Camper gun

[tguil]

I basically am a "revolver guy" who is developing a certain fondness for the new SR1911.

There are times that I have been camped in what I thought were "safe" but rather isolated areas that indeed were "safe" until a few "interesting folks" showed up. If I am on a hunting trip.... no problem. A 12 gauge can be more than hunting tool, right? However there are times that I am simply camped...no hunting involved. I always have my Speed Six complete with two speed loaders with for those occasions.

Now to the question.... because I am very familiar with the operation of a revolver if I were to buy a self-defense semi-auto would a SR9 be a much better choice than a SR1911.

I do not spend lots of time at the range. However I "know" guns and am a pretty good shot with a handgun out to about forty yards. If I bought the 1911, I'd not be practicing with it a lot but I sure would be spending a lot of time looking at it and smiling.

Tom

 

[GKC]

I doubt that you'd be able to find a SR1911 to rent yet, but you could rent another 5" 1911 in .45 ACP, and see how you like shooting it. You could also rent a SR9 (possibly) or other 9mm polymer pistol, and see how it compares. The SR9 (or other polymer 9mm pistols) will offer greater capacity and perhaps lower perceived recoil (although that is a subjective element...different people perceive recoil differently, but a steel 5" 1911 shouldn't be a problem.) The .45 is a great round, although 9mm is less expensive to shoot...but you said you weren't going to shoot a lot. The 1911 can be finicky, perhaps more so than the SR9 would likely be...and some find the 1911 more difficult to disassemble and maintain than a polymer pistol.

Question: since you already have a six shot revolver, why are you looking at a pistol? Bigger round? More capacity? Faster reloading? The revolver is a very reliable self defense option. I have 1911s as well as polymer pistols...but I sure do like my 3" GP100. If you aren't going to practice a lot, maybe you should stay with your revolver, since you already know it, and it is simple and reliable.

Nothing wrong with wanting a 1911 or other pistol...but if you aren't going to practice much, it may not serve you as well.

 

[cruzerlou]

GKC made some good points and was right on the money .My daily carry gun is a all steel ,full sized Kimber T.L.E.II .45 ACP ,I too am pretty good with a handgun ,wheelgun or auto I have severial of each type .Both autos you mintioned would serve you well as a self defence gun but with any auto you have to do LOTS of ftf drills .You can do these wtih snap caps .Your speed six is dead stone reliabile and verry accurate I'm sure ,just like my Taurus M-82 4" bull bbl .38 spl. With the right loads it's a good man stopper ,not as good as the .45 ,but good none the less .
With any gun the most inportaint thing is shot placement ,a graze on the arm with a .45 is nothing compaired to a .25 ACP in the brain pan .
If you just want a SR1911 or an SR9 go for it ,but YOU MUST PRATICE with ether gun ,a lot .If one of them don't go bang when you need it too many things can be wrong and you MUST be able to fix it with out thinking or looking at it .On the other hand ,if the speed six don't go bang ,all you gotta do is pull the trigger again .
As GKC said , if you ain't gonna pratice a lot ,I'd stick with the revolver ,If you want more power get a GP100 4" .357mag or a .44/45-454 redhawk
Alaskan .J.M.H.O.
Happy Trails,
Lou

 

[tguil]

Thanks for the comments.

My thoughts about getting the SR9 was the "huge" magazine capacity and it's simplicity. Both good good in a self-defense gun. I am well aware of a revolvers reliability and simplicity. That's mostly why I have stuck with revolvers. Also I don't like to pick up brass

My revolvers include my .357 mag Speed Six, a 6 inch .357 GP100, a .44 mag 7 1/2 inch Redhawk and finally an S&W Model 36 snubbie. Maybe I should just pack'em all on my camping trips. However, that would be kinda hard to do when I am tent camping on my motorcycle trips.

Ever since I was a kid...a long long time ago, I wanted a 1911 and/or Hi Power. Maybe I should buy one or both and enjoy the heck out it. What's a little brass left on the ground, right? Better buy something quick before my wife spends all of my retirement pension.

Tom

 

[Donaldjr1969]

I basically am a "revolver guy" who is developing a certain fondness for the new SR1911.

If you are already a revolver guy, why not stick with revolvers? From your description, you want a camp gun, not a small CCW gun. Depending on what you have to stow then in, I would either use the Redhawk or one of the 357s. You can always use 44 Specials in your RH if overpenetration is a problem. If you want capacity similar to what the SR1911 (or any 1911)will give, you could always take the plunge and get one of those 8shot 357 Smiths.

 

[GKC]

Ever since I was a kid...a long long time ago, I wanted a 1911 and/or Hi Power. Maybe I should buy one or both and enjoy the heck out it. What's a little brass left on the ground, right? Better buy something quick before my wife spends all of my retirement pension.

Tom

There is nothing wrong with getting a pistol or several to enjoy...it's fun! The only thing is that if you want to rely on it for self defense, you really should practice with it a lot...especially a 1911. It's not a good time to try to figure out how to clear a malfunction when you are faced with a bear or a bad guy. It's one thing to be on a range and have time to figure out how to hold, release, clear, etc...but when you are in an extreme situation, with adrenaline pumping, you want your self defense gun to be second nature to you. Revolvers are not prone to malfunctions that pistols can have, although if a revolver does jam (or lock up) it may not be something you can easily clear, like you can with a pistol.

 

[Code-Red-1]

Ide say it depended on what you were worried about encountering aswell. If its just people then really either gun will work fine. I do a fair amount of back packing and trailing so I look for something light that can hold as many rounds as possible. I don't need to worry about any large game really so I went with a kel-tec pmr30. Probably one of the few people with one. It might only fire 22mag but with 30 rounds I'm not to worried.

I haven't shot a sr9 but I love my sr40 so if you shoot one and like it why not get it? I grew up with revolvers and just recently branched into semi's with polymer frames. I haven't had any issued adjusting or training. Nothing a few hundred rounds and some fondling can't fix...

 

[toysoldier]

My first major-caliber revolver was a Brasilian-contract S&W 1917. It was "cosmetically-challenged", but had a butter-smooth action. My first major-caliber semi-auto was a Ruger KP-90DC. Very similar action, and almost as smooth. It's a good choice for a revolver guy who wants a couple more rounds in the gun, and fast reloading.

 

[ArmedinAZ]

[Foghorn Leghorn voice]

Neva, and I mean neva son, pass up a chance to add another pistola to your humble abode!

 

[NixieTube]

The SR series guns are fundamentally great personal defense weapons. Good magazine capacity, lots of safety features, and very easy to shoot well. Light weight. Inobtrusive. Really good ergonomics, easy to get used to shooting. If you don't want to be bothered by the gun while you're on your trip but have a powerful and safe "companion" I'd recommend one.

SR40. That's my recommendation for your intended use. Put it in the camping kit, take some ammo. along, load it up with a round in the chamber, sleep with it under the pillow, and just don't worry about the gun. It's as safe as they come and it's as deadly as you will ever need. Despite all the hoopla I would carry an SR40 into the woods instead of an SR1911. Carry an extra pound of +P ammo and rest securely in the knowledge that the gun is as safe on a camping trip as it can be.

The SR1911 is a nice gun, I want one, but if I was doing what you're talking about doing I'd be packing a fullsize SR40 instead. With tritium sights. Put it in the bag with the xtra mag. and some spare ammo. and have fun on your trip.

You will have to pick up brass with the semiauto, that's true, it's a bit of an extra chore. On the other hand if you have to fire 15+1 rounds at something big and mean, you're not going to really worry about picking up the brass afterward, I'll bet. Go for the extra firepower and capacity and lighter weight. You'll carry more ammo. and have a better time, and yes - you'll sleep more securely in the knowledge that the weapon is redundantly safe but can be fired with literally "the flick of a switch".

Also, the price is hard to beat. You'll save at least $125 on the gun and you can spend that on the ammo. I'm seeing SR40s for as low as $398 from Bud's.

Impossible. To. Beat.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=69980

 

[Mike J]

If you have the money get the one you want. Until you have learned to run the gun so to speak just fondle it occasionally & take it to the range. Make sure you know how to do a malfunction drill & operate the controls under stress before using it for defensive purposes.

While I only own one centerfire revolver I like it a lot & have a lot of respect for the platform. I like my autos too.

 

[tguil]

Over the 30+ years that I have been shooting handguns, I have had three malfunctions with revolvers...twice with Rugers and once with an S&W. One of the malfunctions was with factory ammo the other two were with reloads. In all three instances the guns were out of commission until after I did a bit of bench work. I no longer shoot reloads. But I still sometimes wonder about factory ammo and check each new cartridge for visible flaws....split cases, primers etc.

Back to my OP, it appears that if I were to move to a semi-suto, the SR9 (or SR9C) or an SR40 would probably be the way to go. It also appears that most of you think that I would be in good shape sticking to using my revolvers.

Guess I had better get in some range time with whatever I choose. I actually do shoot quite bit, but mostly with a 5 1/2 Mark II Bull Barrel. I shoot it two or three times a week. Maybe I should buy the SR9 and use it in place of this .22. 9mm ammo is quite affordable.

Tom

 

[planetcat]

My first semi auto pistol was a 1911. I went from a single action blackhawk revolver, to a GP100 and then got a kimber 1911. I felt the excessive safety features and exposed hammer of a 1911 made me feel comfortable carrying it and not wondering if it's going to go off. Some tinkering around in the garage and a few trips to the range, and I was hooked (and comfortable carrying it in the woods). With a 10 round extended magazine, speed, and accuracy, I feel safe. I would have to say that take down of my SR9c is simpler than with the 1911 though. Try the 1911, you'll like it.

 

[blume357]

Personally, I'm a fan of 9mm. for lots of reasons... I own a goodly number of pistols in that caliber, and even a few rifles and most of all it is pretty cheap to shoot...

with that said.... if the zombies are outside knocking on the door of the camper and two pistols are on the table... a 9mm and 45acp... I'd grab the 45 first and keep the 9mm for back up.

 

[jim52]

If you have the urge for a pistol, my vote would be for the SR9c. I love my 1911's (5" and SA Ultra Compact) but having the ability to go small with the SR9c's 10 round magazine is a big plus. The SR9c is the same size as my Ultra Compact and has become my CC gun. Having the option to carry the SR9c with the 17 round mag if I think I'll need the extra ammo is huge. I've motorcycle toured/camped and I wouldn't hesitate to pack the SR9c. Easy to shoot, fits well in the hand, and extremely easy to field strip.
The other advantage of the SR9 or SR9c is that 9mm ammo is much cheaper to shoot, so you can get lot of practice.

Of course you could get both. What could be better than having a choice between a .45 SR1911 and a 9mm SR9c? :lol:

 

[oregon73]

SR1911, with the Speed Six as backup, sounds like a good set-up to me.

Rob

 

[DGW1949]

I basically am a "revolver guy" who is developing a certain fondness for the new SR1911.

There are times that I have been camped in what I thought were "safe" but rather isolated areas that indeed were "safe" until a few "interesting folks" showed up. If I am on a hunting trip.... no problem. A 12 gauge can be more than hunting tool, right? However there are times that I am simply camped...no hunting involved. I always have my Speed Six complete with two speed loaders with for those occasions.

Now to the question.... because I am very familiar with the operation of a revolver if I were to buy a self-defense semi-auto would a SR9 be a much better choice than a SR1911.

I do not spend lots of time at the range. However I "know" guns and am a pretty good shot with a handgun out to about forty yards. If I bought the 1911, I'd not be practicing with it a lot but I sure would be spending a lot of time looking at it and smiling.

Tom

If I thought that I needed a SD side arm in order to protect myself while out in the bush, I'd find great comfort in a good 1911....much more so than I would in any company's high-cap 9MM.
On the other hand, the SR9 does allow ya to load the weapon with a larger number of rounds, which might be a handy feature...especialy if you miss a lot.

You might want to rethink the "I'd not be practicing with it a lot" part.

Just sayin'.

DGW

 

[Donaldjr1969]

If I bought the 1911, I'd not be practicing with it a lot but I sure would be spending a lot of time looking at it and smiling.

Tom

You might want to rethink the "I'd not be practicing with it a lot" part.

Just sayin'.

DGW

Amen to that. If called upon to defend your life, not practicing with it would not give you a good idea as to how if shoots compared to point of aim. In that case, you could miss or nit a non vital area. And if the 2 or 4 legged assailant is not incapacitated in a timely fashion, the outcome would be rather dire.

 

[cruzerlou]

tguil,
Just a thought,but have you ever shot a quality 1911 ? If not by all means please do so ,I think you'll love it .I've not had the pleasure of shooting a SR9/SR40 but I hear there a cut above the other Ruger autos ,you should shoot them too and then deside if you want one or the other .Ether way it will be fun .
Lou

 

[gak]

If camping's the main thing, you're already set. I see no need to move beyond the always-go-bang Speed Six, unless you're in bear country where a Redhawk/SRH or 629 (etc) might be in order. Wilderness protection is no time to experiment, is the safety "on" or "off," risk ftf/fte, etc -- for a newbie to autos. IF you've got a hankering to get something "just because" (and there's nothing wrong with that) get a 1911 or SR for "fun", range etc -- and once proficient or at least comfortably familiar only then IMO as back-up TO your Speed Six, not the other way around. Again, I'm referring to the inexperienced here.

 

[tguil]

If camping's the main thing, you're already set. I see no need to move beyond the always-go-bang Speed Six, unless you're in bear country where a Redhawk/SRH or 629 (etc) might be in order. Wilderness protection is no time to experiment, is the safety "on" or "off," risk ftf/fte, etc -- for a newbie to autos. IF you've got a hankering to get something "just because" (and there's nothing wrong with that) get a 1911 or SR for "fun", range etc -- and once proficient or at least comfortably familiar only then IMO as back-up TO your Speed Six, not the other way around. Again, I'm referring to the inexperienced here.

Makes sense to me. I feel that I really am proficient with a double action revolver, especially in what is considered self defense range. I also use a revolver for deer hunting and varmint "elimination". Either the 1911 or one of SR9' s would be a heck of a varmint gun Everyone should have a "fun" gun, right? But then most of my guns are "fun" guns.

Tom