New concealed carry gun - Page 2

jaytothekizzay · October 20, 2014, 06:56 PM

I also like the Springfield Compact Range Officer, except for the fiber optic front sight...
So many options. Its gonna be a tough choice. I like the Colt 1991 commander too
I love the looks of the Kimbers, its just with all the QA and cust service and warranty hooror stories, I think that is a deal breaker... too bad because I do like them.

So far my favorite are the Dan wesson, the EMP, and the commander sized Colt.

Auto5 · October 21, 2014, 06:51 AM

Not to get off topic, but my experience with Kimber earlier this year didn't match the horror stories. When I had a problem with my Kimber Solo, I talked to customer service and emailed them photos. Within 2 days I got a prepaid shipping label and instructions to send the gun in. The projected turnaround time was supposed to be two weeks, but the gun was returned a little over a week later. The report that came back with it showed the work done, parts replaced and results of the test firing with various ammo types. All at no charge.

subhuman · October 21, 2014, 07:05 AM

Springfield Armory EMP in 9mm or .40

giaquir · October 21, 2014, 07:35 AM

I carry an LC9 with a Galloway kit/RTK trigger.
Extremely concealable .
I've tried to carry officer's models,commanders and full size 1911s,
They are tough to conceal unless one wears a "Long Riders' coat"

Microgunner · October 21, 2014, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Boberg should be considered.Lost Sheep

I agree.
I own the 9mm and 45 Bobergs and they are both trick little pistols.
I no longer carry my EMP since buying these.

Posit · October 22, 2014, 04:41 PM

Just went thru a similar selection process between the DW ECO, the Springfield EMP and the STI Echo. Didn't consider the Colt because of weight.

The EMP has had some QA problems in the past - may be fixed now, I don't know - but I didn't want the ambi safety either.

The STI Echo or Lawman... don't really like their "recoil master" system. Excellent firearms, but hard on the fingers to disassemble. Had one, got PO'd, sold it.

Went with the DW ECO. I have a CCO, fantastic. If the ECO proves to be as good, I'll be more than happy.

WildBill45 · October 23, 2014, 09:03 PM

Your best bang for the buck is buying a used high shelf gun than it is to buy a new less quality gun... Rule #1 ... the big calibers that recoil have less rounds through them than small calibers in most cases...

xboxhero · October 23, 2014, 09:35 PM

a 1911 45 acp is a great gun but my favorite heavy 8 rounder is a sig sauer p220 45 acp.I owned 2 of them before.

tallball · October 23, 2014, 10:05 PM

My stepbrother loves his RIA and has never had any trouble with it. He bought it because he really liked the way it felt in his hand; he could have afforded to spend more, but it was the one he liked. I too have owned many firearms that were completely reliable and were also inexpensive.

I think his has a 4" barrel. It's a 45. I haven't owned a compact 1911, but l thought I would pass on his experience FWIW.

Water-Man · October 23, 2014, 11:42 PM

The Springfield Range Officer Compact is a lot of gun for the money.

You would want to change the stock sights for carry.

Nathan · October 26, 2014, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Anybody have any experience with the 3 and 4 inch Kimbers?

If a person chooses these over a CCO or ECO, a few $100 must mean alot more to them than it does to me. Kimber's start at ~$800 and go up quick. The CCO can be had for $1300 and the ECO for $100 more. There is no comparison in my eyes. Springfield makes a cheaper model, but I think the ECO would be a better choice for me.

Honestly an ECO is a ready to go carry gun with night sights and a tough finish. The Kimber and Springfield are not available with a tough finish and night sights put them near $1100.

Model12Win · October 26, 2014, 08:01 PM

Colt is the best but Dan Wesson is next.

AustinTX · October 30, 2014, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Colt is the best but Dan Wesson is next.

Dan Wessons are better made than anything Colt has produced in a long time.

tony pasley · October 30, 2014, 06:35 PM

You can judge what works best for you on a $ sign. I have many more costly pistols but I carry a RIA GI model. Why because if I ever have to use it I don't want it getting lost from a property room like a friends Colt made in 1927 did.

bikerbill · October 31, 2014, 12:30 PM

I've had a Kimber UCII for several years, it gets carried a lot when it's cool enough here to wear something to cover it with ... great size and weight, swapped the sights and grips, never had it fail in any way and very accurate, regardless of the 3" barrel ... comes in 9mm as well as my .45, I believe ...

UncleEd · October 31, 2014, 12:49 PM

I know OP specified a 1911 design, so this might be off track:

Browning Hi Power Mark III (meaning current production)

Question is, has OP even considered one?

Or

CZ 75B in single action model? (all steel,super reliable, excellent trigger
out of box and under $600.)

The Browning is "full-sized" but compare in overall dimensions to a compact 1911.

I believe the CZ does have a compact.

Dirty_Harry · October 31, 2014, 12:57 PM

My favorite carry gun (frankly its my favorite handgun) is my HK p2000. I personally think 9mm is plenty for self defense. This HK is the same size as a G19 and very concealable. The HK is a very accurate and dead nuts reliable.

You would be hard pressed to find anything more reliable.

sixgunluv · November 1, 2014, 10:21 PM

I had the same requirements OP. I don't have a lot of money so i was also looking for a quality piece at less than $400. I chose the Star BM9 and the Astra A 70.

Both have been extremely reliable , concealable, accurate and very 1911ish.

buckfynn · November 14, 2014, 04:02 PM

My Sig Sauer RCS 1911 has treated me nicely for CC. I paid around $700 for it used at a gun show from an FFL licensed pawn broker.

buckfynn · November 14, 2014, 04:15 PM

Count me in on the ones who has had problems with Kimber. I bought a Kimber Custom II new in 2005 with an external extractor. It never did run right with the external extractor. Finally after battling with Kimber for 6 months and several trips back to the factory, they replaced the slide with an internal extractor. I still own the firearm and it shoots OK now. But none the less it left me with a bad experience which do not care to go through again.

October 21, 2014, 06:51 AM	#27
Auto5 Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2013 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 662	Not to get off topic, but my experience with Kimber earlier this year didn't match the horror stories. When I had a problem with my Kimber Solo, I talked to customer service and emailed them photos. Within 2 days I got a prepaid shipping label and instructions to send the gun in. The projected turnaround time was supposed to be two weeks, but the gun was returned a little over a week later. The report that came back with it showed the work done, parts replaced and results of the test firing with various ammo types. All at no charge. __________________ At the young age of five, a bear told me that I was the only person who could prevent forest fires. Why I was chosen, I'll never know.

October 23, 2014, 09:03 PM	#32
WildBill45 Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2011 Location: Western PA. Posts: 1,630	Good luck!!! Your best bang for the buck is buying a used high shelf gun than it is to buy a new less quality gun... Rule #1 ... the big calibers that recoil have less rounds through them than small calibers in most cases... __________________ ......................................................... "If Ands and Buts were Candy and Nuts, everyday would be like Christmas"

October 23, 2014, 09:35 PM	#33
xboxhero Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2014 Posts: 150	1911 45 acp is a great gun a 1911 45 acp is a great gun but my favorite heavy 8 rounder is a sig sauer p220 45 acp.I owned 2 of them before.

October 30, 2014, 06:35 PM	#39
tony pasley Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2006 Location: western north carolina Posts: 1,641	You can judge what works best for you on a $ sign. I have many more costly pistols but I carry a RIA GI model. Why because if I ever have to use it I don't want it getting lost from a property room like a friends Colt made in 1927 did. __________________ Every day Congress is in session we lose a little bit more of our Liberty.

October 31, 2014, 12:30 PM	#40
bikerbill Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2007 Location: Lago Vista TX Posts: 2,425	I've had a Kimber UCII for several years, it gets carried a lot when it's cool enough here to wear something to cover it with ... great size and weight, swapped the sights and grips, never had it fail in any way and very accurate, regardless of the 3" barrel ... comes in 9mm as well as my .45, I believe ... __________________ "The welfare of humanity is always the alibi of tyrants." Albert Camus

October 20, 2014, 06:56 PM	#26
jaytothekizzay Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2008 Location: st. louis Posts: 450	I also like the Springfield Compact Range Officer, except for the fiber optic front sight... So many options. Its gonna be a tough choice. I like the Colt 1991 commander too I love the looks of the Kimbers, its just with all the QA and cust service and warranty hooror stories, I think that is a deal breaker... too bad because I do like them. So far my favorite are the Dan wesson, the EMP, and the commander sized Colt.

October 21, 2014, 07:05 AM	#28
subhuman Senior Member Join Date: April 21, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 383	Springfield Armory EMP in 9mm or .40

October 21, 2014, 07:35 AM	#29
giaquir Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Deerfield,New Hampshire Posts: 512	I carry an LC9 with a Galloway kit/RTK trigger. Extremely concealable . I've tried to carry officer's models,commanders and full size 1911s, They are tough to conceal unless one wears a "Long Riders' coat"

October 22, 2014, 04:41 PM	#31
Posit Member Join Date: August 9, 2008 Posts: 17	Just went thru a similar selection process between the DW ECO, the Springfield EMP and the STI Echo. Didn't consider the Colt because of weight. The EMP has had some QA problems in the past - may be fixed now, I don't know - but I didn't want the ambi safety either. The STI Echo or Lawman... don't really like their "recoil master" system. Excellent firearms, but hard on the fingers to disassemble. Had one, got PO'd, sold it. Went with the DW ECO. I have a CCO, fantastic. If the ECO proves to be as good, I'll be more than happy.

October 23, 2014, 10:05 PM	#34
tallball Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2014 Posts: 2,444	My stepbrother loves his RIA and has never had any trouble with it. He bought it because he really liked the way it felt in his hand; he could have afforded to spend more, but it was the one he liked. I too have owned many firearms that were completely reliable and were also inexpensive. I think his has a 4" barrel. It's a 45. I haven't owned a compact 1911, but l thought I would pass on his experience FWIW.

October 23, 2014, 11:42 PM	#35
Water-Man Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 2,126	The Springfield Range Officer Compact is a lot of gun for the money. You would want to change the stock sights for carry.

October 26, 2014, 08:01 PM	#37
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Colt is the best but Dan Wesson is next.

October 31, 2014, 12:49 PM	#41
UncleEd Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2013 Location: N. Georgia Posts: 1,150	I know OP specified a 1911 design, so this might be off track: Browning Hi Power Mark III (meaning current production) Question is, has OP even considered one? Or CZ 75B in single action model? (all steel,super reliable, excellent trigger out of box and under $600.) The Browning is "full-sized" but compare in overall dimensions to a compact 1911. I believe the CZ does have a compact.

October 31, 2014, 12:57 PM	#42
Dirty_Harry Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2006 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 1,484	My favorite carry gun (frankly its my favorite handgun) is my HK p2000. I personally think 9mm is plenty for self defense. This HK is the same size as a G19 and very concealable. The HK is a very accurate and dead nuts reliable. You would be hard pressed to find anything more reliable. __________________ "The only purpose for a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you never should have laid down." "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I expect the same from them." -John Wayne

November 1, 2014, 10:21 PM	#43
sixgunluv Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2008 Posts: 200	Compact 1911 style I had the same requirements OP. I don't have a lot of money so i was also looking for a quality piece at less than $400. I chose the Star BM9 and the Astra A 70. Both have been extremely reliable , concealable, accurate and very 1911ish. Last edited by sixgunluv; November 1, 2014 at 11:03 PM.

November 14, 2014, 04:02 PM	#44
buckfynn Member Join Date: March 23, 2010 Location: Central Idaho Posts: 95	My Sig Sauer RCS 1911 has treated me nicely for CC. I paid around $700 for it used at a gun show from an FFL licensed pawn broker.

November 14, 2014, 04:15 PM	#45
buckfynn Member Join Date: March 23, 2010 Location: Central Idaho Posts: 95	Count me in on the ones who has had problems with Kimber. I bought a Kimber Custom II new in 2005 with an external extractor. It never did run right with the external extractor. Finally after battling with Kimber for 6 months and several trips back to the factory, they replaced the slide with an internal extractor. I still own the firearm and it shoots OK now. But none the less it left me with a bad experience which do not care to go through again.