A Change of Pace for Me

[Boats]

I've been carrying a 1911 for a long time, though not by some of your standards, I guess

About 20 years.

My first carry was a Ruger Security Six in .357 magnum. It was inexpensive and I didn't know much about handguns in the late '70s. I did know that though I would love to have a .45acp, I couldn't afford one.

Much later, in the early '90s, I had more cash and bought am H&K P7M8 for carry. What a great carry gun it is/was. I recently bequeathed it to my 23 y/o daughter who had just gotten her CCW.

In about 2000 I bought my first m1911, a Citadel Officer's Model. I still have it, though I don't carry it anymore. Then I went through a succession of Commander sized 1911s, eventually having a fully customized pistol made to my specs. Lane made some beautiful ebony shoes for that one years ago I believe. It's still wearing them.

I hate to carry it because it's so expensive (and beautiful). I sure wouldn't want it to end up in an evidence locker should I need to do something unpleasant.

So I've been carrying a Sig 1911 Carry for quite a few years. It's all I could ask for in a carry 45. Thousands of rounds through it and nary a FtF, and accurate enough for me. Its only real weirdness is that it has an external extractor. Hasn't bothered my any.

Recently I've been wanting something for the home that has a bigger magazine and a light/laser on a rail. I settled on a Beretta 92X Compact and an OLight BALDR Mini on the rail. I think I'm quite happy with it. You can always argue aout .45acp vs. 9mm Parabellum, but I think the evidence shows that modern 9mm rounds hold up pretty well in a competition. And the 13 round magazine is a plus. I've got about 400 rounds through it at the range and have had zero problems.

When I joined the military in the early '70s, I carried a 1911, and by the time I retired, they switched to the M9, so I have a fair amount of experience with both. Different manual of arms (SA vs SA/DA, and thumb safety vs. decocker/safety) but you get the muscle memory for both weapons eventually.

Nothing stands up to the beauty of a well-crafted 1911, but the Beretta is pretty sweet as well.

So I'm still carrying my Sig, but the Beretta is in the safe next to my bed.