Well, running the shop has finally broken my resolve. I've got to handle enough stuff now to be won over by some of the new .45's on the market. Been away for a while, figured I might as well come back with a discussion question. Where do y'all sit on a 1911, a Sig 320, a Glock longslide, or an FN?
Based on my experience, go Sig. I'll admit a bit of bias since I've never even hefted a block. I DO like my Springer, but it isn't a "pocket" piece suitable for this scrawny arse. Uv course, no 45 is easily hidden unless you have the wrinkles of a sumo wrestler.
Well, friends don't let friends shoot Glocks BUT I think price wise it's going to be about the cheapest with the Sig full size most likely the highest. Not sure if weight is an issue for you or not. If so, you probably don't want the 1911. Everyone knows I'm a BHP/1911 guy so that family is my 1st choice.
Exactly SM. They are all dependable firearms. If budget isn't a concern he should go to a range and take them all for a test drive and come home with the one that fits the best.
I'm open carrying, currently rocking a sword on one hip (edc 1917 cutlass, haha) and a colt navy conversion. Weight and concealment not an issue. Got to handle a p320 the other day, fit my hand like a glove, loved the price, and 10 rounds beats 8 over a more expensive 1911, is what I am thinking. I've shot Glock before, mostly full size .40's that left a bad taste in my month, but I got to shoot a subcompact (26?) 9mm I couldn't even get 2 full fingers on the grip of, and it shot wonderfully with recoil I would have to problem fast firing with. Very confusing paradigm. I find that the Gen 4 longslides (originally looked at a 10mm, but the .45 has better mag options for carbine) fit my hand well, but I could buy a Sig and have $250 to pimp it out... The FN is nice, sold one, but never fired it. 15 rounds to 10 .45, all the features I like, seems like it would be worth the money to.
@Tully Mars I wish we had a range around here that rented guns, but the nearest one is an hour off and only rents lanes. It's very sad.
I have carried one version or another of the 1911 daily for several years. It is usually a .45 Defender at 4:00 owb and covered by a vest I do not mind that the vest telegraphs that I am probably carrying, I much prefer miscreants to ere on the side of caution. My reason for carrying a 1911 is that it is what I know best, what I learned to shoot with and what I have trusted my entire life-time. I have no other reason to consider anything else. I own many other handguns but unless I am hunting or target shooting, they don't get carried.
This just came up on another thread, and I'll share what I do! Kimber Eclipse Custom 10 mm auto in a custom hybrid IWB at about 3:30-4"00 right side and a double mag pouch left side! Total weight of every thing is 5 pounds 4 oz! Carries nicely and I hardly notice it! I like the weight and I demand a full size! 10 rounds of the hardest hitting 10 mm ammo around, and 40 more right behind it!
More than 50 years it's been the 1911. Sea says it best for me. As for carry I'm a boot wearer anyway so even in the summer I can conceal if I'm concerned with imprinting.
When I Pack, it is the Browning HIPower, in a Shoulder Rig that I modified 35 years ago, and under a Sport Coat... OR on occasion (rare) if I am in the bush, I have a Cross Chest Rig, for my S&W M29 8" Blue, which works good, as well....
Of the choices you offered I see only one that meets my requirements as a carry piece. Single action, double action, hammer or striker fired, if it has an external safety it won't fire until you flip it off. Sure, you can train with your preferred firearm until it becomes almost a reflex action. I do this with a 1911 every morning and every night. I really enjoy shooting the 1911, but for me a defensive handgun must go bang when I pull the trigger...not when I remember to flip the safety off and pull the trigger. This makes the Glock my only choice from your list. I'm partial to Kahr, but having one on my hip for 15 years makes me biased.
Another Glock fan here. 21SF (.45 Auto) 99% of the time, G42 (.380) when going places that I can't reasonably hide the .45. I have a few 1911's and they are damn fine guns and my Dad had one he loved (Springfield Armory, now mine) and carried because he was trained on one in the Marines. Everyone has their reasons for what they carry or even like, but like it or not a Glock is almost indestructible, fires when filthy and eats almost anything for ammo. So to the OP, try out any you are considering on a range and see what you think fits you best.
