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Firearms

suntzu

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2008
Messages
1,230
Location
The south land
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I am interested in the opinions of others as to what you carry and why you choose to carry the gun that you do.
 

modificationvt

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2008
Messages
39
Location
Burlington, ,
imported post

I alternate between my XD40SC and my GI 1911 in 45. I usually CC and I found the XD40SC did that well (especially in summer clothing) I like the XD because of its reliability, and its feel/point ability for me.

I got the 1911 because...well I wanted a 1911, and I wanted a 45...simple as that. The best reason to get any gun is "because I wanted it" both my XD and 1911 have been 100% reliable...and they both feel good on my hip.
 

FogRider

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 23, 2007
Messages
1,412
Location
Centennial, Colorado, USA
imported post

Around town I cycle through XD45, GI 1911 and GP100. In the woods I haul around a Mini 14. I carry the handguns because I have them, I have them because I wanted them. The Mini 14 I carry because it's a good compromise between size and power (both in caliber and in dimensions/weight).
 

RedKnightt

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2007
Messages
336
Location
Herndon, Virginia, USA
imported post

I carry a Baby Eagle in .45. I wanted something in .45 ACP, and I like that it has a little higher capacity (10+1) than an 1911 (I have one of those, too :D). It has a manual safety, is DA/SA with an exposed hammer. It's a pretty rugged gun, a proven design (based on the CZ-75), and most importantly (to me), it fits my hands very well and is very comfortable to shoot. I also really like the way it looks, but that is a very secondary characteristic for me. The after market support is not as strong. There is a laser available to fit it, but not laser grips (yet). I've seen holsters from Don Hume and Black Hills Leather, and I'm currently using a Mason-Dixon holster from Bluegrass Holsters.

Here's a review of it by R.K. Campbell:

http://www.gunweek.com/2005/feature0501.html

--RedKnightt--

Zombie Squad has it right: “We hold fast to the belief that if you are prepared for a scenario where the walking corpses of your family and neighbors are trying to eat you alive, you will be prepared for almost anything.”
 

ecocks

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2009
Messages
1,040
Location
USA
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CZ-40, .40 S&W is the main carry. I also have a S&W Sigma 9mm (as a full-size alternative) and a Bersa .380 if I need something smaller due to clothing or other concerns.

The CZ has a 4.3" barrel and is basically a full-size frame with a shorter barrel, rather than a smaller frame with a correspondingly shorter barrel (usually 3.5"). 12 rounds of .40 plus one in the chamber are reassuring and I carry at least onespare mag in my pocket.

The Sigma is lighter both in overall weight and the smaller round.16 roundsof 9 has its own level of reassurance also. It was my first carry and I had no complaints with it just decided to move to something with more punch to it.

The Bersa .380 is smaller, lighter and I use it occasionally when I am forced to dress up a bit and not able to wear a looser work jacket. My belief is that the .380 is the minimum for self-defense.

I am intrigued by the new XD/M .40 S&W from Springfield. 19+1 rounds seems like a good thing. Need to touch one though.

Anyway, them's my thoughts.

Ed
 

Virginian683

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2007
Messages
187
Location
Southwest Virginia
imported post

ecocks wrote:
The Sigma is lighter both in overall weight and the smaller round.16 roundsof 9 has its own level of reassurance also. It was my first carry and I had no complaints with it just decided to move to something with more punch to it.

The Sigma has the most atrocious trigger I have ever felt. It must be 20 lbs. My dad got one and I saw him fire all 16 rounds at a phonebook 15 ft away and didn't hit it once. I fared a little better with it as I had more shooting experience, but I still think I'd be lucky to hit the broad side of a barn from the inside.

I gave him my Glock 19 (standard 5.5 lbs trigger), same target, same distance and he did much better (as did I).
 

neddis

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2008
Messages
146
Location
Hermiston, Oregon, USA
imported post

I carry an XD45 because I only get one handgun says the wife (working on her for another). It is a mix of lightweight, reliable, and it fit my hand extremely well. 13+1 .45 doesn't suck either. :)
 

shad0wfax

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2008
Messages
1,069
Location
Spokane, Washington, USA
imported post

What I carry depends on the situation.


Urban Open Carry: H&K USP Tactical (full size) in .45 ACP
Woodland Open Carry: Ruger Super Blackhawk (7.5" barrel)in .44 Magnum
Urban Concealed Carry: S&W Model 60 (J-Frame) in .357 Magnum
Deep Concealed Carry: Kel-Tec P3AT in .380 ACP (usually a backup gun or something for very hot shorts & t-shirt weather when I don't want to wear a belt).


And when I'm really making a statment I OC a Springfield Armory SOCOM 16 (16.25" barrel M1A) in 7.62x51 (.308 Win).


The reason I carry each one of these firearms is that they are (with the exception of the P3AT) incredibly reliable and in calibers that have a proven track record of ending threats quickly. (Threats vary. In a woodland setting I'm concerned with bears and growers. In an urban setting I'm not worried about bear.)

The P3AT has never demonstrated itself to be unreliable, but it is not a handgun I would want to put 3,000 rounds through. The .380 ACP is alsoon the underpowered side.
 

Spectre

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2008
Messages
324
Location
Richmond, Virginia, USA
imported post

What I've carried concealed and open:

Rossi snubbie .38 spl
Bersa Firestorm .380 acp
Bersa Ultra Compact 9mm
Beretta 92FS 9mm
S&W 1911PD .45 acp
H&K P2000 9mm
SIG P225 9mm
SIG P226 9mm
SIG P220 .45 acp
Charter Arms Undercover .38 spl
Glock 22 .40 s&w
ROMARM DRACO 7.62x39mm ;)
S&W Model 10 .38 spl
Raven Arms MP25 .25 acp (very very very few times)
Keltec P3AT .380 acp
Keltec P-32 .32 acp
Keltec P-11 9mm
IWI Baby Eagle .40 s&w
IMI Jericho 941 9mm


......I think that's everything pistol wise :lol:
 

Huck

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2008
Messages
646
Location
Evanston, Wyoming, USA
imported post

Ruger GP100, 4" barrel usually loaded with .357 magnum 125 grain JSP. I sometimes pack it with .38 special +P 125 grain JHP. I find the GP100 to be a excellent revolver. Sometimes I carry my Ruger Alaskan but onlyload .45 Colt as .454 Casull kicks my butt! It too is a excellent revolver, the most solidly built one I've ever seen.

In the boondocksI ofton carry a Marlin 1895G riflein .45-70, 405 grain unjacketed flat nose. A nice compact rifle that packs a helluva wallup.
 

Crestliner

New member
Joined
Jan 2, 2009
Messages
4
Location
, ,
imported post

Limited to C.C. here in MA, I carry a .357 SP101 loaded with Gold Dots. As the ole Ranger once said, "She'll do to ride the river".
 

shamalama

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2007
Messages
46
Location
Conyers, Georgia, USA
imported post

Kel-Tec P-3AT, .380ACP, in my pants pocket.
Taurus PT-1911, .45ACP, on my hip.

The only modifications I do is to either carry the Taurus CC IWB or OC OWB, depending on what's legal in my location.
 

apcci2

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2008
Messages
80
Location
Oak Island, North Carolina, USA
imported post

Usually CC a Kahr P9. It is very comfortable, slim, light and most of all dependable. When I OC, it is with a S&W M&P. Caliber differs, as I have a 9mm, .45ACP and .357 Sig.
 

marine77

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2008
Messages
167
Location
, ,
imported post

I carried for the first time today, got my gcp today after 34days.:celebrate I carry my Glock 17 in 9mm.
 

suntzu

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2008
Messages
1,230
Location
The south land
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Ok, so I have a question--I am looking at the XD45--it seems to feel right in my hand.

but before I do--I was wondering if anyone had ever handled the Para Ordinance series of firearms, and second--are they worth the price? I noticed one Para 45 that is over $1000--I could buy a good long gun for that type of money and a little to boot.
 

Gordie

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Joined
Nov 4, 2008
Messages
716
Location
, Nevada, USA
imported post

Paras are definitely high quality. I own one myself, want a couple others, and know several other people with them. They don't have any problems that I am aware of. Yes, some models can be expensive, but this is the case with almost any brand. I would say that they are as good or better than Kimber. I have had less problems with finicky ammo preference from my Para than with my Kimber.
 

shad0wfax

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2008
Messages
1,069
Location
Spokane, Washington, USA
imported post

suntzu wrote:
Ok, so I have a question--I am looking at the XD45--it seems to feel right in my hand.

but before I do--I was wondering if anyone had ever handled the Para Ordinance series of firearms, and second--are they worth the price? I noticed one Para 45 that is over $1000--I could buy a good long gun for that type of money and a little to boot.

Heck for that kind of money you could get a super snazzy bolt rifle and a nice scope for it. If you're thinking more of battle-rifles then you might need more, the way things are going.

I have fired a few hundred rounds from one of the Para-Carry PXT LDA (.45 ACP with 6+1 capacity) and it was a solid piece of super-compact 1911 style hardware. It was heavy, like all 1911's, but it cycled well. It was a bit snappy, but you'd expect that from a super-compact 1911 pattern.

XD's are great firearms, especially if they fit you better than the 1911 patterns. I'd mention the H&K USP also, but they're a bit on the pricey side as well, over $800 for a USP 45 compact. Springfield XD's are fine weapons and it's hard to beat their quality for the price.
 
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