Originally Posted by
TexanInCali
Hi folks,
Thanks for the thoughtful responses. I have some follow up. If I ask for clarification, it's not that I don't agree with what you're saying, but that I'd in fact like to hear more.
In particular, a few of you brought up a concern I'd had, which is the significant differences in manual of arms between a 1911 and a Sig or other more recent semi-auto. While this is definitely a concern, I intend to buy both, but focus on one at a time. I've done the same things with rifles. I have an AR and a Mini 14. I spent a year learning and practicing with each exclusively. My plan is to do the same with handguns.
If these are to be defensive firearms first and foremost I see no benefit in learning multiple platforms and/or supporting multiple calibres. The KISS principle has a lot of merit.
I don't mean to say that after a year I'm anything but slightly less of a noob, but in a year of classes and frequent range time, I get a pretty good idea of what I like and don't like about a gun and where my skills with it need improvement.
I'm just not sure which to learn first. I'm leaning towards starting with the 45. I've always shot other people's 45s better than their 9s. I'm sure this is entirely the result of my total lack of pistol handling skills. Still, I just like the way the metal 45s feel.
Again, and I'm not trying to be a d*ck here. The "feel" of a firearm has zero to do with its ability to perform or yours. The "feel" shouldn't even be a consideration when selecting a defensive use firearm. Your better perceived performance with a 1911 over other designs is a result of a heavy gun with a short and light trigger. All of which cover up poor form and give the illusion of being a better shooter than you really are. I'm not a 1911 fan at all and it has nothing to do with brand loyalty/time spent with other guns/trying to be different etc etc. I dislike 1911's as defensive handguns for several logical and practical reasons which I have listed below.
Heavy
Large in size(full size, as it is the most common)
Low capacity
Heavy recoil (45ACP)
Manual safety(not necessary)
Fitted parts as opposed to drop in
Expensive
Most have no light rail
unreliable(its true, 1911's are not as reliable as you think)
Investing more of your budget into training than gear will pay off ten fold. Any quality pistol will do the job regardless of brand(good brands, not Jennings or Hi Point type sh*t) or calibre, its you that makes the shot(s) not the gun. Improving your skills through training will carry over to all firearms and every shot you take. If you're after a fun gun then buy it last and shoot it after focusing on training with your defensive or "go to" gun.
Of the guns you're interested in I would go with the SIG first and shoot the living crap out of it at the range and at as many courses as you can afford to attend. A defensive firearm needs to be reliable, simple to operate and as high capacity as you can practically carry/conceal.
The decision to buy both now is primarily driven by the stupid roster. Most of the Sig models fall of the list at the end of 2015. Also, I'm seeing great prices on Sigs, H&Ks and others on my short list right now, so I want to snap one up while the getting's good. Plus, I have the scratch, so let's do it.
As far as the 1911s, I'm leaning hard towards Ed Brown for a few reasons.
Most importantly, they seem to make spectacular guns that run flawlessly from day one. Also, I like the fact that the Cali blued Ed Brows SF is kind of a plain jane looking gun from a distance. Outside of 1911 guys, not too many even know what it is.
While I agree that Wilson Combat is as good or better, everybody and their hi point loving thug cousin know what a Wilson Combat is and that they cost a bunch of money. They're beautiful and attract tons of attention. Once I get my butt back to Texas where I can join a nice private range, I'll get one, but at Cali public ranges, I like to keep a low profile. The KMR got me a lot of unwanted attention at the range when it first came out. I know this is kind of a dumb reason to some folks. Call me paranoid.
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