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So I have some income tax money coming in and wanted to purchase a new toy. I am just torn apart about what to get. Last time I had money to burn, I went and bought my little P238 from the Saxet Gun Show here in San Antonio. I wanted a small carry piece that was 1911-esque. I was originally going to purchase a officer sized 1911, but from RIA, only because it's going to be my normal everyday carry and don't want to worry about it being banged around, scratches, the whole 9. The 238 has been the most comfortable carry piece I have ever owned, and would like that in a larger caliber.

So I'm shooting for the 1911 officer models but don't know if I want to save up and get something I want (Kimber Eclipse officer or that new Sig Ultra compact that's coming out soon). I also wanted a new barrel for my P226 in .40 flavor. It'll be nicer on my pockets because ammo is affordable. However the 226 is something I don't carry very often. Only when needed.

OR.. (sigh, I know i'm all over the place)

I was thinking about just biting the bullet and getting another Sig. Thinking about the P239. It holds a lot less, but I love Sigs and always wanted one.

Or I just simply buy a small .22 to save money all together and worry about a new toy later down the road.

Feedback. Plz. Y'all are old and wise. Help me out. Thanks.

Willing to pay 700 - 900.

I'm neither old, nor wise, but out of the options you listed, I'd go with the RIA Officer's Model 1911 in .45 ACP. Second choice would be the Sig 226 in .40.

That's just me, though.

My first competition I ever attended was using a Sig 228 in 9mm which is a GREAT carry size. I was slow, but I had a great hit count and it was comfortable. Ever considered one of those or the 229? I am also a huge fan of polymer...glocks and xd's.

Good luck with your decision.

Another who isn't old or wise, but I'd sell the gun you hardly use and buy one you're going to just love. I'd save up for one you'll love if that still isn't enough.

if you really want a 1911 go with the RIA

If what your looking for is just a smaller gun then the 226 for a new EDC go with the p239 in .40 I love mine and I recall seeing on listed here for a pretty good price last week

If you like the 1911 and the P238 suited you, why not a 3" 1911?

The next best move might be a Springfield EMP in either 9mm or .40.

If that's out of your budget, you can find Para Ordnance PDAs for a lot less - $600 approx.

I'd also consider the new Kimber or Ruger pocket 9mms. They aren't 1911s, but they approximate 1911 controls.

68Charger wrote:So I have some income tax money coming in and wanted to purchase a new toy. I am just torn apart about what to get. Last time I had money to burn, I went and bought my little P238 from the Saxet Gun Show here in San Antonio. I wanted a small carry piece that was 1911-esque. I was originally going to purchase a officer sized 1911, but from RIA, only because it's going to be my normal everyday carry and don't want to worry about it being banged around, scratches, the whole 9. The 238 has been the most comfortable carry piece I have ever owned, and would like that in a larger caliber.

So I'm shooting for the 1911 officer models but don't know if I want to save up and get something I want (Kimber Eclipse officer or that new Sig Ultra compact that's coming out soon). I also wanted a new barrel for my P226 in .40 flavor. It'll be nicer on my pockets because ammo is affordable. However the 226 is something I don't carry very often. Only when needed.

OR.. (sigh, I know i'm all over the place)

I was thinking about just biting the bullet and getting another Sig. Thinking about the P239. It holds a lot less, but I love Sigs and always wanted one.

Or I just simply buy a small .22 to save money all together and worry about a new toy later down the road.

Feedback. Plz. Y'all are old and wise. Help me out. Thanks.

Willing to pay 700 - 900.

If you're looking at 3" 1911's, I'd strongly suggest going with an aluminum frame model like one of the Kimber Ultra Carry models. The comfort difference between these and the steel frame models is significant, and as an added bonus you don't have to worry about rust on the receiver when you carry IWB in the summer. A stainless slide is also a good idea for the same reason, isn't quite as important because there are fewer hidden spots to trap moisture on the slide than on the frame (e.g., under the grips).

http://www.para-usa.com/new/product_pistol.php?id=13" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.para-usa.com/new/product_pistol.php?id=8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have a Para Tac Four and I love it.. Conceals easily enough (maybe not for all day daily carry) but I have since wanted to get one of the slimmer or lighter versions...

I don't really know too much about the different types of handguns available, but do I love my Sig P239 SAS GEN2 9mm.

Excaliber wrote:If you're looking at 3" 1911's, I'd strongly suggest going with an aluminum frame model like one of the Kimber Ultra Carry models. The comfort difference between these and the steel frame models is significant, and as an added bonus you don't have to worry about rust on the receiver when you carry IWB in the summer. A stainless slide is also a good idea for the same reason, isn't quite as important because there are fewer hidden spots to trap moisture on the slide than on the frame (e.g., under the grips).

+1 on the Kimber Ultra Carry Models. I have the Ultra Carry II Stainless and love it. It's not so heavy that you don't want to carry it, and it shoots very well. They may be a little more expensive, but IMHO it's money well spent. I also have the P238. Another great pistol!

The RIA, Armscor and Citadel are well built, inexpensive 1911's from all I have seen of them. You can get them in 9mm, 38 super and 45 ACP. You could pick up one from a Davidson's dealer and get the Davidson's lifetime warranty with it and still be under $450 (for a base model) and have money left to buy that barrel for the 226 (then it would be like getting a 2 for 1). You would have a good 1911 that could be used without worrying about it plus have the lifetime replacement warranty in case something breaks.

If you love Sigs, get the P239. You won't regret it. Mine is my EDC, in .357 Sig, and I love the gun. Love the way it feels when I shoot it, crazy accurate and conceals really well.

Telling another feller what gun to purchase is kinda like telling him what women he oughta marry. She might appeal to you, but once their hitched he might discover that your taste and his are worlds apart.

Having said that, go for the Sig 239!

uthornsfan wrote:http://www.para-usa.com/new/product_pistol.php?id=13

http://www.para-usa.com/new/product_pistol.php?id=8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have a Para Tac Four and I love it.. Conceals easily enough (maybe not for all day daily carry) but I have since wanted to get one of the slimmer or lighter versions...

I have the Para Carry 9 LDA for sale.... cough cough.....

Since I seem to own most of the pistols you talked about, I'll give you my opinion on each.

Sig P239 - I bought mine (9mm) the first or second year they came out. This pistol has been 100% trouble-free. The trigger was always good, but now it's like the proverbial "glass rod breaking". I'm never giving it up. I don't carry it much any more, but it's always here, loaded & ready to go. It's way more accurate than I am. This is not a pocket pistol unless you happen to be Captain Kangaroo.

I got to shoot baldeagle's P239 in .357 Sig a few months ago. I'd always read that round was a handful in this small-ish pistol. Bull! It was a bit heavier recoil than my 9mm, but still a pleasure to shoot.

Kimber Ultra CDP II - At home, it's known as my "purdy gun". It has a great trigger and (again) is far more accurate than I can shoot it. If there's a downside, it's that I don't want to scratch it. If I had it to do over again, I would instead go for the Pro CDP for the 4" barrel and one more round in the mag.

RIA Compact - To me, this is simply amazing for a $400 1911. Although it is heavier than the Kimber, I don't notice the difference while carrying. I believe a good gun belt makes weight pretty much a non-issue. The trigger probably isn't quite as good as the Kimber, but the difference is too small for me to really tell. Mine is the GI model with the tiny little sights. I just had a set of night sights and an ambi safety installed, so those deficiencies are gone. I can't tell that it's any less accurate than the Kimber or Sig. It does what I need it to do and the parkerized finish seems to be very tough.

If you don't care about night sights, get the Tac version. You get better sights and (I think) an ambi safety. However, if you want night sights, I think it's easier to get them installed them on the GI model. The Tac front sight uses an odd dovetail, so standard Novak sights won't work. AndyC knows way more about this than I do.

Sig P238 - I'm trying hard to like this pistol. In the beginning, I had lots of trouble with FTE's. My recoil spring was apparently too long and it was stacking before the slide got all the way back. Sig sent me a new recoil spring. It still had ejection issues until the spring had been worked for 100 rounds or so. Then, without warning, the new spring collapsed. I called Sig again and they sent me 2 of the new flat-wire springs. I haven't had the opportunity to shoot it to know how it's going to work now. All-in-all, this gun has been very frustrating.

Pawpaw wrote: RIA Compact - To me, this is simply amazing for a $400 1911. Although it is heavier than the Kimber, I don't notice the difference while carrying. I believe a good gun belt makes weight pretty much a non-issue. The trigger probably isn't quite as good as the Kimber, but the difference is too small for me to really tell. Mine is the GI model with the tiny little sights. I just had a set of night sights and an ambi safety installed, so those deficiencies are gone. I can't tell that it's any less accurate than the Kimber or Sig. It does what I need it to do and the parkerized finish seems to be very tough.

If you don't mind me asking, who installed your sights and how much did it run you? I have 2 GI rock islands and love them, but the sights could definitely benefit from an upgrade. Thanks.