cptdean

I looked at these for a minute after getting my Mark III 22/45 RP, but dismissed it entirely after removing my magazine catch safety. A $20 hammer bushing from Clark Custom filled the empty space and made the gun disassemble like a Mark II.

I've had most of what I wanted over the years, but here's my current list (subject to change if I spot a squirrel): S&W 1911 Gunsite Ruger Vaquero .45LC Series 70 Colt Combat Commander (all steel, blued, .45ACP) Springfield SOCOM 16 Springfield TRP Pro Heck, if I sit here long enough I'll just make myself want to sell what I've got to buy something on that list!

Great job! Head on over to elsiepeaforum.com for everything you could possibly want to know about your new gun. The only change I made to mine was installing a 13# recoil spring to replace the factory 9#. I would also consider carrying some DoubleTap 95gr FMJ (or comparable FMJ) for defense. Penetration matters a lot with these little guys.

Congratulations! I've got an LCP and love it. Post a report.

Yep, those were the good ol' days!

OD green Ruger P85 bought in 1989(?) at Wal*Mart. Still have it, and it still runs perfectly.

Sorry to be one of "those guys" who offers a different suggestion, but since you already like SIGs and you want to start with a .22, have you considered the SIG P220 Classic 22? The nice thing about it is you can buy a caliber conversion kit later and go straight up to .45ACP. It's built on the same frame. Just a thought...

All things considered, I'd agree with the herd that the Remington may be the all-around best choice for your situation. On the other hand, don't worry too much about the front sight issue on the Mil-spec. Both Trijicon and Meprolight make a stake-on tritium front sight for 1911s and your LGS should be able to install it for you. Just depends on the deal your getting and what you want your options to be with that gun. The reality is you'll probably end up with 4-5 1911s anyway, so it doesn't really matter which one you start with.

If American-made is what you're after, you might also check out the Remington R1 for about the same price as the Mil-spec. From a feature standpoint, it blends the GI and Mil-spec models so you still end up with a beveled mag well, 3-dot sights (dovetailed, front and rear), and lowered and flared ejection port. You also pick up a stainless barrel and bushing and a Series 80 firing pin block (if you like that sort of thing). Nashville Sporting Arms on Charlotte had one in the case a few weeks ago. You might give them a call if you're interested.

Out of curiosity, I checked Glock retail prices after visiting the store. Looks like they're charging full retail (at the least) for everything in their display. I agree that stock is limited and I saw very little variety. I realize it's a new start-up, but they're not going to last long at this rate. Every time I drive by I see fewer and fewer cars in the lot. Seems like they've missed their market.

Hey, OP! Welcome to the wonderful world of the good ol' American 1911! I've had both the Springfield GI and the Mil-spec and they're both fantastic guns. I wouldn't worry in the least about tolerances, and the park'd finish is incredibly tough. Differences over the GI, as I'm sure you've noticed, are that the Mil-spec comes with 2 mags, 2 sets of grips, has angled slide serrations, a lowered and flared ejection port, beveled mag well, undercut trigger guard, and 3-dot sights. All parts are pretty easily replaced, and there are plenty of aftermarket drop-in parts that do not require sizing, but you won't know how they work in your particular specimen until you try. As others have said, a big part of the allure of the 1911 is that it's not really a gun...it's a platform...and replacing parts is a strong addiction. I really couldn't recommend another 1911 in that price range. I say go for it, and happy shooting!

I wore a Carry-Lok for a while and really liked it, but I got tired of fiddling with my belt to put it on and take it off. I ended up getting a UBG Regulator and absolutely loved it when I had my Kahr P45. Getting another for my Glock 23. You might want to give it a look. Super thin, sturdy, and pulls the gun in tighter than my Bianchi did.

Hey, FiddleDog! What would be wrong with a nice Glock 23 RTF2? Just kidding... Glad to see you're going Glock again. I've got a 21SF being transferred in this week to get some .45 ACP power back in the stable.

Great comments. Thanks!

I haven't had a revolver in a lot of years, but am thinking of getting one again. Especially something small and light. For summer carry, is there a reason you're partial to revolvers over a comparable size pistol? I'm not challenging your opinion...I'd just like some help justifying buying another gun.

This. And to answer another poster's question, the prices are insanely high. Most of the Glocks in their case have price tags from $600-$680, with a few dipping down to the $580. No need to go there with Nashville Sporting Arms so close by on Charlotte.

I've just come back to Glock after 15 years. My vote is for the G19, as I believe it's probably the best mix of value/size/caliber/reliability. That said, there are plenty of other guns worth your attention, but you wouldn't be choosing poorly if you chose a G19.

- +1 on the Mk III being the worst because you can seize it up if you get your steps out of whack. I de-lawyer-fied mine, though, and now it's a breeze. - Second worst was my recent Kahr. It was a trick for me to get the marks lined up while trying to force the slide stop out. - Third are my 1911s, because of the number of steps involved and having to utilize a hammer to punch out the mainspring housing pin...and, on re-assembly, taking care to not put an "idiot scratch" on it. - Easiest are my Glocks.

If you'd like to see one, Nashville Sporting Arms may still have one on the shelf. I saw it a few weeks ago and agree that it has a nice fit and finish. It's a Series 80 design, but I might be able to look past that since the 1911 bug has caught me again.

Great guns, guys! Here's my 22/45 RP with VQ trigger and internals, Pac-Lite receiver, Burris FF2, and Hogue grips.

Built it for my dad. Took a few months, and ended up being all Spike's. He is the envy of his SO buddies now.

Thanks for the compliments, all. When I can't be out shooting targets, "shooting" the guns is the next best thing.

Yep, that's definitely a nice setup. My Pac-Lite is also starting to show some wear after about 500 rounds. It's good to know they'll stand behind their product if I ever need them to. Did you have any reliability issues that led to replacing it?

That's a U.S. Luggage briefcase/computer bag my wife gave me last year. Like most men, I have a woman who is better than I deserve.

Hello, gang. I recently joined TGO and thought I'd post a couple of pics as a hello. The first is my LCP, which goes everywhere with me, and the second is my (nearly completed) 22/45 build. The only upgrade in the LCP is a 13# recoil spring. The 22/45 RP, on the other hand, has had a lot more toys added to it: Pac-Lite barreled receiver, VQ trigger, hammer, and sear, Clark bushing, and Burris FastFire II. All it needs now is a Silencerco Sparrow can someday. My darling wife got me the Burris and a light box for X-mas and I've been having a lot of fun with both. Thanks for a great forum!