Playing by the rules
on 01/01/2009 at 11:50 AM
Drew, Drew, my good friend, have you been drinking the Koolaid? A .380 is a nice backup or lightweight carry piece (I favor one of the Walther knockoffs. A few touches with 2000 grit and a few strokes with a honeing stone will make it very reliable) but to spend your hard won license on!?!? Consider all the best man stoppers around for semi autos; the 9mm’s, 40’s and the venerable 45. In the end, how can you even consider anything except John Brownings 1911 pattern 45?
Just like the 45-70, there’s a reason a 100 year old design is still in production. It’s damn near the best semi auto pistol ever made, including the Glock. Even after the Army went to the 9mm Baretta, the Marines kept their 45’s and see what the special forces guys have to say on the subject. It fits well in the hand, it’s accurate, reliable and nobody, but nobody, disrespects the .45 round. Try finding someone who can seriously argue with that. (Turtler, I expect to hear from you in about 30 seconds.}
Look around a bit and see if you can find one of Kimber’s 1911’s. When they first came out, I compared them with my own custom 1911 and almost cried. What I spent a lot of time and money on 20 years ago was right on the shelf along with half a dozen great variations. They have almost too many options. Ordering one from their catalog is almost like buying a custom built 45, except it’s in stock. Even the bottom of their line is extraordinary.
If you must, go for the Glock chambered in 45 Auto. Remember though that if you do buy the Glock, one of my more “unusual” friends pointed out that when you pistol whip someone with a Glock, the slide comes off the frame. Tsk.
P.S. For your .22 find one made by High Standard, preferably one of the pre 1977 originals made in Connecticut. Even the Duramatic (When new, you bought one and got change from a $20) is unbelievably accurate and reliable. Their Victors, Citations and Field Kings are all on the list of greats. There’s a company in Texas still making them to the original prints, but I favor the Connecticut originals.
I have matched my 1976 Victor against much more modern and expensive designs in informal matches and walked away grinning every time. Oh yeah, I also have a beat up Duramatic that I use when I want to sucker someone for pocket change at the range. It’s nice and beat up looking, with a short barrel. It’s also nearly as accurate as my Victor.
Look around, you may spend more for a High Standard than you would for a Ruger MkII, but you’ll love the accuracy and field stripping and reassembly can be done blindfolded in under a minute. Try doing that with a MkII.
I know the Ruger is a PITA to take apart. I had a manager once who brought me one in a box. About 50 loose parts IIRC. The whole gun falls apart when you pull the lever in the backstrap, and he then took everything apart further from there. I put it back together the easy way: a gave a local gunsmith $20 and let him do it. Ah, the things we sometimes do to try and get a promotion.
I’ll take the Glock thankyou good Dr., and the 40 is quit satisfactory (carrying all day with many rounds gets unnecessarily heavy with the 45). The issue with pistol-whipping is not something most folks need to worry about. If the side arm is out and to be used, it won’t be for whipping, it will be used for shooting.
PS No complaints from the 9mm as well, just need to place the shot a little better.
Drew I tend to agree with the good Doctor on most things and I reckon if you are shelling out good money, and considering the hassle of getting the license, you should get something with some oomph like a .40 S&W.
Or 357SIG… 9mm recoil, 40cal capacity - 357mag knockdown power.
I love my Glock but have to admit that both hubby and I are looking for something a tad smaller for conceal carry.
And therein, lies all of my gun knowledge. I am just past point and shoot - and learning more every day.
Drew, I say this as a friend and a shootist of some forty years.
Uncle Archie’s corollary of gunfighting:
“Any one worth shooting is worth shooting well.”
In today’s technology, any pistol big enough to chamber in .380 ACP can be chambered in 9x19 NATO. Anything in 9x19 NATO can be chambered in .40 S&W. There is no reason to settle for a marginal powered round when a suitable round is available.
Okay, the more powerful pistol will cost more. Do you want good oats or oats already processed by the horse? Are you betting your life on this, or is it just something to carry and pretend you are official? Get a real gun. Nothing less than 9x19 anyway.
As for .22 long rifle target pistols, the woods are full of them, depending on how much you want to spend. Doc Jeff’s comments about the old High Standards are very apt. I’ve shot a couple different Ruger Mk I and Mk II models in bullseye competition and they are very good. It is hard to go wrong with the Brownings. If you can find an old Woodsman, they are worth the money in the same way as the High Standards. I currently shoot a Smith & Wesson 41, and it’s very accurate, but in the $800 to $1,000 range. Then there are the Russian and German and Italian target pistols.
Drew,
I neglected to add that I have a little sig P230, approx the same size/wt as your examples. Beautiful little weapon that’s a pain in the a$$ to shoot (wrist snap)...ok that’d be a pain in the wrist to shoot. With physics being what it is, I would expect that many of the ultra compacts are about as challenging (or worse) to shoot and hang onto. The best thing to do is to try out a few pistols of different sizes before you buy. Consider how big you are (my wife can’t shoot a .45 well but she’s a crack shot w/a hot 9mm. How much can you afford to practice, etc. I still carry the sig on occasion, but it’s a bitch to practice with...and that’s just a little .380!Whether .380 or .45 ACP, Hold hard for Hits.
The Limp wristed just need to Muscle up and Practice.Recently aquired a High Standard, model G-380 pistol, cal. .380 from
an old friend in failing Health. This is on the Curio and Relics list.
Too nice to shoot.I will be doing a bit more gun posting this year. Artsy gun porn when I find it, range reports when I can make them, updates on all the dumb laws and bills when I learn about them. It won’t be a daily thing, but I hope to drop at least one per week. We’ll see.
I’ll be sure to forward all gun porn to you. Also, you might want to sign up for the Civilian Marksmanship Program newsletter. Check out http://www.odcmp.com/
Hoooray!! Gun stuff rocks.
I got a .40 S&W for x-mas and have put 50 rounds through it and so far I like it very much. It is light enough to carry all day and not be in my way.
Ruger Elsie Pea with a CrimsonTrace laser is my next purchase. I’d have got it already if Virgina laws would let me buy more than one a month.
01/02/2009 at 12:51 AM
