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Old 10-12-2018, 03:52 AM
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Default Thinking about getting a different carry gun.

I have been carrying a S&W Shield for a few years.

Several months ago I started shooting USPSA matches and using my 1911.

Since I started shooting my 1911 a lot I haven't practiced with my Shield as much. A few days ago I took my Shield out to practice. It felt awkward, The safety lever is a lot smaller, and the trigger is nothing like the 1911.

It seems like while I am getting a lot better at shooting my 1911 I am getting pretty bad at shooting the Shield.

Do you think it would be in my best interest to get something that's a lot more like my 1911? Maybe a smaller frame 1911? Like an Officer or Commander model? Is their other models that might be similar to a 1911 but better suited for concealed carry?

Maybe a full size M&P in 9mm for a competition gun? That might accomplish the same thing if it would be similar enough to a Shield.

Any suggestions are appreciated

Wingmaster
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Old 10-12-2018, 05:09 AM
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As I don't like carrying cocked and locked I've got a 642 .38 Performance Center for pocket carry; a 4513TSW or M&P 2.0c in .45 for that flavor; and a 6906 or CS9 for 9mm.
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Old 10-12-2018, 05:21 AM
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Default The last few months...

... i've shot a lot of rifle loads of different calibers. My handgun skills have deteriorated beyond imagination. Talk about perishable skills!

It got worse when after my last range trip I fell like I wasn't confident enough with a handgun to use in a defense situation, whereas before I never had a problem and was just getting better.f

Maybe I'm just getting to be an old ****er.

What do I mean by "getting"???
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Old 10-12-2018, 07:18 AM
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No one but you can decide what gun to use. I would try to have a consistent "user interface" between range and carry guns. In my case thats the DA revolver. My carry , woods and target guns all work the same. The 1911 is certainly not as popular as it once was but it can be fitted with an excellent trigger and is pretty easy to carry. There are a lot of very experienced shooters that have picked the 1911 as their pistol of choice.
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Old 10-12-2018, 07:24 AM
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Consider a SIG 938, or something along those lines, maybe? Pretty much the same controls, but the size of your Shield.
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Old 10-12-2018, 07:37 AM
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Dan Wesson ECO
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Old 10-12-2018, 07:50 AM
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Never a big cocked and locked fan..... moved away from the 1911 as a concealed carry gun in the mid/late-80s.

One thing I will recommend is pick a operating system and stick to it........

C&L, DA/SA, striker fired or revolver.

I settled on DA/SA.... my 3rd Gen Smiths and my Beretta 92s all have the same DA/SA trigger, slide and magazine releases. and slide mounted safeties. .

The only difference is size and ammo capacity from a 7+1 3913 to a hi-cap 6906 or Beretta single stack 92 Compact Type M to a 18+1 Centurion.
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Old 10-12-2018, 08:06 AM
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Default Common Choice

While the Model 1911 remains popular, even the more abbreviated versions can be cumbersome to carry and often dictates how you may dress. I had considered the Kimber Model 1911 in 9mm but discovered that while they slimmed the grip a bit, the gun was the same width as their .45 ACP version but with less metal machined away, meaning that the 9mm would be heavier than the .45 ACP.

Another great carry gun, often overlooked, is the Kahr Arms Model T9, a point-and-shoot handgun with very pleasing ergonomics. A slightly smaller version is their K9, a gun that's enjoyed popularity with off-duty and plain-clothes police for over 20 years. Both Kahrs are in 9mm.
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Old 10-12-2018, 08:18 AM
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I am quite a fan of my SIG 1911 Ultra Compact.....
DSCF1528a.jpg
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Old 10-13-2018, 01:59 AM
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Thanks for the replies.

I'll go to a couple shops around town and see what they have as far as guns that are similar to my 1911.

What do you think about the similarities between a Shield and a M&P 9 full size?

Wingmaster
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Old 10-13-2018, 02:26 AM
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Don't like striker fire pistols. Have two and never use them.
My Kimber Pro Carry II in 45 ACP for the most part but my M640 and PPK 380 are always in my rotation.
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Old 10-13-2018, 08:51 AM
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John Browning was a god-dang genius. Here it is over 100 years later and the 1911 is quite possibly the greatest and certainly the most influential semi-auto pistol design.

These days I typically carry revolvers, but for years I carried a 1911 and the only autos I carry with any regularity today are both Browning designs - usually a lightweight Commander, but lately my FN HP has been getting some belt time. Both are epic pistols.

A aluminum frame Colt Defender would be a very easy carry piece for you, and is very similar size and weight to a Shield (20 oz for the Shield vs 24 oz for the Defender). Personally, I have no problem concealing the Commander, so the Defender is not necessary.
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Old 10-13-2018, 09:06 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BAM-BAM View Post

One thing I will recommend is pick a operating system and stick to it........

C&L, DA/SA, striker fired or revolver.
^^^ What Bam-Bam said ^^^
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Old 10-13-2018, 09:10 AM
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How about shooting the Shield more? You're saying you're not as good with it because you don't shoot it anymore.

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Old 10-13-2018, 09:11 AM
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I always thought that matches and events were training for the real thing -- so if you're competing with the 1911 why not carry the 1911?
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Old 10-13-2018, 09:24 AM
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About 90% of the time, I carry a Colt Commander. At 26 oz it’s quite competitive with physically smaller guns and , for me at least, every bit as concealable.

Nothing comes close to a 1911 in handling quality, speed and accuracy. Note that the smaller varieties such as the Defender are significantly more difficult to shoot quickly and well than the Commander sized 1911s.
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Old 10-13-2018, 10:02 AM
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I love my S&W's and there is usually a 642 in my front pocket, but for CC, it is either a Commander or Officer size 1911.
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Old 10-13-2018, 11:20 AM
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I'm a 1911 fan as well, but I've moved away from it.

I have no concerns with carrying in condition 1 (cocked and locked) - the 1911 was designed to be carried that way and is safe to carry in that condition.

The 1911 safety is designed to fall under the thumb naturally and with practice it's easily and reliably moved to the fire position as the front sight comes on target - as you know from your practical pistol shooting experience with it.

The Shield on the other hand has a vestigial safety that is there only to meet a requirement for having a safety. It really is not designed to be used in a self defense situation.


I moved from a 5" 1911 to a FN High Power when 9mm hollow points started to perform better as I shoot a 9mm better than a .45 ACP, getting 3 A zone hits with a 9mm in the same time I can get 2 A zone hits with a .45 ACP. However, I went back to a 3" Kimber Ultra Carry when I decided I wanted a smaller and lighter concealed carry pistol. It shot fine but I still shot 9mm better in a comparable sized pistol so I started carrying CZ 75 Compact and then eventually downsized slightly to a CZ 2075 RAMI.

My CZ 75 Compact was SA/DA capable but I found myself carrying it in DA mode more than SA as the CZ 75 safety is not as ergonomic as it is on the 1911 or High Power. When I bought my CZ 75 RAMI I just went with the 2075 D (de-cocker equipped) model.

One major advantage of this change for me is that it's now the same mode as carrying a revolver. There are big advantages with that as practice with one doesn't conflict with the other, as is the case when you try to stay proficient with both a DA pistol or revolver (or a striker fired pistol with no manual safety) and an SA pistol.

I'll still carry a 1911 now and then, but I primarily carry the CZ 2075 D in the summer and a 2 1/2" Model 66 or 686 in the winter.
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Old 10-13-2018, 11:23 AM
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Sig Sauer P938 . . .

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wingmaster View Post
I have been carrying a S&W Shield for a few years.

Several months ago I started shooting USPSA matches and using my 1911.

Since I started shooting my 1911 a lot I haven't practiced with my Shield as much. A few days ago I took my Shield out to practice. It felt awkward, The safety lever is a lot smaller, and the trigger is nothing like the 1911.

It seems like while I am getting a lot better at shooting my 1911 I am getting pretty bad at shooting the Shield.

Do you think it would be in my best interest to get something that's a lot more like my 1911? Maybe a smaller frame 1911? Like an Officer or Commander model? Is their other models that might be similar to a 1911 but better suited for concealed carry?

Maybe a full size M&P in 9mm for a competition gun? That might accomplish the same thing if it would be similar enough to a Shield.

Any suggestions are appreciated

Wingmaster
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Old 10-13-2018, 02:41 PM
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I don't see the OP's dilemma as a matter of which gun to carry, but rather a matter of which one he practices enough with to feel comfortable and confident he and it are going to perform correctly, if necessary.

I don't believe me carrying a DAO revolver is germane.

From another vantage, I don't see a problem with changing an edc when a better alternative presents itself. Still, for all of us, it's a matter of practice, practice, practice to achieve the confidence that the right choice has been made.
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