handgun recommendations

[BlakeDavis]

Whats up guys? Hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas. I have been looking for a pistol for personal defense and to carry when I am hunting. I doubt that that I will ever concealed carry it so I am not looking for and ultra compact gun. I would like to spend no more that $550. I have been looking pretty hard at Springfield Armory 1911 GI's because I really like the 1911 style pistols and they are in my price range. Does anyone have any experience with these guns? From what research I have done I have seen very little negative said about these guns. I am pretty well set on . 45 ACP but would like to here what some of you guys have to say. This is my first pistol but I have shot a few before but they were 22's and 9mm's.

 

[CBrahs]

I love my colt 1911 mark IV series 70. did a bit of work to it and it fires ANYTHING I put to it.

 

[WDixon27]

the springfield gi's seem pretty nice, sights leave a little to be desired due their small size, id step up a model and get one with a beaver tail and better sights but that's me, glocks are hard to beat for a knocking around piece, another fun option would be a taurus 357 mag 8 shot revolver, i've put many thousand rounds though my 608 at bowling pins

 

[MickeyMiller]

I have a Springfield 1911 with Novac sights. Shoots great, but like any . 45 a lot of pratice will go a long way! For a 'one gun', I would go to the versitility and simplicity of a wheel gun... among my collection is a Taurus Tracker, 5 shot . 44 mag. This compact ported gun is surprisingly easy to control, especially with . 44 Special ammo for defense, . 44 Mag for field use.

 

[JoshPeters]

In that price range I'd take a look at the Springfield XD series. They have an XD45 that may work out perfect for you.



I also love my 1911, but if I was going to choose a second full size pistol. The XD would be up at the top of my list. Although, I am thinking about the Compact version of the XD... .



JP

 

[Jong]

Also check out the CZ 2075 and 75 series... they come from the factory with night sights installed, and are available in either poly or alloy frames. Great shooting guns, and I just picked up my 2075 9mm with a 14 round clip for $475! One heckuva bargain! If you want to spend a little more for the mest out there in automatics, check out the H&K USP line. Lotta nice guns out there to pick from

 

[kowaliga]

You stated 'for self protection and hunting. . ' so let's assume a handgun as a backup when hunting, not as the primary. There is a . 410/22 over & under ideal for both hunting backup and protection. However, if I were hunting javelina or larger, I'd use a wheel gun of 357 or larger calibre, of no less than 4 inch. The revolver won't mis-feed when you really need it, and shot shells are available for snakes and the like. S&W makes light-weight scandium ( 325pd ) models in 45 acp-. 44 mag. Most any ammo is fit for a revolver, like JHP, but risky business in a semi-auto. This is just my opinion and I'm no expert.

 

[JPointer]

I have a Springfield 1911 GI model in stainless. Nice gun, accurate, I really like it. I put 400 rounds through it during a day-long combat pistol class without any cleaning, and it functioned perfectly except for one stovepipe on a magazine that I loaded in pitch darkness. I think that one's on me...

 

[BlakeDavis]

Thanks for the advice guys. I am hoping to have some time tomorrow to go to some gun shops and do some looking around, so far most of my looking has been online. I have looked at SA XD series but most are 4" and I think I would like the 5" barrel better. Is there much difference in accuracy between a 4" and 5" barrels? Yes, the gun will be a backup when hunting, not a primary hunting gun and personal defense will be in my home and in my truck.

 

[Ncostello]

For personal defense and carry? Forget style. Go with a Glock 40 S&W Model 22. It is super reliable and durable... and will stop things in their tracks. You WILL love the light weight, comfort, ease of shooting, accuracy and power of this gun. Millions of officers can't be wrong.



Otherwise I'd choose a S&W 686 Distinguished Combat . 357 Magnum Stainless Steel. I love the L-Frame mid size and the full length ejector shroud. My personal favorite. Again... it too will stop things in their tracks.



FWIW.

 

[daytripper63]

I used to like model 1911's and I still own a couple, but after buying one of these http://www.parahawg.com/ I think the 1911 sucks

I can go on for hours about this gun but I think the best way to describe it is everyone I spoke with about it before I bought it said the compact 45s where not accurate etc. Then after buying one and going to the range many times and just about everytime at the range either the range master or someone else ask to try it and next thing I know everyone wants to try it and now when I go to the range just about everyone who shot mine now owns one. This gun was originally called the Para-ordinance P10 and it is a pocket cannon

The original Para Warthog is the world's smallest . 45 ACP, 10+1 round, semi-automatic pistol. It is an extraordinary handgun... only 6. 5 inches and 4. 5 inches high, including the magazine. Click on a model name below for more information about that pistol.

 

[broncojohn]

I personally do not own any handguns, I'm only 19. I have used numerous sigs, P299 40 S&W, P228 9mm and a P220 45 ACP. Also have used a glock 20c 10mm Auto and a glock 36 45 ACP, the glocks seem to fit my hand very well. They are all my uncles guns, hes a huge gun nut. He says the Sig is a very reliable handgun, the P220 is a very rugged, military spec. hand gun, kind of costly I believe. My uncle states though Springfield armory are very reliable handguns, I believe he owns one or two. He also says over and over Glocks are probably one of the most versitle guns he has ever owned, for the most part light weight and rugged. Just search around, feel all the guns your interested in and see how they fit in your hand. I have learned that if the handgun doesnt feel well in your hand and doesnt feel good when you shoot it its just not fun to use. Everyones hands differ from others so just do some good research. Figured I would put out my little known experience with handguns. Good luck.

 

[daytripper63]

I personally do not own any handguns, I'm only 19. I have used numerous sigs, P299 40 S&W, P228 9mm and a P220 45 ACP. Also have used a glock 20c 10mm Auto and a glock 36 45 ACP, the glocks seem to fit my hand very well. They are all my uncles guns, hes a huge gun nut. He says the Sig is a very reliable handgun, the P220 is a very rugged, military spec. hand gun, kind of costly I believe. My uncle states though Springfield armory are very reliable handguns, I believe he owns one or two. He also says over and over Glocks are probably one of the most versitle guns he has ever owned, for the most part light weight and rugged. Just search around, feel all the guns your interested in and see how they fit in your hand. I have learned that if the handgun doesnt feel well in your hand and doesnt feel good when you shoot it its just not fun to use. Everyones hands differ from others so just do some good research. Figured I would put out my little known experience with handguns. Good luck.

Good point about the grip size, The Para ordinance I mentioned above is a 10round mag and you do need to grip it to see if the grip is not to fat since it uses a staggared round clip to fit all 10 rounds in such a compact gun

 

[The patriot]

It really depends on what youre hunting.

The 10mm can do a job on animals up to deer sized. (not to mention humans! )

Pick your cartrige, THEN pick the pistol/platform to shoot it out of.

 

[moparguy]

Daytripper, what about accuracy and cost. Went to the site and like what I saw.



I currently own only two (3 counting the lit'l Rugar Lugar 22) hunting short

guns, a 44 Redhawk that groups 3 to 4" at 100yds and a Contender 35 Rem. that's good for 1. 5 to 2" groups at 100 yards.



I carried a 1911 military piece back in the 70s and it left a lot to be desired in the accuracy department.



Thanks, RJR

 

[daytripper63]

Daytripper, I carried a 1911 military piece back in the 70s and it left a lot to be desired in the accuracy department.



Thanks, RJR

After getting my para ordinance P10 I and anyone I let shoot the gun ( that have gun skills that is) can rapid fire a very tight group, the bullet leaves the short barrel so quik that the only recoil is straight back, no side or up motion like the 1911 so no need to resight target between shots. Wherever the first bullet goes the other 9 follow. If you where anywhere near Northern Calif I would let you try it.

On the price you want to find a gun broker or a gun show that someone will treat you right on price I have seen them from 485. 00 to 799. 00

 

[JoshPeters]

I carried a 1911 military piece back in the 70s and it left a lot to be desired in the accuracy department.



Thanks, RJR

Little known fact... . If it was a military issue 1911, it was built during WWI. They stopped production in 1929. The Government didn't start to purchase 1911's again till the 80's. So the machining technologies were not what they are today.



I'm sure that left a bad taste in your mouth, but go to a gun range that rents pistols. Try a newer model. I think you'll be plesantly supprised!



JP

(facts taken from the Gun Digest book of the 1911, written by Patrick Sweeney)

 

[daytripper63]

Little known fact... . If it was a military issue 1911, it was built during WWI. They stopped production in 1929. The Government didn't start to purchase 1911's again till the 80's. So the machining technologies were not what they are today.



I'm sure that left a bad taste in your mouth, but go to a gun range that rents pistols. Try a newer model. I think you'll be plesantly supprised!



JP

(facts taken from the Gun Digest book of the 1911, written by Patrick Sweeney)

I also own a Colt Commander 45, an AMT Hardballer 45, an Ruger P90 (45acp) and a Smith&Wesson 1911

And still have found NO 45 that shoots as nice as my Paraordinance P10 (now known as the Warthog) BIG PLUS did you notice the weight? take a look 24oz

 

[JPointer]

I also own a Colt Commander 45, an AMT Hardballer 45, an Ruger P90 (45acp) and a Smith&Wesson 1911

And still have found NO 45 that shoots as nice as my Paraordinance P10 (now known as the Warthog) BIG PLUS did you notice the weight? take a look 24oz

The Warthog/P10 is on my wish list for a carry weapon, so I'm glad to hear you say such good things about it. I got my hands on one yesterday, and the grip is a bit short and fat, but the mag extension helps the short part, at least.

 

[ramtifosi]

1911s are great pistols, for a first one get a full size 5" (Government or Commander), but be warned! They are like RAMS, ya just can't seem to leave'm stock. I really like my Kimber Raptor, but as a carry piece in . 45ACP I have a Sig P220 Carry SAS. To me nothing feels as good in my hand as a 1911. A good starting point are Kimber, SA and S&W to look at. Have fun huntin' one down.