First CCW: Rock Island 1911, CZ82, or PA-63?

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War Squirrel

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Thinking about a Rock Island 1911, CZ82, or PA-63 for a first carry gun.
My price limit is about $400. Any opinions/suggestions?

I like old-school military-esque guns, and I do not really like Glocks, sorry.
 
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rocks are solid, i cant speak for anyone else, but unless you find a good deal.
rocks run about 500.00 Its just me but i vote save another 150. bucks and get a tac
 
The tactical ones are nice looking but I think I wanna get a Gi and stuff an arched mainspring housing.

I'm looking at the ones on Sarco Inc. They've got the GI Rock Island 1911s for $359.00, and the tacticals for $419.00.
 
I think the cz-82 might carry better in a wider variety of outfits. I rarely have trouble concealing a duty size gun like a 1911, but smaller certainly conceals better.
 
Rock island is good.
Also consider ATI, Ameimcan classic, and Taurus PT1911 - all good entry level 1911"s
Ownn them all.

CZ 75 is a good choice for 9mm
First hand again I have a compact and 75BD

Also consider the Bersa line.
 
Ha, I'm liking those holsters JTQ. The Roadkill is really catching my eye. They seem pretty pricey though. How would they compare to a real simple rig like a Crossbreed?

Well, the 1911 seems to be a good choice but the CZ will be cheaper to shoot and more versatile for lightweight clothes/summer carry. I'm so torn.

EDIT: Screw it, I'm getting the CZ82. Thanks everyone!
 
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Well, the 1911 seems to be a good choice but the CZ will be cheaper to shoot and more versatile for lightweight clothes/summer carry. I'm so torn.
Click to expand...

I have Taurus 1911 9mm that has been flawless and the best of both worlds.
Check them out!
 
They are all good choices. I would go CZ or PA63 for the cost. I have a nice little PA63 that has been ultra reliable. I have never had a hiccup in this gun and the 9mm Mak round is easy to find online and very inexpensive. I use the Hornaday load for carry. I have ~250 in this one. Any holster made for a Walther PPK will fit this as it is very similar in size.

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+1 for the rock.

The officer's sized 1911s are a fairly common CCW option, there are plenty of holster options and magazines to purchase.

The big reason is that you narrowed it down to those 3 options and I believe in carrying the biggest caliber you can carry practically. Why carry 9x18mm when .45 is on the table?

The makarov caliber guns are very good and can be had for significantly cheaper than the Rock, and are a little easier to conceal. I got a Rock Island CS with a 3.5 inch barrel for my first CCW gun and I ended up getting an LCR for summer weather. Some people can hide the 1911 better than I can though.

IMHO If money isn't a factor and you can confidently conceal a RIA 1911 with every outfit than get that. Otherwise if you are only looking at one gun to have for CCW you may want one of the 9x18mm guns you mentioned since they can be concealed easily.
 
I'd go for the RIA compact. As others have said, there are many choices in accessories to choose from in sights, grips, ammo and replacement parts.

I've had a CZ82 and still have a Russian Makarov, which the PA is patterned on(except I believe having an alum. frame?). Both of them are fine pistols, but the draw-backs, IMO are;
1 - 9x18 is an OK round, a little better than 380 but limited in ammo choices.
2 - CZ double stack gives alot of rounds but ends up feeling much larger than the Mak.
3 - Both the Mak and CZ are very limited in choices for grips and sights.
4 - Both are heavy, given the round they are based on.
5 - Neither one will conceal or carry any easier than the RIA will.

Now, if I didn't have the the Rock, I'd definately fall back to the PA63 or Makarov, if only because I feel is carried easier than the CZ.

YMMV
 
Everyone has their own preferences. If you have no other CCW I would consider a revolver. If someone is trying to gut me I feel a lot better with a 357mag. It's not a lot of fun at the range but it sure will put a drug crazed attacker down. You can find a used Ruger sp101 for under $400. You can get a new Charter or Taurus for under $400. Patton carried a Colt Army. I am sure Colt would have been over joyed to make any 1911 he could dream up.

Look for a 3 inch barrel. It doesn't add much weight and provides a better sight plane. Avoid the ported models. Porting doesn't help a 2 or 3 inch barrel at all.

I recently sold a Glock 31 chambered in 357sig. Magnum recoil doesn't flatter a 20 oz plastic gun. I can get aimed shots off almost as fast with a SA revolver.
 
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I second your decision for the CZ 82. Absolutely great gun which can't be beat for the price. I carry mine most the time, I switch back and forth with my S&W 6904. The CZ is extemely accurate at SD range, great DA trigger pull and feel. Very fun and easy gun to shoot. Plus the 9x18 round is plenty ample for SD purposes. I like the silver bear HPs, yeah they aren't awesome with expansion but they do expand and get better penetration than the hornady HPs from the testing Ive done. Placement and penetration are more important in my book, just my opinion though.
Have fun with it, i guarantee you'll love it.
 
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