The "I carry a 1911" Starterpack

[lee n. field]

I think that's called eBay.


It's interesting to me that so many recent articles I've read about the 1911 take care to explain the difference between it and the striker-fired handguns that everyone apparently starts out with now.  

I got interested in 1911s (and guns in general) while in my early twenties, and started carrying a sidearm (a 1911) at the hoary, old age of 36.  I'm an ancient 40 years old at present, and looking to add a new-fangled 9mm to my carry options, probably one o' them plastic, striker jobs. If I live long enough.

No need to rush things.

Or "buy a Glock and be done with it."  Or lately, I guess, "buy a Sig 320 and be done with it."

(A huge annoyance for me.  Yuuuge.   Thread after thread on any given gunboard asking after preferences for striker vs. hammer for this purpose or that, where the questioner and participants are often unclear on the concepts and distinctions.     )

[T.O.M.]

Last year, I saved up around $1,000 for a gun purchase.  Went into it with the idea of getting a 1911.  As I shopped around, I came to realize that $1,000 wasn't enough for what I was looking for in a 1911, unless I went with one of the "second tier" companies like Rock Island.  While I was at the LGS looking, they had a SIG P225 on sale, in my price range, with night sights, a third magazine, and some really cool G-10 grips.  I bought it.  I guess that makes me, at age 48, somewhere between the 1911 curmudgeon and a young whipper-snapper Glock guy.

[Perd Hapley]

...one of the "second tier" companies like Rock Island. 

Has Rock Island achieved second tier status now? Good for them!   

[K Frame]

Chambered in .45AARP?

Who am I kidding? I carry a revolver and I just got my first AARP offer.

I've carried a revolver as my CCW of choice since I was 21 years old.

I have carried a semi-auto at times, but probably 75% of the time that I've carried it's been a revolver.

[Pb]

Well, I've got the shoes at least....

[Scout26]

Last year, I saved up around $1,000 for a gun purchase.  Went into it with the idea of getting a 1911.  As I shopped around, I came to realize that $1,000 wasn't enough for what I was looking for in a 1911, unless I went with one of the "second tier" companies like Rock Island.  While I was at the LGS looking, they had a SIG P225 on sale, in my price range, with night sights, a third magazine, and some really cool G-10 grips.  I bought it.  I guess that makes me, at age 48, somewhere between the 1911 curmudgeon and a young whipper-snapper Glock guy.

Your grandfather is so disappointed.   And I would definitely consider Rock Island first tier...

[HeroHog]

My 1911 was a Norinco and was a very well made, 100% parts compatible and reliable gun BUT the platform just didn't endear itself to me and I sold it.



I was never a Glock fanboy either until I bought a G19 3rd Gen for the wife and I shot it a few times. Now I think it's a GREAT carry gun!



 

[K Frame]

Just to be clear, I do have a 1911, a Springfield 1911-A1 Milspec. Nice handgun, but I'd never carry it as my CCW.

If I were to carry a .45, it would be my S&W 4506.

If I were to carry a single-action-type handgun, that would be my Browning Hi Power.

[HeroHog]

Seeing as the wife repossessed her G19, I carry my old S&W Model 59 now.



She sits right next to me here when I'm not out and about.


 

[Hawkmoon]

1911 comes in 3 sizes, if one of them won't do it maybe you could throw your bottle of Midol at them.

I know of at least six sizes, and that doesn't include the Para double stacks.

• Full-size (Government) - 5"
• Commander - 4-1/4"
• Officers ACP - 3-1/2"
• Defender - 3"
• Para Slim Hawg - 3" w/ shorter grip frame
• Springfield EMP - 3" w/ truncated frame

The Slim Hawg, especially, is hardly larger than most "pocket" pistols.

[K Frame]

You all forgot to mention the REAL 1911... Not that pussy pop gun...

[HeroHog]

LONGSLIDE!

[gunsmith]

Just to be clear, I do have a 1911, a Springfield 1911-A1 Milspec. Nice handgun, but I'd never carry it as my CCW.

If I were to carry a .45, it would be my S&W 4506.

If I were to carry a single-action-type handgun, that would be my Browning Hi Power.

yrs ago, i had a subscription to gun test magazine, they gave glowing reviews about  Springfield 1911-A1 Milspec, why wouldn't you carry it?

I've been wanting one for yrs, of course i would have a lot of practice to do to feel comfortable because I too usally carry a revolver  ( and or a glock in my case )

[K Frame]

Well, I'm not at all a fan of carrying a single-action pistol C&L. But if I HAD to carry such a pistol, I'd rather carry my 14-round Hi Power. But I'd not be all that crazy about carrying it, either.

[MechAg94]

For carry, I switch between a Springfield XD Mod 2 in 45 and a Glock 19.  I just got the Glock 19, but I like it a lot so far so I expect it will be my 9 mm carry gun going forward. 

A co-worker has begun shooting IDPA matches lately and telling me about it.  It has gotten me thinking about the guns I have that would be interesting to shoot with in a match like that.  I need to find a good OWB holster I can use for revolvers I have along with other guns.  I have a S&W 45 ACP revolver and a Ruger Match Champion in 357 mag that I would like to carry occasionally if I had a good holster.

[K Frame]

This is my primary carry gun, an S&W 042. (that one's not mine, but it is identical except for the grips).

Kind of uncommon, as it was a limited run uncatalogged item.

[230RN]

^ 404 error.

Try this:

http://www.tactical-life.com/combat-handguns/sw-m42-centennial-38spl-p/

I think that's the one.  Looks just like my Airweight, my own primary carry gun, but I've also got a Lasergrip on it.  Which reminds me, I've got to change the battery in it.

[K Frame]

You're kidding?

I'm seeing the picture plain as day.

It's from the picture archive at Gunauction.com



And no. They're NOT the same.

The 042 (notice the preceding 0) was a limited production non-catalog item in 1992.

Indications are that S&W was trying a new finishing process, and it failed, on 642s, so they were polished down and refinished in matte black, with some being given more of a gloss blue finish.

Production was limited to something fewer than 3,000 042s were made.

They're Airweights, but not marked airweight.

[RoadKingLarry]

This is my primary carry gun, an S&W 042. (that one's not mine, but it is identical except for the grips).

Kind of uncommon, as it was a limited run uncatalogged item.

I've got a 642 I picked up a few years ago. I'd have to look it up but it was some sort of special run. No lawyer lock. I carry it when I want something smaller.than my compact 1911.

[K Frame]

I think Mtnbkr has one of those recent run 642s with no lock, but I'm not 100% sure about that.

[BobR]

I carry a 1911 but since I just bought my 2nd 10mm 1911 I am going to get a double shoulder rig so I can carry two.   

bob

[230RN]

You're kidding?

I'm seeing the picture plain as day.

It's from the picture archive at Gunauction.com



And no. They're NOT the same.

The 042 (notice the preceding 0) was a limited production non-catalog item in 1992.

Indications are that S&W was trying a new finishing process, and it failed, on 642s, so they were polished down and refinished in matte black, with some being given more of a gloss blue finish.

Production was limited to something fewer than 3,000 042s were made.

They're Airweights, but not marked airweight.

Nope.  Here's what I get in Properties, without the "h."

(h removed so the system won't create an actual link)

ttps://picturearchive.gunauction.com/504669/7472134/7e6de9ed4aea290a06994fb843d36e70.jpg

So it's a recovered factory screw up?  Not that there's anything wrong with that.  No big deal, but I just wanted to see what the picture was, so OK, and that's that.

[K Frame]

Dang. I have no idea why I can see it and you can't.

That's weird.

And yes, essentially considered to be a factory production error in that the finishing process did not result in what was wanted.

Apparently the first batch that was produced had the bad finish and were completed guns. They were reworked and the model number was overstamped to make it look like 042 instead of 642.

Later guns in the same group, which had not been finished or stamped, were given the new finish and stamped 042. Mine is one of those guns.

[lee n. field]

This is my primary carry gun, an S&W 042. (that one's not mine, but it is identical except for the grips).

Kind of uncommon, as it was a limited run uncatalogged item.

https://picturearchive.gunauction.com/504669/7472134/7e6de9ed4aea290a06994fb843d36e70.jpg

pseudohtml whacked.  I'm not seeing that image at all.  "page canna be foun."  No matter.  The 042 looks like, as said, a 442/642.

[mtnbkr]

I think Mtnbkr has one of those recent run 642s with no lock, but I'm not 100% sure about that.

It's a 37-2 with factory bobbed hammer, no lock, and forged internals.

Chris