First carry weapon

[darkwolf45]

Ok, so slowly I am weeding out the many, many, many candidates to select my first carry weapon. I am leaning .45 ACP for a few reasons, none of those reasons meant as a slight to 9mm.

Right now i am focused on two candidates, and would like opinions to either help me decide or expand my options back out again if need be.

Candidate 1 is a Ruger SR1911. The few reviews I've read seem to indicate it is asolid firearm for its price.

Candidate 2 is an XD 45, based on what some here have said, but I would need to know it better to place it above then Ruger.

My current favorite is a custom built 1911 made from Caspian parts and further customized by Larry Luteneger. I absolutely adore this thing, but it is not suitable for day to day carry especially considering this thing was my dad's baby. So yeah, that is why I lean towards 1911's.

Any advice?

[Thunder71]

Something smaller perhaps?

That's my opinion... I don't particularly like carrying large handguns though, some do.

I carry a Springfield XD-S because my original choice (Springfield XD-M Compact) was too large. Maybe I never found the right holster, whatever the reason - the XD-S is a great size and easy to carry.

[solidgun]

Make sure you can find the SR1911 before getting your mind set on getting it. They are very difficult to find.

Nothing wrong with carrying full size guns if it fits your lifestyle. I carry full size concealed more often than compact or sub-compact guns.

[darkwolf45]

I was looking at the xds, but the short grip turned me off. I have looked at a few that have short grips like that and dont like the way it feels in my hand. That isnt to say I dont want to hear more about the XDS, those have just been my thoughts so far. If you could tell more about your likes/dislikes using it, that would be great

[PRS]

Sig C3. Small, light, .45 ACP, and a 1911 platform.

[solidgun]

I was looking at the xds, but the short grip turned me off. I have looked at a few that have short grips like that and dont like the way it feels in my hand. That isnt to say I dont want to hear more about the XDS, those have just been my thoughts so far. If you could tell more about your likes/dislikes using it, that would be great

I think you may like that with the 7 round magazine (this is the extended).

However, 4 inch 1911 with bobtail grip sounds like what you are looking to carry

[darkwolf45]

I was looking at the xds, but the short grip turned me off. I have looked at a few that have short grips like that and dont like the way it feels in my hand. That isnt to say I dont want to hear more about the XDS, those have just been my thoughts so far. If you could tell more about your likes/dislikes using it, that would be great

I think you may like that with the 7 round magazine (this is the extended).

I'll see if i can get hold of one and give it some thought.

[XDM45]

I was looking at the xds, but the short grip turned me off. I have looked at a few that have short grips like that and dont like the way it feels in my hand. That isnt to say I dont want to hear more about the XDS, those have just been my thoughts so far. If you could tell more about your likes/dislikes using it, that would be great

I think you may like that with the 7 round magazine (this is the extended).

I'll see if i can get hold of one and give it some thought.

I OC an XDm .45ACP with 4.5" barrel and after I break it in and train a bit with it, I'll carry an XDs .45ACP CC for backup. If you want to meetup and try both, you're welcome to.

[darkwolf45]

I OC an XDm .45ACP with 4.5" barrel and after I break it in and train a bit with it, I'll carry an XDs .45ACP CC for backup. If you want to meetup and try both, you're welcome to.

That would be great! I was thinking of some range time saturday afternoon. After that I wont have another opportunity for another week or so.

[mnhntr]

As a guy who loves 1911s and competed with an SR1911 I will say this. IMHO a requirement of any carry firearm is that it will run with ANY type of ammo you feed it. I had too many FTF issues with the SR1911 to continue carrying it. I am now carrying an XDM 3.8 in 45acp. My wife just switched to the XDS and it has been a great little gun so far.

[XDM45]

I OC an XDm .45ACP with 4.5" barrel and after I break it in and train a bit with it, I'll carry an XDs .45ACP CC for backup. If you want to meetup and try both, you're welcome to.

That would be great! I was thinking of some range time saturday afternoon. After that I wont have another opportunity for another week or so.

PM sent.

[Seismic Sam]

Make sure you can find the SR1911 before getting your mind set on getting it. They are very difficult to find.

Nothing wrong with carrying full size guns if it fits your lifestyle. I carry full size concealed more often than compact or sub-compact guns.

Yeah, I carry full size steel frame guns, always have and always will. My 50GI with 8 rounds of ammo, at over 1 ounce per round , tips the scale at 48 ounces, or a full three pounds. However, as someone else said, I'm a pretty big guy, and a few extra ounces is like adding another deck chair to the Titanic.

[darkwolf45]

As a guy who loves 1911s and competed with an SR1911 I will say this. IMHO a requirement of any carry firearm is that it will run with ANY type of ammo you feed it. I had too many FTF issues with the SR1911 to continue carrying it. I am now carrying an XDM 3.8 in 45acp. My wife just switched to the XDS and it has been a great little gun so far.

This is useful info. Any idea why you had issues?

[XDM45]

As a guy who loves 1911s and competed with an SR1911 I will say this. IMHO a requirement of any carry firearm is that it will run with ANY type of ammo you feed it. I had too many FTF issues with the SR1911 to continue carrying it. I am now carrying an XDM 3.8 in 45acp. My wife just switched to the XDS and it has been a great little gun so far.

This is useful info. Any idea why you had issues?

Good info, and right on.

I just got my XDs, so the first time I'll be firing it is this weekend. I also contacted Brass Stacker about making a tungsten carbide recoil rod like they do for the XD and XDm, but they said the XDs is pretty new yet and the demand isn't quite there yet for them to gear up for producing it, but perhaps in time. I know putting that rod in my XDm turned it into a new gun. Much less recoil, especially on consecutive shots. Now since I haven't fired my XDs yet, I'm not sure how that will be, but I know shorter barrel guns tend to have more recoil/muzzle flip to them. I bring all of this up as an addendum to the above statement about FTF concerns on an EDC, I think another factor to consider is recoil. How fast can you re-train that gun on your moving target and make accurate hits?

Another and even more important factor for EDC is to maintain, train with, and carry the weapon of choice as much as possible; but those aren't the only concerns by far. Holsters and belts make a difference too. It's really a whole deal package. I don't think that you can really just look at one or two things when it comes to EDC and BUC. It's a different purpose and mindset that buying a firearm for competition, home-only defense, hunting, etc.

Does your wife have and use the 7-round magazine with the XDs?

[Holland&Holland]

... is like adding another deck chair to the Titanic.

Ahem, you do know that the Titanic sunk? Just saying...