My new carry gun

[SteveBailey]

My carry gun is a full sized Kimber Stainless .45 ACP. It is a bit large so I decided to look around for a smaller gun , same round, high cap, reliable.... price was not a mitigating factor.

I read a bunch of reviews, spoke w/ some friends, fired some guns  at the range and settled on a Springfield XD .45 ACP, Bi-tone (black and stainless)
4".
 
The gun is excellent it seems.
 It has some snazzy features that I'm not used to:
1)"chamber loaded" indicator.  This concerned me at first because I was worried that a bad guy could tell if I had one in the pipe.  The indicator is subtle though.  If a bad guy is close enough to tell I have one in the chamber I've got bigger problems.

2) Cocking indicator.  I'm not sure how this comes into play yet, for as near as I can tell, if there is a round in the chamber the weapon is cocked. I have not noticed that I can chamber a round and uncock the gun.

It's smaller than the full sized 1911 I have been carrying but not so small that it isn't quite comfortable in my hands.

So far, the lone draw back:  The high cap, double stack mags have a pretty fierce spring in them and I struggled a bit to load the last 3 or 4 rounds.  I got it done but it required some effort. My thumb would get quite tired form loading these mags during an afternoon of shooting.  I'm not a particularly small or weak guy( 6'2" and 245) so this might be a problem for people w/ smallish hands.  Then again, maybe the springs will ease a bit after use.

Does anyone else use this a their regular carry?

Thoughts?



Steve

[BBBB]

What kind of holster are you using??

-Sp0t

[SteveBailey]

Originally posted by BBBB
What kind of holster are you using??

-Sp0t

BBBB I'm glad you asked this question.  I almost forgot about it, thanks for bringing it up. Cabela's was very busy and I couldn't get help as I ran out of time so as of yet, I only have the plastic holster the gun comes with.

Recommendations? I think  I'd like a small of the back holster that I wouldn't have to worry about losing(falling out) the gun from. Maybe a holster that would tuck inside the waist line?

[john9001]

try the "upLULA" magazine loader

[BBBB]

Stay far, far away from the cheap Fobus holsters. Later on tonight I will post a video on youtube as to why. If you are going to go with a plastic type holster look for the Blackhawk Serpa.

-Sp0t

[SteveBailey]

Actually I'm not particularly fond of pastic holsters.

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

I'm looking at the Blackhawk inside the pants holster for my Para. That's a slick looking piece.

I noticed Rob Leatham just won the production class at one of the major matches shooting a Springfield XD.

My Para magazines get pretty stiff after about the 10th round is in, and I'm not really smaller than you at 6' 2" and 227#. Once you get a little time with it, you'll get used to it.

[SteveBailey]

Originally posted by Captain Virgil Hilts
My Para magazines get pretty stiff after about the 10th round is in, and I'm not really smaller than you at 6' 2" and 227#.

Ya, I'm just a few beers and pizzas ahead of you.  Hehehehe.

[SteveBailey]

Ok that's two who've mentioned Blackhawk.  I'll check into them.  I'd like to have Lazs opinion, he's a knowledgeable guy too. ( I know you guys are as well, I was referring to me.  I carry but am no expert beyond the guns I own)

I sometimes go into places where guns are not allowed when I'm on the job. I do not risk carrying in there(hospitals) as getting caught would probably mean the end of my business.

Also, my ambulance is frequently unlocked due to the wheelchair lift being left open as I move a pasenger into a building.

What do you guys think of this item for temporary storage when I'm in these circumstances:

http://springfieldxdstore.com/pgroup_descrip/14/6890/?mode=image




What do you think about this product:




http://springfieldxdstore.com/pgroup_descrip/9/1958/?return=%3ftpl%3Dindex%26category_id%3D9%26


Thanks for the help.

[SteveBailey]

Originally posted by john9001
try the "upLULA" magazine loader

John, what a clever device!

[Dago]

Don Hume makes a pretty decent leather holster at an attractive price.

In the waist band (IWB) more concealable but slightly less quick to get gun out, plus some holsters collapse without gun in it, so hard to reholster.

Pancake holster mounting on the belt outside the pants is good, but not very concealed, so more effort must be made to conceal.  Offers quicker access and easier to reholster.

Each have advantages and disadvantages.

I suggest one with a strap to retain weapon, and the holster should cover the trigger guard completely.

It is mostly a matter of preference and personal comfort.

[Rolex]

I'm curious... what jobs do you guys have where you need to carry a concealed weapon?

[storch]

driving around miami neighborhoods like winwood, allapattah, liberty city, brownsville and overtown.  why do you purchase any form of insurance?

[Nilsen]

Originally posted by Rolex
I'm curious... what jobs do you guys have where you need to carry a concealed weapon?

F16 pilots and snipers working for the CIA..


duh!

[lazs2]

I don't care what jobs that they have.

I thank them for having the morality to carry..  I thank them for the trouble and the courage.

If I am in a mall or theatre or whatever and some nutjob starts shooting or stabbing or clubbing people to death..

I don't want rolex or nielsen  beside me giving a gun control lecture... I want one of those guys who talks about the best holster to carry his .45 in.

I would rather have one woman with a concealed carry permit and firearm than 10 gun control nuts in that situation.

Sooo... go about your metrosexual ways.   Not everyone has the courage and dedication to and morality to protect themselves or others...  many are too weak ... you can't help it.. but...

Be aware that the rest of us realize that and that when push comes to shove... It is them and not you that we want at our side.

lazs