As I turn 21 on Christmas eve, I want to buy myself a present. I'm really into 1911's but I also like the XD .45. I'm leaning towards a Kimber Warrior, I shot my friends a couple of weeks ago and loved it! I intend to use it for CCW, HD, and just plain fun . What do you think?
First Pistol
- Thread starter ellswj
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ArchAngelCD
Member.
Buying the "right" handgun is such a personal decision that nobody can really help you. There are so many variables it's impossible to tell someone what is best for them. I can tell you that Kimber makes a quality product and if it feels good in your hand, and you can shoot it well, it is probably a good choice. Those two points should be high on your list when choosing a handgun.
That won't stop many of the posts from telling you what "the best" pistol in the world is and that you must buy it right now. Also, brace yourself for all the Glock suggestions that WILL come.
Happy Birthday and welcome to the forum.
That won't stop many of the posts from telling you what "the best" pistol in the world is and that you must buy it right now. Also, brace yourself for all the Glock suggestions that WILL come.
Happy Birthday and welcome to the forum.
I tend to advise novices to get a .22 as their first gun. Cheaper to shoot, less recoil, less muzzle blast. I also think a novice carrying a gun should use a wheel gun until they have more range time. That is an old school concept and it is what I learned. You can get a .22 conversion kit for most 1911's, if your budget can swing it.
I own two Colt 1911s, one XD, all in .45ACP. I think the XD is a modern extension of the 1911. Only two things missing, external hammer and a thumb safety.
Hopefully you can rent a few different guns and try them. Good luck in your decision.
I own two Colt 1911s, one XD, all in .45ACP. I think the XD is a modern extension of the 1911. Only two things missing, external hammer and a thumb safety.
Hopefully you can rent a few different guns and try them. Good luck in your decision.
I've been around guns my whole life, I started shooting when I was 6 years old.
This is not my first gun, I own around 10 myself and am very familiar with the operation of most types of guns. My dad tells me I should just invest in a nice smith revolver, more reliable and much cheaper. obviously has bought one in a while, I looked at a 627 the other day and it was $1200.
This is not my first gun, I own around 10 myself and am very familiar with the operation of most types of guns. My dad tells me I should just invest in a nice smith revolver, more reliable and much cheaper. obviously has bought one in a while, I looked at a 627 the other day and it was $1200.
quickcanary
Member
Sounds like your dad is more...traditional. There's nothing wrong with a good revolver, but if you prefer semis you already named two great choices (1911 and XD). The XD will be tough, reliable, accurate, and easier to take down. The 1911 is obviously a classic design but might require a little more maintenance. Are you dead set on a .45? What are your intentions (range gun/carry weapon)? Fortunately there are many, many great guns to choose from. I wouldn't rule out CZ, Glock, SIG, etc. How much do you know about the P220? If you like .45, it definitely wouldn't hurt to look into those IMO...
10-Ring
Member
I prefer more traditional platforms as 1st guns -- DA/SA, DAO, SA but usually not striker fired. My first recommendation is usually a DA revolver so that the new shooter can develop a good base in their technique & they can transition into whatever they like easier
That said, it sounds like you've already got some experience with these platforms and since I'm not a XD fan and I really like 1911's, I say "Get the Warrior"
That said, it sounds like you've already got some experience with these platforms and since I'm not a XD fan and I really like 1911's, I say "Get the Warrior"
Quoheleth
Member
A 4" Ruger Gp100 is a great gun. Personally, I have the 6", but I'm not going to CC that bad boy - it's almost 3 full pounds of American steel. You can get a new one for about $450 or so, and it'll last at least three lifetimes. It's not an old-school Smith, action-wise (I never understood what folks meant until I got to shoot a 686 a few weeks ago. My Ruger is smoothing out, but that DA Smith pull is a dream.), but it'll do the job. I have 500-600 rounds through it now, both factory and reloads, and it is getting better. It might never be Smith smooth, but it also cost significantly less (I got the blue, not stainless, for even more savings).
Ruger pistols are stout. If you want a .45ACP, look at their P-series autoloaders. If you want a 1911, the Rock Island line provides a quality product at entry-level prices. Have one of those, too, and enjoy it a great deal. I don't shoot it very well, yet, but I'm looking forward to learning
There are lots of good choices out there. You have the tough part to do - which ONE to buy!!!
Q
Ruger pistols are stout. If you want a .45ACP, look at their P-series autoloaders. If you want a 1911, the Rock Island line provides a quality product at entry-level prices. Have one of those, too, and enjoy it a great deal. I don't shoot it very well, yet, but I'm looking forward to learning
There are lots of good choices out there. You have the tough part to do - which ONE to buy!!!
Q
I chose what I liked and what I could afford. I didn't look at exotic calibers or anything, but I didn't care what caliber it was (more popular ones) either. I think this is the best way as you learn from your first what you want and don't want in a pistol.
Keeping that in mind if you limit yourself in budget for a pistol, its not breaking the bank if it turns out to be horrible.
Keeping that in mind if you limit yourself in budget for a pistol, its not breaking the bank if it turns out to be horrible.
possum
Member
i agree, i own a 1911 and 2 xd's and i am so hally with the way that they both handel and they are so much alike that it is crazy. i can go from shooting the 1911 to the xd and back without any issues. i love the xd's they are normally a first choice for me, but the 1911 is equally awesome. the warrior is a great choic and you would be happy with either. i think that i would go with the xd .45 for the first gun though. high capacity .45 in a great frame size, and grip girth feels good in the hand, and backed by one of the best customer support folks in the industry.
Hokkmike
Member
You have the advantage of trying it and liking it. That would be enough for me.
Stay Away from the Kimber Warrior for now, it is running on reputation rather than on quality. They are coming out of kimber with improper chamber dimensions, extractor and slide stop issues. Once something becomes popular at kimber, i think that they drop QC in order to meet demand.
Don't take my word for it, this is the current opinion shared by Larry Vickers, Ken Hackathorn and Hilton Yam as of November 2007.
Don't take my word for it, this is the current opinion shared by Larry Vickers, Ken Hackathorn and Hilton Yam as of November 2007.
possum
Member
so instead you should spend an arm and a leg for a night hawk custom larry vickers model, or the 10-8(yam and company) etc.
how about a sa 1911, if you want something like the warrior there is the mc operator that i own which is the sexiest 1911 ever, then you have the trp models, loaded models etc. there are plenty of great sa models out there that will serve you well.
jr_roosa
Member
Sometimes when you try to find a tool that does everything, you end up with one that does everything poorly.
I'd figure out which of your requirements is the most important for you right now and get the handgun that will do that well, and it will probably be OK for the other things.
On that note, if the most important thing for you right now is to become a proficient handgun shooter, then I'd second the suggestion for picking up something in .22LR. If you want to be a good shot, you need to practice, and practice with a .22 will be cheap and won't be as likely to teach you to anticipate recoil.
-J.
I'd figure out which of your requirements is the most important for you right now and get the handgun that will do that well, and it will probably be OK for the other things.
On that note, if the most important thing for you right now is to become a proficient handgun shooter, then I'd second the suggestion for picking up something in .22LR. If you want to be a good shot, you need to practice, and practice with a .22 will be cheap and won't be as likely to teach you to anticipate recoil.
-J.
I don't think you should be insinuating that any of these people have ulterior motives. Vickers and Hackathorn are a couple of the best trainers in their fields and Yam is an active SWAT officer. Their word is gold in the firearms community, and none of them would risk their reputations because of a 20-pistol special run at Nighthawk (and good luck trying to buy one of their custom builds). Years ago, these three and other knowledgeable men clearly stated that the (original) Kimber Warrior was one of the best off-the-shelf 1911 pistols for LEOs and Civvies. Now their concensus after seperate examination of several new ones is that there isn't one Warrior that is out-of-the box reliable.
Trying to set the record straight.
possum
Member
i think nomad 2nd would disagree, his has run as far as i know reiabe as hell, so far ad maybe he go a older model or whatever, i don't think that they have any kind of motives, and i respect thier opinions but at the same time i coud buy 2-3 of the warriors for the price of one of ther guns, nice they are but i could never spend that much for one handgun. an out of the box reliable1911 can be had for much less than whatthier guns are going for. that is all i am trying to say.
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