Firearm Hobbyist Catch-All

Took my new Beretta 1301 to the trap practice fields at a local Trap & Skeet place. Easy 25/25's.

IMAGE(http://i.imgur.com/p151pa9.png)

I have not had problems with hammer bite on full-size pistols. I have had issues with smaller, say PP/PPK or Tokarev, pistols but it is more slide bite than hammer bite.

You can change the parts you named and keep the old ones. You will likely not end up in a new division either. If you are wanting to do sights, then you need to start looking at other guns. Too much meaning in that gun to modify the slide and a new slide will not be cheap. You are getting to the point of newer pistols the are made for the ESB class. SW M&P and Springfield XDM both come to mind there. I have a Springfield XDM 5.25 9mm I plan to shoot IDPA with this season. You could also look at a Springfield Range Officer and shoot in the single stack class.

Anyone attending SHOT show this year?

I'm not but I have been following it closely. Here is a collection of articles.

http://www.romeotangobravo.net/2014/...

Opinions needed. Bonus if you have any of the guns I am thinking about!

I am looking for a new EDC. I love my 4" XD45, but it is harder to hide than I would like. I am looking at pocket-size pistols. Right now I am looking at the Ruger LC9 and Kahr CW9 or 45. I would also consider the XDs45 if I can find one that is post recall. I have no aversion to 380, but if I can get a similar pistol in a larger caliber I will. I looked at the new Remington 51, but don't like its looks. I really like the Ruger, but really want a 45. I would also like to try and keep it under $500 and closer to $400 is even better.

Ideas, suggestions, thoughts? I am going to a gun show the morning of 2/2 to put hands on what I am interested in. This may change everything and even blow the budget if something really is a good fit.

fishdude wrote:

Opinions needed. Bonus if you have any of the guns I am thinking about!

I am looking for a new EDC. I love my 4" XD45, but it is harder to hide than I would like. I am looking at pocket-size pistols. Right now I am looking at the Ruger LC9 and Kahr CW9 or 45. I would also consider the XDs45 if I can find one that is post recall. I have no aversion to 380, but if I can get a similar pistol in a larger caliber I will. I looked at the new Remington 51, but don't like its looks. I really like the Ruger, but really want a 45. I would also like to try and keep it under $500 and closer to $400 is even better.

Ideas, suggestions, thoughts? I am going to a gun show the morning of 2/2 to put hands on what I am interested in. This may change everything and even blow the budget if something really is a good fit.

For subcompacts, I would shy away from .45. The tiny handle and barrel will make for truly uncomfortable shooting. Now I understand that the entire point of it is to be comforting and not comfortable, but the difference in single shot incap statistics you get between 9mm and anything larger are pretty much negligible anyway.

There are a ton of good 9's available in tiny sizes. My personal favorite is the P200sk, but folks unwilling to spend $1100 on a pocket pistol might find this a less than fully optimal choice.

Is the LC9 bigger than the LCP? And thus, actually USABLE by normal human hands?

IMO The LCP is a piece of garbage.

fishdude wrote:

Opinions needed. Bonus if you have any of the guns I am thinking about!

I am looking for a new EDC. I love my 4" XD45, but it is harder to hide than I would like. I am looking at pocket-size pistols. Right now I am looking at the Ruger LC9 and Kahr CW9 or 45. I would also consider the XDs45 if I can find one that is post recall. I have no aversion to 380, but if I can get a similar pistol in a larger caliber I will. I looked at the new Remington 51, but don't like its looks. I really like the Ruger, but really want a 45. I would also like to try and keep it under $500 and closer to $400 is even better.

Ideas, suggestions, thoughts? I am going to a gun show the morning of 2/2 to put hands on what I am interested in. This may change everything and even blow the budget if something really is a good fit.

Check out the M&P Shield as well. Sounds like it would fit your requirements and price range.

I don't think the LC9 is any better personally. The R51 looks promising but people need to actually get their hands on it.

I've heard good things of the Sig 938. People call it the baby 1911. CZ has a few sub-compact models. CZ 2075 Rami, Polymer version, decocker version. Along those lines EAA makes a compact Tangfolio in metal and polymer. Beretta has a few options too. I've heard good things about the 92 compact.

Colt just released their new .380 Mustang that I've read good reviews about. Paleo already covered HK. You probably know about the Glocks, but I don't like them. S&W has their new bodyguard and the M&P9c but I don't like striker fired stuff personally. There are also all those smaller brands like Diamondback, NAA, etc.

Are you looking at semi-autos only or revolvers too?

45 power in a pocket is not an issue for me. I regularly shoot a 3" Kimber with an alloy frame and it does not bother me. I forgot about the new Shield, I will add that to the list. I have shot a Rami, it was a good gun but I am looking for something smaller. I have pondered Beretta and Walther, but they each have something that does not set right for me. Can't put a direct finger on it, but they just don't feel right. I thought Mustang, but would rather find an old one when they really were baby 1911's. Revolvers are also an option, but the ones that are small enough and light enough for pocket carry are cost prohibitive. I have a friend with a SW 635 (I think) made of Scandium and in 357m. Love it, but they are over $600 and usually more than $700 new. I own a 2" Rossi in 38spl that I like, but it is all steel and really too big for a pocket gun. There are lots more options than I originally considered, back to research.

With the comments about the LCP/9 I am starting to lean back at the Kahr. I will definitely look at the MP Shield when I go tot he gun show.

Yay, another excuse to go to the gun show and fondle more guns!

fishdude wrote:

45 power in a pocket is not an issue for me. I regularly shoot a 3" Kimber with an alloy frame and it does not bother me. I forgot about the new Shield, I will add that to the list. I have shot a Rami, it was a good gun but I am looking for something smaller. I have pondered Beretta and Walther, but they each have something that does not set right for me. Can't put a direct finger on it, but they just don't feel right. I thought Mustang, but would rather find an old one when they really were baby 1911's. Revolvers are also an option, but the ones that are small enough and light enough for pocket carry are cost prohibitive. I have a friend with a SW 635 (I think) made of Scandium and in 357m. Love it, but they are over $600 and usually more than $700 new. I own a 2" Rossi in 38spl that I like, but it is all steel and really too big for a pocket gun. There are lots more options than I originally considered, back to research.

With the comments about the LCP/9 I am starting to lean back at the Kahr. I will definitely look at the MP Shield when I go tot he gun show.

Yay, another excuse to go to the gun show and fondle more guns!

442

bennard wrote:
fishdude wrote:

Opinions needed. Bonus if you have any of the guns I am thinking about!

I am looking for a new EDC. I love my 4" XD45, but it is harder to hide than I would like. I am looking at pocket-size pistols. Right now I am looking at the Ruger LC9 and Kahr CW9 or 45. I would also consider the XDs45 if I can find one that is post recall. I have no aversion to 380, but if I can get a similar pistol in a larger caliber I will. I looked at the new Remington 51, but don't like its looks. I really like the Ruger, but really want a 45. I would also like to try and keep it under $500 and closer to $400 is even better.

Ideas, suggestions, thoughts? I am going to a gun show the morning of 2/2 to put hands on what I am interested in. This may change everything and even blow the budget if something really is a good fit.

Check out the M&P Shield as well. Sounds like it would fit your requirements and price range.

This. I was at a show last month, and got to hold one. It's thin as hell, but still comfortable. Unfortunately there wasn't a range there that I could try it out at.

Mr E.B. Slugworth wrote:
bennard wrote:
fishdude wrote:

Opinions needed. Bonus if you have any of the guns I am thinking about!

I am looking for a new EDC. I love my 4" XD45, but it is harder to hide than I would like. I am looking at pocket-size pistols. Right now I am looking at the Ruger LC9 and Kahr CW9 or 45. I would also consider the XDs45 if I can find one that is post recall. I have no aversion to 380, but if I can get a similar pistol in a larger caliber I will. I looked at the new Remington 51, but don't like its looks. I really like the Ruger, but really want a 45. I would also like to try and keep it under $500 and closer to $400 is even better.

Ideas, suggestions, thoughts? I am going to a gun show the morning of 2/2 to put hands on what I am interested in. This may change everything and even blow the budget if something really is a good fit.

Check out the M&P Shield as well. Sounds like it would fit your requirements and price range.

This. I was at a show last month, and got to hold one. It's thin as hell, but still comfortable. Unfortunately there wasn't a range there that I could try it out at.

Not sure what a range would tell you that dry firing wouldn't. The whole purpose behind a pocket pistol is to provide firepower just outside of reach of a good punch, so accuracy is probably not going to be an issue. More important would be ergonomics and the feel of the trigger pull.

Paleocon wrote:

Not sure what a range would tell you that dry firing wouldn't.

Never fired a sub-compact before and was wondering how much more recoil it would have.

Paleocon wrote:

Not sure what a range would tell you that dry firing wouldn't. The whole purpose behind a pocket pistol is to provide firepower just outside of reach of a good punch, so accuracy is probably not going to be an issue. More important would be ergonomics and the feel of the trigger pull.

Bingo. I want something that goes bang and will go bang when I need it to. If it feels right is all I am worried about. I am not buying this to go shoot a crapton of ammo through. It might get a couple of boxes in its lifetime with me. I won't deny that looks are considered but not a deal breaker. If I love the way the new Remington 51 feels, sold.

I am worried that all of the triggers will feel like I am grating gravel.

fishdude wrote:
Paleocon wrote:

Not sure what a range would tell you that dry firing wouldn't. The whole purpose behind a pocket pistol is to provide firepower just outside of reach of a good punch, so accuracy is probably not going to be an issue. More important would be ergonomics and the feel of the trigger pull.

Bingo. I want something that goes bang and will go bang when I need it to. If it feels right is all I am worried about. I am not buying this to go shoot a crapton of ammo through. It might get a couple of boxes in its lifetime with me. I won't deny that looks are considered but not a deal breaker. If I love the way the new Remington 51 feels, sold.

I am worried that all of the triggers will feel like I am grating gravel.

There's a lot of crappy triggers out there in carry guns, for sure. The LCP's trigger is super long, super heavy, uneven, and the trigger starts out angled forward so far that the damn thing actually pinches my index finger when I first start the pull. Hence my hate.

I've shot a few other subcompacts, including an M&P in .40 that gave me no trouble. I think there's good ones out there, you just have to do your shopping

Hear that I am now leaning much more toward the Kahr, SW and XDs. I have shot several Kahr pistols and they are good guns. What I would consider a decent duty trigger.

Springfield XDS-9 and Kahr PM9 owner... Both of mine are super reliable (0 failures) and dang accurate for what they are. The XDS trigger break is sharp, and has a tactile reset. There is slight slack in it after reset. The PM9's trigger is longer, and breaks softer. There is practically no trigger reset on the Kahr, you basically have to come off the trigger completely before the next shot. The XDS has more features like chamber indicator and fiber front sight and is nicer (because of dimensions) for a IWB draw, but the PM9 is suitable for pocket carry. The XDS can fit in the pockets of my tactical pants, but the corners can protrude and print. They serve different carry styles and I'll choose which I carry depending on my clothing. My HK P2000SK gets no love anymore

I have not held an XDs yet, so I thought they were a bit smaller. Looks like this is going to come down to what feels right at the show. My budget may be doomed as well.

Anyone do skeet or trap? How are the Browning Citori over/unders? I saw this and was curious.

I have shot both, but do more hunting than anything. Personal opinion....... I am not a fan of the Browning. They feel and swing heavy to me. I have heard others use the words "telephone pole" before. That said, they are near indestructible. Either way, that price is almost too good to be true. It would be worth it just to see if you like the sport. Whether you are a Browning fan or not, you will not get a quality o/u for any less than that. I would buy it just to see if I can convince myself to like Browning.

If you check it out, make sure it locks up tight. Make sure the barrels do not wiggle in the receiver. Does it have screw in chokes? Has the stock been bent for the current/previous owner?

If you want to be any kind of serious with clays (general term), take lessons. They will help to break any existing bad habits or stop any new ones from forming. Much like golf, 5-6 lessons will make all the difference in the world.

I tried it once and it was really fun. I used a variety of pumps and one semi-auto that weekend and once I started looking, all the various skeet/trap guns are stupid expensive. I had half a mind to get the shotgun I really wanted and a longer barrel suitable for skeet/trap.

You can do quite well in trap with a Rem 1100 and a hull catcher. Dedicated guns are crazy expensive. I have used my Beretta and 1100 for trap, skeet and sporting clays. I love shooting clays, but will never get that serious. For me it is practice for upland hunting, hence using my hunting guns. You can have a ton of fun at your local club with a basic hunting gun.

Great video of the IDPA 2011 world championship. It's really awesome to see a lot of my countrymen shooting at the championship and many from other neighbors (Venezuela, Costa Rica, Trinidad).

Anyone have a belt they can recommend? I have a Blade-Tech leather belt but was hoping to get a non-leather one.

Not really, once I realized I needed to get a belt that would stand up to a holster and pistol I have never looked away from leather. The leather does not look out of place and I wear mine every day, most with my holster in place. I changed holsters recently, so I am trying to get used to the new one.

Have put a LOT of miles on a Wilderness Instructor Belt (5-stitch, have not tried the polymer-lined). Will hold up a full-size 1911 and a pair of mags, though I'd like it to be a bit stiffer. No issues with say a Glock or an M&P. A classic belt that will not break the bank.

Now I run an Aries Ranger belt. Built like a tank. Stiff. Still stiff after break-in. Would probably hold up a holstered 12 gauge.

EDIT: If you order online, follow the sizing guides on the manufacturer's respective websites and you'll be GTG.

NakedHavoc wrote:

Have put a LOT of miles on a Wilderness Instructor Belt (5-stitch, have not tried the polymer-lined). Will hold up a full-size 1911 and a pair of mags, though I'd like it to be a bit stiffer. No issues with say a Glock or an M&P. A classic belt that will not break the bank.

I wear that exact same belt at work now because I kept ruining normal belts hanging my tools and radio off of them. It's probably five years old now and still in borderline perfect shape.

Thin_J wrote:

I wear that exact same belt at work now because I kept ruining normal belts hanging my tools and radio off of them. It's probably five years old now and still in borderline perfect shape.

They rock. It would really be hard to go wrong with that one.

Which instructor? They have a Titanium, Easy-Fit titanium, original, easy-fit original, etc.

http://www.thewilderness.com/tactica...