Been Doing Shotguns... Now it's Pistol Time

[CTX-SLPR]

Howdy,

Well after doing nothing by shotguns for years I think it's time to face the fact that I don't go trap and skeet shooting much anymore and there its so much less of a time sink to go shoot pistols.
I've shot plenty of pistols over the years and since I'm not really planning on this being a home defense weapon and in Alameda county I'm not carrying it, I'm leaning towards something more historic and fun than light and handy.

Right now I'm locking in on a Rock Island Armory 1911A1 in .38 Super and not shiney. Very much like the 1911 platform over the Glocks I've shot and the .38 Super seems to get me a full sized frame, ability to shoot some decently available ammo, and with 9 rounds in the mag, just about all I can cram in there legally. Reading also suggests that it would handle 9x23mm if I wanted to get something more powerful in the original barrel and mag (new recoil spring and maybe a chamber ream). It also seems like it's a barrel and mag change away from shooting the ubiquitous 9x19mm which would make it a cheaper plinker.

How has the interwebs lead me astray?

Thanks

[Hank15]

Guns are long term use tools. RIA is great for the occasional plinker.

If you plan to shoot often and/or keep the gun for a while, save up for a Springfield Armory 9mm.

[osis32]

that would do you just fine. yes you can do the barrel swap if I recall it's the easiest and cheapest way to get a new 9mm 1911 in California. I like ria I disagree with the poster above I think they're good all around pistols and not just for occasional plinking. another gun to look at that's historic and on roster is the walther p1 (at least it was in roster last I checked) if you don't mind a German weapon.

is there anything else you're interested in? different trigger mechanisms you like or don't like?

[elSquid]

Unless you reload 38 Super is $$$, so I'd just go 9mm from the get go.

Also, I'd lean towards a full size CZ75 for about the same money as the RIA+extra barrel.

CZ75 is a pretty classic design in its own right...



Image stolen from : http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/CZ75.htm

-- Michael

[jazman]

Another vote here for a 9mm 1911. Easy to find and reasonable cost of ammo is the way to go IMO. I really enjoy shooting my 9mm Commander, one of my favorites.

[morrcarr67]

that would do you just fine. yes you can do the barrel swap if I recall it's the easiest and cheapest way to get a new 9mm 1911 in California. I like ria I disagree with the poster above I think they're good all around pistols and not just for occasional plinking. another gun to look at that's historic and on roster is the walther p1 (at least it was in roster last I checked) if you don't mind a German weapon.

is there anything else you're interested in? different trigger mechanisms you like or don't like?

I believe that PW Arms is still paying the CA extortion fee.

Though they don't need to; it is C&R and roster exempt.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

[CTX-SLPR]

Sorry for not checking back in on this. Busy time of year.
I didn't like the grip and trigger (not the pull but the placement) on the Glocks I've shot and I've found the sights to be annoying though. Not terrible.
I liked the 1911 and it's variants that I've shot, both various single and double stack variants, and even the M9 (Beretta 92) once I put it in single action. I doubt I'll shoot enough for the cost of ammo to get really bad unless I get hooked on which case I'll probably switch to 9x19mm unless I ended up there anyway. Staying away from .45ACP since I doubt my wife or kids when they are a few years older will want to handle the recoil.

Historically I would like a Polish VIS 35 since if I ever did start collecting, I find interwar Poland an interesting historical case. I've never shot one but all accounts say it's nice.

No ideas on Czech guns beyond articles that I've just started reading. Sounds interesting.

[AKexpat]

I'm leaning towards something more historic and fun than light and handy.

Just my $.02 worth so take it FWIW to you.

Once upon a time I owned a Colt Combat Commander Matte Nickel finish (all steel) in .38 Super. Beautiful looking pistol. Bought a box of Rem 130 grain cartridges and shot it. I could not hit the side of the barn if was inside the barn, and I owned a 1911 steel .45 at the same time that was spot on.

Since the .38 Super headspaced on the semi-rebated rim on that barrel, I did some reading and bought a Bar-Sto barrel that headspaced on the case mouth like the 9mm and the .45, and figured my problems were solved. No joy. Never had any feed failures or FTF problems. It was just not accurate. I sold it and never really looked back.

I know other folks have had good luck with that platform/caliber. Obviously my stars were not aligned.

The 1911 in .38 Super was very popular with the early 30's gangsters when it was introduced in the 1911 in 1929, probably because it was much higher velocity than the .45 and the gangsters used it as a pray and spray, and it was a favorite in Mexico because it was not forbidden by the Mexican government because it was not a military round like the .45 ACP and the 9x19.

I don't think these guys were concerned with accuracy. I think they liked the velocity of the projectile.

http://www.guns.com/2012/09/26/lebman-1911-machine-pistol/

Right now I'm locking in on a Rock Island Armory 1911A1 in .38 Super and not shiney. Very much like the 1911 platform over the Glocks I've shot and the .38 Super seems to get me a full sized frame, ability to shoot some decently available ammo, and with 9 rounds in the mag, just about all I can cram in there legally.

I really like parked 1911 pistols. I have a homebuilt 1911 .22 with a parked frame, MSH, and barrel. The finish holds oil well.

https://www.tombstonetactical.com/catalog/rock-island/m1911-a1-fs-pistol-38super-5in-9rd-parkerized/

I am not a Kalifornian, but I would think you could purchase a 1911 full-sized steel frame in 9mm or .45, and I would stay away from any aluminum framed guns. They just don't last as long as the steel ones.

Reading also suggests that it would handle 9x23mm if I wanted to get something more powerful in the original barrel and mag (new recoil spring and maybe a chamber ream). It also seems like it's a barrel and mag change away from shooting the ubiquitous 9x19mm which would make it a cheaper plinker.

The 9x19 on a 1911 steel platform is a piece of cake served on a platter. If you go for the 9x23 mods I would not do it on an alloy frame as you will have slide/frame battering if shot regularly, and as the serial numbered frame is "the gun" you should not do that.

The 9x23 is an expensive round to shoot, much more so than the .38 Super, even if you handload.

Jim

Thanks

[ShaneB]

[CTX-SLPR]

Thanks for the detailed reply, I did not like the Commander 1911 I shot, if anything longer barrels on a 1911 have my interest more than a shorter than 5in unit. Likewise an Aluminum frame doesn't seem worth it for durability and the fact it won't be strapped to my hip for ready service so weight isn't much of a factor as with others.

The 9x23mm is more of a macho thing to be able to put serious bullets down range if I wanted to. Only practical time I could see is if I took it with me hunting back with in TX with my folks and need a hog protection sidearm.

There is another caliber that looks like it could be fun; 22 TCM. 9x19mm case necked down on some kind of .22 bullet. YouTube make it look like a soft shooting but big muzzle blast cartridge. Just something else to throw in the mix.

Thanks

[AKexpat]

Thanks for the detailed reply, I did not like the Commander 1911 I shot, if anything longer barrels on a 1911 have my interest more than a shorter than 5in unit. Likewise an Aluminum frame doesn't seem worth it for durability and the fact it won't be strapped to my hip for ready service so weight isn't much of a factor as with others.

The 9x23mm is more of a macho thing to be able to put serious bullets down range if I wanted to. Only practical time I could see is if I took it with me hunting back with in TX with my folks and need a hog protection sidearm.

There is another caliber that looks like it could be fun; 22 TCM. 9x19mm case necked down on some kind of .22 bullet. YouTube make it look like a soft shooting but big muzzle blast cartridge. Just something else to throw in the mix.

Thanks

Commanders with the 4-1/4" barrel are OK in my book, but I do prefer the 5" Government model for the .45. The .22 TCM, although very interesting, is another cartridge that is expensive to shoot and probably great fun but, to me, of no utility.

I gave my son my TC Contender 10" a few years ago chambered in .223 Rem with a Leupold M8-2x scope. It was a hoot to shoot, little recoil, but the muzzle blast at night was to light up the sky. When he shot it as a kid he was all smiles and sometimes I could not provide all of the handloaded ammo he wanted. Talk about gun addiction!