.357 Mag vs. .45

[Sharpie1]

My current handguns that qualify for CCW, at least occasionally are:

East German Makarov (primary carry gun) 2" bbl
Kel-Tec P-32
Taurus M617 SS .357 Mag 7-shot revolver 2"bbl
S&W Mod 36 38 Spl Revolver

I have many other guns, but these are the ones that I consider to be suitable for carrying. I normally carry the Makarov. I very VERY rarely carry the .357 magnum, because it is extremely heavy, and since it has a 7 round cylinder, it is quite thick. It does have a nice holster, though.

I have been wanting a 1911 for quite a while. I have finally decided to get the full-size Charles Daly 1911. While I hate to part with any of my guns, I am considering trading my M617 for this .45. I think I can get more use out of the .45, and it will be much funner to shoot. My father recently purchased a Colt Defender, and I shot if very accurately and easily. I also love the design of the 1911-style pistol. I have a Taurus M444 Raging Bull in .44Mag, so I can use that for hunting, etc. It is just too big and heavy to carry. If I had the titanium version of the M617 .357 mag, I doubt I would trade it, but this thing I have now is very heavy.

The gun is in great condition, and it has had some trigger work done by a local gunsmith.

What do you guys (and gals) think?

--tadyson

 

[Kahr carrier]

Your reasoning sounds good ,it doesnt sound like you use the Taurus much,so offing it for a nice 1911 is not a bad idea. I dont know much about the Charles Daly 1911,But I personally prefer a Colt ,Springfield or series 1 Kimber.

 

[MrAcheson]

Never sell good guns. You will eventually be one of the people on THR that says "I had a really nice Taurus 617... What was I thinking when I sold that?"

 

[Sharpie1]

good point

This is the reason I am reluctant to sell it. The problem is, if I don't trade it in, I won't be able to get the 1911. Mainly because I can't afford it, without trading in this gun - but also because my wife will kill me if I don't trade one in to get another.

--tadyson

 

[cslinger]

All I am going to say is you will regret it. Maybe not now but sometime.

Chris

 

[10-Ring]

Seems like a good idea to me. Get a gun you want and trade/sell off a gun you're not satisfied with.
I'm not a big fan of the CD's, I'm w/ Kahr Carrier, go w/ Colt, SA, or Kimber instead. Especially since you've shot your dad's Colt & you wee pleased in your performance w/ it. They may all be 1911's but they're not all created equally

 

[cratz2]

Since you seem to be on a budget, one thing to keep in mind is that most 1911s, Kimbers being the exception, are pretty sharp out of the box and will be much more likely to snag on clothing that your Mak.

I've been around plenty of 1911s and my opinion of the Charles Dalys isn't as low as many folks. Having said that, I wouldn't feel comfortable carrying a Daly unless I had put a lot of trouble free rounds through it and then I'm just not so sure.

I don't have a problem trading good guns for other good guns, esp if you're getting rid of something you rarely use but I might be hesitant of trading a known 100% reliable gun for one of questionable reliability. At minimum, I'd expect to get the gun, run 500 rounds through it, note what all happens and probably expect to send the gun back at least once. Not to be overly negative, but I just wouldn't plan on (and certainly wouldn't recommend) getting the gun and starting carrying the following week. But 1911s are great. While it should be much slimmer than the Taurus, it will probably weight about the same. I'd think.

Good luck.

 

[El Tejon]

Whatever you decide, test your weapon. Make sure it works. QC on stuff like AO or Daly is iffy. Make sure yours works! If it does not run, you have a steel club.

 

[gryphon]

The CD's have not been around thta long, so they have a ways to go before the masses will trust them like they do with other brands of 1911. That said, I'm with the group that believes you shouldn't get rid of a firearms that you can shoot well and has proved to be reliable.

 

[beemerb]

I have had over the past yrs about 6 or 7 colts.The only one that was totaly reliably was a stone stock old military colt.(made in WW 1 and I sold it.I is a damm fool for that)I put 1000.00 into a officers model and still I was allmost scared to carry it cause it would jam.
The only 1911 style 45 that I have found that works all the time is a elcheepo Argentine 45.Ballister molina.All I did with it was a trigger job and a set of gun parts 15.00 sights.
I know MOST OF THE PEOPLE WILL NOT AGREE WITH WHAT i JUST SAID.Sorry but that is what happened to me.
I now carry a 220 sig or a browning hi power as my primary carry guns.If you do buy a 1911 I would sugest you pick up a stock military and have the trigger done and maybe the sights as nether of these affect the function.I would use as a carry ammo one of the new expanding FMJ rounds that are on the market now.I allso would use stock military clips.Inexpensive and they work.
Bob
OK YOU MAY KILL ME NOW

 

[.45Ruger]

Guns are tools, not part of the family if you don't need it anymore get rid of it and get the one yout want.

 

[MK11]

While I can see a full-size 1911 being easier to carry than a fat revolver, it's still a lot of iron to tote around. If I were you, I'd keep the revolver and wait until you can get a Colt/Kimber/Springfield. Maybe look for a used compact?

 

[braindead0]

Also bear in mind the change in training to deal with SAO vs. the Makarov DA/SA action.

 

[BobK]

If you have to sell agun to be able to afford another gun, ask
yourself; canI afford to buy the ammo for this new gun?
45's cost cost alot more than 22's!
Then ask yourself; Do I really need this gun?
If your answer was yes,then buy it. BUT,if your answer is no,
you should not.
You've got a bunch of good guns, another one is not worth losing a wife! :banghead: BobK

 

[Sharpie1]

Thanks

Thanks, everyone for all the helpful comments.

Yesterday, I traded the .357 in for a Mini-14! And, I am glad I did, because this mini-14 is very fun to shoot.

Thanks again!

TD

 

[Kahr carrier]

Congrats on your new Mini-14.

 

[Kahr carrier]

Was it a Ranch version??

 

[Sharpie1]

Is it a Ranch Edition?

Yes, it is the Ranch Rifle. Is this significant?

TD