New Here

[justus]

How is everyone? I am new to this forum and though I do not own a gun yet, I will very soon. I am a U.S. Navy Veteran and my job while in the Navy was guns and shipboard weapons systems. This being the case, naturally the gun I am looking at buying is (of course) the Berretta M9. While this is the gun I am just about set on buying, I am also looking at the 1911. So my question to everyone here..... should I go with the familiar (to me) M9 or go with the 1911? I realize a lot of these decisions are personal ones, but I am more looking for an outside perspective and pros and cons of each gun. Thank you for any input.

[trailrunner]

Depends on a lot of factors. What are you going to be using the gun for? Just fun shooting? Or is this something that you will be carrying?

Both choices are solid, although that depends somewhat on which 1911 you get. You can spend between $400 and $3,000 on a 1911. Both are on the large size when it comes to guns; that's not good or bad - it just depends on what you are going to do with them.

The major differences between those two guns are: caliber, capacity, and trigger. Pros and cons of 9mm and 45acp can be debated for ever and ever, and same for capacity. For trigger, the 1911 has a SA trigger, whereas the 92 traditionally has a DA/SA trigger. Again, pros and cons of these can be debated until the cows come home.

Many ranges will let you rent guns. Go try them out and see which you like better.

[MarcSpaz]

to the forum!

Honestly, trailrunner pretty much laid it out for you. Lots of variables, but but types of weapons are a good choice.

Worse case, do what I do when I can't make up my mind... get both. I never heard someone say they wish they had fewer guns.

[smltooner]

to the club and for your service.

[justus]

Thank you all. I am excited to be a part of these discussions and to get whichever gun I decide on. I should have explained why I am getting one. OopS. I recently began working security and am going to be getting armed pretty soon. Rather than using the companies gun, which I will be unfamiliar with, I would rather carry my own. I haven't put much thought into carrying it outside of work, though the nights I am home it will also serve as a family, property and self-defense. I already know the m9 but the more I read about the 1911 the more I want one. Just wanting to gauge the general feeling about these 2 guns is all. And to hear why you guys prefer the (blank) over the (blank). Thank you all for your help.

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[Palladin]

You should have both.

Welcome to VGOF!

[trailrunner]

This might help you:

[SHMIV]

Heh. That graph makes me want a 1911.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[Snakester]

You can't go wrong with a 1911...Any 1911. I love all of mine . My wife bought a M9 last year , GREAT CHOICE TOO ! The M9 is perfect for carrying !!! Don't forget you will also be wanting for your arsenal....Rem.870...an AR of some kind...Maybe an AK or SKS ...MINI 14....a couple 10/22's...it's endless ! Welcome to the Forum !!!

[justus]

In your opinion, is the 1911 too heavy to carry as a duty weapon? And does the low amount of ammo make a huge difference? I have no problem with the weight personally but then again I've never carried this gun for very long. And couldn't I just carry extra mags to make up for the low ammo situation? A friend is trying to talk me into a different choice so I just want to hear what you all have to say about it. Would you carry it all day?

Sent from my GS5

[trailrunner]

I've never carried a gun for work, so I don't have any direct experience, but I don't think a 1911 would be too heavy to carry as a duty weapon. I assume you'll be carrying other gear, such as a radio, and that you'll have a proper duty belt. Of course, a lighter gun is better.

It's hard to answer the question if the magazine capacity of a 1911 is enough. That's a broad question, and there are all sorts of opinions and millions of variables. We've come a long way from a five or six round revolver, and most people nowadays want some sort of high capacity gun. But (again) there are plenty of people who believe in a 1911. I don't know enough about your job or where you will be working or what kind of ammunition your company will supply you with.

As far as carrying extra mags - yes, that's what they are for, and you should be carrying some extra mags, but reloading under stress is not always easy, and at the moment that you are reloading you are vulnerable.

So this is my opinion, and my opinion only: I really like my 1911. It's a nice gun and a timeless design. However, I've never carried it, and I don't think it's the best choice for an inexperienced person to carry. The SA trigger is light, and I wouldn't rely on myself to control it under stress. You also have a safety to manipulate. Again, plenty of people carry a 1911, so it can be done, and take my opinion with a grain of salt. You also mentioned an M9, which would be a good choice (again IMHO) because the first shot is DA before transitioning to SA, and it has a good capacity. A lot of LE use DA/SA guns. There is a disadvantage to this -- the trigger on the first shot feels different from the second and subsequent shots -- but you can train to overcome this. I am a fan of striker-fired guns (such as Glock or S&W M&P), and that is what I would carry (again, IMHO).

Having said all of this, I hope that you will be getting some serious training. While you're in training, ask your instructors for some guidance. I also think there may be merit to using the gun that the company issues you since it might provide a little legal protection if you were ever to use your gun while working. And finally, follow my advice and rent some of these guns to see what you like.

[justus]

I appreciate the advice. I am actually going next week to the range in manassas and a friend is gonna let me try out a bunch of his guns. I've never fired a glock so that's why I have hesitation about them. I will try it out though and see what happens.
I will also most definitely be getting all the training I can get.
What legal problems could I run into using my own gun instead of the company's? I've never considered this. Could you elaborate please? Again, thank you for your response and help.

Sent from my GS5

[trailrunner]

What legal problems could I run into using my own gun instead of the company's? I've never considered this. Could you elaborate please? Again, thank you for your response and help.

If you were involved in a shooting, the victim's lawyers will go after every aspect of your life, including your gun, your ammunition, your training, and compliance with procedures. They could twist that around and ask why you went out of your way to get a different gun, and try to make a case on that aspect. It may not go anywhere, but if you are using your company's gun, that should be a dead end from the start. Again, I don't know anything about your job, or the training you'll get, or the standards you will have to meet, nor have I ever been an LEO or security officer, so this is just speculation on my part. As I said, it may not be a big consideration. My advice is to ask your instructor.

Usual caveat: I am not a lawyer, so I don't know what I'm talking about.