Need Help Making a Pistol Decision

[Blue Thunder]

Anything but a Kimber. Their guns are really tight and will have troubles when firing more than 300 or so rounds, especially dirty ammo without cleaning them often. I have been to several "Gun Fighting Classes" and the folks that brought Kimbers had stoppage issues, including changing ammo and mags. Those of us who had other brands, read that as mostly Glocks, had no issues. In one class one guy had two Kimbers and both had issues shooting factory ammo. He swore that he was going to Glocks from Kimbers In my opinion Kimbers are built to too close a tolerance and after not many shots tend to gum up. Yes, I have also shot one Kimber and it had the same issues with less than 200 rounds thru it. I shoot 4-6000 rounds in my Glocks with no issues and no cleaning.

 

[zb338]

Take a look at the worse 1911 pistols I saw it here
yesterday. Kimber got a pretty large vote as one
of the worse pistols. I don't know why.

Zeke

 

[PakWaan]

I no longer own any guns that I won't/can't CCW. I've had a Sig 226 and a Beretta 92. Loved them both. Refuse to own either now that I no longer wear a police belt to work every day. You're a lot better off getting a compact, which shoots like a full size but allows you to actually keep it with you.

 

[golden]

Easy for me

vbosch,

I would not use a 1911 for defense. I am issued a double action only handgun, so no single actions.

Between the BERETTA 92 and SIG 226, it is a toss up, though if the BERETTA were a VERTEC model, I think that would be my choice, since I like the VERTEC'S grip and the BERETTA'S have a smoother trigger in my experience.
I prefer SIG'S frame mounted decocker system to even the BERETTA G models which use the slide mounted safety lever as a decocker only.

I have carried both the BERETTA and SIG on duty and off. The biggest problem with either was the size. They can be concealed, but both the 92 Compact and SIG 225,228 and 229 are easier to conceal.

Both are accurate, reliable and easy to shoot.

I would bet my life on either one.

Jim

 

[wojownik]

I CCW a p228, p229 and 1911 Commander. This summer I've gone exclusively to a 1911. Other than that, I have carried a Sig everyday for the past 18+ years.

Personally, I have no problems with a single action for defense, but you wouldn't go wrong with a double action Sig.

 

[tarosean]

Pick the one that fits your hand the best and you can easily operate the controls.

 

[cc-hangfire]

IMHO, go w the SIG; all those LEO's and the Navy Seals can't be wrong in that choice. Great for home & vehicle, & as you said, you'll have to dress for the gun to carry it. I have the P226, but it's a home gun for me & I carry much smaller. (I also have a Beretta 96, and own 1911's but not Kimber's)

You probably already have, but look at the SIG P229; it is the same gun design as the P226 but just slightly smaller and a few ounces lighter (& carries 3 less rounds in 9mm). I'd still consider it a full sized gun but those few tenths-of-inches and ounces will make it a little easier to carry.

 

[boatdoc173]

I cannot have just one--LOL

it is a tie between the beretta and the sig--skip thew kimber

sigs coating(slide and barrel are the best out there IMHO

beretta is not even close-- this only matters when cleaning

tough choice-- cannot go wrong with either combat handgun

 

[boatdoc173]

what Golden said

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

Kimbers are nice, but I vote the 226, but I would be cautious.

My latest 226 Elite had loose (wiggly) rear sight and doesn't seem to lock up (when returning to battery) as positively as I would like.

I am a BIG Sig fan, but this last one is on the edge of being sold.

I can't get past the slide mounted controls on the Beretta.

 

[bluzman]

As a long time owner of a Kimber Custom II TLE, that's the pistol I recommend. After several years and several thousand rounds, it's still as reliable and as sweet a shooter as it was when it was new.

 

[hemiram]

I've had the Beretta 92FS and the Sig 226. I haven't had anything from Kimber, and I avoid 1911's like the plague, due to bad experiences with them, and I really hate the grip. I personally would probably take the Beretta, but the Sig would be fine, too.

 

[HKGuns]

Either of the two that don't start with a K. The bonus you get for going that way is you aren't supporting a company still doing business in Communist NY.

 

[DFM914]

Can't go wrong with the Sig!