Which to Buy?

[HUMBLE PIE]

G'mornin' fellas,

I realize I am on a Smith Board, but am contemplating my next purchase, as I have money burning a hole in my pocket-my 27-2 is at S & W currently getting refinished, and I just bought a 29-2 about a Month or so ago. As bad as this may sound, these Guns are just too nice to holster a bunch, so I am looking for a Stainless Gun-yes, my ignorance is showing and I am still a newbie at this, but I'm willing to learn!

Anyway, I have a lust for another one, and have narrowed it down to either a 500 (4-6" Barrel), or a Colt Gov't Model Series 80 in Stainless-

My motivation for this buy is a Firearm for carry in the Mountains and personal defense. When I'm hiking now I carry a Ruger Vaquero in .45 colt (Stainless), which is fine, but I must buy another Gun!

I like the slimmness of the Colt, but the awesomeness of the 500-please, please teach this young grasshopper!

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Ah yes Grasshopper, I understand your lust for a new firearm! Well the 500 is a bit of a specialty gun for big game hunting and unless you have lot's of moola you better be able to reload for it! The 1911 series of gun is a bit more adaptable in what you can use it for up to white tail deer for hunting with the right ammo. The 1911 is way more packable than the 500, but thats just my opinion mind you. For personal defence the 1911 is the one to go with. Good luck with your search and let us know what ya get!

 

[Iggy]

Another vote for the 1911. If you want a little more "oomph" consider a 10mm in Colt or Dan Wesson

 

[18DAI]

1911. What use would a 500 serve?

 

[s&wchad]

If you don't own a 1911, buy one. Every gun nut should have at least one.

 

[srgvaz]

I would go with the 1911 but I've heard the 80 series is modified and has allot of small parts I would go with the 70's series. Kimber and Para Ordnance make very nice 1911's. I've shot the 500 in the 4" and I don't like the recoil however I've heard the 6" and 8" shot very well but that is a big gun for carry. -good luck with that-

 

[HUMBLE PIE]

I would go with the 1911 but I've heard the 80 series is modified and has allot of small parts I would go with the 70's series. Kimber and Para Ordnance make very nice 1911's. I've shot the 500 in the 4" and I don't like the recoil however I've heard the 6" and 8" shot very well but that is a big gun for carry. -good luck with that-

First off,

Thanks to all who have responded, and to the lurkers, tell me what you think!

As for the Series 70, I guess it has Pros/Cons (to me-tell me if I'm wrong)-first off, I would want an earlier Series 70 if I bought, and to my knowledge, it never came in Stainless (which i want because I am kind of a nut on looks/maintenance)-secondly, the "cocked and locked" feature (?), meaning that if accidentally dropped, it could discharge), although I have heard that there is smoe criticizm regarding the small parts in the Series 80 being too light?

As for why, I've always wanted a Colt (and why get an immitation?)-I know that Kimber and Springfield et al make a fine gun, but they just don't move me-call me a traditionalist (hey, after all, I still do play with my Flintlocks!)-

It does appear that Colt 1911's are bringing used close to new prices (and what's up with that?)-so, please tell me more!

 

[perrazi]

iggy gave the best advice. 10mm in a dan wesson. i have it and a 45 acp. both shoot great and are well put together although both did have a break-in period. after that, all is well. the 10mm will out shoot my colt gold cup 10mm.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

For extra drop saftey on the series 70 Colt, install a titainium fireing pin and a extra strength spring, this will prevent the dreaded drop fire in the Colt.

 

[Snapping Twig]

Dan Wesson has a Ti firing pin stock. 10mm would serve your purposes best. Series 70 rocks!

I've had both 80's (schwartz safety) and 70 and there's no comparison!

Dan Wesson 1911.

 

[MarkL]

Another vote for the 1911 from a former Colt (1991) and current Dan Wesson(CBOB) owner. If carrying in the wilderness, a CBOB in 10mm will serve you well. Best

 

[buck460XVR]

first off, the colt will be much more pleasant to shoot than a 4'' 500S&W mag. Not only on the hands, but on the pocketbook also....especially if you don't roll your own. 1911s are a blast to shoot......one reason they're so popular. For a great all around gun with minimal maintenance required, you can't go wrong with the series 80 in Stainless. Regardless of what some say, most folk cannot tell the difference in triggers between them and a series 70, and for the purpose you stated, the difference is moot. Now if you were shooting competition that would be different.....but if you were shooting serious 1911 competition, you wouldn't need our advice.
Best of all it's a colt, a descendant of the original.....not a clone. Still made with quality and backed by great customer service. Something you can be proud to pass on to your kids and grandkids......

 

[sourdough44]

I would skip the 500.

 

[ischia]

Go with a series '70 for sure,even a blue "shooter". Having several from .22 ACE's,.38supers to Gold Cups and commanders I appreciate the pistols' interchangeability of parts. Start with a.45, keep on the lookout for an ACE .22 kit . A .38 super top end will accept a 9mm barrel,you see where this is going,so many caliber options with mostly zero gunsmithing costs and they are all COLT.

Next, sell/trade one of your S&W's for one in .45acp (model 25?) It's such a great/ fun round to shoot in any weapon.

Ischia

 

[HUMBLE PIE]

O.K., you have all convinced me! Colt it is-I've been looking for a good Series 70 or 80 in Stainless and haven't had much luck, so I guess I'll have to buy a new one-

Thanks to all for your comments, they are greatly appreciated! If you should run inot a good one, let me know!

 

[da gimp]

have a C series Colt 1911A1 that is carried some, but need to ask

are u getting this for self defense on the street or as a back up gun for bears?

If bears, you might consider the new .460 S&W in 5", full house loads are adequate for any bear, if you do your part., and the last I knew, you can also shoot .45LC loads in it, making for a serious self defense gun on the street too. Depends on clothing you wear (on concealability) on any given day to what you carry concealed.


I keep our 1911A1 handy, as well as a 4" mod 29 S&W, and an old Browning HiPower too, but the gun I carry the most street wise is a S&W Chief's Spec, it's handy & easily concealed. If going into bear country the old Mod 29 .44mag would be my 1st choice. In other words buy both, explaining it to the wife might be ticklish though.



be safe, enjoy life, journey well

da gimp

OFC , Mo. Chapter

NRA Life/Endowment

 

[HUMBLE PIE]

are u getting this for self defense on the street or as a back up gun for bears?

da gimp,


Actually, both, but I travel and live in brown Bear Country-up here (Colorado Mountains), I use my Vaquero (Stainless) in .45 Colt, which I believe will be sufficient. The .45 Colt would be used for both, although I am under the impression that it might be a little light even for brown Bear-

I sure do like the looks of the 500 Smith, and I realize it's a big piece-the 460 isn't much smaller or ligher, is it? Maybe you can't have a do it all Gun (and, the more Guns the better, right? just gotta convince the war department on that one )-

For now, maybe the answer is to carry the Vaquero in my Mountain adventures, and save the Colt for defensive purposes?

 

[sourdough44]

As of late it seems those Mtn Lions are more of a problem than bears.

 

[da gimp]

The presence of a 1911A1 in .45ACP on your hip when alone

when serious social intercourse becomes a possibility is very very comforting. at the same time, I'd feel well dressed carrying a .45LC or .44mag with defensive loads(not high velocity hunting loads).

10 grains of Unique behind a 255gr LSWC, will work v v well as a defensive load in a .45LC, with easily manageable recoil, and for black bears & cougars too. Though if hunting in country of true Alaskan brown bears or polar bears, I'd spend the money on a S&W .460 5".


Have several 1911A1's in .45ACP, will always have 1, but it wouldn't be my 1st or even 2nd choice in rough country where dangerous game might be encountered.Try buying your wife a vvvn present & getting both, it has SOMETIMES worked @ our house.



be safe , enjoy life, journey well

da gimp

OFC, Mo. Chapter

NRA Life/Endowment