Breakfast Conversation and a Question about .45's

[Ken]

Just got back from having a 3 hour long breakfast meeting with a close friend, a State Trooper. We spoke about 2 things I'd like to share with all of you.

The first is the conversation we had about Second Amendment rights. He confirmed what I've suspected for a long time based on my conversations with other troopers and many, many local police officers. Mass State Troopers overwhelmingly oppose any further gun control legislation for all of the very same reasons that most of us here do. Period.

The unanimous consensus of over 50 officers and troopers I've spoken with is that a trained armed good guy (male or female - no gender bias here) already on the scene is the best way to stop an active shooter in his/her tracks, and that good guys with guns are the FIRST line of defense against violent crime.

The second thing is that the Massachusetts State Police are quickly moving away from .40 caliber pistols in favor of model 1911 .45 caliber weapons. After several years of use and study, the .40 simply hasn't met original expectations for both performance and stopping power. I'm seriously thinking about dumping both of my .9 mm's and my .40 in favor of a couple of .45's. I really liked the Colt Combat Commander I once owned. Thinking about another Combat Commander and something much smaller for everyday concealed carry.

I'm open to suggestions on the smaller model. The smallest and lightest RELIABLE .45 available with a 10 round capacity. Your thoughts, my friends?

[welderguy]

I dont know of a compact 1911 platform with more than 7 rounds ..Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

this one only has a mag capacity of 2...http://www.ammoland.com/2009/03/spri...#axzz2PysZW3ST

[Ken]

I dont know of a compact 1911 platform with more than 7 rounds ..

Thanks, Dave. The compact doesn't have to be a 1911 platform.

[kyratshooter]

Ken, remember that if you stick with the 1911 frame mag capacity is adjustable!

The mag you carry in the gun my only be 6 rounds but the frame will accept full sized or over capacity mags.

My habit with the 1911 was carrying the pistol with an 8 round mag but both my reserve mags were 10 round.

You might wish to look into some of the newer .45 offerings. There are some really good new offerings in compact pistols outside the 1911 platform but still chambered for .45acp.

I am not big enough to conceal a full sized 1911, or a commander, while wearing regular clothes, espically now that summer is here. I tend to wear suits and light sport coats more than I did before the CCW was in the wallet.

[welderguy]

Check out the glock 30, I am not a fan of glock but there a good gun.

[Ken]

I am not big enough to conceal a full sized 1911, or a commander, while wearing regular clothes, espically now that summer is here. I tend to wear suits and light sport coats more than I did before the CCW was in the wallet.

That's my problem as well. I looked at the Springfield Arms model that welderguy linked in his post. Does anyone have any experience with the Springfield?

[welderguy]

I had a full size Springfield 1911, very good gun, no issues at all.

[Ken]

Check out the glock 30, I am not a fan of glock but there a good gun.

I don't think it's "Mass Compliant." I'll check our esteemed attorney general's list of "approved" firearms.

[welderguy]

I don't think it's "Mass Compliant." I'll check our esteemed attorney general's list of "approved" firearms.

Why wouldnt it be, If im not mistaken its mag cap is 7 maybe lower i dont remember

[welderguy]

sorry glock 36 is a 7 round, glock 30 is a 10 round.

[Ken]

Why wouldnt it be, If im not mistaken its mag cap is 7 maybe lower i dont remember

It's 10 + 1. http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/review/SA_hicap_UC.htm

As far as Mass compliant goes, the list is a joke. I recently read an article - I believe it was about a sig model - and the Mass A.G. found the stainless version to be Mass Compliant but rejected the dark version of the very same model. The reason? A stainless had been submitted for testing and a dark version OF THE SAME MODEL had not been submitted. Absolutely insane.

[welderguy]

It's 10 + 1. http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/review/SA_hicap_UC.htm

As far as Mass compliant goes, the list is a joke. I recently read an article - I believe it was about a sig model - and the Mass A.G. found the stainless version to be Mass Compliant but rejected the dark version of the very same model. The reason? A stainless had been submitted for testing and a dark version OF THE SAME MODEL had not been submitted. Absolutely insane.

wow those people ate a lot of paint chips when they were kids didnt they.

[Ken]

wow those people ate a lot of paint chips when they were kids didnt they.

The first criteria to hold statewide office in Massachusetts is to prove that you have no common sense. The second is to be as "progressive" as possible. The third is to think that any problem can be solved if you throw enough money at it.

[1stimestar]

Oh I just read an article in our paper that polled police officers. They said they prefer the locals to be MORE armed. Now I can't find it...

[Rick]

Ken, I have a Springfield XD Service Model in .45. It's my woods carry weapon. It's too heavy for a CCW, at least for me, but makes a nice night stand weapon. It has a double stack magazine so it's 13+1. It has the thumb safety similar to Glock. It also has a cocked indicator and a round in the chamber indicator.

[Ken]

Ken, I have a Springfield XD Service Model in .45. It's my woods carry weapon. It's too heavy for a CCW, at least for me, but makes a nice night stand weapon. It has a double stack magazine so it's 13+1. It has the thumb safety similar to Glock. It also has a cocked indicator and a round in the chamber indicator.

Sadly, it's not Mass compliant. I assume you're happy with it overall. Any idea if all Springfields have a good rep?

[greatgoogamooga]

I'm a big fan of the 1911 platform, but not in the 3" barreled versions. I've seen too many with feeding issues that get finicky over ammo, where my full sized 5" will take anything, including wadcutters. If you don't need a 3" and want something shorter, go with a 4" barrel 1911 in 8+1 capacity. I am VERY biased on this. I just like 1911's over Glocks, S&W M&P's and XD's.

Goog

[finallyME]

I have been looking at the XDM and Glock, both in .45. Someday I will actually have money to buy them.

If Utah had a list of approved firearms, then the 1911 would be on top. I think it was last year that the state Legislature voted to make it the state handgun. That's cuz John Browning was from Utah.

[Rick]

Yes on the first part and I don't know on the second. I've put quite a bit of range time in mine with different ammo manufacturers and I haven't found anything it won't eat. I think this version of Springfield formed in 1974 so they aren't the original Springfield Armory that we all know and love.

[greatgoogamooga]

Any idea if all Springfields have a good rep?

i have a stainless "mil Spec" Springfield and it's very reliable. I spoke to a local smith about getting a customized 1911 for IDPA and he said I had a great base gun for modding. The steel is good and everything is built to good tolerances, meaning he can swap parts and make them fit easily. The other guys I know that shoot them at the matches love them as well.

Goo