The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: toad on April 01, 2011, 02:10:53 PM
-
I'm thinking of acquiring another .45 for my collection. And wondered what people thought of the brands Sig , Kimber and Para. Mainly for reliability and to carry.
-
I carry a lightly modified Colt LW Officers ACP. Looking to pick up a SA EMP in 9mm JFTHOI. I know, I know, it's not a .45 but I don't have a small 9.
FWIW
Richard
-
I carry a Glock 30SF or a Glock 21SF. Always dreamed of owning a Kimber. ;D
-
Here's my thoughts, FWIW:
Sig - No personal experience. Owners seem to be happy with them. Don't know how well standard after market 1911 parts fit them.
Kimber - They get bashed a lot in various forums. I have had four (still have two) and have had no operational issues with them. I don't like the fact that their 4" Pro versions require a special take down tool (a paper clip works as well) to field strip. Some complain about the amount of MIM used but I've not had a problem.
Para - Mixed feeling here. I had one (a double stack) that was very ammo sensitive. Had an LTC that I really liked - accurate, fun to shoot, and felt like it was part of my hand. Too bad it went back to the shop twice (replaced the hammer, sear, and disconnector) and then the Regal finish started coming off in sheets. It took 16 weeks to get them to refinish it. For some strange reason I didn't like it as much after all of that and got rid of it.
For carry I definitely recommend a commander size 1911, preferably with a bobtail. I carry IWB and find that a 5" gun hits the seat before I do when sitting and drives the grip into my ribs. A bobtail makes it more comfortable to carry and easier to conceal. I also think the commander has a better balance. YMMV.
Now for the unsolicited advice:
If you want to stay in this price range, I'd recommend looking at Springfield or S&W. Great guns with good warranties. I'm really liking the the new S&W "E" series. If I were in the market for a new carry gun I'd be looking at the S&W 1911SC "E" series really hard. It has a "bobtail" and a scandium frame that make it great for carrying. I'd avoid the scandium frame for competitive shooting or putting tens of thousands of rounds through it although they are supposed to handle it okay.
For a little more money, Dan Wesson is hard to beat. After that you start getting into the higher end Wilson, Ed Brown, Les Baer, and others.
Sigh, so many 1911s and so little money. :'(
-
Coonan Arms. It isn't a 45, but I guarantee folks will take notice when you shoot it ;D
-
When you say a .45 do you meen a Sig P220 or a 1911? I carry a Para single stack 7.45 and I love it. The Sig 1911 has an external extractor and I've had trouble with them in the past, not the Sig but others. I also have the P220 and I like it for smooth operating but it's too thick in my opinion for concealed carry. Just my 2 cents.
-
I carry a PT145. Light, compact, a couple of thousand rounds with no issues. I've carried a Sig, but not a full sized (239), and in 9mm. It was nice, but someone offered to buy it, and I couldn't pass up the deal.
-
Coonan Arms. It isn't a 45, but I guarantee folks will take notice when you shoot it ;D
I sold a new Coonan this weekend. Our shop just started carrying the Coonan's. Dan Coonan was in our store this weekend promoting his guns at our gun show. He makes .357 Magnum 1911's.
http://www.coonaninc.com/
-
Yeah, I know ;D
-
You didn't mention one on your list but my SW1911PD worked like a champ in some Tactical Response fighting handgun classes.
-
What about the XD45 compact. It holds 10 to 13 rounds 45acp.
-
Ping has it right Glock 30 sf.
-
BUY a RIA or comparable gun and make it what you want with upgrades. By the time you are done it will be as good as any high $ factory and you will have less in it.
-
Expanding the search and also looking at the colt and ruger as a possibility.
-
Expanding the search and also looking at the colt and ruger as a possibility.
My next pistol purchase is probably going to be the Colt Defender or New Agent. CT grips are available for them too. They are pricey but not as bad as a Kimber.
-
yep, thats the one.
-
Check out the Colt Wiley Clapp LW Commander. Might just have to have one myself after saving enough $$$$$.
Richard
-
Check out the Colt Wiley Clapp LW Commander. Might just have to have one myself after saving enough $$$$$.
Richard
+1.....they look to be very nice guns.
-
Expanding the search and also looking at the colt and ruger as a possibility.
I've been looking at the New Agent for a while now...interesting little handgun, they have a DA only know as well in .45 ACP..
-
I carry a Para GI Expert (full-size 1911) and love it. It eats whatever I feed it, it's as accurate as I am, and it goes bang everytime you press the trigger. What more can you want?
-
I've been carrying an HK 45c for the past 4 months and would highly recommend this pistol. It is of superb quality and certainly the most reliable .45 ever tested. Needless to say I have yet to have a FTF but that's not a surprise as the recent pistol-training.com test had a grand total of 1 stoppage in 50,000 rounds, and that was due to a broken spring and the gun still fired the round. For me reliability is everything and either the HK or Glock 30 SF would be the way to go in that regard, but the HK is my preference in V1 mode as it can be carried in DAO with safety off, DAO with safety on, and cocked and locked....your choice. Great SA trigger as well and remarkably accurate with very light felt recoil. I prefer the feel of the HK 45c over the full size HK 45 as the grip is far more comfortable and the trigger doesn't suffer from the "trough" issue that is well documented and causes some finger rub for certain sized hands.
Here is a link to the 50,000 round test performed on an HK 45.
http://pistol-training.com/archives/4027
-
I pretty much always carry a commander lenght colt.
I'm a twig and its still easier to conceal then many modern autos.
-
OK now we know what .45 ACP you carry, so now, let's see how you carry and in what holster?
-
I carried a P220 for a while, it packed better than a 1911 IMO and I never had the slightest issue with it, it is my second favorite semiauto.
-
OK now we know what .45 ACP you carry, so now, let's see how you carry and in what holster?
Gov't 1911 IWB leather Bianchi model 120
-
OK now we know what .45 ACP you carry, so now, let's see how you carry and in what holster?
depends on what I'm wearing.
-
(http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx191/saharrold/DSCN0336.jpg)
IWB "Silent Thunder" by Tucker Gun Leather Garret Industries Holsters.
-
(http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo283/tsbevins/HumeJITS.jpg)
Mostly a Don Hume JIT Slide. It's light, inexpensive and quite comfy...looking at Crossbreed too!
-
May go with the new Ruger SR1911. Has a nice feel to it.
-
Finally got pictures of my carry .45 attached!!!!! They aren't too good but the close-up shows an aftermarket beavertail GS which has had the memory bump added on to. I use the high thumb grip and was having trouble depressing the GS...NOT NOW! It is also NOT uncomfortable to shoot even with +P loads. The picture also shows the modified TS which extends forward slightly but also backwords and is slightly wider. My thumbs are short and I have trouble getting leverage enough to take TS like the Swenson off.
Richard