txbrown

I agree with the rifle caliber being a 300 BO. A friend built one on a 7.5 barrel with a can and it is a great shooting gun. I built a 9mm with top shelf components and a 10.5 barrel. The 10.5 barrel is weighted so target acquisition is not an issue with rapid fire. A blast for shooting steel, especially dueling trees at 25 yards. I reload so throwing a few 100 rounds down range is not painful.

I bought one after the initial issues were addressed. It has been a great gun and has become my carry gun. I had over 500 rounds through it before making the switch. Only issues were a couple of fail to lock up in the first 2 mags shooting very light loads. Definitely a tight gun but no issues after a few mags, even with very light loads. Very accurate for it’s size. Bought a second one for my girlfriend for Christmas. She has about 150 rounds through it and no issues. I agree with the comment about mag springs. I leave them loaded at all times and the last round is still tight. The 12 round mags are awesome.

I have a shield and love it. I replaced my shield with a P365 about 6 weeks ago. 700 rounds later, no going back.

The Trijicon HD have been my go to sights on all my handguns except an Ed Brown 1911. The Sig X-ray sights were developed by some former Trijicon engineers according to a discussion I had with a Sig rep before buying mine. The only shooting difference I have noted is the color of the front sight. My HDs are all orange for fast pick up. I am still able to use the P365 X-ray sights at nearly the same speed. The rear sight is purposefully muted with no color to quicken front sight pick up. Work with them a bit and you’ll get the hang of them.

Chances R, I agree with you on the ported handguns.

I picked one up at Academy by accident. They had just got it in, I was there, money gone. Only $499. Very sweet shooter. Extremely accurate, even at 10 yards.

I agree with Steelharp. Both my girlfriend and I tried to like the 43 but we both kept going back to the Shield. Much better shooter. They improved the trigger with the 45 acp version and the 2.0 is sweet. Having said that, I just picked up a P365 and it is amazingly accurate. Put 250 rounds through it Friday and no issues. Birthdate on gun was March 29. Sig puts that on the label. I will keep my Shield for now but the P365 is worth a serious look if you do not have a carry gun. It will replace several in my rotation if it continues to impress.

Wingshooter, I agree. I was wanting it to be just slightly smaller. I was ready to buy after getting a chance to look at it up close. I wasn't even that put off by the fact that the trigger mechanism is mostly, non-compatible parts. Garufa, after considering last night, I think it might be related to the dual slide release and changes in the locking block making it slightly wider. Not sure, just a guess.

I doubt that anyone who buys one will be disappointed. My girlfriend really needs the smaller grip and I am on the fence for that reason only. Will probably rent/borrow one and put a few hundred down range and then jump. There are many things to like about it.

There was no back strap on it. I liked the lack of finger grooves, as I learned to shoot on 1911s back in the day, and went there expecting to place a blue label order. Guess I saved money for now.

My girlfriend and I shot the 19 today. They made some very nice changes to the gun. My only disappointment is that the grip felt larger. We both independently came to that conclusion. Nice handgun, but I think Glock missed an opportunity at reaching the smaller hand group like Sig did with the P320. I would have thought that smaller grip sizing might have come out of the military bidding. Other than that, it is nice upgrade but not enough to drive me to an upgrade in the initial pass from a gen 4. I do like the new barrel and trigger mechanism. Could do without the dual slide release but it was not a distraction.

I have tried many small 9mm and always come back to the Shield. I tried to like the G43 more but don't. I have small hands and it just fits and points well. I have yet to hear of a bad review of the 45 Shield. I do not need another 45 but am seriously considering this one. Starting to thin the herd a bit so this one may find a spot in the stable.

If you need to "recycle" them, I'll take em. :woohoo:  I usually use the large primer but have collected enough now to justify loading them too. My problem is I am so anal about reloading, I sort head stamps and am so cheap, my shooting buddy calls me a "brass whoxx". Funny thing though, he likes shooting my ammo.....

I have smaller hands so I like the smaller pistols. I had an original LCP and loved the gun but hated the trigger. Bought a P238 Blackwood and loved it. Shoot it recreationally, too. Just replaced the springs and it keeps on going. I bought a new LCP Pro, with red trigger, as an impulse buy when I felt the new trigger. It is very nice for what it is. My son has since convinced me to try a 9mm Shield and I love it. So now I have 1 too many small carry guns. Trouble is, I can't really choose. The P238 is the "tweener" so I might let it go but I love how it shoots and handles. 

I started out with a dillon 550 after a lot of research and use it often (this morning). Recently I bought a Lee Loader kit in 357 to stick in camper. I enjoy sitting and knocking some rounds out while camping. you can load 100 before you know it. recommend using a scale if you go this way. you truly learn the basics and invest $25 + a mallet, scale and calipers. key point is focus on what you are doing.   you don't actually save money but you shoot a lot more for the same money  ;) then you become a reloading addict and a brass scavenger.... a hobby in itself. good luck and enjoy

I use a large Jif peanut butter jar for 22s that are about to be used. It will hold approximately 2 bricks. Balance are stored in ammo cans. 

Thanks for the replies. I truly appreciate it. I believe I have found the hammer from a gunsmith on the S&W forum. Thanks again.

Thanks for the link.

A friend has a 1950 S&W model 3401 32 caliber revolver. A neighbor dropped the gun while looking at it and broke off the hammer. In an attempt to get it fixed the neighbor unwittingly had the hammer ground smooth creating a DA only gun. The gun was a gift that my friend desperately wants returned to original form. Can you suggest a gunsmith or possible source for the hammer. I have posted on the S&W forum also. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

I have been loading their 230 gr fmj bullets for 45 cap and have been very satisfied.

I own a Kimber Compact Stainless II and absolutely love it. I did however, finally breakdown and purchase an Ed Brown Executive Carry. That gun has never missed a beat. The fit, finish, action and accuracy are at the top of the 1911 pyramid, along with 1 or 2 others. I struggled with the purchase for several months but do not regret it in the least.    One last benefit was that the gun is monogrammed, so to speak. They got a real kick out of selling that gun to an Ed Brown.

This has been a very enjoyable read. I bought my first recent handgun about 5 years ago. Bought a Ruger SP101 in 357. I fly fish in the mountains and wanted a rugged, stainless, go boom that was easy to carry. I love that gun. As I began building my arsenal, I kept the ammo in mind, as discussed earlier. I bought Kimber 1911 in 45 ACP and a Colt M4. Both rounds will be more readily available. I then bought 22lr versions of the same platforms, M&P 15-22 for the Colt and Colt Gold Cup 22 for the Kimber. That way I am always using the same platform weapon in a high power or low cost version. Great for training, like the safety thumb on the 1911. My M&P 15-22 acts just like the Colt, not a 10-22 or plinker with plastic dress up. I also added a Sig P238 due to size and fun to shoot but it also handles like a 1911. All of my actions are becoming instinctual. Muscle memory will be critical if SHTF does occur + daily safety is enhanced by using the same platforms. Ability improves with practice and $0.03/round is better than $0.40/round. Adding a Mossberg 500 this week due to flexibility of the platform and it follows ammo rule - 12ga availability. I like lever guns and will probably add a Henry/Marlin in 22 and 357 just because, but the ammo caliber choice supports my SP101. I do think getting a 22 can is a great idea for keeping neighbors happy and others from snooping if I want to take out a varmint or get some food if SHTF. Also considering crossbow but that doesn't fit here.

My first date was carrying on our date. And she was carrying a large caliber than I was.