I just got robbed at gunpoint by a couple of black assholes. It's been decided; I'm buying a Colt 1911, and the next guy that tries anything funny will die. That is all.
A waste of money. Glock 21, 21SF, 30, or 30SF. (Slim Frame) All are .45 caliber. Go try them out before you plunk down a lot of cash for a 1911. http://us.glock.com/products/model/g30sf Or even the Glock 36 which has somewhat of a rep for being stingy with the ammo. Usually though it is because the shooter is limp wristing while firing. Glocks are tremendously reliable with even minimum care (of course you should give the gun more then the minimum). Easy and inexpensive for you to fix if something goes wrong. A 1911 is going to end up at a gun smith which can be expensive unless you know what to do. And it doesn't cost as much as a Colt 1911. There are also other good guns out there. Even revolvers. You will be over paying most likely for a 1911 since it's the "must have gun" for macho-man America. Of course no matter what you buy make sure you train, train, and train some more. Know the laws of your state on firearms and use of force. Get your CCW. Understand your gun inside and out and know what it's capable of and what you are capable of. Are you willing to kill someone? Not say it but actually do it when the time comes? Assuming of course this robbery actually happened.
Sorry to hear about that Krieg. What part of town were you in? Is it a usually rough area? Generally, I try and stay away from places that I'm left isolated and where I could easily become a victim. Situational awareness goes a long way in not having this happen to you. Personally, I have no wife, kids, or attachments, so if this ever happens to me, and the opportunity presents itself, I'm taking at least one of the fuckers to hell.
Oh lord. He's not posting any more. Maybe a detachment from the AARP showed up at his door and whipped his ass. You could try moving out of the ghetto to improve your luck.
Was this in Othello? To be honest the gun I end up carrying the most is my little Walther PPK/S. A weapon is only useful if it's on hand. And at the close range you were at to get robbed you think some .380 Defensive Hollowpoints aren't going to do the trick? Considering your financial situation, I would consider buying a Bersa Thunder .380: Here's a good review: http://www.handgunsmag.com/2010/11/11/featured_handguns_bersa_thunder/ I've considered picking one up just b/c the price is so cheap.
Sorry to hear about that Krieg. A 1911 is like a hand held cannon. Nothing wrong with that, but there are other calibers that you may like better. I carry a 9mm. If it's good enough for the SEALs, it's good enough for me. Today's 9mm round is a very good cartridge. Not over-powered or under-powered. I think frontline or Shoes posted a photo awhile back that showed that a 9mm actually penetrates ballistic gel deeper than a .45 ACP, although the .45 makes a larger wound cavity. I like the 9mm because the recoil is not bad and I can quickly put multiple rounds downrange with a shorter re-aiming time between rounds. It's more economical to practice with too.
I like the "larger wound cavity" part of that statement. I also wouldn't mind a Glock 40, I have experience handling one of those.
Serves you right for trying to buy crack.... .... b/c that's the only reason someone would be in Rainier Beach...
In a fight where you're shooting they aren't going to notice the "gaping" wound. Either they're going to drop or they are going to run or they are going to continue to fight. Sure they may give up but the most likely is as soon as you shoot they're running. A Glock 22 or its smaller versions is good too. I've got the Glock 22. Don't discount the 9mm either. Muad Dib is right about it being a good choice. Bad guys aren't going to know what you're hitting them with anyway as long as you're hitting them. (plus you can carry a lot more ammo) Oh and before I forget. If you look at Glock make sure you look and Generation 3 and 4. Generation 3 is good. Generation 4 has been getting mixed reviews.
I carry a Sig-Sauer P-250 in 9mm. It has a tactical rail which makes adding a light or laser pretty easy. Slide the light on and lock it down. Also came from the factory with tritium nightsights. It's smaller and easier to conceal than my Ruger P89DC, without being too small and feeling like a toy gun or having the harder recoil of small frame pistols. It's a good medium and easy to conceal. I have a Leupold laser permanently mounted on the Ruger. I usually carry the Sig in an inside the waist holster. When I do carry the Ruger, I pretty much have to carry it in a shoulder holster because of the laser, which means I have to wear a jacket or a shoot-me-first vest to conceal it.
Krieg - sorry, but that's what you get for not giving more of your tax money to fund after-school programs for these guys when they were younger. They got "bored" and had to "act out." BTW, Burger King - my step-brother took three 9-mil rounds when he decided to get into a gunfight with the police many years back. One in the chest, one in the head, one in the hand, and he's alive and well with no ill effects. Sorry, one 9 mil round might do it, but I myself wouldn't risk my life on it. Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
I think "many years back" is the key phrase there. Today's 9mm round is a whole lot better than they used to be.
Holy shit, Krieg! I can understand why you want to get a gun! Lots of good advice in this thread, and I won't pretend to know what to recommend. Just glad to see you've still got your wits about you, and that you came through it okay. Oh, and while I'm no expert on guns, this is what I carry: Those bastards wouldn't take me alive. (Seriously, though, glad you're okay!)
Yes, I forgot! This was 1997 or so. These days souped-up 9 mil rounds are almost as powerful as a .357. He should thank his lucky stars he didn't get shot in 2012, or it may not have ended well.
Sorry to hear that man. Check out the local laws before you start packing, but if you have to be in places that put you at risk it's a damn good idea. Far more insightful guys on the subject of firearms than me, so I'll leave them to it. Glad you are OK, that's the important thing.
Zombie and other are right. The 1911 as a defensive firearm is not the best choice for one's first gun. The manual of arms, when compared to modern pistols, is complicated. Add to that the need that most 1911s have for gunsmith work to get them working well and the maintenance requirements. Two brands that I recommend right off the bat are Glock and S&W's M&P line. If you can get a German (not US) made Sig or H&K go for it. The only thing I have against the Sig or H&K are their price tags. All 4 are proven, reliable pistols. As for defensive ammo, yeah it was me that posted the ballistics chart. 9mm, .40 and .45 are all very good defensive rounds. My preference is the 9mm. Remember, you won't be shooting one shot. You need to continue shooting until you feel that the threat has been eliminated. IIRC current FBI doctrine is to empty the magazine into the bad guy. The .45 is not a magic round where you hit someone in an area and they immedatly turn into a quantum singularity and vanish. Lots of folks have been shot with a .45 multiple times and lived. The most critical thing is shot placement, not caliber. You get that from training, training, training. Training is not going to the local range and shooting 50 rounds three times a year. I used to be a fan of the .40, no so much any more. As I have learned more I have come to the conclusion that the .40 is a solution looking for a problem. More and worse recoil than a 9mm and less stopping power than a .45.
If only you'd been a puppy, Sokar would have leapt right into action to save you. No situation is too dangerous for the Couch Slayer!
Shall Issue, 5 Year Permit. Not only that but: RCW 9.41.290 State preemption. The state of Washington hereby fully occupies and preempts the entire field of firearms regulation within the boundaries of the state, including the registration, licensing, possession, purchase, sale, acquisition, transfer, discharge, and transportation of firearms, or any other element relating to firearms or parts thereof, including ammunition and reloader components. Cities, towns, and counties or other municipalities may enact only those laws and ordinances relating to firearms that are specifically authorized by state law, as in RCW 9.41.300, and are consistent with this chapter. Such local ordinances shall have the same penalty as provided for by state law. Local laws and ordinances that are inconsistent with, more restrictive than, or exceed the requirements of state law shall not be enacted and are preempted and repealed, regardless of the nature of the code, charter, or home rule status of such city, town, county, or municipality. Fuck yeah!
Just out of curiosity, did you report this to the police? Or is it one of theose "fuck all will happen" situations?