Ruger American pistol

[TheGhost]

http://beta.ruger.com/products/rugerAmericanPistol/models.html

The more I read about this, the more interesting it becomes.  Not allowed to buy a handgun until after the wedding, but I think this has become the new top contender.

[moparguy01]

At that price range there is a huge amount of competition in the firearm market. I'd find a gun shop that rents guns and try shooting a few different guns before deciding. Springfield xds are around that price, some low level 1911s not much more you're in glock territory too....I'm not saying the river won't be good, but I'd look at all options.

[skip68]

I actually prefer the Springfield far as feel goes.   I'll be pistol shopping in February so I'll be checking them all out again. 

[TheGhost]

Closest range that rents is a couple hours away in Lincoln.  Already planning on visiting there, probably late summer.  Fiance has a Glock 17 on loan from her parents, which isn't bad, but I've never been a huge fan of Glock.  The XD is also a good gun, too.  I definitely want to test a few different models out before buying.

I'd love a 1911, and probably will get one down the road, but we want a 9mm for our first handgun (and I refuse to get a 1911 that isn't .45)

[TheGhost]

I actually prefer the Springfield far as feel goes.   I'll be pistol shopping in February so I'll be checking them all out again. 

Let me know your thoughts once you do, please.

[skip68]

  

[John_Kunkel]

I just can't buy into this "striker fired" revolution, I want my handguns to have a visible hammer.

[skip68]

One thing I like about the SA besides the feel is the lifetime warranty.  The salesman talked it up which is expected of a salesman.   Said if something was wrong just bring it in and get a new gun and some other bla bla bla stuff.    
Supposedly they offer the best warranty and customer service.       
Honestly, it's like buying a car.   Every salesman is brand loyal so it's up to you to do your homework and find what feels right and confident in your hand.   

[skip68]

You don't like carrying a cocked gun John.?     
I fully understand that. 

[moparguy01]

I've got 1911's in .45, .22 and now a kimber .380. Not sure why you'd want the first one to be a 9mm. Even a rock island armory 1911's can be real reasonable and great shooters.

[skip68]

The 1911 is pricey.   I think for a service gun a single action "striker fired" is good.  It's always ready to rock.  For an open carry or camping/hiking situation I'd prefer the de-cock ease of double action.  I don't have a 1911 but it's basically a single action after the first shot from what I've read.     I don't even think I've ever even held one before.  There's lots of confusion about single action, double action and striker fired guns.  Still, like everything else it boils down to preference.  
Aren't all semi automatic pistols considered single action for the most part?   

[TheGhost]

I've got 1911's in .45, .22 and now a kimber .380. Not sure why you'd want the first one to be a 9mm. Even a rock island armory 1911's can be real reasonable and great shooters.

It's more for Mandy than me.  She doesn't want a large caliber handgun, and the first one we get is going to be shared between us.  Which is fine for me, because she can have the 9mm after I get myself a .45 1911 down the road.

[charge69]

Skip69:  No, most pistols are actually considered double-action, excepting striker-fired pistols. Even some of them are considered double-action.

Most SIGS, H&Ks, S&W 3rd Gen autos and any number of pistol manufacturers make pistols that are "TDA" which is "Traditional-Double-Action".  This means double-action for the first shot and single-action subsequently on the next shot as the slide automatically brings the hammer back when you fire the pistol. If it is put away after the first shot, TDA weapons must be de-cocked or have the ability to be carried "cocked-and-locked" like a 1911-type pistol on safe. Very few pistols have this ability.  H&K has a variant that this can be done.  I actually have a SIG P220 compact that is operated just like a 1911-type pistol and can be carried cocked-and-locked."TDA"-type weapons usually have a de-cock lever by the left grip panel that effectively let the hammer down on a loaded pistol rendering it "double-action" from that point on.  A good example of this is a Sigarms pistol such as a P226, P228, p229 etc. and any number of other manufacturers.

S&W, SIG, Beretta, H&K and others also make versions of their pistols that are "DAO" meaning each time the trigger is pulled, the pistol is cocked and fired. These pistols usually have a long, smooth and somewhat heavier trigger pull every time the pistol is fired.

[skip68]

Gotcha.      thanks.   

[charge69]

Sorry Skip, I meant Skip68!  Fat-Fingers is at fault, I'm sure of it!

TheGhost:   The Ruger does look like an interesting pistol. S&W has virtually the same pistol out as their M&P line and also comes in .40s&w.

I haven't actually seen or shot the Ruger but, I will do it and post the results when I can.  I have all different makes and models of pistols but when push comes to shove, I usually carry a Glock G30 or a Glock G32.  That is just my choice but there are many desirable carry-options available for you to choose from. The aforementioned Glocks are certainly not the only guns I carry but they go with me most of the time. Just my choice.

P.S.  I have a number of Government models (all Colt) to choose from but they just seem to go to the range with me. If I ever have to shoot someone in self-defense, (God Forbid) the police will take your gun, right or wrong, and you may or may not ever get it back. My super-reliable Glock would be a lot cheaper to replace than one of my Colts!

[TheGhost]

Sounds good!  I look forward to your reviews.

[charge69]

I have shot the S&W M&P pistols and have both the compact and full-size models in 9mm and .40s&w.  They are ergonomically great and have been completely reliable.  Not a problem in hundreds of rounds in any of them. You can get any of them without a manual safety and capable of firing with the magazine removed if you want (This is ALL I have! the simpler, the better) so Ruger better have all its' ducks in a row on their American pistol.

[skip68]

Charge69, you seem to be very knowledgeable.  What's your thoughts on the Springfield's.  I like them and I think they are simple but my buddy calls them junk.   He's a serious hillbilly if you know what I mean    and S&W or nothing for him.   

[charge69]

Skip68,  I do not own a Springfield pistol but, only because I am kind of a "Colt Snob" lol, but I hear from those that own them they are good pistols for the money and very reliable. Lots of people I know own a Springfield Range Officer and think it is a fantastic buy for the money. Good reports on the Springfield Champion also.

Springfield 1911-type pistols all have the "70 series" triggers if that makes a difference.  I really cannot tell an "80 series" trigger pull from a "70 series" myself but that is just me.

All I know from cruising the gun sites and "for sale" areas is that if it has "Colt" on it, you can be much more assured of at least getting your money back and, depending on the pistol, actually making a little money on it.

I carried a Colt .45acp as a crew chief on a helicopter in Vietnam and as "loosey-goosey" as it was, I could depend on it to go BANG when I pulled the trigger and it was reasonably accurate. It is probably because of this that I only own Colts as much as any other reason! If I were to buy any other brand of pistol, a "Springer" would definitely be on the list to check out! I actually would also look at a Ruger, a Remington, and even a SIG or S&W!  No Kimber for me!

[c00nhunterjoe]

The top pistols of my collection are the ruger sr9, springfield xd45, and springfield 1911 in 45 of course. I carry all of them but my favorite is the 1911 even though it holds the least amount of rounds. It fits my hand, its "point and shoot" capabilities are the best (for me) and i even shoot the best with it at steel leagues despite having magazines wrapped all the way around my belt. Lmao.

[charge69]

All good pistols, cOOnhunterjoe!  Heard good things about the Ruger SR9 but just never shot one.  I have shot the Springfield XD variations and they just seem a little "clunky" to me.  I don't know, they just appear to have too high a bore axis looking at them but not necessarily when you shoot one. Just not a fan of that particular Croatian pistol.  The Springfield 1911-type pistols are very nice pistols and almost never get a bad rap from anyone. You get a lot of pistol for the money.

[chargermick]

Charge69, why don't you like the Kimbers? They sure are pretty. I've never held one, but I have lusted after them for a while. Are they not reliable? Reliability is the most important issue for me, I want it to go bang when my life is on the line.

[charge69]

Chargermick:  Kimber 1911-type pistols are beautifully finished and seem to be reliable (except for the 3" bbl. models as Colt is the only one I would trust in production models with under 4" bbls. I wouldn't trust a Springer with a short barrel either!). When they first came on the market, they were a little unreliable and required a 200 to 500 round "break-in" even in an ultimately reliable pistol. They were first on the market with a lot of MIM parts that were traditionally forged parts. This was and is not necessarily a bad thing but us old heads were used to forged steel and just did not readily accept it!  We actually started calling them "Mimbers" as a derogatory slang name.

In all actuality, they are probably a fine weapon that is as reliable as any other 1911-type on the market. They certainly make a lot of them. more than any other maker of this type of pistol and  they must be selling them to someone, just not me. All I will say for now is:  Try to sell a used Kimber and get anywhere near your money back.  It just won't happen down here.

[myk]

Kimbers STILL require a 200, 500 and even a 1,000 round break-in.  I get it, they're tight and all that, but c'mon; my $400 Rock Island 1911 was ready to go after 50 rounds...

[charge69]

I would take a basic Rock Island WAYYYYY before I would a Kimber.   Few people would ever shoot enough ammo to even "break one in" before giving up and trying to sell it. Having to spend a few hundred dollars for a case of .45acp just to break your pistol in would be too pricey and just unacceptable to most of us. Kimbers look great and are tight from the factory but ............. Just not for me.