cal. One of the additional benefits of the 239 in 357Sig or .40 is that you can buy the other barrel and have both calibers. In .45 ACP the compact Sig P245 is available.

Disclaimer: I am a recent convert to Sig and currently carry the P239 in 9mm. Yesterday I bought a P239 in .357Sig. I may be just a little prejudiced.:yup: Others are too, but I will admit it up front.:image035:

 

[AKsrule]

you seem to gravitate towards the .45 acp , so unless you're
physically limited you may as well stick with it.

It does take a lot of determination and carry "savvy" to
haul a full size .45 around all the time though.

My suggestion is to get your Officers model back in shape
and hit the range. Then carry it until you figure out if
you need something more specialised.

 

[Freedz]

If you have a thing for sigs and a thing for 1911s get the sig gsr. I think thats the name of it. Anyway its a sig made 1911. Its badass from what I hear, never personally shot one.

 

[rocky]

sounds like shooting/carrying waht you have would be a good start. I like my SA Champion LW(4" barrel) for carry, but also carry a HK USP sometimes. you need to find what will work best for your needs(clothing, arm injury, carry options).

 

[clt46910]

Another option to consider in the 1911 format is the S&W 1911Sc. I have one in the commander size. I normally carry a kimber Pro, but the Smith have been getting a lot more use lately.

It is very light, the more I shoot it the more I like it, it has never malfunctioned in over the 500 rounds I have fired though it to date. I carry it loaded with the Federal 200gr EFMJ. I also have Crimson Trace grips on it. It is just make a nice light, easy to shoot, accurate carry piece.

I personally believe you can't go wrong with anything from Sig, I carried a 228 for a number of years. I been looking at the 229 in 357 Sig.

The only problem I have had with crossdraw is where I carry it, about 10 oclock, I have to be more careful not to "flash" it from a open cover shirt, jacket or vest. Otherwise I like a crossdraw, especially if I am driving or sitting a lot.

 

[East of Texas]

Thanks for all of the advice. It will take four weeks (or about that) to receive the carry permit so I will have some time to experiment. The SIG 245 may be the answer.

My rotator cuff surgery was 18 months ago and I am doing more weight now than before the surgery. I curl a 100 and leg press 500 but I am not bench pressing because of the pain. I think my mobility is going to always be somewhat limited. The other problem I face is that I do a lot of bend over dead lifts (don't want lower back problems) and I don't have much concavity at the kidney level. Also at 57, I am stiffer (in my joints!) than I used to be.

Thanks a bunch.

Michael

 

[rstickle]

If you are open to other calibers, the Sig P239 is a more compact and lighter pistol than the 220 and is available in 9mm, .357Sig, and .40 cal. One of the additional benefits of the 239 in 357Sig or .40 is that you can buy the other barrel and have both calibers. In .45 ACP the compact Sig P245 is available.

Disclaimer: I am a recent convert to Sig and currently carry the P239 in 9mm. Yesterday I bought a P239 in .357Sig. I may be just a little prejudiced.:yup: Others are too, but I will admit it up front.:image035:

What he said! :wink:

Take a good look at the SIG line. The 245 is great if you want .45, if you'll go other calibers there is the rest of the line.

Chris, one of the other Mods carries a 226, which would be considered "full size". Usually the only "problem" you hear about SIGs is from left-handed folks, because of the controls.

Usually what you'll hear about any SIG "P" series is that it's a great, trouble free shooter. And yes, I'm bias too! :image035:

One recommendation is if you can get to a range that rents weapons, try out a bunch, and go with the one that feels good yo you.

 

[AgentX]

There's the P220 Carry now, too, commander-sized, in DA/SA, DAO, and SA variations to suit your fancy.

 

[MidnightRambler]

[QUOTE
http://www.center-of-mass.com/About_Product_Safe_Incar.htm
[/QUOTE]


I second the car safe. I use one also, and it's the best thing I've ever found for locking the weapon up in the car. Highly recommended.

 

[East of Texas]

Again I appreciate the advice. I am going to do some practice work and try to find someone to work on the Officer's Model.

If I buy something new then I will post some pics.

EOT

 

[blueyedevil]

I'll chime in here, since I have nothing better to do . I like Glocks, however I've noticed that most guys that cut their teeth on 1911's don't. I'm fairly certain it's due to the different grip angle and trigger, but mostly the grip angle. I have a glock 30 and I'm constantly amazed at how accurate it is for a compact pistol. I also have had so few failures that their not worth mentioning out of it, I really like it. I like 1911's too, but I think that a slick-slide is really better suited to CC (just my opinion). I really have no experience with Sig's, but I have heard nothing but great things about them. My brother's been set on getting one for awhile, hopefully he'll let me try it out when he does so I can form an opinion.

 

['75scout]

I'm going to buy a used 220 from my uncle. I originally wanted the 226 in 40 to match the caliber in my other carry gun. But the 220 is slimmer than the 226 and I find it slightly more comfortable. I like the 239 but I find the flat front strap to be a little uncomfortable.

 

[enigmaone]

When only the very best will do, I feel that Sigs rule!!. just my 2cts
worth.

 

[stickman483]

Personally, as far as 1911's go, I think Para Ordnance beats Kimber and Springfield Armory, especially in the accuracy department. I have yet to find a 1911 design that shoots straighter than the Para I use.