Replacing my Officer's ACP

[FanTactical]

Here goes my first post.

So, two weeks ago I had an attempted B&E while I was home - broad daylight. Called 911 - too busy to send someone. Fortunately, Smith & Wesson were backing me up. It got me thinking though. I have 3 seconds to respond if someone comes through the front door before they are at the back of the house. That isn't much time if you are sleeping.

I have a Colt Officer's ACP that I bought new many years ago that is in near new condition. I love the gun, but it's a SA, and the recoil is too much for my wife to handle. I'm looking at replacing it as the primary defense gun with a Sig M11-A1, if I can find one.

I've seen the Officer's model on auction sites listed from $600 to $1100 but I have no idea what they actually sell for, or if these are sought after guns.

There were two would-be intruders in this case, and both my Colt and my Smith 29 hold six rounds. I started looking at the Sig and 9mm guns in general because of their higher capacity and easy handling.

Any comments on the Colt? Also, what do you think of the Sig as a replacement?

[P5Ret]

Don't know much about the Colt, buddy had one years ago. As far as the Sig, and not knowing anything about your wife the grips are on the large size on the 228/M11 some people with smaller hands have a tough time with it. Make sure she can handle the size before you make that a primary for both of you. If your set on the Sig keep an open mind on a P228 or a P229 certified preowned you will save a fair amount of cash and have basically the same gun as the M11.

[rsmorgan]

Doublestack SIGs like the M11 are a real handful plus the DA/SA operation is the hardest to master for self-defense. Particularly if this is to be your wife's gun, something like a Glock or S&W M&P would be a far better choice.

Value of your Officer's Model is very much a market-by-market thing, although 1911s don't seem to be quite as caught-up in the current market frenzy as high-capacity pistols.

Might want to see if you can get your hands on the Federal Premium "Personal Defense" Reduced Recoil Ammo; very light 165gr bullet does make the .45 much more manageable for less experienced shooter. May need to change the recoil spring to a bit lighter to make the Officer's model run well with the download.

[FanTactical]

Thanks for the responses guys. My wife has small hands, so maybe an M11 isn't such a good thing for her. I'm the opposite; the Officer's ACP trigger position feels a little awkward given my long fingers.

I researched mods for it last night, but I'm thinking that I'd be just throwing away money when I could buy a better gun for less.

rsmorgan: What has your experience been with a S&W M&P? I am a little temped by them, but I didn't care for the S&W 9mm auto I tried when they first entered that market. The M&P does look good though.

[Red Devil]

For HD?

.40 S&W Glock 23, w/ 180 gr. HST ammo.

Fourteen rounds stuffed (Twelve + One is how I load'em) and a round that will do this...

.40 Federal HST 180 gr Ammo Gel Test

...in a form-factor almost identical to your Officer's and the same weight loaded as that Officer's empty.

Also, because of the closer bore axis and slide mass, a hell of a lot more manageable to shoot, especially for the women folk.


How do I know? because I replaced MY Officer's w/ a G23 a long time ago, and it was the best thing I ever did. The Wife shoots it well also.

We also have a .45 ACP Glock 36 which is a slimmer direct replacement for the Officer's that is the preferred SD carry pistol. It's loaded w/ 230 gr. HST +P ammo (which give 5" Bbl. performance out of the G36).

45 ACP Federal HST 230 gr Ammo Gel Test


Either way, Glocks are great for things that go bump in the night (when out on parole).

[jonzer77]

I would go with a full size 1911 since you could load it with 10+1 rounds of 45 and it would have the same slim grip. Depending on which officer model colt, it can sell from $700-900 depending on the model and condition.

[Bug Splat]

I think the M&P9 is a great idea. That or a Glock 19. Both are very reliable and affordable guns.

Another option would be the Springfield XD which is great for people with small hands. The grip is very small compared to any other pistol I have held.

[sholling]

You can do a lot with the Colt including replacing the trigger with a long or short trigger and the grip panels with normal or thin.

But if you must replace your Colt then look at a S&W M&P because is no thicker than a 1911 but the grip can be adjusted to fit most hands.

[hermosabeach]

For the home, are you set on a handgun?

[jewboy929]

I would hold on to the officers they are nice 45s. The double stack sigs are nice but a bit fat in the grip. Another option for your wife would be a Ruger SC9 great reviews and very good grip for us of the smaller paw persuasion and very reasonably priced. Or..... 20g shotgun is another great HD option.

[XDJYo]

Give the Sig SP2022 a try for the wife. Both me and the wife have small hands and she really liked the grip of this Sig. The DA trigger is a bit to contend with in a SD situation but may be a good thing depending.

[BushcraftToday]

I agree on the shotgun. Before you purchase anything else, go to a range that rents guns. Shoot with your wife, until you find something that you both like. Find your top 3, THEN research which has the best price, performance, and history.
The best gun for me, may not be for you. I did this with my wife, and we decided on XD .40 to supplement our 12Ga.
Best of luck to you.

Sent from my Tactical Communication Device

[Hdawg]

Just my two cents, but I would keep the Colt and then find a weapon for the wife. My night stand gun is a Springfield XD Tactical 45 which gives me 10+1 rounds of 45 goodness. I also have a Kimber Ultra Carry II in 45. The Xd is too big for my wife and the Kimber is too much of a handful to practice with (for her). After checking out Glocks, other XDs, S&Ws, and others, she settled on a Kahr CW9. It fits her hand well and she loves to shoot it. Price was easy on the wallet, too. The only change we made was to put a piece of a bicycle inner tube on the grip because it was a little rough on the hands when shooting for any length of time. The inner tube still is a very "grippy" surface while cushioning the factory molded in pattern on the grip.

Whatever you decide, if you let her pick a gun that is hers she will probably shoot it more and that is more important than the roll mark on the gun or the caliber.

[desertexplore]

Consider the Sig P239 for the wife? It a single stack 9mm with a sweet grip for smaller hands.

[desertexplore]

Also- The German P228 or M11-A1 would be a great all around pistol as well. I love mine.