One other thing to think about is you can buy .22lR conversion kits for a Glock 17 or even a 1911 .45 as well. You can still shoot 9mm or .45 if you want, but have the ability to learn for waaaay cheaper. You can find conversion kits pop up on the EE pretty regular, especially for the Glock.
My first handgun . . . any advice?
- Thread starter 6GunJustice
- Start date
Hmmmm that certainly IS something to consider. I noticed CZ has a .22 conversion that fits most of the 75-97 series, but it is way too expensive IMHO (think it was around $400 US). I met someone this spring who had a .45 with a .40 adapter - the first .40 I've ever shot - that's why I got on this .40 kick. Can't remember what kind of gun it was and he has not replied to my email yet.
Is there a such thing as a .45 to 9mm? or are most conversions to .22? Nobody I've spoken to recently has heard of a .45 to .40 (I mentioned earlier), so I'm assuming that is not very common.
Is there a 1911 .45 that stands out over the rest?
I need to join EE & will check this option out.
6Gun
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Initially I was hoping to keep it under $1000 or around there . . . if the right deal comes around . . . ?? I'd have to consider it.
6Gun
TheCroatian
Regular
9mm is great fun and still more affordable than the others. Some 9mm have more snap that a 45 IMHO.
I know you like the CZs and all but I think S&W M&P 40 can be converted to 9mm very easily with the install of a 9mm barrel and mag. However the M&P 9 can not be upgraded to shoot 40. Someone correct me if im wrong.
I know you like the CZs and all but I think S&W M&P 40 can be converted to 9mm very easily with the install of a 9mm barrel and mag. However the M&P 9 can not be upgraded to shoot 40. Someone correct me if im wrong.
On the 1911 you can't go from 9mm to .45ACP on the same frame without changing topends & also replacing the ejector in the frame. In theory you could have one frame and top-ends in 9mm [could also go .38 Super with a barrel & mag change]; 10mm [could go .40 S&W with a barrel change]; .45ACP [could also go .400 Corbon with a barrel change] as long as you had the right ejectors for the frame for each slide/top end. And correct slide stops. And correct magazines for the cartridges. The reason for the different slides/topends required for each different catridge combo is the different size breech face of the slide to properly feed & align the ctg on lockup.
As stated before you can also get a .22 long rifle conversion unit for a 1911 .45ACP frame, which is just a .22 top end and correct magazines for the .22 ammo.
Usually though conversions go something like 9mm/.38 Super with just a barrel & mag change required; or .40S&W/10mm with just a barrel change [the same mags usually work for both]; or .45ACP/.400 Corbon with just a barrel change. Or a .22 lr conversion unit for a .45CP frame.
Some like shooting 9mm, 10mm, .45ACP and even .22lr all off the 1911 platform but mostly I see 10mm/.45ACP off the 1911. The 9mm off something else, like the Glock, Browning Hi-Power, CZ, Sig, HK, S&W M&P, etc. And .22lr on something like the Ruger MkII or MkIII.
NAA.
As stated before you can also get a .22 long rifle conversion unit for a 1911 .45ACP frame, which is just a .22 top end and correct magazines for the .22 ammo.
Usually though conversions go something like 9mm/.38 Super with just a barrel & mag change required; or .40S&W/10mm with just a barrel change [the same mags usually work for both]; or .45ACP/.400 Corbon with just a barrel change. Or a .22 lr conversion unit for a .45CP frame.
Some like shooting 9mm, 10mm, .45ACP and even .22lr all off the 1911 platform but mostly I see 10mm/.45ACP off the 1911. The 9mm off something else, like the Glock, Browning Hi-Power, CZ, Sig, HK, S&W M&P, etc. And .22lr on something like the Ruger MkII or MkIII.
NAA.
I too would suggest to you to concider a .22lr first but if you want something full size and can be easily converted to, say 9mm there are some options out there such as Sig and the Glocks to mention a few. I just pick up a Sig P226 Classic 22 and have the option to upgrade to 9mm, .40cal and .357SIG
Occasional is a nice though but when your at the range 50 rounds goes fast and that's $30 gone. Shoot .22lr $30 gets you 500 rounds and hours of fun.
Just something to think about.
Lastly, not sure where you are but call up the stores and see if they have the caliber you want in stock. When I go to the range and need 9mm's I don't want to plan months in advance as to who has them in stock. I want to go and buy them today and now. Just my current expeience with 9mm. Won't have this problem with .22lr.
My two cents...
Occasional is a nice though but when your at the range 50 rounds goes fast and that's $30 gone. Shoot .22lr $30 gets you 500 rounds and hours of fun.
Just something to think about.
Lastly, not sure where you are but call up the stores and see if they have the caliber you want in stock. When I go to the range and need 9mm's I don't want to plan months in advance as to who has them in stock. I want to go and buy them today and now. Just my current expeience with 9mm. Won't have this problem with .22lr.
My two cents...
If I was you, I'd spend another $300 and get an STI Trojan (not to be confused with the STI Spartan, which is a totally different thing). Best "affordably priced" 1911 out there. S&W 1911, which also costs around $1300, would be my second choice. Unfortunately, you simply cannot find a quality 1911 for under $1000 these days (granted, my idea of quality may be different from that of others, and I'm sure some people here will disagree).
Well, from the research I've done, I'd have to agree with you capp . . . the Trojan seems to be a very solid, quality 1911 - very well respected - couldn't find a negative review. A local gun shop has a .45 in stock too! but yikes! it is expensive (high 1400's). I can get it from another place (ordered in for $1369 - but I'd have to wait 3-4 weeks! Doh!) . . . veeeerrry tempting, especially now that I have found a reman ammo source(s). That's alot of $$ for me to spend on a gun so I'm taking my time 'considering' it . . . I do think it could be that "buy the right one the first time & for a long time" purchase that I was hoping for though . . .
We'll see - I'm visiting the gun shop this weekend - they have the entire line if CZ's in stock too so we will see which feels better in my hands (and wallet).
6Gun
We'll see - I'm visiting the gun shop this weekend - they have the entire line if CZ's in stock too so we will see which feels better in my hands (and wallet).
6Gun
So I was almost convinced to go the 9mm CZ route. Tried a Shadow - absolutely love how they feel in my hands (phenomenal grips!), but most of my past experience is with .45's & was feeling reluctant about the 9mm even though most advice was pointing that direction.
In the end, I decided that enjoying my handgun was more important than how much it cost to use . . . well within reason of course (basically, I was willing to pay abit more for what I really wanted) - then I discovered reman ammo which helps with the economics of it all, so my initial desire for a .45 was renewed. So I looked closer at the 1911 option and have finally decided that is what I want, a nice quality .45 1911.
Capp, you mentioned the Trojan. I researched the hell out of 1911's and really like what I read about STI. A friend, who is the source of my handgun experience, confirmed STI as a solid 1911 choice. Researching online, the Trojan came up over and over with nothing but 2 thumbs up! . . . however on further research (and I did further research on the Spartan (lol) because you said "not to be confused with the STI Spartan"), I can't find much negative to find about the Spartan either. I think the Trojan might have a nicer finish & calibre options, but it is also costs about $4-500 more! (depending where you buy) So really, if I want a 45, why isn't the Spartan isn't a good choice (or a better choice, bang for buck) for a .45 1911?
This is what I do know . . . well this is what 'I believe' I know . . . the Spartan's frame, barrel & slide are made by Armscor in the Philippines. The remaining parts are supplied by STI and they are assembled there(Philippines), then sent to STI for final QC. From what I can gather, they go thru the same QC as any other STI model, and they appear to be known for their slide-to-frame-to-barrel fit and in general are a very accurate & nice gun too shoot - nice and tight even after 000's of rounds.
I've found many threads Spartan vs. "another manufacturer" (STI seems to wim most of those) but can't really find much info on Spartan vs. Trojan other than what I said above and the fact that the Trojan is assembled in Texas with a forged frame instead of a cast one . . . would I really even notice?
So I guess I have narrowed things down to STI . . . kinda still want the Trojan because I really want to own a nice gun for a long time, but can't ignore the fact that the Spartan seems to be just as good (even though it has been subbed out), but about $400 cheaper . . . that's alot of rounds!
Any thoughts/argements?
6Gun
