WHICH PISTOL TO BUY?

[danville]

My husband ( nonhunting, former Navy man with limited knowledge of firearms) has requested a .45 pistol as he thinks he needs one now with the political and economic outlook. I would like to get him one for Christmas. I doubt he will ever use it. I have several firearms and he has only shot one of them one time in the last six years. However it is his wish. What would you suggest for the man who has 11 other firearms at his disposal?

[flatwater]

Ask him please, unless you want to return it. A gun is like a pair of shoes. Ya got to try them on before you buy them to make sure they fit. Same with a carry gun.
flatwater

[danville]

Flatwater,
If he knew what he wanted this would not be a problem. All he can say is he wants a pistol like he had in the Navy. (Now personally I question any one who says that, and that is all the info he can give other than .45 he thinks) He is not a gun person. Was in the USN 1987-1991. Stationed in Pearl Harbor. What was he carrying and where can I find it? Thanks, Terri

[rice paddy daddy]

A basic 1911-A1 in 45 ACP is good to have and will never go out of style. It's not a very concealable weapon, but good to have in the house or vehicle.
I have owned several over the years, and now have 4, two Colts, a Taurus, and a Rock Island. Of these, I would recommend the Rock Island (not to be confused with Rock River), it's built to government specs, has a forged slide, plain-jane, no frills, just like he's used to, and retails for about $399. It's made in the Phillipines, but don't let that throw you off, they're quality weapons.
Mine is in the console of my truck at this moment.
I can understand his desires, like when my wife asked me why I bought a Kabar USMC Fighting Knife, my reply was "cause I carried one in the Nam." ;D It just sits in the bedroom closet, and sometimes in a nostalgic moment, I'll take it out and fondle it. ;) It's comforting to know it's there.

[RangerRick]

Yep, no question when you want one to do the job it's the .45 ACP hands down. I retired after 30 years active military service and carried the model 1911 in one form or another for most of that time until we went to the 9mm. A year or so back the Special Forces dropped the 9mm and went back to the .45 ACP because the 9mm wasn't considered an effective "one round stopper". To this day I carry a Springfield model 1911 as it is the best concealed carry .45 on the market, primarily because it is slim lined and the most comfortable carry out there. Consequently, if it isn't comfortable you won't have it on your hip on that unexpected day when your life depends on it and one shot is a kill. Whatever the brand, make it a model 1911.

;)

Rick

[WRTN]

The Colt Officer's ACP in stainless is a excellent choice for a very concealable carry weapon.

[charleybundrum]

Yep, 1911 gets my vote. I Bought a ruger .45 hated it, handled like a tank, I have couple of kel-tek 9mm, great for for utilitarian purpose. I recently purchased a stainless steel Taurus 1911 ss. I feel like I have arrived. This thing is a gun !
Feels great, looks great, shoots like a dream. I get the whole 1911 thing know. I think that any fellow would be happy with a good 1911. Especially once they get it in there hand.

[danville]

Thank you gentlemen for all of the advice. I now know what to look for. Any ideas where to find it?

[RangerRick]

Try your local gun shop or www.centerfiresystems.com or www.jgsales.com or www.centuryarms.com or www.atlanticfirearms.com or www.gunsamerica.com for starters.

;)

Rick

[kawalekm]

Here is an 1911 in my local shop's weekly add.
http://www.turners.com/engage/displayad2.php?H=1&m1=November&m2=November&d1=21&d 2=27&img=ads/11-21-08/armscor.gif
You might not be in California, but you might find a similar deal at your local outdoor store. I bought my 1911 clone just a few years back for 320$. Now the price is 50% higher. I wouldn't delay long with your gun purchase. Prices keep going up and up every month, and who knows what will happen come January 21'st.
Good luck!

[commonsense]

Kimber pro-carry II.

[Oblio13]

Instead of buying him a pistol, maybe you should buy him some professional instruction. Give him a course somewhere like Thunder Ranch or the Sig Academy. He'll be a much safer, more skillful shooter with a much better idea of what he wants afterwards.

[Old_John]

I carry a Ruger SP101, .357 magnum, every day.One speed loader, JIC.
Old Guy's Gun.
Statistically, so I read, the average gun fight nowadays is over in 10 to
15 seconds . And a total of 3 Shots are fired, by both guns.
I carry 5 JHP's in my .357. that ought to be enough.
I use to carry a Colt Commander .45acp. It's in the safe along with a
Kimber Pro-carry.
The SP101 is lighter, & easier to carry & conceal.
I never feel under-gunned.
Whatever works for you, hunnh.

[Rick]

Springfield Armory has some pretty good weapons. I like the Mil-Spec 1911 in .45, and/or the XD, also in .45.

http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?model=7

http://www.springfield-armory.com/xd.php?model=4

Both are around $600 each, give or take a little.

edited to add:

Only 11 other firearms? You need to loosen up on the poor guy a wee bit.

Every once in a while my wife asks me how many guns I have. I get a real vague look, then change the subject..."Look, a bunny!!!"

:D

[rice paddy daddy]

Every once in a while my wife asks me how many guns I have. I get a real vague look, then change the subject..."Look, a bunny!!!"

:D
Yep. My wife doesn't know how many I've got. Whenever I get a "new" one, I'll put it out in my shed for a few weeks so if she actually notices it's different when I bring it in the house and asks if I bought ANOTHER GUN, I can honestly say "oh, no, honey, I've had this one.":D

[jim]

We're in good company! {;^)

[Rick]

Ahh, the old shed shuffle. I may use that one myself, if you don't mind.

:D

[gunsmoke]

Boy you guys need some lessons!


First thing I did was to get my fiance into 3 gun competition like I was, she liked it and still does, sfe's also very much into SASS, and she drug me kicking and screaming into that too. (Grammatically correct she's an MD and she drugged me! :D )


Me I've only got one gun, I gave all the rest to her, I guess you know what I buy her for gifts :meeting:

Fortunately it rubbed off on our daughters, they too prefer guns to jewelry :heart_blue1:

[flatblack]

I served in the navy for a period of time. I did two enlistments (2000-2008), was stationed in San Diego, CA and Norfolk, VA. Served on two carriers and did some time on shore duty at the shipyard.

The 1911 .45 ACP pistol was NOT an authorized sidearm, and had not been for a good twenty years by the time I joined the canoe club.

Now of course the entire Navy does not all "jump" at the same time, and individual and regional commanders have a fair amount of discretion over the armories they are in charge of, but over eight years, I never saw a single 1911 pistol in service, and I had to sign out quite a few sidearms from the armory over the years when I happened to be the unfortunate soul who pulled the duty that night.

Beretta M9 was the issue sidearm for the security detail, the gate guards, shore patrol, etc. etc.

Not at all the same weapon, but externally somewhat similar, if you squint at them in a low light. Is is possible he is referring to the M9, and has just gotten the idea that it was a "colt 45" at some point?

[MrNobody]

For the money a Ruger is hard to beat.....P90, P97 Or 345. They are built like tanks and will shoot anything in the way of ammo.

[ArmySGT.]

I served in the navy for a period of time. I did two enlistments (2000-2008), was stationed in San Diego, CA and Norfolk, VA. Served on two carriers and did some time on shore duty at the shipyard.

The 1911 .45 ACP pistol was NOT an authorized sidearm, and had not been for a good twenty years by the time I joined the canoe club.

Now of course the entire Navy does not all "jump" at the same time, and individual and regional commanders have a fair amount of discretion over the armories they are in charge of, but over eight years, I never saw a single 1911 pistol in service, and I had to sign out quite a few sidearms from the armory over the years when I happened to be the unfortunate soul who pulled the duty that night.

Beretta M9 was the issue sidearm for the security detail, the gate guards, shore patrol, etc. etc.

Not at all the same weapon, but externally somewhat similar, if you squint at them in a low light. Is is possible he is referring to the M9, and has just gotten the idea that it was a "colt 45" at some point?

I get the impression he served before the 80s.

By the way everyone, this thread is a year old. Likely she got him that .45 he wanted last christmas.

[flatblack]

He is not a gun person. Was in the USN 1987-1991. Stationed in Pearl Harbor.


Not exactly prior to the 80's...

But you're right...this thread is old!

[Teg]

Not exactly prior to the 80's...

But you're right...this thread is old!

Not sure when exactly the Navy got rid of their .45's but when I was TDY to Roosevelt Roads back in early 1990 the Navy cops there were still carrying .45's.