Also, .380's are small and concealable, but I never could get comfortable shooting .380, especially a G42 or a sig p226. Just didn't feel right, and couldnt get shots down range consistently. I guess that could change with practice, but if you can't get shots down range whats the point of carrying it?
You shouldn't have that problem with a 1911
No reason to carry something you can't defend yourself with efficiently.
If you have never carried before, make sure you get good gear. Good training course as well
Thanks! What is your preference between 9 and .45?
Sweet, thanks for your help. I do know both would get the job done, probably just deciding.Lol. Carry what you have confidence in.
I carry a .45 nowadays. Don't mind carrying a 9 either. Both should do the job if I do my part.
"Best" is subjective.
As far as the 1911, how much are you realistically going to train? How much time are you going to spend dry firing? Are you going to attend any sort of decision based training with shoot/no-shoot scenarios? If the answers aren't "a lot, a lot, and yes" then I would shy away from anything with a thumb safety. You need to be able to work the safety under stress, perhaps while being grappled, and you also need to leave the safety on right up until you decide you have to shoot or you've got a gun that has zero room for error with trigger discipline before an AD occurs.
Depending on your level of knowledge, your dedication to training, how much you value concealability, size of your hands, budget, etc. "best" could be a lot of things. The LCR revolver, the M&P Shield, the Sig P229, and the Glock 19 are options I'd look in to.
"Best" is subjective.
As far as the 1911, how much are you realistically going to train? How much time are you going to spend dry firing? Are you going to attend any sort of decision based training with shoot/no-shoot scenarios? If the answers aren't "a lot, a lot, and yes" then I would shy away from anything with a thumb safety. You need to be able to work the safety under stress, perhaps while being grappled, and you also need to leave the safety on right up until you decide you have to shoot or you've got a gun that has zero room for error with trigger discipline before an AD occurs.
Depending on your level of knowledge, your dedication to training, how much you value concealability, size of your hands, budget, etc. "best" could be a lot of things. The LCR revolver, the M&P Shield, the Sig P229, and the Glock 19 are options I'd look in to.
To rehash what has been said upthread: "best" depends a lot on you. Every thing from how much you will dedicate to training&practice, to things like your hand size and how stringent are your concealment requirements?
If you will get fired for being armed at work, "best" is something like a Ruger LCP. This is one reason most all of us own more than one gun.
As for the 1911, if you don't train until operating the safety is a conditioned reflex like trigger discipline, then it's disqualified as "do-able" let alone "best".
A good single action trigger can spoil you with how easy it is to shoot but isn't necessarily an ideal choice under stress. Again, the 1911 demands a commitment to train/practice
If you have a good belt and holster (IMO, IWB hides better and gives more support) the weight won't be a problem. You might eventually miss it if it's not there. Likewise, you might appreciate the weight when it's time to shoot
If you're thin, you'll need a compact officer model length grip to be able to conceal the pistol in warm weather.
9mm vs .45? 25 years ago, the terminal ballistics of 9mm were measurably inferior to .45 and now the difference is, I hear, marginal. More ammo capacity with less recoil is hard to argue with--that and the ammo costs less.
One last consideration regarding a carry pistol, is seeing what your holster options are. Some pistols are so prolific that you'll have a hard time sorting through all the types of holster choices. Others, you might have a hard time finding much to choose from.
THIS! Carrying with a thumb safety can get you killed. (so make sure you train, train, and then train some more)
There are numerous videos out there of guys who plain forgot to flip the switch and had they not, would have come out on top. Instead the last thing that went through their mind was "WTF?!?! What is happening why isnt this work..." *BLAM* The bad guy was able to get a shot off and they were done.
I cant find it now, but there is a very vivid first person helmet cam video from the vicim where a motorcyclist starts to get robbed of his bike. Bad guy keeps the gun trained on the victim and looks away to fiddle with the keys. The good guy quietly draws his pistol and pulls the trigger by the bad guys head but nothing happens. About that time the bad guy looks back, sees the gun which is now in his face and instinctively squeezes off a round into the good guy's face. Last thing you see is the bike going past as he collapses like a wet noodle. Sad.
While its not as pretty, I go with my G19 or G42. It just goes bang when I squeeze the trigger. Its a simple design for a simple guy, and I can concentrate on other training. Plus, its a HELL of a lot more comfy to carry. My 1911 is just soooo damned heavy!
Good luck!
sissy........................................
sissy........................................