Masonic shooters

[Txmason]

Howdy!

I am Bro. Jerry from Montgomery, Texas and I am interested in learning how to shoot and looking at buying a new gun. I had a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber Military and Police model that got stolen when our house got broken into. First time in 33 years my patents and I have lived here!

Anyways I attended the local gun show this weekend and found a Colt Defender Lightweight .45 ACP and thought I liked it. Today I found a Kimber Ultra Carry TLE. Among a few others. I am looking for a gun I can take to the range and carry.

What about a full size 1911? What is a 1911 A1? If there are any brothers that I could talk to or go to the range and actually shoot a few guns. I will gladly pay the range fees, and lunch or dinner!

Thank you so much!

Best,
Jerry

 

[LukeD]

I love going to the range, and go as often as I can. Guns are like vehicles, you have junkers, pickups that will last forever, Cadillacs, sports cars, etc... It all depends on your preference for caliber and style. I'm a huge fan of Sig Sauer handguns, I have mine chambered in 40 cal with a 357 sig barrel I can swap it out with. 1911s are sweet to look at, but not my preference. Some would turn over in their grave if they heard someone say that. A lot of people live and swear by 1911s. As far as the 1911A1, I believe it is just a different model type. I'm sure someone else knows far more about them than I do.

 

[robert leachman]

Drive down to Tomball Pawn...don't let the name fool you. Really good prices on new guns.
The 1911 is a professional's handgun. It will take you a thousand perfect presentations to develop muscle memory to be competent to begin to carry one.
I carried one for alot of years as a duty gun-still qualify w/it and still carry it some-I've gone to an XDM for a duty gun, still a 45ACP though.
PM me a phone number and we can talk more-I'm right down the road from you.

 

[Bill Lins]

What about a full size 1911? What is a 1911 A1?

The A1 is a later variant of the original 1911. The most noticeable difference is that the 1911 has a flat mainspring housing while the A1's is curved.

I have to agree with Bro. Robert- the Colt is not for the inexperienced user. I've carried the Combat Commander variant ever since I was a rookie cop back in 1976, but I had already been trained in its use in the USMC- thanks for buying all them bullets for me, y'all! :wink:

 

[Txmason]

Robert,

I have been to Tomball Pawn and went there with my dad last weekend. In fact I met a brother there too. Super nice guy! Am going back soon. I PM ed you my information.

Best,
Jerry

 

[Kenneth Lottman]

I'm a manager of a indoor range in Tyler,TX and the 1911 is my favorite gun of all time. With that being said the only thing about a full size 1911 I don't like is it's too heavy for every day carry. I carry a S&W M&P 9 and out all the polymer guns on the market it is the best. (sorry Glock fans). The 1911 in my opinion is a real mans gun. There is nothing like shooting 45 ACP rounds to get the blood going. Now I'm not a big kimber fan I think they are over priced! I would stick with S&W, Spingfield Armory or colt. Another fine brand that is reasonably priced and that is new to the msrket is rugers 1911 it's a great looking gun and is around $700.

Bro. Jerry if you have any question PM me and I will be more than happy to help you!

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[Beathard]

Personally I like the Colt SAA 45, but I'm a little old school. If you are looking to get engraving done, make sure you don't get a gum that is chrome, nickel or case hardened. The finish is removed before engraving. After engraving you can get anything you want.

 

[owls84]

Ok, i'm glad this post is here.

I have grown up with guns all my life. My wife on the other hand flips out when she see's one. I want to get a gun for everyday carry and perhaps a shotgun for the house. However I am hesitant for a couple of reasons. I think my wife needs to be 100% comfortable with the guns before I purchase them. I would like for her to get comfortable with shooting the shotgun in case she needs it and to familiarize herself with it. The problem is every time she says go get it I will say 'don't say that unless you are prepared to use it, and that means possibly taking someone's life that is breaking in.' Every time she responds with "I don't want to hurt them I just want to scare them," basically meaning she's not ready. My question is this, do you feel when she is comfortable it will be better to get a 12 gauge or 20 gauge for her? Sometime I think 12 but I worry about the weight of a loaded 12 ga. Then I wonder of the stopping power of a 20 ga.

Secondly, I have always liked the Taurus Millennium for some reason. Just fell in love with the size, feel, weight, and price. Is there something better but similar or is that a good gun for daily carry? I personally haven't heard anything bad about them but I bet some on here know more than myself. What are your thoughts?

 

[Kenneth Lottman]

I would defiantly not start her out on ANY shotgun. For someone who is that scared about firearms if she shoots it once it will destroy the chance that she will ever be comfortable around firearms.

With that being said I would start her out her out with a 22 and gradually work her up to a larger caliber. I would suggest if you have a indoor range close by you use it it would more simulate what a gun shot will sound like if shot inside. Another thing I would do is if there is somewhere that teaches basic handgun safety/instruction I would sign her up for it. Being in this business it is sooo much easier for someone else to teach a spouse then their significant other. (they tend to listen to the instructor more then their husband go figure!)

Now on the Taurus how can I put this nicely...... I don't like them! Their is a reason why they have unlimited lifetime warranty. I have seen a few of them go back and personally I can't shoot them worth a crap and they don't feel good in my hands. About the only taurus product I would buy would be their 1911 it's decent firearm.

If you have any questions bro pm me and I will answer them!

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[Beathard]

Good advice Kenneth.

 

[LukeD]

I bought a millennium pro a while back, and it was sent off to Taurus the next day for numerous problems. Their handguns have always been average for me, no offense, I just wouldn't trust one as my carry gun. I've never had a problem with their revolvers. The Judge is a fun gun to shoot. Don't do what I did, I put a 357 in my wife's hands and it did not go well. Best advise is the one from the above post. Start of with a 22 for fundamentals and plinking, then move up. My wife now shoots 38 special out of the same 357 she originally hated. She is able to manage it well and put rounds on target. I'm thinking the shotgun idea is "no bueno" if your wife doesn't already like firearms.

 

[Bill Lins]

I have always liked the Taurus Millennium for some reason. Just fell in love with the size, feel, weight, and price. Is there something better but similar or is that a good gun for daily carry? I personally haven't heard anything bad about them but I bet some on here know more than myself. What are your thoughts?

My sister carries one of those & absolutely loves it. I've never tried it, though.

 

[owls84]

Thanks to everyone, except Bill, for the advice. I really don't understand my wife's behavior because when I talk to her dad he tells me that she has shot guns when they were little. Then when we talk about it you would think she has never seen one. Good idea on the 22 though.

 

[Dow Mathis]

My wife and I took our CHL course while on our honeymoon, almost eight years ago. Ain't Luuuuuuuv Romantic!

Ditto what the other guys said. Start her with a .22. You might even go so far as leaving off the pistol shooting for now, and start her with a rifle. Less noise, less recoil, easier to hit the target with. Also, if you know of any other women who shoot. Have them meet you and your wife at the range. Having another woman who shoots can go a long way to taking the fear factor away.

I can't speak for or against the Taurus. I carry a CZ Rami 9mm that's as sweet a shooter as you could ever ask for, although it wasn't that way from the factory. It was reliable and pretty accurate, but the trigger needed work. Sent it to Matthew Mink for an action job and it came back a completely different animal. My best friend tries to make off with it every time he sees it. My wife carries a Bersa .380 Firestorm. Very good gun for the money, and tough as nails, accurate, comfortable to shoot, decocker. single-stack mag. If 380 shells weren't so expensive, I'd carry one myself.

Good luck!

 

[THemenway]

I can't say anything bad about my Taurus 40cal, PT 24/7 PRO. At least there have been no troubles so far.
For the price it has been a great handgun, I love the compact size.
I liked the Glock, I just couldn't get a gun without the "traditional" safety.

 

[Kenneth Lottman]

I liked the Glock, I just couldn't get a gun without the "traditional" safety.

If you like the Glock try out the S&W M&P they are very similar but you can order one with a ambi thumb safety! The safety is very very similar to a 1911!

Here is my opinion on "physical" safeties now please think about this.... If you DO NOT practice with you firearm on regular basis that safety could do you more harm than good! Im sure you guys have all seen the movie Blackhawk down and the part where the one guy says "this is my safety sir" and he wiggles his finger..... GUNS DO NOT go off by them selves! If you keep them holstered (in a good quality holster) and keep your finger out of the trigger your not going to need another safety that two right there!

I have seen many times at some shooting matches (and these are guys who shoot on a regular basis) they draw there gun that has a thumb safety of some sort and they go to fire it and nothing happens..... What happens is in the heat of the moment the buzzer goes off and and all the things you remember goes out the window and they forgot to take of the safety. In a real life situation (God forbid it ever happens) that little delay could cost you your life!

These are just my two cents and what I see from time to time on a daily basis!

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[Beathard]

Use a revolver and keep $100 bill in the top of the cylinder. That way you have a safety and can the house a round.

 

[Bill Lins]

Thanks to everyone, except Bill, for the advice.

:9: :lol:

 

[cutter2001]

Drive down to Tomball Pawn...don't let the name fool you. Really good prices on new guns.
The 1911 is a professional's handgun. It will take you a thousand perfect presentations to develop muscle memory to be competent to begin to carry one.
I carried one for alot of years as a duty gun-still qualify w/it and still carry it some-I've gone to an XDM for a duty gun, still a 45ACP though.
PM me a phone number and we can talk more-I'm right down the road from you.

I could not disagree more. My first carry pistol was a sig p220 in .357sig or .40 depending on the barrel placed in it. For me it was heavy, always felt off balance, and was a pain to carry.
My Kimber CDP I was great for carry, but it had the odd FTF and FTL. I then bought a Nighthawk Talon I and have been in love since. I will be ordering a Nighthawk T3 soon in .40, and can't wait to get it. I guess all that I am trying to say is that I consider myself a complete gun amateur, and feel that the 1911 is the best pistol design EVER made, and that you do not have to be an "expert" before carrying one.

 

[choppersteve03]

Beretta,Beretta,Beretta. Thats what i have trusted my life with and still do,i carry a Beretta m9 just like i did in the army.its a proven combat handgun,it always goes bang when you pull the trigger. I also carry a Beretta px4 storm9mm subcompact,its a great polymer gun,perfect for concealed carry. Iowa is an open carry state so the m9,can be carried comfortablely .