Guns

"The argument against a manual safety just doesn't hold sway with me." Let's discuss this. Most cops carry a Glock. That should hold sway with you. The "fine motor skills" required to use your finger to manipulate a safety switch ...go right out the window when someone is swinging a baseball bat at your head. You need to be able to draw the weapon and fire. And you will be hard pressed to find a CC firearm instructed that tells you not to have a round in the chamber.
 
Most sane people are sketched out about the thought of having a pistol, with no safety switch, with a round in the chamber...in a holster on their belt. That is normal. Some experts suggest to these people with apprehension of CC to simply carry the pistol with an empty chamber (FOR A SHORT WHILE). Soon the newbie will become comfortable in the fact that the pistol is not going to fire itself..and then start to carry it correctly.. with a round in the chamber.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JS
krusty said:
Duluth's FLEXPEDITION pants are also excellent for carry, with the added benefit of containing zero cotton, which makes them better in the sticks.

Depending upon I'm doing I'll carry a baby Glock 42 or a Ruger LCP (laser under the barrel model), both in .380. Occasionally carry a Glock 30 (45 ACP) in a kydex chest harness (doesn't conflict with backpack).

While I try to maintain proficiency with all my handguns I most enjoy range practice with my Ruger Mark target pistols...a delight to shoot, extremely accurate, and the latest models are simple to reassemble (compared to the old Marks, which come apart easy but a bit more difficult to reassemble until you learn its subtle tricks).
Click to expand...
great pants, have a pair, likely own a half dozen pair of Duluth pants/shorts at this point.
A gen 2 LCP with Laser was my pocket carry for over a decade until I switched to the 365, and still pocket it occasionally. For an instinctive pull and fire hard to beat, the long trigger action makes it comfortably safe in a pocket holster.
Rimfire pistols are great fun, use to run a 60's Browning Medalist tack driver.
Quality striker fired handguns are as reliable as any quality hammer fired handguns, the initial issues they had decades back when being first developed long resolved. There's a reason why the great majority of LEO's are issued striker fired. Wherever you go in the world, you're likely within spitting distance of a Glock.
 
Jim in Anacortes said:
A $3,000 1911 is very nice. And historically interesting. But, cheaper models of the 1911 are prone to "jams". A Glock 19 will almost NEVER jam.. period. The .45 is bigger, but compared to the modern hollow point 9mm the difference is minimal. The whole "locked and cocked" situation is intimidating ( for everyone). A simple striker fired, 9mm paired with a "inside the waist" Kydex holster is often recommended by experts... And by the way folks, I am not an expert.
Click to expand...
I have 3 Kimbers and a Springfield Armory in 45 and 9. The Kimbers are stainless. None of them were much over $800. The biggest difference to Glocks is the trigger. I bought one and sold it after a few trips to the range. I practice with and will stick with cocked and locked with a crisp short reset trigger. Too bad I can’t load a video shooting one…
 
krusty said:
Duluth's FLEXPEDITION pants are also excellent for carry, with the added benefit of containing zero cotton, which makes them better in the sticks.

Depending upon I'm doing I'll carry a baby Glock 42 or a Ruger LCP (laser under the barrel model), both in .380. Occasionally carry a Glock 30 (45 ACP) in a kydex chest harness (doesn't conflict with backpack).

While I try to maintain proficiency with all my handguns I most enjoy range practice with my Ruger Mark target pistols...a delight to shoot, extremely accurate, and the latest models are simple to reassemble (compared to the old Marks, which come apart easy but a bit more difficult to reassemble until you learn its subtle tricks).
Click to expand...
Krusty, I got a Ruger MKIV a year or so ago. I had a Volquartzen trigger put in it, and love it. I got the 22-45 model because it has the same ergonomics as a 1911. It has a red dot and it’s a tack driver. Easy peasy to clean!
 
Roper said:
I shoot a lot of different guns, for fun and protection. My EDC, depending on where and when is either a 1911 or a J-frame D/A revolver. You couldn’t give me a striker fired gun, JMHO. I’ve also added a Byrna CL to my arsenal.
Click to expand...
People with little hands often find firing Glocks uncomfortable. 😄

Seriously though, there are few 1911's as beautifully executed as those by Kimber.
 
Last edited:
@speedbird
Good, you're prudent and thinking, and you should be.

Also look for a copy of Massad Ayoobs "In The Gravest Extreme". It should be required reading for everyone and anyone considering firearms ownership. He can also be found online in several places.

Most people would be served well with a 4 inch barreled .357 revolver for its general purpose usefulness. You can load it with everything from very soft shooting .38 wadcutters designed for target/,bullseye shooting, up to 165 or 180 grain full power .357's designed for hunting. Trust me, that is a very large range of capabilities in just one gun.

I still don't get the "Don't buy a gun with an external safety" line that's suddenly been sweeping the firearms community. Again. I think its one of the " Bubba sez" myths that proliferate in certain circles and just won't die.

Owning pistols with and without external safeties, and also many revolvers, it all comes down to practice. Same thing with a rifle or shotgun.

Whatever you decide on, spend 30 minutes a week in front of a large mirror with your gun of choice in the good holster you bought for it, and just practice. (dry fire) Draw, aim, wipe off the safety (or not, depending), click. Repeat. 10 minutes 3 times a week. In 2 months it's ingrained muscle memory. That eliminates the anti external safety myths.

As you found out its law here in WA to have your firearm in a locked container in the home unless it's on you for whatever reason. There are many good, reliable options available ranging from full blown 1000 lb safes capable of holding a plethora of firearms plus your other valuables, down to units that hold 1 or 2 pistols or revolvers that fit securely into the drawer of a nightstand. Again, as the ancient paladin in the Indiana Jones movie said, "choose wisely"

As you can see this is a huge, wide ranging subject, with varied opinions. Don't rush, take your time. And do not ever be afraid to ask for help from more experienced people.

Edit; forgot to mention those wonderful things called Snap Caps. Spring loaded substitutes for actual ammo during dry fire and function checks designed to protect your guns firing pin.
 
Last edited:
Following this thread with great interest and appreciate the info from people who know! Also, thanks for the recommendations for Duluth pants. I just saw they have a big sale going on and bought two pairs.
 
krusty said:
People with little hands often find firing Glocks uncomfortable. 😄

Seriously though, there are few 1911's as beautifully executed as those by Kimber.
Click to expand...
The Ruger RXM is getting excellent reviews from Glock fans. Based on the G19 gen 3 and compatible with G19 parts up to gen 5, it has a modular FCU so everything can be changed around it. One of the things Glock fans really like about it is the grip angle over the Glock 'brick', and grip modules come in different sizes. Retails for around $400, have seen them for $350. They offer both 4" and 4.5" versions.
One of the mods for it is installing G19 Gen 5 Marksman barrels, which features upgraded barrel rifling to meet FBI accuracy requirements. When the Gen 5 came out I shot my Gen 3 19 along with my friends Gen 5 19, and the Marksman barrel was noticeably more accurate for both of us.
 
wanderingrichard said:
@speedbird
Good, you're prudent and thinking, and you should be.

Also look for a copy of Massad Ayoobs "In The Gravest Extreme". It should be required reading for everyone and anyone considering firearms ownership. He can also be found online in several places.

Most people would be served well with a 4 inch barreled .357 revolver for its general purpose usefulness. You can load it with everything from very soft shooting .38 wadcutters designed for target/,bullseye shooting, up to 165 or 180 grain full power .357's designed for hunting. Trust me, that is a very large range of capabilities in just one gun.

I still don't get the "Don't buy a gun with an external safety" line that's suddenly been sweeping the firearms community. Again. I think its one of the " Bubba sez" myths that proliferate in certain circles and just won't die.

Owning pistols with and without external safeties, and also many revolvers, it all comes down to practice. Same thing with a rifle or shotgun.

Whatever you decide on, spend 30 minutes a week in front of a large mirror with your gun of choice in the good holster you bought for it, and just practice. (dry fire) Draw, aim, wipe off the safety (or not, depending), click. Repeat. 10 minutes 3 times a week. In 2 months it's ingrained muscle memory. That eliminates the anti external safety myths.

As you found out its law here in WA to have your firearm in a locked container in the home unless it's on you for whatever reason. There are many good, reliable options available ranging from full blown 1000 lb safes capable of holding a plethora of firearms plus your other valuables, down to units that hold 1 or 2 pistols or revolvers that fit securely into the drawer of a nightstand. Again, as the ancient paladin in the Indiana Jones movie said, "choose wisely"

As you can see this is a huge, wide ranging subject, with varied opinions. Don't rush, take your time. And do not ever be afraid to ask for help from more experienced people.

Edit; forgot to mention those wonderful things called Snap Caps. Spring loaded substitutes for actual ammo during dry fire and function checks designed to protect your guns firing pin.
Click to expand...
Ditto on Massad Ayoob’s In The Gravest Extreme!
 
SurfnFish said:
The Ruger RXM is getting excellent reviews from Glock fans. Based on the G19 gen 3 and compatible with G19 parts up to gen 5, it has a modular FCU so everything can be changed around it. One of the things Glock fans really like about it is the grip angle over the Glock 'brick', and grip modules come in different sizes. Retails for around $400, have seen them for $350. They offer both 4" and 4.5" versions.
One of the mods for it is installing G19 Gen 5 Marksman barrels, which features upgraded barrel rifling to meet FBI accuracy requirements. When the Gen 5 came out I shot my Gen 3 19 along with my friends Gen 5 19, and the Marksman barrel was noticeably more accurate for both of us.
Click to expand...
So, buy a Glock and fix it…? Don’t know about the RXM but the only decent trigger on a Ruger is their SA revolvers, IMHO…One last comment, 19 generations on Glock, how many on a 1911? Asking for a friend…😀
 
Last edited:
Have Rugers, S&W, Dan Wesson, Kimber, and Sig.
Obviously some shoot better than others.
I find the Sig closest to me most often became of its small size.
365.
 
2MANY said:
Have Rugers, S&W, Dan Wesson, Kimber, and Sig.
Obviously some shoot better than others.
I find the Sig closest to me most often became of its small size.
365.
Click to expand...
I’ve weeded out those that aren’t best suited for the task at hand. Why keep an arm that doesn’t preform?
 
Some are just fun.
S&W Stainless 629 8-3/8" barrel in 44 mag. Tack driver.
Dan Wesson Kodiak 10 mm 1911. Also accurate.
Kimber 1911 45 cal. When the Sig ain't enough.
Ruger stainless single six 22 or 22 mag cylinders. Grouse hate this one.
Taurus judge to greet the unwelcome if they wake us.
A couple 357 wheel guns and the Sig 365 bulge in my pocket.
Many have very different "tasks" and buying them will only get tougher.
 
2MANY said:
Some are just fun.
S&W Stainless 629 8-3/8" barrel in 44 mag. Tack driver.
Dan Wesson Kodiak 10 mm 1911. Also accurate.
Kimber 1911 45 cal. When the Sig ain't enough.
Ruger stainless single six 22 or 22 mag cylinders. Grouse hate this one.
Taurus judge to greet the unwelcome if they wake us.
A couple 357 wheel guns and the Sig 365 bulge in my pocket.
Many have very different "tasks" and buying them will only get tougher.
Click to expand...
That’s a crazy combo. Not too far from my collection. I’ll bet you don’t have any 32-20 though. 😀 We should do a day at the range sometime…
 
I haven't shot in quite a while, but I did and shot a ton of pistols, rifles and shotguns. A few black powder guns and friend competition AR's.

If I were to carry, I would lean towards a Kimber, with a titanium body. I will try before I buy at some local ranges first though. I really love the Sig Sauer P226 I think. I prefer 9mm, but have considered 40 or 45 caliber. I would prefer a few more rounds in the mag, but again I need to go to the range first.

I can't shoot a Glock for shit, but know they are incredibly reliable and carried by LEO's a lot.

I've also considered a 38 snub nose, to carry, since you don't have to worry about jamming!

Regardless, of what I choose to carry, if I do, I would hit the range at least once a week to start and take a few classes. Plus make sure I know the CC laws! I miss shooting and will get back to it at some point in the near future and also check out the Duluth pants!

Thanks!
 
krusty said:
People with little hands often find firing Glocks uncomfortable. 😄

Seriously though, there are few 1911's as beautifully executed as those by Kimber.
Click to expand...
I have very above average size hands, and Glocks, especially my Glock 41 (.45 acp) with the beavertail attachment is my perfect fit.

While I have multiple concealed licenses that allow me to carry in all but a couple states, I'm not much into carrying (especially in cities) for a number of reasons. But if carrying is something you want to do but aren't comfortable for whatever reason, look into a Byrna. I think it solves a lot of the reservations most people have while still eliminating a threat.

byrna.com

Byrna | Best Non Lethal Self-Defense Products

One of the best defense products available is the Byrna SD, a legal, non-lethal self-defense weapon that fires pepper filled rounds up to 60 feet using CO2. Save lives without the risk of taking one. Empower yourself today!
byrna.com byrna.com
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top