Need Suggestions-Next Handgun

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brizbane

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Hello from NJ,

I have a dilemma.

I have been gradually reducing my inventory of handguns with the goal of keeping only two .45 ACP 1911's, along with a good amount of ammo in this caliber.

I would like to add one more .45 caliber handgun to the mix and I am unsure whether to go with revolver or semi-auto.

Requirements: Concealed carry and Home Defense
No size requirement
.45 ACP

I know the the revolver would probably be more practical as far as maintenance and overall reliability.

Semi-auto has greater firepower.

I was wondering if you guys and gals would give me your impressions regarding what format (revolver or semi-auto) and why, and then, what particular make and model.

Then, I will scrape some dough together.
 
A moon clip S&W is a good choice. I understand the need for some to reduce their gun collections but I cannot in good conscience say it is a good idea to have only one caliber. While making good sense from a logistics standpoint it is smart but with the ammo shortages and all I think it is wiser to have at least two calibers to pick from. Unless you have a stockpile of ammo for it.

And of you do please stop buying ammo for a bit and shoot what you have on hand so the rest of the world can get their hands on some.

I hate hoarder who buy ammo 500+ rounds at a time everytime they see any when they don't shoot that much in a year. These are the same idiots that have pushed gun prices to record highs. Have enough to handle an emergency situation for a few days and let others have a box or two of the cheap practice stuff for practice.

The only good thing about these people is that in a few years they wil dust of their guns with less than thousand rounds through them and sell them for cheap just like they did with their homegyms, golfclubs and other hobby equipment that isn't the latest fad.
 
TV, thanks but I don't think I'll go with another 1911 right now. I am getting on in age and that is one of the reasons for downsizing.

Ed, I just might consider the moon clip, although I am not too familiar with this set-up. And you got a point about having different calibers, so I might just hold on to my .357 revolver for now. Also, personally, I have not been hoarding as I can not afford to, but I do not blame anyone for doing so. There is no telling what the future holds and the powers that be are not very gun friendly.
 
The .357 is great idea because it permits both .357 and .38 ammo to be used.

I have no problem with people keep a thousand rounds in a caliber they own but I've seen people who never shoot the handgun they bought years ago buy up 20 or more boxes of fmj practice ammo just in case. It's ridiculous they still have half the original box of hp they bought with the gun!
 
brizbane said:
I would like to add one more .45 caliber handgun to the mix and I am unsure whether to go with revolver or semi-auto.
Click to expand...

brizbane said:
I just might consider the moon clip, although I am not too familiar with this set-up.
Click to expand...

Odd, to consider a wheelgun for .45acp when you're not familiar with moonclips in the first place.

What were your thoughts on the matter, briz? Any particular sixguns catch your eye already that you knew to be chambered in .45acp?

(Reason is: You can't chamber the .45acp in any old gun. The .45 (Like 10mm, .40, 9mm and most auto cartridges) is rimless and headspaces on the case mouth. This makes extraction tricky with revolvers, since the extractor star can't grab the rim. Most guns chambered for .45acp use moonclips.)

Take a look at this:

100_0558.jpg


This is a customized Ruger .44 Redhawk, that I had cut for moonclips by a member on this forum. It is MUCH faster than single loading cartridges, and still quite a bit faster than even using a speedloader, like the HKS speedloaders pictured in the back of this pic, near the grip:

100_0556.jpg


It also makes extraction more reliable, IMO.

Aside from double-action revolvers with moonclips, you "can" get a single action cowboy style sixgun in .45acp from Ruger. Not what I would consider ideal for defense or concealed use, but Jim March might come along later on and insist on how wonderful SAA's are for concealed self defense.;) The reason it works in those, is because the ejector rod goes down the center of one chamber at a time and kicks out the cartridge from the inside, rather than relying on a rim. Very, very slow to reload, in comparison to a standard sixgun... and incredibly slow in comparison to a sixgun set up for moonclips.

As a speed comparison... we have a shooting match here in Phx every Tuesday. People bring all sorts of different guns to it, revolver and semiauto, racegun and service gun. The fastest time with 1911's this week was 51 seconds. Same course of fire, the fastest moonclipped revolver shooter turned in a 57 second time.

If moonclips aren't your thing, then I'd suggest staying away from .45acp revolvers. Consider a non-1911 polymer pocket auto. Glock 36, or one of Kahr's offerings.
 
az,

Thanks for the info about the moon clips. I was not real clear on their purpose and now realize that they are necessary and not an option. Anyway, I would give them a try.

At his point I am leaning toward a revolver for the sake of simplicity and
a S&W M625 JM in stock at Buds has got my attention. What is the general consensus on this one?

Also, any other S&W recommendations? or Ruger?

I don't think I would be comfortable with a single action Ruger for my purposes, although they are very nice.

BTW, excellent photos of your .44Magnum, beautiful gun!
 
The only .45acp Ruger DA you're getting would be custom.... but it would still cost less than the 625 Miculek model you're looking at.

Not sure which would be better between the two.

You could get a Ruger Redhawk (4" barrel) or SRH Alaskan (3" barrel) in .45 Long Colt from Ken at Wild West Guns for a song and a dance of a price, and have him cut it for moonclips so that it can take .45acp as well as .45 Long Colt. He does a fantastic double-action trigger job, and the Ruger Redhawk is well known for having a superior DA trigger pull than any Smith N-frame is capable of.

WWG would then ship it to your FFL of choice near you, and you pay the transfer fee then.

I'm tempted right now to do just that, since I am so opposed to S&W locks but want a .45 moonclip gun.

But... I am satisfied with my .44 moonclip rig for now. Maybe next year.

If you're happy with the price for the 625 Miculek and the S&W lock issue isn't a deal-breaker for you, then I say go for it.
 
Buzzcook,good suggestion.

azredhawk44, I like your idea, especially the Alaskan and I will call WWG on Monday; I am psyched! Are you sure they can turn it into a .45ACP?
 
azredhawk44,

Well, I took your advice and called Ken at WildWestGuns today. He just happened to have a used Alaskan, condition 99%, .45 conversion, with action job for $799.00.

I grabbed it! Thanks for the heads-up.
 
okolnc,

You will not get an argument from me, that Sig is a fine gun! I can see why you like them.

Sig, Glock, HK, SW, Ruger, all the 1911s,.......they're all good in my book, so it all comes down to what YOU like the best.

I am lookin' forward to shooting the Alaskan, as I have never even had one in my hand.
 
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