Why not carry one of each. Most people carry BUGs anyway.

Normally. I would prefer a 1911 single stack; but, for concealed carry, I want something I don't have to worry about - I had a Glock 26 for 8 years. I really didn't like it at the range, but it was a gun I could carry all year long. And, even in the hot summer, I could put it back on the shelf and not have to worry about it rusting. I don't want something I have to wipe down with oil every day or even every week.

Last year I found out that the Walther P99s also have a tennifer coating, so I sold the G26 and got a Walther. The full size is actually 1 of my fav guns, but I really like the compact.

So, I carry the compact - It is 10+1, and I rarely ever bother to carry an extra mag.

Shot placement fan here, so 9mm. I'd rather have more rounds.

Originally Posted by Lumberjack98

Shot placement fan here, so 9mm. I'd rather have more rounds.

What do U carry, then?

I don't have a .45 so I guess I'll have to answer 9MM. Even though I mostly carry .380 or .38 Special. I am a firm beliver that you should carry what makes you comfortable. If you are comfortable, chances are good you will hit your target. I have never been shot, but have been told it hurts. I figure a couple of CorBons in the torso and one in the head should solve a situation.

Once I buy a .45 I'll answer the other part of the question. I think I probably started a new debate over which rounds make better SD. Bigger is always better provided you can shoot straight. I am working on carrying the mini .40 on long car trips. Since I paid for the extra mag, I might as well use it.

Confused?

I personally only like 9mm and .45 - I am not into 40, .357 sig, .45 Gap, etc.

I have carried 380 before, and if I found a .380 I wanted, I might do so again. But I think between 9mm and .45 ACP, that covers most situations I would ever need a gun in.

Between the two I would go with the high cap 9. I prefer a 380 due to size/weight. 8)

I feel safe with my single stack 9mm (Compact M) or even my PPK/S. If I had a small revolver I'd carry it, too.

I will only say this as a CIVILIAN I have used a pistol 2 times. !st time a Beretta 950 25 auto and 2nd a 1911A1 Both worked just fine and solved the trouble.

I shoot and carry Glock 26/19s. Good enough for me.

1911 8)

Originally Posted by 2400

1911 8)

Hi 2400,

Do you head more toward compact 1911s when it gets warm, or do you just find a way to carry the full-size?

Originally Posted by GunCastGuy

Originally Posted by 2400

1911 8)

Hi 2400,

Do you head more toward compact 1911s when it gets warm, or do you just find a way to carry the full-size?

My carry gun is a custom Commander size alloy frame 1911. I carry it year around. 8)

2400,

I have heard (and experienced a little myself) that smaller 1911s can be less reliable than their full-size counterparts. Any experience with this? Any brand hints or other ideas as to how to make sure I get a good one? I hate putting out that much money and bringing home an unreliable pistol.

Thanks

Originally Posted by GunCastGuy

2400,

I have heard (and experienced a little myself) that smaller 1911s can be less reliable than their full-size counterparts. Any experience with this? Any brand hints or other ideas as to how to make sure I get a good one? I hate putting out that much money and bringing home an unreliable pistol.

Thanks

GCG
What 1911's have you been looking at or considering?
My carry gun went 2700 rounds with out ANY problems, it was filthy but never missed a beat. A Commander(4" barrel)is built on the same frame as a full size(5" barrel) 1911 is. So all things being equal they are just as reliable. My wife has a Springfield Champion as a carry gun. Other then the plunger tube falling off(at 275 rounds) it's been perfectly reliable for over 6500 rounds. She loves it! :-D

I ve had 2 Compacts and neither were 100% reliable I have returned back to Commander size. I just picked up a good used Colt Commander I will start useing as my carry when I want more than pocket pistol.

+1, 1911, you want hi cap then XD45ACP.

I have carried many guns concealed. I love my Glock 36, but just today I bought a Kimber Pro Carry II. After firing it for the first time, I think I have just found my new conceal carry. I always wear an undershirt so the weapon does not contact my skin so rust shouldn't really be a factor. I also carry a Sig P232 as a backup and I am very comfortable with knowing it's there. Any well placed caliber round will make the problem go away, I just feel that a few well placed .45 rounds will make the problem go away quick. So yeah, I'm a .45 man all the way.

While readily admitting that the .45 ACP is the "superior" round, I shoot the 9mm much better; so, I carry it more often.

I switch off with 5" 1911 and CZ-75 compact

Hello, sir. Yes, I believe that "9mm is enough" with rounds that make the most of its ballistic capabilities. I have personally seen the effects of both 9mm and .45 ACP against humans and both can "work" splendidly...and not so well at other times.

We ask a lot of our handguns and seek the elusive "one shot stop", which probably doesn't exist for physiological reasons unless we get a solid central nervous system hit.

Speaking only for myself, "placement is power." In other words, if you have a cartridge of adequate power for expansion and sufficient penetration, your ability to shoot that cartridge/gun combination outweighs just caliber/load characteristics. If you can get the hit or hits with the 9mm, go for it and I think you are about as well protected as you can be with any handgun caliber normally associated with self-protection. If you do just as well with a .45 ACP, then the decision boils down to which you prefer, magazine capacity or heavier caliber, Glock 21's, XD's, and some others being the exception as they hold lots of forty-five rounds.

I use both 9mm and .45 ACP on ocassions when I tote a "serious" pistol. I believe that the .45 ACP with the best loads probably is more potent than the 9mm with similar loads, but I do not believe that the difference is quite so great as some other folks might. It is not enough that I'd carry a forty-five I couldn't hit with in lieu of a 9mm that I could.

Most of us would probably opt for some sort of long gun if we knew a deadly force confrontation was coming and:

1. We couldn't have a SWAT team to intercede, or
2. We couldn't escape and avoid the whole thing.

The problem is that we likely won't wake up knowing that today's the day I get into a shooting situation and we won't have an FAL, AR15, or shotgun at hand. We will probably have our defensive handgun, which is underpowered compared to about any 12 ga. shotgun load or rifle round at typical defense ranges.

Thus, it seems to me that we want:

1. A reliable handgun,
2. In adequate caliber that we can handle,
3. Loaded with expanding ammunition,
4. Coupled with the actual willingness to shoot if no other reasonable alternative exists and the skill to do it effectively.

Much debate exists over what is "adequate" and "best" loads for these calibers, but to me it seems that even more important are reliability, skill, and the proper mindset.


I'm about as happy with a 9mm Hi Power loaded with high-performance ammunition as anything. This one is usually loaded with either Corbon's 115-gr. DPX or Winchester 127-gr. +P+ Ranger RA9TA ammunition.


Today there are a number of rounds that seem to "work" well. From left to right: Federal 115-gr. JHP, Corbon 115-gr. DPX +P, Hornady 125-gr. XTP (TAP), Winchester 127-gr. +P+, Remington 147-gr. Golden Saber, and Speer 147-gr. Gold Dot.


Corbon 115-gr. DPX +P seems to expand reliably in about any "soft" target it hits and does so with or without intermediate barriers.

Best.

Great post Mr. Stephen A. Camp. 8)

For carry purposes I prefer the 45acp. Would I feel unarmed with a 9mm loaded with good ammo? No. Regards, Richard

I carry an XD9 subcompact with Hydroshocks. Always goes bang and is surprisingly accurate for a sc.