open carry

[kh1911]

Im lookin for a handgun for open carry. Heres what i want, either a revolver or an older semi auto as in im not interested very much in glocks or other polymer framed guns. I want something with stopping power, i would like a .45 but its gotta have the whole package, stopping power, i want some Character to it as well, and prefferably under the $600 mark would be best. Any suggestions?

[southjk]

Simple math. Character + 45 = 1911

Under $600 may be difficult but I'm sure someone will have some ideas. RIA maybe?

[Dragline45]

Check out the Ruger 1911's, either full size or commander. They are being sold in the shop I frequent for $630.

[Lt. Skrumpledonk Ret]

I open carry a Colt 1851 in .44. It screams 'style'

[Rattlehead]

Rock Island 1911s routinely sell for <$500. You might also look at CZ75...

[jmr40]

Most "reliable" guns with "character" are out of your $600 price range, even used. You could buy a budget 1911, but you'd get neither reliability nor character. Most all of the plastic guns offer extreme reliability, but no character. Except for the $600 budget you've described a 1911 or possibly a used S&W revolver. But I'd up my budget by at least $100-$200.

[Dragline45]

You could buy a budget 1911, but you'd get neither reliability nor character.

As I mentioned before the Ruger 1911's are in the $600 price range, I think they are one of the better looking production 1911's around, and they have proven to be reliable guns.

[AK103K]

For the money youre talking, your best bet is probably going to be a nice S&W revolver.

If you want a "classy/classic" 1911, they only come with a Prancing Pony on them, and youre not likely getting one of them for $600.

I picked up three real nice S&W revolvers over the past year, and the most I paid, was $500 for a basically NIB 4" Model 28. I got a 4" Model 19 thats in almost as good condition for $400, and 2" 19, with some very minor finish wear, for $450.

[chris in va]

Whatever you get, I highly recommend a retention holster.

[Water-Man]

When I open carry, it's usually with a GP-100 .357 mag.

It's reliable and has plenty of character for me.

[JimmyR]

I have been known to open carry my CZ 75BD, and think it is as classy as they come.

That said, I think a K/L frame Smith and Wesson revolver or a Ruger Six Series/GP100 revolver would be excellent choices as well.

[Brotherbadger]

I like my P220. You can pick up a used one for well under $600.

[Arizona Fusilier]

It would be hard to tell what's "classy" when it's buried in a holster. Given that, here's another vote for a used P220. Those in the know would deem it a reasonably sophisticated choice. I also like some of the S&W revolver choices for open carry, too, although the classiest amongst these are likely to be used as well.

[biohazard313]

citadel makes a decent 1911, EAA makes a nice firearm in the witness.

i have a zombie coated smith SD that i carry. lots of character in the neon green distraction lol. its also a .40, better than 9, cheaper than .45 at range. plenty of stopping power in the .40

[CajunBass]

Not much says "character" more than a single-action revolver IMHO.

I'd look for a Ruger Vaquero in 45 Colt.

[redrick]

Ruger GP100 .357 3" .

Ruger SP101 .357 3" .

[kh1911]

does anyone know how reliable the taurus 1911s are? or the taurus m9s

[10-96]

I get the feeling that the Tauri 1911 has great short term reliability- but some have gotten kinda shaky as their round count stacks up. That's just observation and hearsay from the gunclub crowd. My ATI 4.25" 1911 has a cost below the Taurus, and is (so far) holding up very well. It seems to be every bit as good of a pistol as any of my 3 5" Springfields.

[salvadore]

I think you would find the auto ordinance GI 1911 just what you're looking for.


http://www.auto-ordnance.com/GetDyna...pg&h=326&w=278

[2123]

Taurus reliability, dependability and quality control has been and continues to be, spotty at best.

If resale values means anything to you at all, then don't buy any Taurus. A Taurus will never be worth more than at the exact moment you buy it.

[kh1911]

I found a rossi R35 .38 that fits my budget and i like the way it looks, but how does it shoot? Ive never owned a rossi before so im not real sure what to expect from them

[10-96]

Rossi = Taurus. They're pretty much the same folks- I think they merged. Their quality has the same track record- if they work, they work pretty good... while they work.

Well, to a point, I've got an old Rossi .38 5-shot 3" bbl, kinda like a S&W J-Frame. I don't shoot it a whole lot, and it's rougher than a cob compared to a S&W 36- but I can't fault it for not working.

I honestly think one of the Phillipine 1911's would fit the bill better in the "stopping power" dept as you mentioned earlier. I put that in parenthesis, because that will likely open a whole other can of worms. I think we all catch your drift an mean that you would prefer to shoot a critter a minimal amount of times and have said critter cease and desist all hostile actions and intentions towards you and your loved ones. right? (Hopefully we ended that debate on symantics?)

Anyway, Rossi doesn't have the greatest track record either.

[kh1911]

Im thinking more for an auto ordanance 1911-A1

[SaxonPig]

I have only OCed twice. Carried a different gun each time. This was the one I carried the second time. I guess it would meet your stated criteria.





Here's the leather.

[Bezoar]

for the price taylors and sco 1911s. lowest priced really, and genuine milspec dimensions. And they even look like they should. just a big logo on that slide.

but learn the legal nuances of open carry first though