Picked up a Springfield Armory Champion Loaded 4", what a sweet shooting pistol! It's been a long road to find my carry gun, I've gone through so many pistols and holsters it's ridiculous. I was extremely happy with my XD-45 compact with Crimson Trace grips, but there is something so right about a stainless 1911. Now if Crimson Trace would make their grips out of soft rubber, I'd be in heaven as I'm torn about putting polymer grips on this gun. I'm temporarily carrying it in a sto-n-go iwb holster, as I just placed an order for a Kholster. I have it loaded with Winchester PDX1 .45 230gr jhp. What do you all carry? What ammo and in what holster?

I have a P89 Ruger, 9mm. When I hike in one of the National Forests, I like to carry it for protection as I hike alone. Tell me your thoughts on this because I havent found any good information on-line.

I was told that I could carry it in a holster in the National Forest but since hunting is not allowed in the National Forest, I was advised by a ranger to load it with rat shot so if I was stopped by a ranger on the trail, the ranger would not assume I was hunting due to the rat shot.

Stainless Kimber Ultra Carry II with low-profile night sights.

Best out of the box compact I have ever shot.

-Skater

Not really a "compact" I don't think, but is in my hands.....

Off to the range tomorrow night to test fire a new "Mini Eagle" in 9mm parabellum.

That's the law here unfortunately. Will give y'all a rundown after I've fired it.

Spliff,

Welcome to the Dark Side. Once you wrap your hands around a 1911, everything else is just a pistol...

I usually carry my XD-9mm Subcompact, but when it gets colder I like to carry my SIG .40 P229 SAS.

I prefer the small outside belt holsters.

When I go in the woods, I carry my Kimber Warrior .45

Skater convinced me to get the Kimber.... he was soooo right! Heheh.

At least you're not flaying me for the 9mm.

Thank you Mr Grant!

I have tried many, but now have two that I favor carrying. A Bersa 45 UltraCompact. It fits my smaller hand well, is similar to a 1911 except it is DA/SA which I prefer, has a loaded chamber indicator that can be seen and felt, a de-cocker and is in 45 cal. It meets all my criteria and most importantly fits my hand well. I have a pancake holster for it that I took to my cobbler who does all my leather work and had him make some changes for me.

And I carry a KelTec P3AT for back-up or times when I don't carry the bigger gun. The P3AT can just drop into any pocket.

I have a Springfield Arms XD45 service issue but we're not allowed to carry in Chicago let alone Illinois...

v6,
boNes

Cajun,

From what I found it follows "State Law" in regards to conceal and carry.

See this document from NFS:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/general_info/Laws_%20Regarding_%20Firearms_%20NF_Lands.pdf

Nice choice of gun. I have a Ruger P89 and my wife has a P95 for home defense. We use them for home defense and they are good pistols IMO.

I have the same as Bill: XD 9mm Sub-Compact.. I still haven't taken my concealed carry course though...so we have to make due with Marisa and her concealed Kahr CW9..

Sig P239 .40 but I can only open carry for now. Hopefully we'll get a pro gun governor next election in 2010.

Kinda makes me want to ask, why is concealed carry more desirable than open carry? Isn't the whole idea to make you feel more safe? I would think that knowing that your mark is carrying would make you much less likely to mug/rob them, than someone that seemingly isn't packing.

Just wondering

I also have a Ruger P89. I generally keep it for home defense, not as a carry gun.

I don't have a CCW, for several reasons, but in Arizona you can carry open whenever you want. I don't in town, but when I used to hunt and hike I'd carry my Springfield stainless Loaded, 1911. My favorite handgun.

It also makes you a target, as in "OK, first we take out the cowboy with the gun." Much better for the bad guys to have no idea who's carrying.

I just depend on a couple of knives, no permits required and I have more practice with them. If someone is a threat and are not close enough for the knife I'll just have to look helpless, I suppose. I used to carry my PPK but that was before all the hysteria about concealed weapons.

Had XD 9mm SC of which I rid myself this summer and in winter and fall (mostly in winter when I've got tons of clothes on) I carry a Beretta Cougar 8000.

Presently I'm carrying my month old Glock 26. Just got two new Comp-Tac holsters for it (one IWB one OWB).

Lot of P89 owners in here. I like mine, even though I don't shoot it well. Two large capacity mags, although I can't find one of them. Probably in my sock drawer.

Don't carry it, more like keep it locked up in the basement, but I've got a Remington-made 1911A1 produced in 1943. No match for a .45 when you need stopping power

Hopefully, if you ever need it, you'll have time to get into the basement and unlock it. And that it's loaded. Sounds like a good gun, and you're right no match for a .45. Big wonking round.

Welllllll, a .44 Mag and a .41 Mag are pretty powerful too.

Well, if our house is ever assaulted by a bunch of gun-wielding loonies that start firing wildly, and I scoot down to the basement and get the gun, and somehow manage to shoot the bastards, *I* will probably be the one going to jail, for shooting an unregistered gun, and for actually shooting someone. There's a twisted legal system for ya!

I have been drooling around the Springfield Armory website for a good half hour now. M1911s and M1s.. I officially live in the wrong country!

Ah, forgot about that. Well, just be glad you have it. Do you ever get to shoot it?

I'm so wimpy lately when it comes to shooting. I used to go every other weekend. Now, it's more like every other year. Sad.

I'm seriously considering the Glock 30 SF. Any opinions?

No, it's not registered, so I can't take it to the range. If I am to do that, I first have to join a gun club, shoot a smaller calibre for a year or so, then I can POSSIBLY take my own .45 to the range. But first I'd have to register it, and that's a royal pain in the behind, since it's been sitting in the basement for God knows how long, and the police are almost certain to impound it and destroy it. I don't want that beauty to end up as children's toys or guitar strings

Send it to me. I'll take very good care of it and promise that it will always be there for you.

Hehe, did my previous post say "FREE M1911" anywhere in it?

I'll find some way to shoot it. The 1911 is just great, and my all-time favorite handgun!

Jeez semmern, that's ridiculous. Coming from an American POV of course. No, I don't think I'd take a chance on having the gun impounded and melted.

Lb1, I really don't know much about Glocks other than some people love them and some hate them. I'm not a fan. I'd rather stick with my 1911 and clones. My Dad's got a .380 ACP Colt Commander that I rather like. Most of my other sidearms are revolvers except for a little Beretta .25 pocket gun and a Ruger .22 target pistol.

M79 in a shoulder rig.

LOL, joking! Not allowed to carry in Canada with fewer exceptions than you might expect.

I didn't expect it FOR me as a keeper. I just meant I would keep it safe for you.

And, semmern, you could come and visit it anytime you wanted!

See ? 20mm understands my purely benificent and kind offer.

1911

Hehe, OG, I understood that, it's just that I'm rather reluctant of sending it anywhere at all. I like to just work the action sometimes and pretend I'm shooting it. Gun fondler I am

Now there ya go. Disassemble, clean, lightly oil, reassemble. Work action.

Some of the best times I ever had with my Dad when we went shooting was when we got back. Cause then I got to tear down the guns and clean them up. I loved it, still do.

When I got my two SKS Romanian clones, they were packed in grease. I tore them down and set them out in the blazing Arizona summer sun for serveral days. Melted most of the grease off. Then brake cleaner on the metal, less abrasive cleaner on the wood. Cleaned it all up, lubed it, looks like a million dollar baby. Same thing with my AK clone.

We're a strange lot, eh?

I love dry firing my guns too, besides it is also good training.

I guess there are a lot of us. I will take my rifles and "snap-to" firing position. Aim, adjust body aim, and then close my eyes. Open them and see how the body position changes the aim. Adjust and do it again until the position reamains constant. Good firing position and natural point of aim are important and can be worked off range.

Mrs Grognard has gotten use to seeing me laying in the living room "fondling " guns.

lol, OG, I thought it was more at the pool..

No, at the pool OG loves to take pictures of his Big Toe.

He just happens to have a firearm in the picture when he does it.



I *can say* that OG makes a mean steak on that patio.....!!!

Love to have one some day, as well as being at Grant Ranch with some steaks and chips & salsa and tequila somethings..

It's just that OG sends me off the brink with these guns near pool pics. He knows this of course and will continue to do so...

I've got a 5" Springfield Loaded, the frame and slide are good forged pieces but the rest of the parts are injection molded junk. I've long since replaced most of the small parts with aftermarket parts, including a small radius firing pin stop, which made a world of difference.

If I had to carry one of these with my life on the line I'd at least replace the slide stop and thumb safety, since those seem to be the factory parts that break the most.

That reminds me that I have to submit for my C&C permit here in Alabama.

And then find a 1911 at a price that doesn't require selling 4,528 pints of my blood.

I'll sell you one.

Sad to say this but Tarus is making a goodlooking 1911 clone but it says Tarus down the slide in big letters. I have not heard how they run.

I am disturbed by the lack of pictures in this thread... its likes seeing boobs in the title and not actually seeing boobs when you look in the thread.

I want to pick up a Kimber Ultra Carry II but I cant justify it even in the slightest. Too many bills and no time for guns.

I'll never get tired of showing this off





My two handguns. Sig Neuhausen P210-4 9mm and Hämmerli 215 match pistol (.22lr).

SpongeBob, the consensus around these parts is that the Taurus 1911 is a great value as you get all the 'Upgrade parts' like the skeletonized trigger, hammer, beavertail grip, 30 LPI grip, etc.

The only complaint I have heard from the group is the finish on them is a little 'soft' and easy to scratch.

Other than that, it shoots, and shoots well.

I am tickled with shooting some of the Armscor 1911s that my buddy owns.
These Phillipines imports are low at $400 -$500, but the guns I have handled shoot anything you put in them, and make small holes at 25 yds. I am really impressed by the customer service side, because there were a few issues on 2 of the guns, and the American Contact for Customer Service took care of them on their dime. As long as you are not looking for a 'BBQ Gun', then I have no issues saying get one of these...

How on earth do you guys conceal 1911s?

I'm going to get flamed, banned and airstriked for saying this but, aside from the trigger, 1911s have made me appreciate other pistol designs.

I carried my Romanian AKM from the gun store to my car, if that counts.

Can't get CCW in my county, but I started looking at pistols. Mainly for target shooting/collecting, but would consider it for home defense. 7.62x39 isn't the ideal choice for that. :p

Tried the CZ-75B, FN FNP-9, and Glock 19.

I liked the CZ the best in terms of fit. Too bad the price went up, will be around $600 or more out the door. And the magazines cost $40-50.

For whatever reason, the FNP-9 was extremely over priced at $700. I liked this more than the Glock 19.

Don't really want a polymer handgun though. I would prefer steel for increased weight. Might help compensate recoil.

I will likely end up with a used CZ-82 (9x18mm) or Makarov in the end. Forgot to try the CZ-83 when I was in the store.


But it will be a while though. Still need to finish and shoot my AR-15.

Saw a good deal on a scoped .22 bolt action with scope to... wish this hobby wasn't so expensive.

Oh, and on the Glock 30, it is a little much on a little smallish of a gun for me to fire and look forward to doing it, but you cannot beat the Glock IMO. Just don't draw or holster it, etc., with your booger hook on the bang switch.

Anyway, specific to the 30, I'm just not big on subcompact large caliber pistols which eliminates the .45 auto or .45 GAP (Glock 39) for me..

http://www.miltsparks.com/ http://www.kramerleather.com/

Ordered this http://ruger.com/LCP/index.html to carry in my pocket, should be in tomorrow or friday.

This works too
[img:left][/img]

This thread calls for a

Thats great!

1911's are thin. Usually ride better than the other guns, which are almost always double-stack mags.

If you are having an issue carrying the 1911, then your BELT is the problem.
Most people think their crappy dress belt can hold up a pistol. Ha. What happens is the weight pulls the gun outward, and it hangs. A stiff pistol belt will not do this.

+1, a $100 holster is usless on a $20 dollar belt.

Wilson Combat: Bill Wilson Carry Pistol (.45 of course) and an IWB holster from: Brommelandgunleather

If pictures are demanded:



And holstered in the two carry options.

You keep posting pics of that and I am gonna buy on OG.

It isn't one of the "Cadillac" names, but I haven't found much wrong with it. Compact, reliable, DA/SA, loaded chamber indicator that can be seen and felt, de-cocker, ambi safety and mag release, and that ever-loving 45 ACP.

It eats everything I feed through it.

Sorry, what I mean is: Doesn't the beavertail, etc grab on your shirt, even with a good belt? I've got the kydex reinforced belts so that isn't the problem. It's more comfort, weight and especially the beavertail that kills me.

Airdrop, you need a better holster if that is happening.

No. I do NOT have that issue.
I wear my Keember (the one I sold, commander length) like I do my other pistols.
At 4 o'clock; the right hip past the midway point. Outside belt holster.
Only issue I had was a short shirt and a gust of wind... oops.

That may be. I've got good ones for the Beretta and Glock and had for the XD and never had issues, but I also primarilly do inside the waistband because of the dress shirts I have to wear most of the time. I really think the length of the 1911 is my issue (no matter how far downward I adjust the clips, for example, it is still pretty uncomfortable for me and grabs the shirt tucked over it getting up and down (in court, for example, where here judges can designate allowed carriers in their courtrooms).

I just can't beat my XD-SC for carry. Its short length keeps it from banging the seat muzzle first when I sit, its light weight doesn't turn into a ton of iron at the end of the day, and its small footprint can be mistaken for a Crackberry. No one is going to say "Hmmm, is that a pistol?"
No, their natural inclination is to think they are mistaken, and that it is some form of mobile electronics. Buwahaha.

What you need to do is have an answer ready when someone inquires as to what it is.
"None of your business" just makes them more curious.
"A medical device" works well, as they will then be too embarrassed to ask what it does.
You could also respond that it is a "GPS unit that I tote around". True, if you consider that GPS = Gun/pistol/Sidearm.

I like that!

If you are going to use a 5" Govt Model for toting around, you need an IWB holster with a good cant towards the front.
Most guys I know that carry a Gov't Model are using OWB holsters.

Here is my "Dream holster" for it... Tucker HF-1 with the Texas concho...
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/rlcompanyusa_2074_2453467

Here is how it should ride, looking from the rear

http://olegvolk.net/gallery/technology/arms/holsters/tucker-hf1-1.jpg.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1

OG, Bersa is one of my favorite manufactures! I have a stainless ultra compact in 9mm, a blued ultra compact pro 9mm (their newest line in 9mm), a firestorm ultra compact .40, and an ultra compact pro .45. No problems whatsoever, and the sa/da is an awesome thing. I feel these guns are very under rated, but that might be a good thing because that probably keeps them at the current price point.

Bill, I know what you mean. I can't believe I've waited this long to fall so hard for a 1911. I did purchase a Kimber Ultra Carry II about six months ago, but didn't really like the way it felt while firing it. It was an awesome weapon, I now regret selling it as I'm sure I would have gotten used to a three inch barrel in .45.

Letterboy1, I've heard the Glock 30SF having some issues, don't know if it is true or not. I almost bought a G30 last month but settled on Glock's black sheep, the G36. I installed a lasermax laser in it last week and am happy with it. A little harsh on the recoil because the gun is so light, but nothing you can't get used to. It kinda reminds me of my XD-40sc as far as recoil.

Air, argghhh! I'm looking at adding an XD-9sc to my collection. Btw, do want to go to the Bullet Hole some time?

I carry a XD-45. Sadly I screwed up and never finished getting my Concealed Carry Permit in Virginia. Now I have to wait until I'm 25 to get one here in New Mexico. Waaah. I think I might find something a bit smaller before that though. Been thinking about the XD-40(M) but I've heard a lot of mixed opinions regarding the .40 caliber. I wish the Taurus Judge was a smaller gun, because what the heck could be better than having a mixture of .45 and shotgun shells?

Absolutely let's go. I'll PM you my email and sendme yuurs and we can meet up there. I haven't been in about 2 weeks because of various family and work obligations and my wife just had sx but should be back ready to go in free time soon. Good thing is their hours are great so pretty much any day we can get free we can go.

I had been going during lunch quite a bit but I can go whenever generally.

How's the fam and photog biz?

I'll PM you.

Don

Bill, you slut. You will just run off and shoot with anyone.

We need to do another motorcycle, shooting , beer and steak weekend. Maybe we'll add some flying to it this time.

I find that no matter what I get I wind-up "massaging" it. Even holsters are just the starting point for modification. Seems I'm never satisfied with off the shelf. Like the pancake holster in my pictures. I live in Florida and wear it on a belt with a T-shirt over it. That left the gun pressed to bare skin. So off to the cobbler and get some very thin quality leather and add to the inside so that the dressed leather contacts the skin. Cut a few stitches and do some make-up stitching so that it fits the gun right, holds well but doesn't pinch,drag or catch when drawn. It would almost be better if I just had him make it from scratch.

But Bill is absolutely right about the belt. It is the foundation the house is built on. If you carry a long time you will know the difference.

Spliff, that is a nice pile of pistols buddy. I don't select by name. I buy based on how it meets my wants. Name only then comes into play as a reliability issue. But then I dumped a very unreliable Glock. It was fussy about ammo. Just a statistical anomoly, but was the least reliable pistol I ever had.

Oh, not true!
I am *very* selective who I shoot with, and who I let handle my firearms!

Looking forward to taking my niece to the range this winter, to learn the magic of shooting a 1911...
Woot!

PM sent.

Ignoring OG's clear anti Glock slur (just kidding - however on other boards you'd get blasted for "how can you question a Glock!!?? and I would have gotten blasted for "How could you say you got rid of an XD [which they claim is "evolved Glock"] for a Glock!!??)

My 11 year old is all over me to take her to the range. She's old enough to start but it will be with a 10/22 and an old Ruger .22 pistol.

Bill will not shoot with me coz I'm a 9mm man......LOL

So he's far from a "slut", he's a "Snob"

ROFLMAO

I'm a big fan of the "hey, that's a bulge the size and shape of a pistol under your jacket" concealed carry.

It's the rattlesnake theory.

Most of the time I just used the CC permit as a way to ensure compliance in the transport of my pistol in the truck to and from the range. With a permit it's okay to have it in the glove box, between seats, in the console, etc., with the magazine in or right next to it.

Hmmm, I may get the Ruger Security Six my sister is holding for me and see if I can swap it for a 1911. I'm not much of a revolver kind of guy (and, judging from this thread, neither are any of y'all!).

Bill,
That caused me to dig out one of my recent Gun Tests magazines. Sure enough, had two Phillipine 1911's reviewed. One Rock Island Armory, which they graded as an A-, and a Firestorm Deluxe, which they graded as a C. Anything below a B is a don't buy.

They were very impressed with the quality of the RIA gun and not that badly with the Firestorm, except it had a link pin that fell out and the gun would not stay locked out after the last shot.

going to the range in an hour

Main difference in pistol shooting here and the US is here it's 99% for sport if you're an active shooter. (with rifles it's more even split between sport and hunting).

Øystein

Oh, don't be so sure, MadDog. Hunting with pistol is really rare.

No, I mean that pistol use in the US seems to be far more about defense and "being armed", than pure sport.

Oh, then I agree. Lots more own pistols than shoot in any sort of competitive way.

What do you guys run for magazines in your 1911s? I use a mix of Dlask/ACT 8 rounders and 7 round Metalforms along with the 3 OEM Springfields {Metalforms?} that came with the gun. I soak all my mags in G96 oil after cleaning them and then I let them dry, the G96 leaves a dry lube film behind and that allows them to run a whole lot smoother for a long time.

I'm using the two mags that came with the Springfield, and added two Wilson Combat 8rd magazines. The factory mags have fed both fmj and jhp with no problems. I haven't had a chance to try the Wilson Combat mags yet.

Don, I'm looking forward to it! I'm about to respond to your pm.

LOL, I have several an armourer gave me!

Ruger LCP .380 came in
[img:left][/img]

[img:left][/img]

[img:left][/img]

Gotta work all weekend and have plans on Monday, hope to shoot on Tuesday.

Jerry

I use these in my 1911

[img:left][/img]

Prescott, AZ! That's where I went to school..

*I* am a revolver girl. But our revolver isn't usually CCW-practical, though I have carried it on an Andrews Leather pancake holster on a VERY THICK leather belt and jeans. It is our . 44 Magnum, a Smith & Wesson Model 29-3 Special Combat Magnum with the 3" barrel, wood combat grips, and cut-down K-frame grip. Lew Horton had 200 made in October-November 1986 and we have one.

I generally carry a Glock Model 27, ubiquitous .40, with the 3.5 pound trigger group from a Glock 35, a Lightning-Strike recoil rod, Trijicon night sights, and Pearce PG2733 extensions on the magazines. I carry it in a Ken Null USH upside-down shoulder rig.

Miao, Cat

Will, I will have to email you next week. I just got back from a knockdown dragout in St. Louis, where they for all intents and purposes pride themselves on being as "northeast obnoxious" like as possible (not too congenial there). Nothing like fighting for the sake of fighting. Idiots.

I have to go to Chicago for mediation and meeting this Wed - Friday and have my niece and nephew this weekend (so we'll have 5 kids Saturday/Sunday) and so perhaps next week.

Don

Don, sorry to hear about that! Let me know when it's a good time for you and we'll take it from there.

SpongeBob, I love that Ruger! I'm thinking of replacing my P3AT for one. Have you had a chance to shoot it yet? Those little guns are so cute, but so damn nasty!

Yeah took the wife out to shoot it, she is gonna carry it. Trigger pull is nasty but no worse than the P3AT. I really cant tell any difference other than Ruger stamped on the side. Oh .380 ammo is a #%&*$# to find right now.

Jerry

Spongebob, I feel the same. The Ruger is a little more refined in it's finish, but the two are the same to me.

The trigger pull is right for what it is. A pocket or back-up that is ready to go. The pistol has no safety, so the trigger pull is the safety. Fine by me. I either carry my P3AT as a back-up for the 45 or as a pocket gun when I don't carry the 45.

I got it for the money or I would have bought the P3AT, Picked it up new for $280. I was a EMS discount and not a law enforcment, go figure! My wife is a medic, I got it for her she it taking her CCW on december 5. She shot it well but still prefers my 1911, god I love that woman!

Jerry