Which pistol to carry?

[Dr_B]

I have two pistols that I shoot well and can carry/conceal comfortably. I like carrying each one, but they are different platforms and I'm wary of switching back and forth between them.

So, what do people here think? Which one would you carry if you had the choice between the two and you could comfortably carry and conceal either one?

Sig Sauer P226, 9mm, 15 rounds.

Sig Sauer 1911 C3, .45 ACP, 7 rounds.

 

[Lawdawg45]

Doc, you failed to mention what the 2 pistols were! Help us make an informed choice

LD

Doc, the survey just popped up

 

[TwoWheelFiend]

If you had both on a table in front of you and you had to grab one.......

 

[451 Detonics]

Most gunfights are over in a couple rounds...which do you shoot the best?

 

[Supertac45]

The 226 is flawless. I can't say the same for their 1911.

 

[Dr_B]

I tend to shoot both guns very well. I'm maybe slightly more accurate with the 226, but I've had it longer and put more rounds through it during practice. Neither gun has ever had problems jamming with factory ammo. They're both reliable and great-looking guns. Honestly it's really a champagne problem. I just hate to leave one of them at home all the time.

 

[keenshooter]

I like the compact size of the 226, its very similar to my favorite carry gun a HK uspc 9mm

 

[Dr_2_B]

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.

 

[Steve CT]

I don't have the same 2 pistols, but I do have pretty much the same choices: S&W Model 59 9mm and a DW 1911 Pointman. I love shooting the 1911, but the nod almost always goes to the hi-cap 9mm for carry

 

[orionengnr]

Understand that my choice reflects my preferences, and that may have very little to do with what works for you.

I shoot a 1911 better than anything else. That makes the decison an easy one for me.

Once again, what works for me may not work for you.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

My .02 is if you want a 1911, go with a company whose strength is the 1911 (Colt, Springfield, Kimber). If you want a 9mm, go with a company whose strength is the 9mm (Sig).

 

[Fatelvis]

This is a difficult question, as they are both excellent weapons and I would feel equally protected with either. That being said, I think I would still go with the larger caliber .45.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

OOPS... You said you already own both. LOL... Sorry I misread.

 

[SC_Slowhand]

The 9mm

I'd go with the 9mm before the .45 Caliber. If you've got a problem with switching go with the one you're more "comfortable" with.

Most of the time, I carry a Sig P-239, 9mm or a Ruger SP101, .357 Caliber, usually with a Ruger LCP .380 for a BUG. When it comes to concealed carry where I'm going, how I'm dressed and the weather determine what I carry.

 

[BossHogg]

I would carry that Sig C 3 everywhere I go. I drool everytime I see one, just a beautiful gun and a perfect CCW size. It's very high on my want gotta have list.

 

[Creature]

I like both but would pick the 226 without hesitation. I prefer DA/SA for a CCW ...and the 9mm over 45ACP because of my ability to make faster and more accurate follow-up shots with the 9mm. Besides, the 226 has double the magazine capacity.

 

[David E]

Do you carry the 1911 cocked and locked? If not, then carry the Sig (if you carry that chamber loaded)

When you say shoot the 226 better, "better" how?

Does your practice include firing the 226 from DA to SA? How fast can you do that? How are the hits? How do they compare to the 1911?

If you set up an IPSC target at 5 yds starting from high ready, how do they compare in time and hits? (Sig hammer down start, 1911 starts cocked and locked)

 

[jad0110]

I'm maybe slightly more accurate with the 226, but I've had it longer and put more rounds through it during practice.

I think you answered your own question right there. You have a slight accuracy edge and a fair degree more time on the 226, so that is what I'd carry were I in your shoes.

For me, between those 2 choices, I'd go 1911 simply because I shoot them better.

 

[Dr_B]

Do you carry the 1911 cocked and locked? If not, then carry the Sig (if you carry that chamber loaded)

When you say shoot the 226 better, "better" how?

Does your practice include firing the 226 from DA to SA? How fast can you do that? How are the hits? How do they compare to the 1911?

I carry each pistol with a round in the chamber; the 1911 is cocked and locked.

I shoot the 226 slightly better in terms of accuracy when I'm shooting at steel targets at 25 yards. At 7 yards or less from a target my groups are paper plate sized or smaller with either pistol.

My range practice for any carry gun includes firing two-handed, right-only, left-only, sometimes firing from the ground, and firing from cover behind obstacles. With the 226, I always start DA.

I like the higher round count in the 226, but that isn't essential. I am comfortable with 7 + 1 .45 ACP.

 

[BossHogg]

DrB , on the SIG C3. I was wanting to know if it fits a 1911 holster? I heard the early ones wouldn't and you had to find one made for Sig 1911.

 

[Jath]

Carry them both. Pull the 1911 first, and when that one is out of ammo or craps out on you, switch.

 

[David E]

Ok, you shoot the 226 slightly better slowfire...which do you shoot better/faster 7 yds and closer?

Most people will shoot the 1911 better/faster under those circumstances.

If you're truly equally fast and accurate with either one, then it's more personal preference, but again, the 1911 carries better for most people.

I wouldn't base my decision on the fact I'm slightly better shooting plates at 25 yds slowfire with one over the other.

 

[Dr_B]

DrB , on the SIG C3. I was wanting to know if it fits a 1911 holster? I heard the early ones wouldn't and you had to find one made for Sig 1911.

I carry the C3 in a Bianchi #3S Pistol Pocket for a Colt Commander. The C3 has officer grips on a commander frame, so it still fits the holster (or the holster fits the gun).

Ok, you shoot the 226 slightly better slowfire...which do you shoot better/faster 7 yds and closer?

I want to say I shoot them both about the same rapid fire at 7 yards. I have paper targets from doing that on different occasions. But I should take the two pistols out and try them back-to-back specifically testing for grouping at that distance.

 

[Weevil]

Honestly there's not much difference between the two other than caliber and capacity.


Both are big heavy all-steel duty pistols more designed for open holster carry than as CCW pistols.

6 of of one a half dozen of the other, my edge would go to the 1911 as I'm quite familiar with that platform, but if I was experienced with the P226 and shot it equally well I might give it the edge due to the extra capacity.



Flip a coin, it's not as if you're gonna be naked and vulnerable if you choose one instead of the other, they're both fine weapons.

 

[scaatylobo]

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

But I have seen enough and read enough to believe that it "possible" to have more than one perp and therefore need more than 2.3 rounds.

I do carry a 1911 and when I do ,I also carry at least 2 spare mags.

My EDC is either a Glock 23 [ .40 S&W ] or a Glock 19 [ 9 MM ] ,AND for them I carry at least one spare mag.

Better to be tried by twelve ,etc.