Legal pistols

**thegreattwizz** · 07-23-2012, 01:59 PM

How many rounds did you get through it? Any hand soreness? Yea, the lack of rest for your pinky (and ring in some cases) is a bit odd. You can always job it and get it down to 6# or so, but much of what I read is telling me that factory is around 15#, which is ridiculous. Hell, NYPD duty pistols are only 12.

Does your mag have the finger rest? If not, that may make a WORLD of difference. I ran into the same thing on the XD90 and SW M&P compact, and the finger rest solved it for me.

Those 1911s sound like fun, but I still haven't been comfortable with a single .45 I've ever fired. I even found a 10mm more manageable.

**Sycamore** · 07-23-2012, 04:05 PM

I shot 100 rounds through it yesterday with no trouble, good accuracy (hey, it has a laser!) but a little hand soreness (and I get none with my larger caliber Glock, which I put 100-200 rounds a week through). It does have a pinky rest, but it's still too short to actually fit my pinky on.

**Volanova** · 07-23-2012, 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by Sycamore

It's a close call, but the shorter trigger pull and integrated laser sights (!!) put the SW over the edge, plus I like the way it looks.

They're similarly priced. There's a used bodyguard at Targetmaster for under $300, but I'm not sure a $100 discount is worth buying a used gun....especially since I understand there were laser sight issues with the early Bodyguards.

And, I realize that given the use of the bodyguard (short range, carry pistol) the sights aren't as likely to be super useful, I still love them.

My guy just bought a sight for his AR and it makes it so much more fun. Now I want them on everything.

Ooooh I've been looking at the Bodyguard for a while, they seem to get great reviews.

I like my little S&W double action .38spl for a carry gun, but I have been thinking of expanding to something like the Bodyguard or a Glock 27.

**Volanova** · 07-23-2012, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by thegreattwizz

Those 1911s sound like fun, but I still haven't been comfortable with a single .45 I've ever fired. I even found a 10mm more manageable.

You should check out the GSG 1911. It's a full sized 1911 in .22LR that has a lot of interchangeability with .45 1911s in case you decide to get one in the future and want to switch over any accessories. They're a load of fun to shoot, and a lot easier on the hands and wallet than the .45ACP. Great quality of build, too...as one would expect from a German-made firearm.

They're currently imported by American Tactical Imports, but here's the manufacturer's page: GSG-Waffen :: GSG-1911 Technische Daten

**Sycamore** · 07-23-2012, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by Volanova

You should check out the GSG 1911. It's a full sized 1911 in .22LR that has a lot of interchangeability with .45 1911s in case you decide to get one in the future and want to switch over any accessories. They're a load of fun to shoot, and a lot easier on the hands and wallet than the .45ACP. Great quality of build, too...as one would expect from a German-made firearm.

They're currently imported by American Tactical Imports, but here's the manufacturer's page: GSG-Waffen :: GSG-1911 Technische Daten

Yes! Actually, the guy's second handgun (in addition to a Glock identical to mine) is a Ruger 22/45 Lite and it's my favorite gun to target shoot with.

**Malloy** · 07-23-2012, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by Sycamore

I bought it brand new yesterday and had a blast practicing. I never realize how super easy the trigger pull on my Glock is until I switch weapons.

Love the SW, but getting used to the much shorter grip is going to be my main focus. The Glock just feels so much more accurate and easy, even with the increased size and weight. And, I'm only 5'6", I don't have large hands.

The guy just ordered les baer and wilson 1911s, but one will take 6 months and the other 12 months to come in. Those I can't WAIT to try.

I like my SIG 1911 better than my Wilson CQB....blasphemy, I know.

**Sycamore** · 07-23-2012, 05:19 PM

Ha! I'm not passing that on-he just sold the Sig to fund the pricy Wilson.

**LUCas** · 07-24-2012, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by thegreattwizz

Those 1911s sound like fun, but I still haven't been comfortable with a single .45 I've ever fired. I even found a 10mm more manageable.

Were they 1911's or some other flavor of .45? I find 1911's to be more manageable than my Glock 19 9mm. But maybe it's just me.

As long as carry pieces have come up, any strong opinions (from PERSONAL experience) with the Kahr CW9? Have handled it and it's exceedingly concealable. But haven't had a chance to fire one yet.

**thegreattwizz** · 07-25-2012, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by Sycamore

I shot 100 rounds through it yesterday with no trouble, good accuracy (hey, it has a laser!) but a little hand soreness (and I get none with my larger caliber Glock, which I put 100-200 rounds a week through). It does have a pinky rest, but it's still too short to actually fit my pinky on.

The soreness is to be expected in a gun that size. Unless I'm trying to break something in, or practicing things I shouldn't, I rarely will shoot more than 25-30 rounds from something that small. The last time I shot the LCP I did so after 10 rounds through my new mossberg 500 pistol grip, and I could barely open a beer the following day. Took my hand 3 days to recover.

Originally Posted by Volanova

You should check out the GSG 1911. It's a full sized 1911 in .22LR that has a lot of interchangeability with .45 1911s in case you decide to get one in the future and want to switch over any accessories. They're a load of fun to shoot, and a lot easier on the hands and wallet than the .45ACP. Great quality of build, too...as one would expect from a German-made firearm.

Thank you for that, but it's not a lack of liking the 1911 style, its about the caliber. While yes, .22s are fun, there will never be a time I'll carry one, so I have no desire to practice with one; ammo expense was never a consideration for me.

LUCas - one was a 1911 (I don't remember which), and the others were various types; I recall a full size Sig, and a compact Taurus. While the 1911 was the most managable, I still didn't like how the recoil flipped my wrist (I have disproportionately small wrists). While in an emergency, I'd have no trouble with the first shot, recovery would be an issue with subsequent ones. As for the Kahr, let me tell you a little story:

First time I went to decide on a 9mm to carry (having realized that finding a Sig P230 in .32 was a tough find, and I should probably carry a larger load anyway), I went to Ready Aim Fire in Bristol. Took a rental gun out to the range, fired a box of ammo, came back, took another rental, did the same. Next time back to the showroom, guy asks 'what's your goal here?' I said looking to buy a CCW (and I'm not a large guy, 5'11", 175ish), and I'm trying to find what feels comfortable. He grabs two baskets, throws in every sub compact 9 (glock, sig, XD90, two SWs, kahr, etc), grabs two more boxes of ammo, and says 'let me know what you think'. I spent the next hour in the lane, running through every drill I've ever been shown. It was down to the XD90, and Smith M&P, and while the XD90 had a slight edge in comfort and trigger pull, the mag would jump on every shot and pinch my pinky between the frame and pinky rest. Yea, it was a range whore with 5k+ rounds, but was still too lose. Also, the Smith had a more natural aim for me. I digress....The Kahr was an easy decision for me. I loaded the clip with 5 rounds (as usual), fired three of them, and then unloaded the gun and put it to the side. For me, the weight savings from the polymer frame made it nearly unmanageable. I've fired .45s with less recoil, and frankly, I think my buddy's .357 mag snub nose had less recoil. Fire it before you make a decision. Great gun for summer if you're worried about weight, but it is NOT a piece I'd want to be in a gunfight with.

**Volanova** · 07-25-2012, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by thegreattwizz

The soreness is to be expected in a gun that size. Unless I'm trying to break something in, or practicing things I shouldn't, I rarely will shoot more than 25-30 rounds from something that small. The last time I shot the LCP I did so after 10 rounds through my new mossberg 500 pistol grip, and I could barely open a beer the following day. Took my hand 3 days to recover.

When I shoot more than 50 or 60 rounds through my little S&W Model 36, I have the same problem, and it's just a .38 SPL. Unless you're shooting a .25ACP or .22LR, you'll have a sore hand when you're done if you're shooting a sub-compact carry gun.

Originally Posted by thegreattwizz

Thank you for that, but it's not a lack of liking the 1911 style, its about the caliber. While yes, .22s are fun, there will never be a time I'll carry one, so I have no desire to practice with one; ammo expense was never a consideration for me.

What, you wouldn't be comfortable with a .22 for carrying? Don't think you could make a square on head hit under that kind of pressure? What are you, some kind of bad shot or something?

Kidding, of course.

They're completely for the training/fun factor, definitely not worth carrying a full size 1911 that is in .22.

**thegreattwizz** · 07-26-2012, 11:55 AM

Really? Never shot the 36, but my close friend has a Rossi with a short barrel (3in maybe?), and I can fire .38s through that all day without trouble. If anything, my wrists will get a little sore from holding it up, but never my hands. Also never have hand soreness with any sub-compact 9mms; I only get it from the pocket .380s.

Heh, actually, I think I could make that head shot under pressure, but my personal preference is to practice shooting with what I'd need in an emergency, so no full frame 22s for me.

**Malloy** · 07-26-2012, 12:41 PM

I'll never forget the first time I shot my Ruger LCP. I missed the target altogether for the first magazine, haha.

**Volanova** · 07-26-2012, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by thegreattwizz

Really? Never shot the 36, but my close friend has a Rossi with a short barrel (3in maybe?), and I can fire .38s through that all day without trouble. If anything, my wrists will get a little sore from holding it up, but never my hands. Also never have hand soreness with any sub-compact 9mms; I only get it from the pocket .380s.

Heh, actually, I think I could make that head shot under pressure, but my personal preference is to practice shooting with what I'd need in an emergency, so no full frame 22s for me.

It's usually just the area between my thumb and forefinger that gets sore, but that's easily solved by some good Hogue or Pachmayr grips, which I intend to do shortly. That or a laser grip...

**thegreattwizz** · 08-06-2012, 11:45 AM

Since this was a recent enough topic, I figured I'd mention that I just picked up this:

Product: Smith & Wesson M&P SHIELD

I was always averse to polymer, single stack 9mm pistols for ultra-concealable/pocket carry. UPS guy showed up at the range while we were there (future misses put 250+ rounds through a glock 19; guess I know what my next purchase is.), and this happened to be in the contents. I've been wanting to handle one since I first heard about it, and as soon as I opened the box, I knew it was for me. Great shooter, great in the hand, and very easy to carry.

**Sycamore** · 08-06-2012, 02:52 PM

Me and the guy-friend went to Cabela's last weekend and I picked up a nice little pocket holster for my S&W. He also taught me how to clean my handguns. Every girl needs a good guy-friend.

I think next I want a rifle or shotgun...or a 22/45. I think a long gun is first. I need to learn more before I spend the money. The only longgun I've ever fired is the AR.

**Volanova** · 08-06-2012, 03:05 PM

Originally Posted by Sycamore

Me and the guy-friend went to Cabela's last weekend and I picked up a nice little pocket holster for my S&W. He also taught me how to clean my handguns. Every girl needs a good guy-friend.

I think next I want a rifle or shotgun...or a 22/45. I think a long gun is first. I need to learn more before I spend the money. The only longgun I've ever fired is the AR.

CMP M1 Garands are relatively cheap and easy to come by... go big or go home.

**guzzijason** · 08-06-2012, 03:26 PM

From a practicality standpoint, I'd say go with a shotgun first. Rifles are great for hunting/targets, but if defensive use is a factor, I'd personally stick with the shotgun.

BTW, I'm patiently waiting for delivery of one of these:

__Jason

**thegreattwizz** · 08-06-2012, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by Sycamore

Me and the guy-friend went to Cabela's last weekend and I picked up a nice little pocket holster for my S&W. He also taught me how to clean my handguns. Every girl needs a good guy-friend.

I think next I want a rifle or shotgun...or a 22/45. I think a long gun is first. I need to learn more before I spend the money. The only longgun I've ever fired is the AR.

Ahhhh, Cabela's.......I think they still have the Hornady Zombie Max ammo in stock; I'm trying to find a few boxes of 9mm for carry (It's just repackaged critical defense, but cool nonetheless), as well as some 00 buck 12 gauge for the mossberg. I have some pocket and IWB holsters on the way from Amazon for the Shield.

Long guns are a whollllllllle new hobby. You'll want to become a sniper ASAP. I, too, would recommend going with shotguns. Skeet is tons of fun, and a shotgun has practical, home defense uses. Plus, it'll be cheaper in the long run.

Jason - the 229 is a great piece, and probably will be my next hammer fired gun. That is, once I get this striker stuff over with.

**Sycamore** · 08-06-2012, 06:06 PM

Haha. Yeah, we were scheduled to go to the range, but when he found out I had never been to Cabela's, we had a change of plans.

Skeet!!! That is exactly what I want to do. Targets are starting to bore me. I wonder if there's somewhere local to do that.

**darthsinatra** · 08-06-2012, 06:16 PM

My wife (please say that in Borat voice always) loves to shoot clays (Beretta 12-gauge, top and bottom) but has never fired a handgun. She fears them. I want a LTCF. I am a good shot but need more practice and training. I know she would LOVE handguns. We live about 2 seconds from the gun range on Carpenter Street. Any advice for getting her over there to shoot so she'll let me get my CP? Besides the obvious "don't tell her you want a LTCF," thanks =)