I have a Kimber CDP 2 that I carry and it works very well and I have a S&W 1911 that shoot very accurate too so those two I would recommend. Other than that my next gun will be a Springfield TLR

Originally Posted by shaolin

I have a Kimber CDP 2 that I carry and it works very well and I have a S&W 1911 that shoot very accurate too so those two I would recommend. Other than that my next gun will be a Springfield TLR

I'm leaning towards a 1911, but brand is what I don't understand. I haven't shot enough guns to know what differences there are. Do you know what the S&W usually run retail?

Originally Posted by Trev1337

I'm leaning towards a 1911, but brand is what I don't understand. I haven't shot enough guns to know what differences there are. Do you know what the S&W usually run retail?

I paid $730 for my S&W 1911 and I haven't had a Jam out of it and it shoots true to aim. In fact I out shot the PD Instructor with their G22 on the range with my 1911.

Originally Posted by shaolin

I paid $730 for my S&W 1911 and I haven't had a Jam out of it and it shoots true to aim. In fact I out shot the PD Instructor with their G22 on the range with my 1911.

What edition do you have? I do like the look of the S&W, but what barrel length, etc. do you recommend?

Originally Posted by Trev1337

I'm leaning towards a 1911, but brand is what I don't understand. I haven't shot enough guns to know what differences there are. Do you know what the S&W usually run retail?

What handguns have you shot?
What's comfortable for your friend might not be comfortable for you.
The 1911 is a great gun. But there are many guns with different actions n features you may like.
Look at some sig sauers, very nice guns.
H&K'S are very nice.
As a service gun, you may want to buy a full size verses a compact. The full size are much easier and more accurate to shoot .
I would stay away from polymer type guns like a glock. There is more felt recoil, due to them being lighter in weight.
Look for an all steel handgun in my opinion.
The 1911 is strictly single action. You would need to carry that in a hammer cocked position.
The hammer cocked position, referred to as cocked n locked is a very safe condition with the 1911.
If I personally was going to carry a service pistol for aw enforcement and could choose any handgun, I would buy a sig sauer model 226 9 mm with a standard 20 round clip.
.I would want the firepower(more rounds) verses an 8 round 1911.
This is just my personal opinion and is subject to change,lol.

Originally Posted by pic

What handguns have you shot?
What's comfortable for your friend might not be comfortable for you.
The 1911 is a great gun. But there are many guns with different actions n features you may like.
Look at some sig sauers, very nice guns.
H&K'S are very nice.
As a service gun, you may want to buy a full size verses a compact. The full size are much easier and more accurate to shoot .
I would stay away from polymer type guns like a glock. There is more felt recoil, due to them being lighter in weight.
Look for an all steel handgun in my opinion.
The 1911 is strictly single action. You would need to carry that in a hammer cocked position.
The hammer cocked position, referred to as cocked n locked is a very safe condition with the 1911.
If I personally was going to carry a service pistol for aw enforcement and could choose any handgun, I would buy a sig sauer model 226 9 mm with a standard 20 round clip.
.I would want the firepower(more rounds) verses an 8 round 1911.
This is just my personal opinion and is subject to change,lol.

In your opinion, what would be the reason he would want me to carry a .45 over a 9mm? I know I like how the 1911 feels, but I'm down to try anything else. Glock just isn't cutting it for me though.

To the original poster, we love to help people here. That is one reason why we are here. But please don't post the exact same post in three separate forums. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Shipwreck

To the original poster, we love to help people here. That is one reason why we are here. But please don't post the exact same post in three separate forums. Thanks.

I was waiting on that to come through. Lol. Sorry about that. I posted in the wrong one to begin with so I reposted in the others. Won't happen again. Cheers!

acuracy?
i read somewhere that the G21 is 3" at 25 yards
to get 1" accuracy at 25 yards you will have to spend over $1500 - Les baer, etc
the 5" barrel, all steel, 1911 frame with beaver tail grip safety and commander hammer is what I would go with
the rail accessory on the bottom of the front frame is user preferance

A few things:

1: Extra mags on belt etc will never make up for less rounds in the gun.
2: Price Matters.
3: There is no "best 1911"

For carry, many prefer the 4" variety guns or "Commander" sized guns.

See the link in my signature below and see this ARTICLE as well.

Because you said you were new to handling handguns. And your best friend stated you would be most comfortable with a 1911.
That is not always true. You may not prefer a 1911.
I carry a sig stainless traditional 1911 that I absolutely think is the best 1911 out there . But you and many others may feel different.

Originally Posted by pic

Because you said you were new to handling handguns. And your best friend stated you would be most comfortable with a 1911.
That is not always true. You may not prefer a 1911.
I carry a sig stainless traditional 1911 that I absolutely think is the best 1911 out there . But you and many others may feel different.

Is there a certain gun that you have heard or have experience with that is better for a beginning shooter to carry?

I would recommend a full size handgun a little more on the heavy side.Less recoil n better accuracy with a full size handgun. The light weight handguns are very nice to hold, but you will feel more recoil with the light weight guns.. Can you shoot a few handguns before you buy. That might help you out

If you want the best made 1911, you can't beat Colt for the price. I would rate Springfield, Sig, Remington, & S&W second. If price is no object, I would buy a Wilson Combat or Les Baer. Personally, I've never been that impressed with Kimber. I have 2 Colt's including a Series 70 Mk4 made in the 70's, it's my favority by far. I also own a Stainless Sig 1911, which is a very nice shooter. I'm seriously considering a Remington, now that all parts are US made. If you want a .45 other than a 1911, check out a Sig P220.

I missed that this was for duty use...

10-8 Article on this topic.
Choosing a 1911 for Duty Use

Originally Posted by pic

I would recommend a full size handgun a little more on the heavy side.Less recoil n better accuracy with a full size handgun. The light weight handguns are very nice to hold, but you will feel more recoil with the light weight guns.. Can you shoot a few handguns before you buy. That might help you out

I plan on doing more research, just wanting to keep my options open and get the best quality value for the best price.

Originally Posted by hud35500

If you want the best made 1911, you can't beat Colt for the price. I would rate Springfield, Sig, Remington, & S&W second. If price is no object, I would buy a Wilson Combat or Les Baer. Personally, I've never been that impressed with Kimber. I have 2 Colt's including a Series 70 Mk4 made in the 70's, it's my favority by far. I also own a Stainless Sig 1911, which is a very nice shooter. I'm seriously considering a Remington, now that all parts are US made. If you want a .45 other than a 1911, check out a Sig P220.

Price isn't an "obstacle", but I don't prefer to spend more money than is "required". Something cheaper for my first carry weapon would be preferred.

Originally Posted by Trev1337

Price isn't an "obstacle", but I don't prefer to spend more money than is "required". Something cheaper for my first carry weapon would be preferred.

That's probably not the right way to be looking at a gun for actual duty use.

What does the department issue to it's regular officers? If it's not a department where they issue guns what is the most commonly carried pistol?


Do you need to provide your own duty belt/holster etc.? All these things are also going to cost money.

Start talking to manufacturers and dealers about LE pricing. One good thing about the 1911s is that the mags will be easier to come by in this time of panic.

For under $1K, I'd probably be taking a look at the Ruger SR1911 5" or A Springfield Loaded, maybe a Sig or Smith depending on what you can find.

If the Ruger came in a blackened finish, I'd be all about it, however the all stainless has it's advantages. The Sigs have a pretty good finish to them. I would say that the Sigs are better built than the S&W 1911s I've seen. I would not chose a Kimber, I've had four I doubt I will ever own another.

Originally Posted by VAMarine

That's probably not the right way to be looking at a gun for actual duty use.

What does the department issue to it's regular officers? If it's not a department where they issue guns what is the most commonly carried pistol?


Do you need to provide your own duty belt/holster etc.? All these things are also going to cost money.

Start talking to manufacturers and dealers about LE pricing. One good thing about the 1911s is that the mags will be easier to come by in this time of panic.

For under $1K, I'd probably be taking a look at the Ruger SR1911 5" or A Springfield Loaded, maybe a Sig or Smith depending on what you can find.

If the Ruger came in a blackened finish, I'd be all about it, however the all stainless has it's advantages. The Sigs have a pretty good finish to them. I would say that the Sigs are better built than the S&W 1911s I've seen. I would not chose a Kimber, I've had four I doubt I will ever own another.

My department is a small, part-time only department so the officers aren't issued weapons. We buy our own duty belts, gear, etc. and when/if they are destroyed, break, become unusable, etc., then they replace them. We are allowed to carry pretty much any gun we want without a stipulation on the cal. or any other factor. Frankly put, if it shoots to kill, it's good to carry.

How dead set on the 1911 are you?

For someone that is both new to handling guns, going on duty with the gun, and on a $1K budget; I would not suggest the 1911.

Take a look at a M&P45, they will run anywhere from half to a couple hundred less than a decent 1911 and leave you some $$$ for other accessories.

Originally Posted by VAMarine

How dead set on the 1911 are you?

For someone that is both new to handling guns, going on duty with the gun, and on a $1K budget; I would not suggest the 1911.

Take a look at a M&P45, they will run anywhere from half to a couple hundred less than a decent 1911 and leave you some $$$ for other accessories.

I'm not 'dead set' on a 1911, it was just what I've heard the best things about as in carrying as an officer, etc. I'm open and willing to try anything.

One thing I really do need is an external thumb safety and an added perk that I love on the 1911 is the beavertail palm safety. That's what mostly pushed to to 1911.

Originally Posted by Trev1337

I'm not 'dead set' on a 1911, it was just what I've heard the best things about as in carrying as an officer, etc. I'm open and willing to try anything.

That's kind of backward from most departments and officers I'm familiar with.

The 1911 while a fine pistol is a little ill suited as a primary arm. Most guys in LE that carry 1911s today are your SWAT guys and the 1911 backs up a carbine/shotgun etc.

At 8+1 it's greatly disadvantaged to more modern designs.

Check out some of these articles and you can see why having more rounds available, both in the gun to begin with and on your person are a good thing:

Why one cop carries 145 rounds of ammo on the job

Officer Down: A Warrior's Sacrifice - Below 100 - LawOfficer.com

If your gun holds less, and your mags hold less you are going to be running empty faster, and reloading more. Both of those things are bad when you're being shot at.


Granted, you are in a small town working as a Reserve Officer etc. so what are the odds right?

Just remember no one ever wishes for less ammo after a shootout and training is paramount. In both of those articles above the officers were pretty well trained and they both barely made it out.


Do you get any kind of reimbursement on ammo / training?

Training is paid for depending on what kind and where at, but usually for gun school, we are able to borrow one of the cars and not pay for gas. As ammo is concerned, we aren't reimbursed for it, but we hardly ever have to pull our weapons.