Need opinions, what to do?(long)

[dmrcflyr2]

Hi all, I am fairly new to this forum and just as new to handguns. I currently own a SW 908S. I really love this weapon and shoot it reasonably well for a beginner. I can keep most all shots on an 8.5"x11" piece of paper at 25 feet. This should suffice for personal protection I suppose. I have owned and fired this piece for over a month now. I am a lefty which has presented some problems. I have always been able to do most mechanical things with both hands i.e. swing a bat, golf, etc. This particular gun does not have an ambi safety, neither does the one I am looking at next. (More on that later)

I purchased this gun because I have always wanted one and my ex-wife strictly forbid guns in the house. I am now married to a wonderful woman who has two of her own and we enjoy shooting together. Personal protection is an added benefit. I do not feel threatened by folks for where I live, so that was not the primary reason for the purchase.

The issue(s) I am struggling with are these.

1. I am really taken by the 1911A1 pistols for many reasons. My father carried one in Vietnam, the caliber, historical, Single Action, etc. I have been researching and reading everything I can get my hands on about this pistol. I really want the SA Mil-Spec for price and ungradeability reasons, should I decide to do it. I do not have an unlimited budget and it would be tough to justify, to myself or wife, another gun.

2. Should I practice with both hands or just one...? Last night at the range I shot with both hands, one handed and two handed. I did alright for me. I really do not have the desire, time or funds to shoot competitively. I would like to get some professional training, primarily for the experience of how to react under a stressful real world situation, should it arise.

3. If I were to purchase another gun, should I get one with an ambi safety? That would be a big NO to the SA Mil-Spec which I am in love with. Do I really need an ambi safety if i am not shooting competitively and really doubt I will ever be confronted with the need to use the gun in SD. I did apply for and get my CCW basically only because I could. I have yet to carry, not comfortable with that yet, especially in FL with the lack of clothing I wear most of the year.

4. If I buy the SA Mil-Spec should I trade in the SW 908 to help offset the cost? I really love my Smith, but realisitically, do I need 2 guns? I really plan on shooting about 4 times a month, just for something to do.

Sorry for the length, but these things have been on my mind for some time now. All opinions welcome.

Thanks all.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

1- Sounds like you have a pretty good handle on this. You've identified the issues that are important to you. If you're taken with the Springfield Mil-Spec, go for it. They're good guns by a reputable manufacturer who has a good reputation for backing their product. Another thing is, if you don't get what you want and settle, you'll still end up buying it down the line, it'll just cost more b/c you settled in the first place.

2- I always set aside some range time to practice exclusively with my off hand. In an SD scenario, you must ask yourself what happens if, for some reason, you lose use of your dominant hand or arm. I'm left handed, but learned to shoot right-handed b/c basically my teacher was right handed and I'm right eye dominant. Also, extras and goodies are far more abundant for right handers. As in many things, I found it relatively easy to become ambidextrous in shooting.

3- Honestly, if I shot most of the time left handed, I'd buy one with an ambidextrous safety. If the gun is exclusively for range use, no, you absolutely do not need it. If there is a possibility that you may use the gun for SD or even matches, get the ambi. Doesn't necessarily rule out the Springfield as you can have this added on later.

4- Trade? I wouldn't recommend it. You'll get beaten down really bad, even if your gun is mint. I would expect that you would get less than half what you have in it. If you must free up the funds, sell it outright (i.e., sell it to another private citizen or put it on consignment in a shop that does such things). You'll get a better price, closer to what the gun's worth. At any rate I think the most you'll get is about $100 less than what you paid new (assuming good condition and the gun was priced at a decent level to begin with). Need two guns? No. However, if you get rid of that Smith, given that you love it, you will regret it and you'll eventually want to replace it.

 

[goon]

As for practice, it doesn't hurt to be able to shoot one handed or with your weak hand if something happens to your dominant hand. I used to also make sure I shot a few rounds when practicing for hunting because sometimes you have to switch hands to ge able to get a shot quickly enough. My grandfather could snap shoot running deer with either hand, but I know that I will never be that good.
As for trading, I would say keep the smith and save your pennies. You will always lose money if you sell or trade a gun to a dealer. Just a fact of life. They are in the business to make money and they do that however they have to. Plus, what if you trade your gun and end up with a 1911 that won't run right? Better to still have your smith as a back up.
As for me, I am getting very determined not to sell or trade any more of my guns away (for the most part). I always seem to get the guns that DON"T work. So when I get one that does work, I think it is my responsibilty as an American to keep that gun.

 

[Longbow]

More guns sure beats having just one!
Definitely keep the 908 and just save $$ for whatever you want.
' nothing wrong with your 908. It works and you're good with it. That's half the battle.
I also agree with Goon, some 1911 doesn't run right out of the box. Some needs tinkering.

P.S.
I believe S&W can retrofit your 908 for an ambi safety. It might be cheaper than trading it. Give 'em a call.

 

[dmrcflyr2]

SA Mil-Spec $529, decent price?

Thank you all for the responses. You have basically validated my own feelings. I think I will keep the 908, get the 1911 Mil-Spec, some time soon.

The best price I can find on one from the dealers in my area is $529. I was really hoping to get a NIB for less that $500, but perhaps that is not a reality. It will turn out to be about $560 with taxes. Still not a bad price, but a bit tight for me now.

 

[Frandy]

That's a good price. I see them online for a bit over $500, but then you have fees and shipping, so it's pretty close to your local best price.

 

[Seraph]

I'd keep the weapon you currently have, and save the extra $60 or so that you will need for the SA Mil Spec 1911. You will love that Mil Spec, and later, you will wonder that you ever quibbled over the $60 it put you over your budget.

 

[usp_fan]

You can fit that Mil-spec with an ambi safety very easily and without too much expense.

--usp_fan

 

[dmrcflyr2]

Just ordered Mil-Spec $519

I just placed my order for the Mil-Spec. I am getting it for $519, $560 with taxes and all. It will be here tomorrow... can't wait.

Thanks all.

 

[Zundfolge]

Should I practice with both hands or just one...?

Based on this statement "I have always been able to do most mechanical things with both hands i.e. swing a bat, golf, etc." It appears that like many lefties you've compensated by becoming semi-ambidextrous.

However you're still probably wired "left" or "right" (there are very few truly ambidextrous people out there).

So you need to look at your eyes and figure out if you are left eye dominant or right eye dominant.

Here's one way to figure out eye dominance...

• Extend both hands forward of your body and place the hands together making a small triangle (approximately 1/2 to 3/4 inch per side) between your thumbs and the first knuckle.
• With both eyes open, look through the triangle and center something such as a doorknob or the bullseye of a target in the triangle.
• Close your left eye. If the object remains in view, you are right eye dominant. If your hands appear to move off the object and move to the left, then you are left eye dominant.

After you determine eye dominance then shoot with that hand.

 

[benEzra]

Definitely keep the 908. If I remember correctly, that's a slightly lower-cost version of the 3913, which is one of the most highly regarded compact 9mm's on the market.

I have a 3913LS with a non-ambi safety, which I prefer since I have a CCW permit and the ambi safety adds unnecessary width (and is uncomfortable with some holsters). I can operate the safety with either hand (it's a tad slower with the left thumb is all). Also, all S&W 3rd-gen autos are drop-safe even with the safety off (firing pin block), so when carrying mine in a holster the safety is generally off anyway, since the firearm is designed with that in mind.

 

[Dienekes]

As noted, you have a handle on it. The SA Mil-Spec with ambi should suffice. You sound clear enough on your goals. Now give some thought to one of the better training schools and hie yourself and that 1911 over to do the things that really matter. Check into a 250 general pistol course at Gunsite. Not cheap, but doable if you really care about such things. When I finally made it I kicked myself for not going years earlier.

You will find it a life-changing experience and also save a bunch of money in years to come. Instead of buying toys in a futile search for the perfect gun you don't currently have, you will have acquired real mastery of the one you already own.

 

[dmrcflyr2]

Left eye dominant

Zundfolge, pretty cool information. It appears that I am left eye dominant. Another small issue is that I have a serious astigmatism in both eyes. One is better for distance vision than the other, I can't recall which at this moment.

I just did a simple distance test, luckily my left eye has the better distance vision also.

I guess I will primarily shoot left and still practice right occasionally.

 

[lee n. field]

2. Should I practice with both hands or just one...?

Either hand. It's enlightening to work with your off hand.

If I were to purchase another gun, should I get one with an ambi safety?

With a lot of guns that's just a given. Others (Glock, DAO autos, decock only guns, revolvers) don't have a manual safety at all. If you're going 1911, you probably ought to get one.

If I buy the SA Mil-Spec should I trade in the SW 908 to help offset the cost? I really love my Smith

Trade off a gun you love, and shoot well? NYET! Never. You will regret...

The only possible downside to what you have right now is that it's a 9mm (and that's argueable -- search on "9 vs. 45" and variants for the flamefest that recurs like clockwork every couple months on any internet gun forum). That, and S&W's web site says the safety is only on the one side -- not lefty friendly.

Get good with what you got now, first. If you got the money for it, take a class.

 

[middy]

I'm left-eye dominant and shoot with my right hand. It's not a big deal to either cock your head or wrist a little bit to use the left eye or train yourself to use your right eye. It is a big deal to train yourself to use the off hand primarily.

Zundfolge, no offense intended, but I think your advice is of questionable merit. It's a good thing to know which eye is dominant so you aren't totally shooting in the wrong direction, but, once you know, you can shoot handguns with either hand, with either eye. With enough practice, you can shoot with both eyes open, using either eye to aim, and not be confused.

I think any serious self-defense training should work primarily with the dominant hand, and should also include practice with the off hand and with either eye.

Now rifles are a different story, you need to use your right eye if you shoot right-handed, and vice versa...

 

[Luchtaine]

Left handed and left eye dominant here. I like military rifles though and I don't like brass in the face so I learned to make myself shoot right handed and be right eye dominant plus my right eye's vision is better anyways.