For Carry, Which Hi-Cap choice & Why?

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Spotteddog

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I intend, should things go horribly wrong the first Tuesday in November, purchasing as high a capacity auto as is available. I'd like a 3 1/2"-4 1/4" or so barrel length, DAO action (no thumb safety), night sights if available, a rounded butt profile. Since I've never owned a 9 M.M. (only .45ACP in auto-loaders) it seems the easiest route to hi-cap. Have fired a few in .40S&W and have no prejudice against them either. The .45ACP has the most difficulty at getting to a 12 + number, so I'm not wedding myself to the load. In a perfect world, it would be a "melted" exterior. I just can't justify the size and weight on a 1911' any longer, for it's on board round count. And my Officer size has a 2 round less capacity.
Opinions of you Auto folks, if you please!
THANKS!
 
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I intend, should things go horribly wrong the first Tuesday in November, purchasing as high a capacity auto as is available. I'd like a 3 1/2"-4 1/4" or so barrel length, DAO action (no thumb safety), night sights if available, a rounded butt profile. Since I've never owned a 9 M.M. (only .45ACP in auto-loaders) it seems the easiest route to hi-cap. Have fired a few in .40S&W and have no prejudice against them either. The .45ACP has the most difficulty at getting to a 12 + number, so I'm not wedding myself to the load. In a perfect world, it would be a "melted" exterior. I just can't justify the size and weight on a 1911' any longer, for it's on board round count. And my Officer size has a 2 round less capacity.
Opinions of you Auto folks, if you please!
THANKS!
 
For real concealed carry in my pants pocket I prefer a Model 642 revolver in 38 Special or Kahr PM-9 in 9mm. However, I have carried the S&W Model 99 in 9mm and a Glock 36 in 45 ACP. You shoulkd explore one of the compoact S&W M&P series semi auto or one of the Glock's if you require a hi cap magazine.
 
Thanks Tsquared and Shortranger.
My intent was having my 342PD in the off side pocket, regardless of the primary choice. I'm guessing that the Glock's would have the widest variety of holsters available. My problem is I've spent so much time in 1911' land, that I'm a newbie to nearly anything else now? The M&P's look good as well. But there's so damned few of them around as rentals. Can't say I care much for the Springfield X-D compact based purely on esthetics. Too top heavy appearing for me, I guess? While I like the looks of the Sig, it's another one that's like trying to find a chicken with lips, as a rental. The one aspect I am sure of, is that it has to have the curved back strap area. I can't count the number of straight straps I've tried over the years, that ALWAYS has me with the front blade about 3/8" too low at the draw. I thank the gentlemen above and would welcome any further guidance anyone would care to share!
 
Try on both the M&P and the Sigma. Both are high capacity, both should feel really good in your hand, both will get the job done, and the Sigma will leave more $$ in your pocket to stimulate the economy elsewhere too!
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Keep your 1911's for target shooting, though.
 
+1 on the Glock 19.

If you want a metal framed pistol, and a DAO, the 5943, and 5946, are very nice high cap DAO semi auto 9mm's. Good luck! Regards 18DAI.
 
I've owned over a dozen of these over the last 20+ years. The ones that I still have are the CZ RAMI (same size as a J-frame, slightly more difficult to draw from pocket holster, accepts CZ 75 mags) and the S&W Sigma (inexpensive, works like a dream with even the hottest +P+ ammo, heavy trigger makes me treat it like a 17-round revolver which leads to me firing it more carefully) - I'm NOT saying these are the guns for you, though.

My opinion is that what's right for you depends on what you're looking for. I've found SIG-Sauers to have better triggers and accuracy than other guns - but to be expensive and not as perfect as I'd want for the money. I've found HKs to be reliable and have decent triggers - and to be larger than necessary. I've found Rugers to be reliable and inexpensive - but large. I've found Hi-Powers to be compact and elegant - but I don't really like SA-only. I've found Glocks to work, be easy to work on, and to have short trigger re-sets - but to be only decently accurate, have weird "sproingy" triggers and about as aesthetically pleasing as taking your girl to the prom in a garbage truck. The Springfield Croat guns are inexpensive and work, but they're true SA guns and I'd rather have the Glock's SafeAction. The S&W 3rd Gens work like a charm and are inexpensive, but are heavy and larger than they need to be for the rounds they hold, and their triggers are . . . interesting.

I could go on, but why torture you folks?
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Feel free to email me if you want my phone number to just shoot the breeze on various 9mms.
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When you make reference to the .45s having difficulty reaching a capacity of twelve rounds or more, do you mean that you've had problems getting these guns to fit you well? There are several .45 options that offer hi capacities, the one I'm most familiar with being the H&K full size USP (12+1). While large guns, these do offer an option if you want to stick with a .45. H&K basically rapes you with the price of spare magazines though.

Otherwise, probably a Glock 19 in 9mm or Glock 23 in .40 given your concerns about a magazine ban. There are oodles of Glock mags to be had, and they are cheap, so that gives it a nod over the Sigma or newer M&P. You back up your midsize Glock with a "pocket Glock" like a 26 or 27 that will use the same mags in a pinch.
 
Thanks to all for taking the time on this!
Looks like I'll have to check out the virtues of the G vs. the Sigma. I know how chewed upon a carry gun gets to looking in short order. While I've handled a couple of Glock's (3), I've never even physically touched the Sigma. I'm one of those weirdo's that can tell whether a product is going to be easy for me to handle or not, merely by doing several fast grabs on it. The triggers now are so different than a D/A wheel or an S/A auto, that will be the area I'm guessing that will make or break one? And I'm with Erich, I've never been able to feel truly comfortable with TDA actions. Looks like I'll be annoying lots of poor unsuspecting counter people!
I once again thank the collective Forum brain!
Ooops? Almost forgot!
The 1911's won't be going anywhere! Their like going to your fortieth H.S. reunion...
Where I saw other things, that never went anywhere!
 
Glock 19 is the "gold standard" due to it's size, high capacity, accuracy, after market parts availability, likes very little lube, and never fails except in operator error. M & P compact does not have enough grip for me.
 
Originally posted by samuelrp:
Glock 19 is the "gold standard" due to it's size, high capacity, accuracy, after market parts availability, likes very little lube, and never fails except in operator error. M & P compact does not have enough grip for me.
Click to expand...

Even when using the magazines with the extended finger grip? I have giant hands, and if I use the fatest grip panel, and the extended finger grip, it's great!
 
Thanks all for your help!
Much food for thought on your choices?
I certainly appreciate the probably 75 years worth of experience everyone is offering here!
You don't find this kind of entertainment just anywhere, up and down the dial!
Memo to new folks-
Your never too old or too smart to learn.
'Cause I do, every time I come here!
 
I've owned and shot a bunch of the plastic pistols above, and the only one left is an M&P 40.
 
For something a little different but still completely reliable, how about the 6906?
 
I know you poo poo'd the XD due to looks. Give one a try if you can. There are a couple of things going for it. One is that you are used to single action 45's. The XD trigger is a true SA, and can be tuned to about any break you want. The Sub compact 9mm has a stubby grip and a 3" bbl. If you use a subby 40 mag with slightly tweaked lips you can have a 12+1 gun with a very concealable flat base, or add a pierce for that extra finger ( I modify mine to be even shorter) grip, and have a full cap service mag with a sleeve as a reload.
I agree that they are not the prettiest girl at the dance, but my 4" service has been a great performer and wouldn't hesitate to add a subby 9 for the right price.
 
Hi,

I finally gave in and bought my first piece of Tupperware a year and a half ago. It was the .40 S&W caliber version of the Glock Model 19, called the Model 23.

Like yourself, I'm a died-in-the-wool S&W revolver + 1911 auto kind of guy.

You'll NOT like where the Glocks "point" . . . it is totally different than where you instintively point your present guns.


ME? I went out and shot the Glock once. It shot well . . . but it simply wasn't me. Thus, I made my 28 year-old son quite happy. He'd always wanted a Glock the way I'd dreamed of a 1911 growing up.

When I need more firepower than my J-frames, I'll reach for a chopped barrel 25-2 in .45ACP or my 3" Model 65 .357.

If I need more rounds in a handgun, I grab my Kimber Ultra CDP, an aluminum-framed, officer's sized 1911 that has the meltdown package, nightsights, etc. that you wanted. Two extra rounds to me means "high capacity."

2216541bianchi105.jpg


However, I do believe in having SEVERAL "New York Reloads" around!
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MY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A POST NOVEMBER HIGH-CAP . . .

In case the SHTF in November, I'd recommend one of those high capacity "black rifles." You've already got the handguns covered well for your "last defense" weapon!

Top it with a Holosight and it makes a great Zombie gun and the round has more knockdown power than any handgun round you can get in a "high-cap" pistol.

Plus, you can get one of those "black rifles" for the price of an average 1911 or less!

Ummm . . . a shotgun is ALWAYS a great thing to have to keep the Zombies away!

T.
 
Pardon me for a side-track, but I just don't understand peoples' need for a high magazine capacity. After 27 years as a cop, including a good number of years in robbery-homicide, if the shooter hasn't settled things with 5, 6 or 8 shots, he isn't going to settle it with 10, 11 or 12 more. People with high cap guns tend to either get the needed hits within the first 5 shots, or just shoot, shoot, shoot until the magazine is dry and the slide locks back.

The high cap mag means the butt of the pistol is going to be big. That limits concealment greatly, unless you can wear a sportcoat or jacket year round.

If the pistol gets "inconvenient" to carry because of it's size, it's not likely to be there when you need it.

Sorry for 'topic drift.'
 
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