Sidearms & Scatterguns There can only be one.

[pmclaine]

I know what I’m going to do but might as well solicit some reactions.

Planning on putting together an ammo can of the magazines that would be the “go to”.

Trying to decide what would be the pistol.

One of these is just pure love and vanity.

One is pure love but a viable candidate for the backup to a rifle and I know I have a holster to accept it with a light.

The other two offer round count advantage both have light capability. Unsure if I have holsters to accommodate a light, pretty certain for at least one. I’m way more familiar with the sight system and presentation of one over the other.

All have an appropriate number of rounds through them and in use have been equally reliable. I trust each as equals for reliability.

Which one?

 

[johnnyvw]

Just my opinion, but I would go with the one that's easiest to break down, clean, and reassemble. Sounds like the choices are pretty close otherwise...

 

[pmclaine]

Just my opinion, but I would go with the one that's easiest to break down, clean, and reassemble. Sounds like the choices are pretty close otherwise...

Very little difference there.

If anything advantage goes to the 1911 because no matter how I put the springs in it goes together but on the Sigs I usually put the spring in upside down and find the slide won’t function so I have to take it apart and flip the spring guide over and all is well.

 

[powdahound76]

The 1911 with the light

And your wood stock .308 bolt gun or maybe a Garand if you so choose….


Stomp em old school.

 

[isofahunter]

1911

 

[pmclaine]

The 1911 with the light

And your wood stock .308 bolt gun or maybe a Garand if you so choose….


Stomp em old school.

The Garand could play a role as heavy artillery provided the right ammo selection.

 

[jrassy]

Magazine capacity if you’re satisfied with the reliability. Having said that, i carry a .45. I do have a Sig M 18 which is set up very nicely now that colder weather is on the horizon i might switch to that. Tough choice, but a fun problem to address.

 

[sroc112]

229 for me, love that handgun

 

[Namekagon]

I’d say it breaks down as follows:

1. You need a pistol light. This eliminates the old school vanity option.

2. Ask, do you want a safety? If you prefer having a thumb safety, that eliminates the fancy Sig. If you don’t want a safety on a duty gun, then fancy Sig is the only choice.

3. Red dot vs irons. Here is where things get interesting. Irons are the old reliable. However, value of a pistol mounted red dot is enormous if you can use it. Not having to focus off the threat and onto the front sight is a game changer. That said, I’ve only used one type, and that’s a Holosun with the ACSS Vulcan reticle. That reticle completely eliminates any “find the dot” problems and doesn’t take much training to learn to use, it’s very instinctual. So if you are comfortable with the RMR, use it. If not, get a Holosun and try it before writing off red dots.

If it were my ammo can, it would be the Sig with g10 grips wearing a holosun 509 enclosed emitter with ACSS and a weapon light. In safariland holster. Also I’d use Non-tritium backup irons. Shooting passive through NV with the red dot is very doable with my gun, but the glowing bloom of the tritium sights mine has is a distraction under NODs. Just my personal opinion.

 

[Namekagon]

What exact flavor Sig is the lower right? I’m assuming it’s a metal frame p320 of some sorts, a scorpion version? It’s very 229-looking striker gun.

 

[pmclaine]

AXG.

Aluminum frame 320.

Feels like your favorite drink in hand, to me anyways.

Have shot it much less than I have wanted to.

 

[carbonbased]

I mean, with a subject title like we have here, it’s mandatory that we have a Highlander meme.

C’mon guys I’m post #12 ferchissake

 

[pmclaine]

When I change my original decision and decide to go with the M45A1

 

[carbonbased]

When I change my original decision and decide to go with the M45A1

Lol be careful out there pmc!

 

[sroc112]

What exact flavor Sig is the lower right? I’m assuming it’s a metal frame p320 of some sorts, a scorpion version? It’s very 229-looking striker gun.

Looks like p229 enhanced elite with their scorpion color?

 

[pmclaine]

Looks like p229 enhanced elite with their scorpion color?

AXG 320.

 

[Baron85]

the proper answer is not pictured…… keep digging through the safe or immediately go to the store and buy a Glock 19!

Someone had to say it

Nice collection!

 

[hlee]

Go with the 320. They’re so good they shoot themselves…

 

[pmclaine]

Go with the 320. They’re so good they shoot themselves…

That's one conspiracy theory I have not jumped on yet.

Problem early on - agree - after letting the consumer product test and re-engineering no.

That AXG I was loading prepping to take out while at my safe.

Slammed in a magazine, rack the slide than looked around for the round to top the magazine.

I put the pistol back in it's cradle space to get the save round and while doing so I saw the pistol start to rock out of its slot from the weight of the magazine.

It rolled like wheel, slow motion, falling on to its butt, to slide - pointing at me - to muzzle - to edge of shelf - to me stupidly trying to catch it instead of running - to rolling through space - to slamming hard 90 degrees barrel up on the edge of the safe to blackstrap. It hit hard enough to chip the cerakote. My shot gun should have taken a round or I should have one through nuts to chin through top of head. Nah, all was good, drop test complete.

 

[pmclaine]

the proper answer is not pictured…… keep digging through the safe or immediately go to the store and buy a Glock 19!

Someone had to say it

Nice collection!

I heard the barrels chip.

 

[LuvDog]

I never got along with my 229. So it sits in the safe. I need a dot now. Getting old sucks but focusing on that front sight is hard especially in dark situations.

So I’d go that route.

I love 1911’s but mag capacity would be a concern if this is a grab bag setup

 

[sroc112]

AXG 320.

Oh wow, thought it was a 229.

 

[W54/XM-388]

What do you shoot best and most comfortably with?
Which one can you pick up and hit an intruder target without needing to look at the sights or an optic?
Which one have you put 1k rounds through and it all functions really well?

That being said if I'm stuffing guns in ammo cans (just in case), It's probably going to be a G19 or G17

 

[FWoo45]

 

[308pirate]

I know what I’m going to do but might as well solicit some reactions.

Planning on putting together an ammo can of the magazines that would be the “go to”.

Trying to decide what would be the pistol.

One of these is just pure love and vanity.

One is pure love but a viable candidate for the backup to a rifle and I know I have a holster to accept it with a light.

The other two offer round count advantage both have light capability. Unsure if I have holsters to accommodate a light, pretty certain for at least one. I’m way more familiar with the sight system and presentation of one over the other.

All have an appropriate number of rounds through them and in use have been equally reliable. I trust each as equals for reliability.

Which one?

View attachment 8528629

The one in southeast quadrant is the most capable of all.

 

[308pirate]

Which one can you pick up and hit an intruder target without needing to look at the sights or an optic?

I hear the bullshit all the time and I have yet to see someone pull of that circus trick anywhere farther than 3 or 4 yards

 

[pmclaine]

The one in southeast quadrant is the most capable of all.

I'd have hoped to have thousands of rounds through that pistol by now but it was purchased as the troubles began. It's been through some classes and range sessions but it was hoped to have had the finish worn off by now.

In the time it sits with dot turned off I did have a battery fail.

The fact the battery requires removing the sight to change blows.

It's fine for daily use but I'm not liking it if I thought I would not have access to a bench for any duration of time.

I'd loves me that new version RMR with the top deck battery change.

 

[308pirate]

I'd have hoped to have thousands of rounds through that pistol by now but it was purchased as the troubles began. It's been through some classes and range sessions but it was hoped to have had the finish worn off by now.

In the time it sits with dot turned off I did have a battery fail.

The fact the battery requires removing the sight to change blows.

It's fine for daily use but I'm not liking it if I thought I would not have access to a bench for any duration of time.

I'd loves me that new version RMR with the top deck battery change.

You need tools to replace batteries on every pistol red dot I know even if the tool is a coin. You can replace an rmr battery in the field with an key wrench that matches the screws and a new battery. Zero will be so close that you can use it immediately if needed and check zero later.

 

[CK1.0]

It’s a Glock world… G17/19.

Unless you’ve got a P226/228/229 from the 80’s/90’s, forget Sig, modern Sigs are trash.

 

[WindstormSCR]

M45A1, and get it an optic cut slide.

A single stack 45 isn't as commonly used as a 9mm double stack you can shove a gigantic mag into, but generally speaking if you're using a full size pistol, it's either in run of the mill home defense or something close where 8+1 good hollowpoints should be more than enough. If you really need a lot of ammo you can get some of those nifty double 1911 mag pouches that end up being about the same size as a double stack 9mm pouch. Just make sure you get plenty of practice speed reloading (wilson combat magwell might be a good move too)

if you are in a situation where you have a full size pistol and need a 21-30rd magazine, you're a beat cop or things have gone very wrong somehow. (it is fun at the range though)

 

[ut755ln]

I know what I’m going to do but might as well solicit some reactions.

Planning on putting together an ammo can of the magazines that would be the “go to”.

Trying to decide what would be the pistol.

One of these is just pure love and vanity.

One is pure love but a viable candidate for the backup to a rifle and I know I have a holster to accept it with a light.

The other two offer round count advantage both have light capability. Unsure if I have holsters to accommodate a light, pretty certain for at least one. I’m way more familiar with the sight system and presentation of one over the other.

All have an appropriate number of rounds through them and in use have been equally reliable. I trust each as equals for reliability.

Which one?

View attachment 8528629

Of those four, I would pick the full size 1911.

I am an owner of a pistol range, we shoot and or rent basically everything. Every single pistol in the store has a use and a purpose. Some are range toys, some have unbelievable craftsmanship, some are really collectible. For a pistol in a holster that is going to be used for self defense/home defense I immediately revert to most reliable.

Full frame Glock, full frame S&W MP 2.0, CZ P10 or P7, Walther PDP, Sig 226 variant, HK USP, HK P30, HK VP9 are all in the circle of trust. I would also recommend getting a slide cut for a red dot that sits as low as possible with co-witness sights.