Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

I am looking to buy a handgun to OC and I was wondering if y'all had any suggestions. I'm looking at a 1911, but I'm open to suggestions.

I'm personally not comfortable with the idea of carrying a 1911 "cocked and locked", which is the "correct" way to carry it. I prefer my Double-Action Only (DAO) (hammerless) pistol. I'm sure a lot of others will chime in to dispute me

I also have been looking at several 1911's....Not to carry at all, just to have one in my collection. I agree with Rick about being comfortable carrying one locked and loaded. I recently purchased a Taurus PT 140 .40 cal. that is smaller than a 1911 and also has a thumb safety . It is now my weapon of choice for CC. Even though you are thinking OC you may also want to think CC at some time !

I was also looking at the Ruger SR .40, I believe it also comes in a sub-compact version with a clip extension. The only reason I am looking to OC is that I am 20 so I can't get a CC permit yet.

I've got a Taurus PT145 MILLENIUM PRO in .45ACP that I keep in the console of my ride. It is a pretty good pistol for the money and has a 10-round mag. However, in all honesty I'd have to say that the trigger absolutely sucks.

Don't know anything first-hand about the Ruger SR .40, but I'd have to say that I don't think I ever met a Ruger pistol I didn't like.

I carry a Glock 19 Gen 4. I OC with it and CC with it.

http://us.glock.com/products/model/g19gen4

I love it. I know some guys on here hate Glocks, they are not pretty/sexy to most and are polymer and metal.

I love my glock. It is sturdy, dependable, if I drop it in dirt or water or anything of that nature I know it is not going to fail on me. I am very practical and prefer to spend my money on something that will work time and time again.

I have put about a thousand rounds through it and not one problem. It eats anything/brand I put in it, and it is easy to clean.

I recommend going to a gun shop, trying each out that you might be interested in, see what is comfortable in your hands. I a short woman so that is important to me. Go to a range, and try out as many as you can so that you have a good basis for choosing your optimal gun. Hook up with a friend, or someone on VGOF and test out a few hand guns at the range, rent a few, and see what what you like.

I also have a Ruger SR .22 I love it as well. I love the grip on the Ruger.

Good luck on your search.

I love 1911s and Glocks(the ones with whole grips anyway). I usually OC my Sig 1911 or CC the Glock 22. I haven't found a good CC holster for the 1911 yet or I probably would carry it more often. I have no problem with cocked and locked carry as long as I have a good holster.

1. You're 20, thus not old enough to buy a handgun. It's sad but true! Don't get me started on being an adult and able to join the army but not to own a handgun or drink. >.<
2. It's a magazine, not a clip. Sorry I don't mean to be a term nazi but there is a difference.

Now if you're going to open carry may I suggest something lighter, a glock or m&p should be alright. Although if your personal comfortable carry weight is higher then by all means go for the 1911, it's just they can be a little heavy. Though if you're more into a gun with some power go with a 38sp revolver, small, light, and with a beefy round.

Carry whatever fits your hand comfortably and that you shoot well, as long as you buy a mainstream gun you shouldn't have any issues finding an OWB holster for it. My recommendation is the S&W M&P Series.

I'm not really worried about size and weight. I'm 6'3 260 so it's not an issue. That's one of the reasons I was looking at a 1911 as I personally like larger guns.

Well that's deffinatly a large gun, heck if I wore mine I'd probably lean to one side. I personally OC a M&P 9mm, it's nice but not too heavy.

thekinetic wrote:1. You're 20, thus not old enough to buy a handgun. It's sad but true!

This is not correct. He can buy a handgun from a private person at age 18.

I dont know why people think you have to carry a 1911 cocked and locked,when i had my 1911,i carried with one in the chamber and the hammer down.no issues with that at all

I have heard that the Glock 22 Gen 4 is a very reliable weapon, but I hadn't really looked at the M&P before your comments. As far as I can tell, both are fairly similar. Personally, I have a preference for American-made weapons, but what do you guys think?

Hell with the 1911...20 years old, 6'3" and 260 lbs......I would go with The Bushmaster BA50 !!!

Snakester wrote:Hell with the 1911...20 years old, 6'3" and 260 lbs......I would go with The Bushmaster BA50 !!!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Yeah - - - You're big enough to go bear hunting with a switch. You don't need no gun atall

The only time I OC is while metal detecting, but I understand the age restriction.
Are you going to buy another one when you get your CC permit, or are you going to use the same one?

If using the same one I would go with a compact, if not go ahead and get a a full size.

I am a big guy as well (6'2 335) and find trying to CC a full size frame pistol to be a PITA.

I carry an S&W M&P 40c. It is light and compact which makes it good for OC and CC in my opinion. But the end, It's your choice. The 1911 is a good gun and I enjoy shooting mine.

I carried (CC and OC) a 1911 for about two years. Went back to my Glock after I got tired of the extra weight of a steel pistol. Carried it 100% cocked and lock; it's the only way to properly carry IMHO. Those 21ft drills are interesting enough without having to cock a single action pistol. The perception of cocked and locked is skewed. The firearm is safe, it will not fire itself even if you only have it cocked (i.e. not locked) in a good holster. Put your gun in the holster and leave it alone unless you need it and you won't be having a negligent discharge. Bad holster designs/construction and unnecessary handling of a loaded gun account for carry negligent discharges.

If you're interested I have a Galco full sized (5") mildly used holster and a double mag holder that I'd let go for a reasonable price. PM me if your interested.

gunderwood wrote:Went back to my Glock after I got tired of the extra weight of a steel pistol.

I did as well. I think most folks who carry heavy handguns ultimately get around to switching to a lighter gun. My two current light carry favorites are Glocks and Smith and Wesson M&Ps. They are good value, reliable and simple to operate and maintain guns.