If you could choose

OldManP · Post by **OldManP** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 7:20 pm

one pistol to save your life, which one would it be?

I will be taking on a job in the near future that might require action to save my own life in certain situations. I want to have the best pistol I can get. Semi-auto is mandatory, as well as at least 10 rounds. Price is not an object as my life will be dependent on its functionality/reliability. (I prefer a .45 caliber)

I'm thinking a Kimber Tactical or Eclipse, H&K, Springfield XD Tactical, or a Sig Sauer--any other suggestions?

Post by **Uncle Jesse** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 7:21 pm

I dunno about exact make and model but if my life really depended on one pistol it would be semi-auto .45 caliber for sure.

OldManP · Post by **OldManP** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 7:23 pm

Just some background--I've hunted all my life. My father is a gunsmith and I have been on multiple long arm shooting teams. I currently own a Kimber Ultra Compact II for conceal carry but I need a full size pistol for those possible combat situations.

new_moonshiner · Post by **new_moonshiner** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 7:45 pm

If my .40 cal beretta wont do the job then I dont need to be shooting at them ..

Butch50 · Post by **Butch50** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:02 pm

I just went to a gun show this morning, and was looking at lot of .45 acp pistols with a friend that was considering buying himself another one. There are just too many outstanding pistols in .45 acp to recommend just one of them. The best thing you can do is go pick up and test the feel of a lot of them, and buy the one that feels the best to you. The one that fits your hand just right, and points naturally.

If you are fortunate enough to have a chance to shoot a few that is even more better.

tracker0945 · Post by **tracker0945** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:37 pm

I once had a job like that back in the late 60's. (not of my own choosing)
If I needed to have a firearm to protect myself while on the job - I would choose not to take the job. No matter what incentive was offered.
JMHO

OldManP · Post by **OldManP** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 9:18 pm

Well, a job is one thing...duty another.

I will (hopefully) test drive whatever firearm i will purchase and I do not get to choose those who will be on the business end of it. I just want to know that the business will be taken care of. I'm pretty sure I will also have some fellow "pals" that will be accompanying me that will have perhaps the best training in the world. Think about it--yep, probably be hanging out with those guys...

I just want to be able to handle anything that comes my way.

Post by **Uncle Jesse** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 9:31 pm

.45 has good knockdown power which is what you need but it's not so huge that you're going to flinch or have to deal with huge amounts of recoil.

OldManP · Post by **OldManP** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 9:39 pm

I agree...I am partial to .45s. I've owned a few and shot a few more. Love 'em

wineo · Post by **wineo** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 10:20 pm

The kimber compact with the meltdown treatment on all sharp edges is the best for stopping power,accuracy,and ease of carry,and reliability.
There not cheap,but you get what you pay for.I carry every day and work in every part of town,at all hours.I love 45s,but carry a 19 glock{9mm}
It holds 16 rounds of extreme shock +p hollowpoints.The same ones the air marshalls carry.They wont go through 1/2 inch drywall,or the side of an aircraft,but have extreme stopping power.I can shoot a 5 inch group with it off hand at 25 yards.

tracker0945 · Post by **tracker0945** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 10:31 pm

OldManP wrote:Well, a job is one thing...duty another.

You are correct, duty is the exception.

As-Ol-Joe · Post by **As-Ol-Joe** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 10:43 pm

Don't know what kind of a job it is, but with some of the best train friends guys in the world and duty calls.

Sound like you need something serious like the HK MP5/10.

Post by **Husker** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 10:56 pm

I am VERY partial to 45ACP. Have a Colt Mark IV Series 80 stainless target. Nice unit, and can shoot some VERY nice tight patterns. They have a HELL of a knockdown power. Also, they are one of the BEST rounds for rapid fire, very little kick, and if tuned right, almost NO barrel lift.. In completion, you shoot 10 rounds (5 at a time). Each 5 round burst is shot in 10s or less. The 45 is ideal for this. It has less barrel lift (in a properly tuned gun), than even a 9mm para round. That along with probably 3x the stopping power of the 9mm make the 45 one hell of a good defense/security firearm.

I know the army/US feds have pretty much retired the 45 and gone with 9x19mm and 40's as their standard. One thing you get with those calibers that double stacked clip. That is a huge drawback to the standard 1911. 7 rnds, vs 15 to 20 rounds per clip is a drawback for the 45. I have seen a 45 from Thompson Auto which had a dual stacker. I have a pretty big hand myself, and I found that pistol to be unwieldy (way too damn fat).

H.

CoopsOz · Post by **CoopsOz** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 2:00 am

Are you by any chance gonna be doing security in a particular sandy region of the world? BTW, I was only given a Steyr and a 9mm last time I was there, didn't have to use them though.

Post by **HookLine** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 3:11 am

Coops, how did you find the Steyr to use, service, carry, etc? (I gather you only used it in training, but still...)

CoopsOz · Post by **CoopsOz** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 3:21 am

Hook, I've carried a loaded Steyr all over those places you see on the news, never had to fire it though. I think they are OK but the fighting boys (I'm a tech specialist) still opt for the M4's which are just a carbine version of the M16, so I guess that says a bit about the Steyr. The Steyr is a piece of piss to fire, clean and maintain...that is why so many army's use them, but like I said...the guys that do the fighting don't use 'em.

Post by **HookLine** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 3:33 am

Let me guess, the Steyr is also cheaper than the M4?

Ricky · Post by **Ricky** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:08 am

whats wrong with your conceal carry gun? you are already familiar with it and its not like you are going to be shooting at someone 50yds away is it? i dont know what line of duty you will be in but chances are that you will carry this gun a lot more than you shoot it. an old lawman i know well used to carry a large revolver until he figured out that its weight was what caused that pain in his hip. he went to a lighter auto that held more rounds. i use to carry a s&w model 37 cheifs special for personal safety at a store i used to work at and the city cop said i couldnt hit anything with that short barrel. we set a soda can at 20 paces and i hit it 2 of 3 shots and he was quite. this gun weighed 13.5ozs empty. whatever you choose practice with it until you dont have to think to use it. it will be instinct.

OldManP · Post by **OldManP** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 7:35 am

Thankie to all the replies. I plan on practicing a lot with whatever i get. I don't want to carry my concealed weapon because I'd rather have a longer sight range. The short barrel and compact gun is great for concealment and any threats that would be closer than i can run from. No news yet on what type of threats I'll be running into. I indeed think an HK MP5 would be a great use and I might be getting one of those as well, but I figured a large sidearm would be nice to have. I've heard of my future partners in the a sandy region of this world, but also heard they are usually participating in other regions of the not so common (newsworthy) world. I can't really give ya a whole lot of detail as mine is limited right now too. Hopefully I won't be in the desert though. Been there done that. Don't know why anyone would ever decide to live there. If i we a rich oil mideastern fellow, I'd setup my oil business and then move to a small island in pacific b/c the desert was miserable. Thank you for all your help.

My big concern is that this new job leaves time for important things--like 'stillin' up some high quality brandy and whiskey!

wineo · Post by **wineo** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 10:59 am

The only reason I chose the 19 glock over my 1911s is the ease of carry.
I am in and out of a service van all day long,and my full size springfield 45 is just too damn heavy and uncomfortable to carry around,and I dont want to beat it up.I can carry the glock with no holster.Its nice and smooth and doesnt scratch me up.I can shoot the 45s better,but im still good with the glock.And besides,size doesnt matter if you shoot im in the eye!

new_moonshiner · Post by **new_moonshiner** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 11:33 am

wineo wrote:.And besides,size doesnt matter if you shoot im in the eye!

LMAO

Post by **Husker** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 11:55 am

new_moonshiner wrote:
wineo wrote:.And besides,size doesnt matter if you shoot im in the eye!
LMAO

I might have to tell the wife that line sometime

H.

wineo · Post by **wineo** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 1:20 pm

That reminds me of boot camp.
This is my weapon,this is my gun
this ones for fightin,this ones for fun
sound off,12,soundoff 34,
sound off 123412,34

highball · Post by **highball** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 10:26 pm

if price is not a issue, I would go with a les baer thunder ranch special. this gun has it all, forged steel, fitted slide
http://www.lesbaer.com/thundr.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

a wilson combat cqb would be my next choice
http://www.wilsoncombat.com/p_cqb_tlr.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

alice · Post by **alice** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 11:48 pm

A .32 Seecamp makes a fine pocket backup.

Post by **Tater** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 7:30 am

If going into a war situation where pistol shooting distances are concerned tater would carry a shotgun with a pistol backup. 45 in holster 9mm in boot

OldManP · Post by **OldManP** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 8:05 am

funny you mention that. I love shotguns and have all my life. They are very versatile and can be tailored to almost any scenario. Back in college i wrote a paper on the tactical shotgun and it's advantages...Wouldn't mind a benelli or a remnington 870 for those hard and determined enemies. Slugs/buckshot is a quality way to let someone you don't like know it.

Post by **HookLine** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 8:08 am

My brother-in-law is a gunsmith and armourer, and he once said if he could only have one weapon it would be a shotgun with alternating shot and solid loads.

Post by **Usge** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 10:34 am

hmm...I might have a different view in some ways. standard .45 single action autos are great combat handguns...but lousy "threat management pistols". I would not have a single action trigger with 4-5lb pull for threat management. Too easy to squeeze off a shot under stress.

Now, once things get ugly...whanging away with a .45...it's a damn fine handgun.

But, I'm just gonna tell you straight...if your life is depending on it...you had best put in some time with it. If you do not have that kind of time to train, etc., and keep your skills honed with operation of the weapons (safety and various modes of carry, etc., ....then we are talking about a different kind of weapon. A KISS weapon. (keep it simple stupid). And that would be a revolver. It fires everytime you pull the trigger. There is no safety, or various "modes" of fire. It's the same trigger everytime. Point it...and shoot it. In an auto...only the Glock can come close to this state of readiness although not as safely.

I've seen more than one person take an auto squeeze it several times, look at it, start flipping levers, etc., trying to get it to fire. I've seen them do it when it was THEIR weapon. Or, use a limp wrist and get a half-cycle jam. One ole' boy I know can't even fire one without jamming it up. Another, nearly everytime, winces and it doesn't fire because he has not engaged all the various safeties. Or the clip wasn't all the way in. Or etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., ETC.

And some of the ones you are talking about here (custom jobs that you need a wrench to dissaemble the barrel bushing guide rod, etc., ). I won't even mention the various modes of fire on some autos like DA/SA, DA, or SA. Not that they aren't all absolutely fine weapons otherwise.

And it would also depend upon your environment (dirt/water/sand/etc.,). These tack drivers from Les and Wilson and etc., have the accuracy they have because they lock up tighter than dicks hat-band. They are made with MUCH closer tollerances than your standard 1911. Take a standard 1911 (safety check it and make sure it's unloaded). Shake it side to side. Hear that? Thumb press the barrel in the bushing. They made them that way (loose) so they wouldn't jam up even when the slide rails were filled with crud.

So, that's another consideration. You got to keep them babies clean. I would also mention that some autos have a tendency to jam feeding soft tip ammo (like hollow points) particularly when new..or until the feed ramp gets worn in a little. A little smithing can clean that up, but then...I've still seen soft tipped ammo (like silvertips), flatten on the ramp and just not cycle. When that happens, you had best know the exact procedure to clear it safe and fast. Hopefullly, that wasn't the only shot you are going to have at it. While these guns can be made to be very reliable using hollowpoints, wadcutters or any other assorted variations of bullet design...the fact is....this is generally accomplished by tightening all the tollerances between the slide and barrel/bushing which can reduce their reliability and increase their cleaning schedule in dirty conditions. By comparison, standard issue ball, even in the mightly .45, doesn't have great ballistics. So, its all a trade off there.

If it were me...I'd carry a shotgun, with a smitty belly gun , minus one round that the hammer is over (or a glock SA in either leg/thigh or vest holster....and a good knife that were all quickly accessible. Something you could find without looking, or thinking about it...like pulling out yer pecker.
edit: and dont' forget your swiss army or multitool.

Eitherway, if you decide on something longer range or etc., the above makes a damn fine up-close and personal backup system. Thats my take anyway.

wineo · Post by **wineo** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 10:59 am

Most dont train enough with there carry gun.It needs to go bang every time you pull the trigger,even if you just picked it up out of a mud puddle.
I have shot my glock 19 so much that I replaced the barrel.Im used to it.
Its not the best gun out there,but its damn dependable.I have 2 kel-tec 32 autos.Ones my wifes.She also carrys.Its really small,and would do in a pinch.
I would take a shotgun over anything.I have a old winchester 1300 defender,and it will do great damage to about anything with the right loads.
I have a few 1911s,and can shoot them real well,but dont like carrying them because of the bulk.If I could afford a les baer,or a wilson,or the kimber cdp2 I might change my ways.

Home Distiller

If you could choose

If you could choose

hmm

yeh