Weapon of Choice?

[Lord Dane]

I don't have any striker pistols currently, though my wife has one. So far my favorite configuration is on the Sig Sauers: an external hammer with a de-cocking lever instead of a manual safety.

Seconded. Much like Ian loves Glock, I prefer SIG Sauer. Love their design & functionality. My P229R & SP2022 are perfect.

[Sir Edward]

P229R & SP2022 are perfect.

I'm envious of the rail. I don't think that was an option yet when I bought mine.

[Sir Wolf]

welp time to head to the gun store!

[Sir Edward]

Nah, it's OK. If I changed anything, it wouldn't fit in the holster anymore.

[Lord Dane]

I think KC & Me can work out something in mutual exchange for a slight modification to his SIG. Shhhh. I'm an armourer. A picatanny rail would not make you need to change holster but adding a 'permanent accessory' on to it would if you expected to holster a laser, light, or such.

[Ian]

We finally got rid of that horrible Beretta M9, and started deploying with Sig P226's which was great.  Sigs are awesome, just a little overpriced.  Luckily sig does a good .mil discount if you buy from a master sig dealer.

[B. Patricius]

We finally got rid of that horrible Beretta M9, and started deploying with Sig P226's which was great.  Sigs are awesome, just a little overpriced.  Luckily sig does a good .mil discount if you buy from a master sig dealer.

I've shot 1911's since I could walk.  In basic training, yeah, I got that cut on my hand from the M9.  I hate that thing.  Going from the 1911's trigger to that thing was a deep learning curve.  I do love the Sigs too, I have a P238 I continually carry on me.  But for full frame, I do love the H&K.45.  I totally understand where Sir Edward is coming from, I love manual decocks and safeties. 

[Sir Edward]

I'm wondering how different the M9 is from the civilian 92FS. I have one of the latter, and have never had any problems with it. In fact, I think it's the only semi-auto I have that has never jammed on me.

Having said that, I fell in love with the 1911 after finally getting one, and between that and my Sig, I have my needs mostly covered. Recently added a Walther PPK/S as a more concealable option though. And it's the James Bond gun.

[B. Patricius]

Walther PPK/S are great guns!  My buddy also has a Walther P-22 lol such a fun plinker since it shoots 22lr.

The M9, as a whole is a very good package.  It's just the feel of it, from a 1911 that had me all up in arms about it.  The trigger pull, and grip just felt "wrong."   Beyond that, a buddy of mine, a Marine who spent time in the dustbowl said it was terrible because of its unique slide.  It'd get crud and grime into its slide within the first 20 seconds out.  I believe that is the main bane of that weapon, so at home, it's ok.

The H&K mk23/USP felt enough like a 1911 that it made it easier for me to adapt to, and after ten years of using them, I'm sold on those bricks.  But still, it's the familiarity, like in all things, that has me sold on it.  Within my first day, I could field strip it, clean it, and get her back together pretty much blindfolded because it was so similar to the 1911.  The catch, latch, saftey, even the barrel, are all very similar to 1911s.

Gotta say though, this is hands down my favorite pistol of all time:
with a cartridge conversion, nothing is better to me.

I like the pocket models too, even though they're small in caliber, I'm pretty sure at 5 feet the perp would still count it.  After seeing what I've seen a 22lr do, I'll put faith in a .32 at defense ranges.  It helps to be able to aim too

[Sir Wolf]

is that the 58 army? i have a 51 navy and a 60 new army

[B. Patricius]

is that the 58 army? i have a 51 navy and a 60 new army

close enough 
It's actually an original Remington "Old Model" or "Second Model" which was produced shortly after the Beals.  Most "58 Army" replicas today replicate the "New Model" which follows this one.  Basically the cylinder on this one is way easier to remove and replace than the other two, which apparently the Union Army didn't like, they were afraid of cavalrymen losing cylinders, so they adapted it again to Union specifications, which created the New Model Army.
Here's one of the best online resources I've found for a quick review of the Remington Revolvers: http://armscollectors.com/mgs/an_army_and_two_navies_pt_1.htm

basically I like the "Old Model" because of the quick change cylinder, and the high spur hammer.  Also, it may just be me, but she balances better too.

and yes, medieval re-enactment is only one of my nerdisms

I too own Colt 51 navies and a couple 60 armies as well.

these aren't mine, again the FUBAR with the camera, but these are very similar to mine.  My Colt Navies are second generation and class b engraved... sexy supermodels! 

[Ian]

That one on the bottom is dead sexy.

[B. Patricius]

That one on the bottom is dead sexy.

I wholeheartedly agree.  It was the first model of the Colt Army.  Back in the day, the fluted cylinder caused cracks so they went to a full cylinder.  It's nice to see Uberti is replicating it now, and its metal is far stronger.  The other weekend, in Lake Havasu I saw a gorgeous Colt "New" Navy, a 1861, which looks a lot like the Army but in .36.  She had a 5 1/2" barrel and the fluted cylinder.  Right now I'm trying to figure out a way to make my Army with that barrel length and a birdshead grip.  That would be the epitome of sexiness.  I love the Colt open tops, it's just the Remington is a far stronger and more reliable cap & ball, hence why she's my fave.

basically here's what I'm working on:
- good pic of the full barrel in comparison to the 5 1/2"
the birdshead grip.

Ironically the birdshead grip is easy-peasy.  Already got that taken care of, now it's getting brave enough to cut the barrel that the trick

[Lord Dane]

That one on the bottom is dead sexy.

Agreed. I love the handle grips. Is the wood walnut?? It is very deep in finish & color.

[B. Patricius]

Lord Dane,

the grips originally on Italian clones are some sort of deep brown wood, but they aren't walnut.  Something far cheaper.  Then they stain them with a red hue and a urethane.  I don't like it personally.  The original Remington Old Model I have pictured does have walnut grips.  Walnut, Cherry, Mahogany and Ebony are my favorite grips besides the synthetic ivories, but those depend on the manufacturer... some looks amazing and very real, others look like white plastic.