Which pistol to carry?

[Thatguy686]

ok heres the deal more so than anything is how much training have you had because like scaatylobo said theres always a chance for more than one assailant and in my opinion your far more likely to have a group of 2-4 guys try to beat and rob you possibly beat to death than have one person pull gun on you for some reason they think its less time if they dont use a gun anyways in a high adrenaline situation you WILL NOT put every shot on target i guarentee it so the question is if theres 3 assailants i like to average 3-5 shots per target so i know i have enough rounds to eliminate the threat i myself carry a sig p226 with a mecgar 18 round magazine and one in the chamber total of 19 rounds an the mag sits flush also another thing to consider is yes it is nice to have a back up magazine as many have mentioned but if i am in a gunfight with someone and i have 19 rounds and they have 8 if we both live past 8 rounds they are now trying to reload or are empty and i still have 11 rounds to difuse the situation without having to reload and vice versa if you have 8 rounds and 3 assailants 5 rounds each your only at one definate hit and then have to reload what if they 2 left have the 19 round magazines......your now in a horrible situation your doing a reload that will in no way be as smooth as one you may have practiced so long story short i have a sig p226 9mm with 18 round mecgar flush fit magazine by the way they also make 20 rounders for the 226 but i carry it over my 1911 but i do tend to carry my sig p220 compact alot which is only 8+1 that said i have considered the risk and carry the 220 usualy when the 226 with 19 rounds of ammo is to heavy (no belt etc) hope this helps keep in mind if they have to reload and you dont you have a huge upper hand and may encounter a situation where you have to decide to shoot or convince them to drop their firearm which may be hard to justify to yourself if they just tried to kill you but just keep that in mind

 

[Inebriated]

P226. I hate 9mm, but I would take it over the 1911 because I just don't like having a safety on a defensive handgun. If it were P226 vs. P220, I'd take the P220 in a heartbeat.

 

[waidmann]

Neither, I wouldn't mind either as a truck gun. To carry I'd pass on the weight of either. And, as an upclose and personal I want a pull-point-pull proposition. No additional steps desired.

Yes, I realize the OP was either-or.

 

[pisc1024]

I voted for the 226, not because I necessarily prefer the 9mm over the 45, but because I believe it's a better manual of operation than the 1911 style. Many may flame me for this, but I just believe the double action/single action of the 226 is a better platform than the cocked-and-locked approach.

I never had an experience where my thumb safety inadvertently came off-safe, but I always felt the fear that it could do so somehow while I carried it.

Others will no-doubt say I'm crazy.

I'm with you 100% on this one. I feel that the amount of training required to be as proficient with a 1911 platform is more than what would be required of a sig 226. Many people say that this unit or that SWAT team runs the 1911, but they forget to mention that these guys are paid big bucks to train with these weapons, it's their job. For some one who isn't paid for that, the 226 is the way to go. Besides the SAS uses the 226, and I don't hear them complaining about it.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I never had an experience where my thumb safety inadvertently came off-safe, but I always felt the fear that it could do so somehow while I carried it.

And if the safety did somehow "come off safe" what about the grip safety? Even if the manual safety was disengaged you can not fire a 1911 without depressing the grip safety.

Mr. Browning did not include the manual safety in his original design, it was added at the request of the military. Mr. Browning did not believe a manual safety was needed because of the grip safety but who wouldn't add one to secure a huge military contract?

 

[Dr_B]

I've never found the manual safety on my Sig C3 in the "off" position in my holster. It has something to do with the size of the safety sticking out. If I wear my Metro Arms 1911 in the same holster, I will eventually find the safety off. But the safety lever on the C3 is much smaller (as is the slide stop lever) and it just doesn't get hit by the holster.

The manual safety doesn't bother me. I think it needs to be there. The .45 has a 4lb trigger pull, while the 226 has about a 10lb trigger pull on the first shot.

The direction the poll is going is interesting. I thought people would jump on .45ACP as a carry caliber. However the 226 is a nice gun; they both are.

 

[bikerdoc]

Doc,
I didnt vote cause Im in more of a dillema than you. I got 5 revolvers and 4 autos that I shoot well. I cant decide what to carry so I just rotate them based on mood. This has been bothering me since 1966 and Im 63

Just so the humorless among us dont get their draws in a wad that was a feeble attempt at self depricating humor

 

[Dr_B]

You know, I've been thinking of just keeping a quarter on my bedside table and flipping it each morning! Heads, the 226; tails, the 1911.

 

[usmccpl]

I voted 226. No handgun is a guarenteed one shot stopper. Or even a 2 shot stopper. If it takes 3 rounds to put the attacker down and there are 3 or more attackers the 1911 is empty and the 226 still has have a mag. Me myself would never carry a primary sidearm with fewer than 11 rounds.

 

[David E]

I "know" that ALL gunfights and attacks are over in "2.3" rounds.

Well, no you don't. The 2.3 - 2.7 rds fired in a defensive situation is WRONG. Why? Because the stat gatherers stupidly lumped all "shots fired" together. It includes such things as suicides, warning shots, accidental discharges, animal put-downs, etc. Those categories typically only involve ONE shot being fired, severely skewing the shots fired in defensive situations downward.

Flipping a coin each day to select your daily carrygun is not a good idea. Your hand needs to "know" what gun grip it'll find during the draw and what to do once found. To make matters worse, one gun has a thumb safety that must be disengaged before it'll fire, the other one does not. The consequences of such foolishness should be readily apparent.

Flip it once, carry that gun for at least a month before flipping another coin.

 

[Dr_B]

Flipping a coin each day to select your daily carrygun is not a good idea. Your hand needs to "know" what gun grip it'll find during the draw and what to do once found. To make matters worse, one gun has a thumb safety that must be disengaged before it'll fire, the other one does not. The consequences of such foolishness should be readily apparent.

You know, my comment about flipping a coin was intended as a somewhat humorous remark. The entire reason for posting this thread was exactly due to my reluctance to switch between guns.

 

[David E]

Some people DO swap guns daily, regardless of operating mechanisms. That's plain foolish.

In your case, if you're still undecided, flip a coin and go forth boldly!

 

[Dr_B]

Here is the P226 in question.

 

[daytodaze]

What's that old saying?

"if I cant do it in 7, I'm going to get shot while wishing I had a bigger magazine."

I vote p226... But my vote is hypocritical, as my carry gun holds 9.

 

[waidmann]

I vote for point and pull with no extra steps.

 

[jba11ey]

This is what I carry. 15+1 10 mm

Kangaroo under arm.

 

[cochise]

My vote is for the 1911. Two years using one in the military and one on a NRA pistol team, I am comfortable with the 1911. My wife took my 226 I never use it, I hate the trigger. Use the one you are most comfortable shooting.

 

[MUSICALGUNNUT45]

I voted 1911 because thats what I prefer but you shouldn't be asking us about this it all comes down to what you prefer both are good guns. which one fits your hand the best and which one do you shoot best. as far as ease of carrying goes the 1911 is much much thinner and that makes a big difference in comfort. but the sig is lighter and that can make a difference as well.

 

[golden]

Sig 226

NO QUESTION,

I used to carry the SIG 226 on duty and it was an accurate, very reliable, relatively compact gun with a very good operating system.
Also, 31 rounds versus 17 is a BIG POINT in favor of the SIG.

That said, they are both too big for carry concealed, at least to me. I would much prefer a SIG 228 or 229 if I choose to go with a 9m.m.

For me, their are no .45ACP's to carry concealed. I just do not think the recoil in a compact pistol is worth the reduction in magazine capacity and controlability.

Jim

 

[Dr_B]

The decision has been made: P226 when I can get away with it; j-frame .38 for everything else. The .45 isn't going anywhere. That Sig C3 is a NICE gun. The P226 and the C3 are about 5 ounces different in weight when fully loaded, and the P226 is slightly wider mainly in the grips.

 

[fastbolt]

I didn't choose anything in your poll.

Not my call to choose something for you. I've never worked with you on a range and seen you handle, manipulate or shoot either of them.

Which vehicle do you take with you when you leave the house? Which pair of shoes or boots? How do you choose what to wear each day?

Suit yourself. Only you know your needs, experience and skillset with each firearm chosen to serve in the role as a dedicated lawfully carried defensive weapon.

Aside from simply choosing to carry whichever one you happen to "like", though, you might consider something else as a possible influence in making your decision.

Invest in a training class which will tax your skills and make demands upon you, your weapons, carry methods and overall familiarity with all your equipment ... when used under stressful and demanding conditions.

Standing at a firing line and shooting slow-fire when you're relaxed, well balanced and able to take your time to place your hits is one thing.

Doing so under conditions which are physically and mentally challenging and difficult, while making judgments and dealing with time constraints, negotiating environmental difficulties & obstacles ... probably in bad light ... and being able to make consistently accurate hits on one or more identified "threat" targets ... maybe while having to use your non-dominant hand ... is a bit more difficult for most folks.

When carried as a lawful defensive weapon the handgun becomes a tool.

The sleek lines, finish, style or some other combination of inherent "pride of ownership" characteristics which makes you gaze at it in admiration inside your safe are all well & good when considering your investment as a responsible firearms owner, enthusiast, collector, etc ... but what do you want to have in your hand if you ever find yourself involved in an unexpected dynamic, rapidly changing, chaotic situation which requires you to use a firearm to protect yourself (or an innocent third person) from the imminent threat of serious bodily injury or death at the hands of an attacker (or attackers)? Probably not going to happen in a comfortable spot with optimal lighting, either.

Pick one.

Check and recheck your knowledge & foundation skillset in using whatever you choose.

Consider expanding your knowledge & skillset.

Train, train & train (properly).

Practice, practice & practice (properly).

More importantly, make sure you remain fully aware and current when it comes to the applicable laws in your area regarding the lawful use of deadly force in defense of self or others, carrying a firearm as a weapon, etc.

Does your homeowner insurance cover intentional shootings, or just accidents and acts of God? Legal costs can be daunting.

Then you can start to think about how well the color of your "favorite" holster may match the finish of your "favorite" handgun, which is being selected as a dedicated defensive weapon ...

We've all faced this dilemma.

As a LE firearms instructor of some small experience ... and an owner and enthusiasts of firearms even before I entered LE work ... I've collected a fair number of firearms. I have enough handguns with which I've trained, practiced and qualified for use as duty & off-duty (and now retirement) weapons that I could carry a different one every day for at least a month ... so on any given day, no matter what I choose to carry, something's staying home in the safe.

In my case, I usually make my choice after given some thought to my planned activities for the day, some risk assessment of where I'll be engaged in those activities, what I'll be wearing throughout the day ... and the level of personal comfort I feel is possible when balanced against my risk assessment.

Look to your perceived needs and anticipated circumstances in whatever manner you feel is reasonable. Pick which tool you feel is best suited to your needs, remembering the circumstances in which you may be required to effectively utilize that tool may be as hard as anything you can imagine. Or worse.

I think of these things whether I'm carrying one of my full-size pistols, or a compact/subcompact (covering many 9's, .40's & .45's) or one of my revolvers (5 or 6-shot, from small to large).

Just my thoughts.