First Handgun, need some pointers

D

dingbat

Member
Rating - 100%
48   0   0
Location
GTA, ON
Hi all. I'm going to be looking for my first pistol probably in the Spring. I'm not new to firearms but am new to the wide selection of models. I'm most familiar w/ the BHP, but have used Sigs, Glocks, 1911s and S&W (model escapes me but it was a 9mm metal frame).

I've decided that I want to get a 1911 in .45 as well as a .22 conversion.

I am looking to spend 900 for the 1911 and I know the Kimber .22 conversion is $400 @ TSE. I'm not looking into making it into a race gun as I don't have the funds to do so.

What would the best choices be for both the .45 pistol and the conversion?

1911 .45
-Springfield Armory GI or Mil-Spec
-Kimber Custom II
-Colt (not sure which model)
-STI Spartan

.22 Conversion
-Kimber
-Marvel
-Advantage Arms
-Jarvis
-Wilson Combat
-Ciener

I'm not set on the Kimber conversion but it seems to be the most popular and most readily available kit from my searching.

One last point - I was reading the manual of the Springfield 1911 and in one of the pages it near the end it states not to use .22 conversion kits due to the firing pin on some kits sitting too far back and having the possibility of being struck by the hammer at the half-#### causing an AD. Is this a common occurance or just the legal team at SA doing there job.

Thanks for your help.
-D
 
If you are in or near Calgary I'd recommend going to TSE, tell Redleg (CGNer & TSE Dealer) what you want to do and how much you have to spend. I bet he could set you up with a good used combo or individual pistols from their range etc. In any event go there and try a few different guns.
Mike
 
Sticking your neck out

Starting with 45acp? Very brave. Not the cheapest round to reload or buy but still a good choice.
The good people at Glock make a very nice & very durable G21. If you have a small hand, you can get their new Glock21SF, the short frame.
Cost is not even close to your dollars. Get a nice Uncle Mike's holster, a double mag pouch and your set.
 
Thanks for your replies so far.
I've tried the Sigs and I just don't like the way they are setup compared to a 1911. I have small hands but I'm just not a big fan of how the glock points but I do understand it is a very good, simple to use pistol...just not my cup of tea.
I forgot to put in my profile that I'm in Markham, ON but it's there now. Target Sports is only 15 minutes away but their cost of a Kimber Custom II is over 1k.
Are the prices listed on the TSE pricelist in CAD or USD? The front page says they are retail prices and the cost is exactly the same as the Kimber website.
 
I would recommend that you select both the .22 lr adapter and .45 ACP pistol from the same manufacturer. Like everybody else says, check out Kimber. Be sure to avoid putting a Kimber .22 lr adapter on a Springfield Armory pistol, it will void the SA warranty from what I have read.
 
to add to the sound advice already posted here, give some more thought to buying a separate 22 handgun than a conversion unit.

i never used a unit, perhaps others have, and can tell you if it works as a training unit as cheap alternative to the 45.

a second dedicated 22 handgun is an asset in its own.

when it comes to resell your 45, god forbid,i don't know if many of us want to buy it together with conversion unit, so likely you will do separate sell

the $400 extra you may want to spend on a conversion unit:

can help buy a decent press, dies and components for reloading 45;
or just buy a stock of practice 45 ammo,
or buy a 22 browning buckmark, which has similar grip angle to the 1911
 
johnkwok said:
to add to the sound advice already posted here, give some more thought to buying a separate 22 handgun than a conversion unit.

i never used a unit, perhaps others have, and can tell you if it works as a training unit as cheap alternative to the 45.

a second dedicated 22 handgun is an asset in its own.

when it comes to resell your 45, god forbid,i don't know if many of us want to buy it together with conversion unit, so likely you will do separate sell

the $400 extra you may want to spend on a conversion unit:

can help buy a decent press, dies and components for reloading 45;
or just buy a stock of practice 45 ammo,
or buy a 22 browning buckmark, which has similar grip angle to the 1911
Click to expand...


Well said. Why pay the same among of money to own one and a half gun, should buy two different instead.

Trigun
 
The reason I'm looking to the conversion is that I already have holsters for a BHP, which w/ little to no modification can fit a 1911. But I think eventually I'll get a Ruger Mark III.

So the consensus here is the Kimber Custom II is the way to go. Where would a good place to buy from be? I've seen prices vary widely.

TSE - 795
SIR - 769
Shooter's Choice - 935
Target Sports - 1039
 
Well the stockings are laying on the floor stuffed with all sorts of toys ..
There is a pile of stuff under the tree and the kid has thoughts of motor shops and is glad daddy is home... And Santa had his lo-fat, double half-caff mocha frapachino.

To all of you and yours from me and mine.. best of the season, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Hanukkah or whatever you are or are not celebrating this time of year...

It seems that we think back about what we've lost and what we've gained at this time of year and hope that there is net gain.... I gained a son and lost a dog of 14 years, changed jobs and moved away from my family and bought my fair share of the EE... until I saw my kids face and felt that hug on Friday I honestly felt it was net loss this year... But right now it's pretty much a draw...And the year ain't over yet...

I have to be back to work on the 26th and I'm working thru new years so I may not get the chance to reflect new years eve I've done mine now...

Brian, Jayne & Dakota (Born 02/02/04 Adopted 03/28/07 Loved every damn day!) Stephens.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom