From this article cometh these words of wisdom:
“Choose your small carry gun to be similar to the big gun you shoot best.”
…because in almost all cases, the “pocket” guns are more difficult to shoot than the regular “big” guns.
I can attest to that, because my “backup” S&W .38 Airweight is not just small, but teeny. That said, it is my backup and I almost never carry it as my primary piece — i.e. I carry it when I go to check the mailbox inside the apartment complex — because I know that in terms of results, my 1911 is an order of magnitude better in my hands.
However, the question then arises: why carry the Airweight at all?
Maybe I should dump the little revolver in favor of something like the “pocket” 1911:
And the budget option:
…although because it’s a carry gun, cost is not really an issue because my life may depend on it. That said, the Girsan has garnered plenty of good reviews from the people who use them.
I’ve carried a Colt Officer (and their Combat Commander) before too, so no issues there.
Of course, I’d stick with .45 ACP over any other cartridge (200 words of explanation plus innumerable past writings elided), and yes, I’d prefer a 1911 action because in my time I’ve shot more 1911 handguns than all the others combined, so why bother to learn a new action? [/OldFart]
It’s definitely something to chew over.
I’d suggest a Ruger or a Springfield brand.
I am not into 1911’s however Both brands have been awesome for me with other products and both Ruger and Springfield make really good 1911’s.
I’ve never had to return anything to Springfield.
Ruger products hold up very well and their warranty process is easy and fast.
Had an issue with a finish on one Ruger, zero functional issues. They replaced it with a brand new one and the total time from start to finish was 14 days.
Springfield, I wanted an extra pin for the backstrap of a grip. I called up. They sent it to me zero charge for the part and free shipping.
This is before the SCAMdemic.
Since many things mass produced nowadays can have issues – I think the most important thing is to go with a company that will stand behind their products. With some companies that warranty isn’t worth the paper it is written on (Like Shit and Worsen).
New Word: elided
I am your typical aging techie, but I do read a little: about a book a week, sometimes more, albeit mostly audiobooks now days. Yet somehow, this word eluded my attention (so to speak).
As to the real subject of this post, I donno.. I watched the Gabriel Iglesias comedy routine that popped up on Netfix where he went to buy his first handgun, and chose a .22 because it looked “simple” (then was talked into buying a whole arsenal of better guns). I like the instincts of that.. simplicity.. I think he is living on the road and professionally homeless now, but if he is still in his native LA, I’d bet he would glad to have that arsenal at hand.
I, too, am a Springfield fan, and I know they have one of these micro .45s in their catalog. However, I carry a slightly larger (4” bbl) highly smithed version of this gun, and an instructor at my club who I highly respect has carried one of these Kimber micros for 20 years and loves his.
This review is by the late Walt Rauch, who was also a member of my gun club.
https://www.handgunsmag.com/editorial/review-kimber-ultra-cdp-ii/138157#replay
Happy hunting!
You might want to consider the offerings from TISAS(sp?) – a Turkish company that recently jumped inti the 1911 pond. The Turkisk gun companies seem to have their s*** together. Witness the CANIK series of 9mm pistols.
The “big gun” that I shoot best is a full-size 1911A1 in .45 ACP. That being said, I’ve tried a couple of “officers” size 1911A1’s (Springfield Micro-Compact V10) and have found them to be somewhat unreliable due to the extremely short slide/barrel (3″) and extremely fast cycle time. This can result in failure to feed due to limp-wristing or weak magazines. Two things that completely prevent feed malfunctions with them are:
– Using REALLY good magazines (Wilson Combat mags have very strong springs)
– Basically strangling the pistol when you shoot
What I have been carrying for the last 5 years is a Sig C3, which is their version of the “CCO” concept. This is a great mix-and-match of 1911 styles, combining the short grip frame of an “Officers” size with the 4-1/4″ barrel/slide of the “Commander” size. The extra 1-1/4″ of barrel and slide means that the pistol cycles much slower than an “Officers” size, yet remains slightly easier to conceal than a full-size 5″ barrel/slide. The smaller grip frame means that the butt doesn’t stick out as much as a full-size, too. The frame is aluminum to cut the weight down to where it doesn’t make my hip or back ache, too.
For me it’s easier to conceal a longer barrel than it is a bigger/long grip frame. Since I do strong-side IWB carry just off my hip the barrel is essentially pointing almost straight down inside the pants leg. If I could find a pistol with an aluminum “Officers” grip frame and a full 5″ barrel/slide I’d buy it in a heartbeat. I still use the 7-round Wilson “Officers” magazines in it since they work best.
If you can find something like this (Sig discontinued them, but you can find them used) you might like one.