← Autodidact Archive · Original Dissent · Valley Forge
Thread ID: 12585 | Posts: 16 | Started: 2004-02-29
2004-02-29 23:07 | User Profile
There's a gun show coming to my area soon, and I've decided the time has come to pick up a 45.
I'd appreciate any recommendations on a quality tactical model. For example, should I buy from Springfield Arms, Colt, Kimber, or someone else?
When it comes to guns, there are so many choices it's hard to make a decision.
2004-02-29 23:16 | User Profile
As you know the military and police force now have the 9 mm. If I were you I would buy the same thing, that way you would always be able to get ammo for your pistol.
2004-02-29 23:18 | User Profile
A point well taken. I didn't consider that. Thanks.
2004-02-29 23:52 | User Profile
I looked at the compact Kimber .45's at our last show. Beautiful.
One of those will be my next.
I presently carry an alloy-frame Para-Ordnance P-10 in a Galco P-13 SOB rig worn on my hip in Condition One. Good for all-day wear, sitting and standing. Faster into action and always on hand.
2004-03-01 00:10 | User Profile
Springfield parkerized standard 5 inch barrel 1911 for about $475 or $525. I like the Glock G19 9mm, but also the .45. There are still plenty of folks carrying .45. The ammo is not hard to get. I like the .45, because that's what I learned to shoot with, love at first sight. I don't put a lot of stock in thinking anyone will be getting much ammo because the cops and military use the same caliber. You see the Iraq resistance using the US Army calibers and weapons?
For concealed carry, I'd say the G19 or .357 snub on the ankle with some type of expanding ammo(hollow point).
2004-03-01 02:08 | User Profile
My SHTF handgun will be my .45-caliber Glock 21 with its 13-round mags.
Glocks are a survivalist's wet dream. I like the fact that the metal parts on Glocks are essentially rust-proof and have a surface hardness just below that of diamond. Furthermore, Glock barrels do not wear out -- ever. They will last hundreds of thousands of rounds without losing accuracy. The plastic Glock receiver has some flex in it, but it is still more durable than the steel of most guns. Glocks are also more reliable than other guns, and their accuracy is impressive as well. I've also heard that if you get one of the rare lemons that any manufacturer will put out, Glock's customer service will make it right.
One possible drawback when it comes to Glocks is that you aren't supposed to shoot all-lead bullets in them (the polygonal barrel rifling traps lead deposits too easily and will lead to excessive pressures after a given number of rounds). This is not an issue for me. Also, some have claimed that Glocks blow up too easily (especially in the .40 S&W caliber), but I think such incidents are due to mistakes made by reloaders. A bad reload can blow up any handgun. I've never heard of a Glock blowing up due to factory ammo.
2004-03-01 02:47 | User Profile
One of my handgus is the Glock 40 SW, I like it because it has the hitting power of the 45 and the speed of the 9mm.
2004-03-01 03:07 | User Profile
Howdy VF,
The choice really depends on your budget. Kimber makes the best (and most expensive) production 1911 clone, bar none (yes, I know there are some others out there, like Baers, but damned if I'll pay $2500 for a handgun). Springfield makes a really good piece as well, just doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the Kimbers.
Personally, I hate Glocks, but that's just a personal preference. They are well-constructed and reliable guns, I just don't like the way they fit in my hand or the trigger mechanism. The reason the .40 Glocks have a rep for going kaboom is that the chambers on them are unsupported in the back and the case can blow out at this point. An aftermarket barrel could take care of this for added $$$ if you've gotta have a Glock.
One other gun you might consider is the H&K USP or USP Compact in .45 ACP. I have one and I absolutely love it. Everything the Glock fans like about theirs, the USP sports as well, including the extremely tough finish and polymer frame. However, it's got more convetional DA/SA controls that I find more familiar. Mags are a little steep and there are no hi-caps available (it was made after the '94 AW ban) but all in all it's a great gun. It used to be my carry piece. I only stopped carrying it in favor of the 1911 because the USP is fairly wide in comparison (being a double-stack) to the 1911 single-stack. In summer clothes, the 1911's a little easier to conceal.
[url]http://www.hk-usa.com/pages/civilian/handguns/uspcompact.html[/url]
2004-03-01 04:47 | User Profile
You can't beat a Colt 1991A1 in .45. Good price, good gun.
2004-03-01 07:17 | User Profile
Valley Forge,
You can also get 1911 slide/barrels in 9mm, .22LR, and some other rounds.
You can a Frame Casting, without an FFL from the Tanneryshop for 55-90$.
[url]http://www.tanneryshop.com/[/url]
2004-03-01 07:20 | User Profile
Well, if you guys still want a 45 then get teh 45 Colt Commander, is smaller than the 911 and it fits really good in your hand, of course it cost a little bit more than the 911.
2004-03-01 23:57 | User Profile
This is great feedback everyone. Thanks very much.
So many choices!
I still don't know what to do, but I think I have a better idea of what to look for now than I did before.
Adding a Fireams category to the forum was a nice addition. I hope this area sees a lot of action. :thumbsup:
2004-03-01 23:59 | User Profile
[QUOTE=Ponce]Well, if you guys still want a 45 then get teh 45 Colt Commander, is smaller than the 911 and it fits really good in your hand, of course it cost a little bit more than the 911.[/QUOTE]
Ponce, Is your preference for the 9mm based solely on the availability of ammo, or do you see the 9mm as offering other advantages that the .45 lacks?
Just curious.
2004-03-02 00:50 | User Profile
I own both a Colt 1991A1 and a Glock 21 I only have 10 round clips for the Glock. Getting pre-ban clips cost lots, if you can even find them. Colt makes 8 round clips for the 1991A1, but they are expensive too, and a little hard to load, even with a loader. The standard clip for the Colt is 7 rounds.
The 1991A1 is a good looking, good feeling gun. Some donââ¬â¢t like the fact that you canââ¬â¢t fire the remaining chambered round with the clip ejected -- doesnââ¬â¢t bother me.
The Glock is an amazing gun too --- very tough. Itââ¬â¢s also the easiest semi-auto pistol to disassemble and clean Iââ¬â¢ve ever owned. Again, some are put off by the lack of an explicit safety. The only obvious safety is a detente on the trigger -- doesnââ¬â¢t bother me.
Lots of other choices, usually much more expensive. If I were to buy a Glock now, knowing how difficult it is to get high capacity clips, I would buy the smaller model 30. Holds the same 10 rounds as the 21, but is a smaller gun.
I bought a thousand rounds of 45 acp for less than $300 bucks --- not one misfire --- all but twenty or so rounds fired through the Glock. I also own an old Webly 455 revolver. With half moon clips you can fire 45 acp. Itââ¬â¢s really a piece of junk, but Iââ¬â¢ve had it for more than 30 years, and it has sentimental value. Taurus sells a total titanium revolver that fires 45 acp with star clips. Might be interesting to own, but not the way to go.
Enkidu
2004-03-02 15:35 | User Profile
The USP field-strips in five seconds, if you're slow. ;)
I don't really consider the lack of +10 mags to be a real problem with the .45 ACP guns. Rumor has it that there are some +10s around for the full-size USP, but their legality is questionable as they were brought in right around the '94 ban (may it die a painful death). As an aside, our Hebraic betters are working overtime to renew the ban in the Senate, though I'm sure it's sheer coincidence. Check it out on [url]www.senate.gov[/url] and look up in the right hand corner for S.1805. Lotsa ewws amending that puppy.
If you've got a 9mm, you might need the extra capacity. I really can't think of any advantages of the 9mm over the .45 ACP other than the ammo's cheaper and it's GI. There's nothing wrong with 9mm; countless people have been downed with it, I just think for a carry piece that you're gonna count on to save your life, you owe it to yourself to get the most effective round you can comfortably control. For some, that's 9mm, others it's .45 ACP and some might be just fine with .454 Casull.
Hey Enkidu, $300 for a case of .45 ACP sounds a little much. Have you tried any of the mail-order outfits for ammo? You can save some $$$ as opposed to getting it at a gun store or show, but then you're not exactly anonymous when you do that. I've done business with this place [url]www.ammoman.com[/url] before and they've been excellent in terms of prompt shipping and customer service.
By the way, that old Webley sounds pretty cool. I bet it weighs a ton. I saw an article about a .577 Webley the other day. Huge! The grooves actualy measured out to .599" so it's a whopper. Fires a 400-something grain bullet at about 750 fps. Talk about bowling something over! :thumbsup:
2004-03-02 20:45 | User Profile
Valley Forge;
Good idea to get a .45 ACP. Seeems I read in a magazine article where the Kimber pistols are made on Isreali forgings. I.E.the frame and slide.
Check out the 1911's from Dan Wesson Firearms.[URL]www.danwessonfirearms.com/[/URL] , Although when I checked they were overhauling their website.
Practice, get to know your firearm, learn to disassemble and clean it, and like all quality tools it will serve you well.
:thumbsup: