Opinion on these Handguns

[HollywoodQue]

Here is my street enforcement arsenal.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by captain53

Depends on which one fits your hand and operates in a way that feels comfortable to you. Even though I am not an M&P fan they are all good quality but the one that fits me may not fit you so my preference does not matter.

This.

Go to a gun shop/range where you can shoot a bunch and see what works for you best.

I have carried a Glock 17 on duty for almost 20 years because it is our mandatory issue gun. I don't even think about carrying it off duty, so that tells you what I think of that gun (for me, of course).

[floydpink]

Before I carried, I had a 357 Magnum for home defense.

Once I started carrying, it wasn't practical to carry such a large gun and being a revolver fan, the Smith and Wesson 642 Airweight 38 was a perfect fit for my small frame body.

I know it's only 5 shots, but if I need more, I am in a prolonged gunfight and nothing will probably help.

There is no comparing the reliability

[HollywoodQue]

Originally Posted by floydpink

Before I carried, I had a 357 Magnum for home defense.

Once I started carrying, it wasn't practical to carry such a large gun and being a revolver fan, the Smith and Wesson 642 Airweight 38 was a perfect fit for my small frame body.

I know it's only 5 shots, but if I need more, I am in a prolonged gunfight and nothing will probably help.

There is no comparing the reliability

Very true Pete, I like to carry my SW airweight off duty...its light weight and easy to carry in your pocket.....agreed, if it takes more than 5 shots, then your Fu**ed...

[floydpink]

Originally Posted by HollywoodQue

Very true Pete, I like to carry my SW airweight off duty...its light weight and easy to carry in your pocket.....agreed, if it takes more than 5 shots, then your Fu**ed...

You're not the only LEO I have heard make this statement and carry a 38 off duty.

My brother in Jersey is a Leuitenant, and feels that they are the best choice.

I spend most of my time in cargo shorts and find it perfect in my front pocket in a Desantis Nemesis holster.

I added Crimson trace laser grips not long after buying it so a relatively inexpensive handgun became not so inexpensive.

I had a Kel Tec P11 for a short time but found it to be the biggest piece of junk, although many LEO carry it due to it's compact frame.

It all boils down to personal preference, but after a lot of trial and error, a 38 in the pocket and a Mossberg in the house has me feeling somewhat secure.

The Smith and Wesson scanduim 357 360 model caught my eye, but shooting 357s in a small frame left my hand throbbing to the point that I would never practice, and I feel a 38 plus p round has plenty of stopping power with 4 behind it to be certain.

[Remo]

Originally Posted by floydpink

You're not the only LEO I have heard make this statement and carry a 38 off duty.

My brother in Jersey is a Leuitenant, and feels that they are the best choice.

I spend most of my time in cargo shorts and find it perfect in my front pocket in a Desantis Nemesis holster.

I added Crimson trace laser grips not long after buying it so a relatively inexpensive handgun became not so inexpensive.

I had a Kel Tec P11 for a short time but found it to be the biggest piece of junk, although many LEO carry it due to it's compact frame.

It all boils down to personal preference, but after a lot of trial and error, a 38 in the pocket and a Mossberg in the house has me feeling somewhat secure.

+1 I have a S&W Airweight .38, I am a cargo shorts guy and hate tightening my belt enough to carry on my hip or inside the waist, throw that little sucker in a pocket and good to go.

[Ratters]

Originally Posted by icehog3

This.

Go to a gun shop/range where you can shoot a bunch and see what works for you best.

I have carried a Glock 17 on duty for almost 20 years because it is our mandatory issue gun. I don't even think about carrying it off duty, so that tells you what I think of that gun (for me, of course).

+2 Go find out what works best for you. Most indoor ranges rent or find buddies to let you try theirs.

Then go buy a 1911.

[Remo]

Originally Posted by Ratters

+2 Go find out what works best for you. Most indoor ranges rent or find buddies to let you try theirs.

Then go buy a 1911.

I agree to shoot some and find out what one you like, but I can't advocate the use of a 1911 as a self defense weapon, yes they are sexy and lots of fun to shoot, but I have seen far to many of them goes toes up on the range under optimal conditions, I still don't know why some of my co-workers choose to carry those things. My .02

[357]

Originally Posted by Remo_5_0

I agree to shoot some and find out what one you like, but I can't advocate the use of a 1911 as a self defense weapon, yes they are sexy and lots of fun to shoot, but I have seen far to many of them goes toes up on the range under optimal conditions, I still don't know why some of my co-workers choose to carry those things. My .02

The US government issued them as the standard sidearm for all branches of the military for 75 years (1911-1985).

Infact, the 1911 was put through rigorous testing before it was selected:

http://m1911.org/full_history.htm

A torture test was conducted, on March 3rd, 1911. The test consisted of having each gun fire 6000 rounds. One hundred shots would be fired and the pistol would be allowed to cool for 5 minutes. After every 1000 rounds, the pistol would be cleaned and oiled. After firing those 6000 rounds, the pistol would be tested with deformed cartridges, some seated too deeply, some not seated enough, etc. The gun would then be rusted in acid or submerged in sand and mud and some more tests would then be conducted.

Browning's pistols passed the whole test series with flying colors. It was the first firearm to undergo such a test, firing continuously 6000 cartridges, a record broken only in 1917 when Browning's recoil-operated machine gun fired a 40000 rounds test.

IMO there is nothing wrong with the 1911 design. There have been improvements to them over the past century, but the basic design is still the same.

[Remo]

Originally Posted by 357

The US government issued them as the standard sidearm for all branches of the military for 75 years (1911-1985).

Infact, the 1911 was put through rigorous testing before it was selected:



IMO there is nothing wrong with the 1911 design. There have been improvements to them over the past century, but the basic design is still the same.

Yeah, they have a great history and don't get me wrong I really like 1911's. My hang up is that some are very finicky i.e some like to be dry, some very oiled, some clean, some dirty. Awesome gun to shoot and have fun with, just that I have seen way to many go bang once and then stop working and have to be fiddled with to get back into action, I would save my 1911's for the range on the weekends and go M&P or Glock for everyday carry.

And remember military contracts usually go to the lowest bidder

[Bill86]

Originally Posted by Remo_5_0

I agree to shoot some and find out what one you like, but I can't advocate the use of a 1911 as a self defense weapon, yes they are sexy and lots of fun to shoot, but I have seen far to many of them goes toes up on the range under optimal conditions, I still don't know why some of my co-workers choose to carry those things. My .02

It depends on what kind of 1911 though.....If it was a cheapie...might be the reason. Also did said guns FTF before 500 rounds? Gotta break them in.

IMO the sights on a 1911 shoot truer and have (to me at least) proven to be more accurate then any other gun I've shot. I've probably shot somewhere around ~20 different handguns.