Gun Owning Smokers

[cigarsarge]

Good show! Then again, you are a professional. I can't seem to find specs on a model 37 though. Is that a classic? If so, I assume it has an exposed hammer?

I assume you fired the shots all double action? The double action messes me up. It takes practice to pull all the way until just before the hammer falls, then readjust your aim, then finish the pull. I am surprised that the 1-7/8" stubby barrel performed so well for you though.

Exposed hammer, fired double action as required. I would not call it a classic but it is a damn good hideout gun. I was gonna get some recoil absorbing grips but that would cut down on being able to conceal it well.

I shot 100 through it on qualification day...75 just because I can shoot free that day. I shot 25 to qualify. My right hand was a bit beat up due to recoil. It is a very light gun.

[denver24]

Has anyone shot the Springfield XD Sub-Compact 9 mm? I'm looking for something a little smaller that I can carry and that is still going to be somewhat accurate.

This would be my first firearm purchase. My buddy is an ex-marine and he is a gun safety and concealed weapons trainer. He recommended the XD 45, but I want something smaller to carry.

[ndv21]

Has anyone shot the Springfield XD Sub-Compact 9 mm? I'm looking for something a little smaller that I can carry and that is still going to be somewhat accurate.

This would be my first firearm purchase. My buddy is an ex-marine and he is a gun safety and concealed weapons trainer. He recommended the XD 45, but I want something smaller to carry.

I shot one the other day at the range from a buddy of mine that has like 13 handguns. Shoots very well and put about 50 rounds through it. I am no gun expert by any means since last week I bought my first gun. Honestly, If I had the money to spend, I would've bouth the XD. Shoot it at the range and see if you like it!

[MarineOne]

Has anyone shot the Springfield XD Sub-Compact 9 mm? I'm looking for something a little smaller that I can carry and that is still going to be somewhat accurate.

This would be my first firearm purchase. My buddy is a former Marine and he is a gun safety and concealed weapons trainer. He recommended the XD 45, but I want something smaller to carry.

Okay so for starters I fixed that for you. There are no "ex-Marines" unless they received a bad conduct discharge or a dishonorable. Oh, and the proper capitalization of course.

I own both the XD 45 in the 5 inch tactical and the XDm in 9mm and both would be good for shoulder carry, but not the waistband. If you're looking for a waist carry CCW you should really look at a Smith and Wesson "J" frame or their light weight line in .38SPL. This way you can do IWB (inside the waistband), or ankle/pocket carry.


Kris

[denver24]

Okay so for starters I fixed that for you. There are no "ex-Marines" unless they received a bad conduct discharge or a dishonorable. Oh, and the proper capitalization of course.

Kris, no offense meant and thanks for the correction.

If you're looking for a waist carry CCW you should really look at a Smith and Wesson "J" frame or their light weight line in .38SPL. This way you can do IWB (inside the waistband), or ankle/pocket carry.

Would you then not recommend the 3" XD for CCW?

[MarineOne]

Unless you get the extended magazine, no. The 3 inch hardly has anything to hold on to, so when the unfortunate time comes to draw it combined with the adrenaline rush, you could end up hurting yourself.



Kris

[denver24]

Cool, thanks for the insight!

[Kenyth]

Exposed hammer, fired double action as required. I would not call it a classic but it is a damn good hideout gun. I was gonna get some recoil absorbing grips but that would cut down on being able to conceal it well.

I shot 100 through it on qualification day...75 just because I can shoot free that day. I shot 25 to qualify. My right hand was a bit beat up due to recoil. It is a very light gun.

It's actually surprising how much difference a light gun with a short barrel makes on recoil, isn't it? If I shoot .38 special through my 6 inch revolver it feels like I'm shooting a pop gun. Practically no recoil to speak of. The magnum rounds are a different matter entirely.

[Kenyth]

Has anyone shot the Springfield XD Sub-Compact 9 mm? I'm looking for something a little smaller that I can carry and that is still going to be somewhat accurate.

This would be my first firearm purchase. My buddy is an ex-marine and he is a gun safety and concealed weapons trainer. He recommended the XD 45, but I want something smaller to carry.

As far as stopping power in a reasonable package goes, you will have a hard time beating a .45 ACP auto. Springfield makes one of many polymer variants that fire this potent round. Glock is another good choice. One thing to be careful of is a sub compact that fires .45 ACP. The round is pretty fat. Combine that with the steep loading ramps found in most sub compacts and the flat nose of hollow points, and you have a much higher chance of jamming. I had to get rid of an otherwise good pistol for that very reason.

9mm has so many pistols available that it can be daunting to choose one. My advice? Go out and shop. When you find a few that feel good in your price range, look up reviews and make your choice. They have very slim and small 9mm autos with a single stack mag. Some, like Kel-Tek make them for a very cheap price. Others, like Walther, make an expensive high end pistol.

[denver24]

As far as stopping power in a reasonable package goes, you will have a hard time beating a .45 ACP auto. Springfield makes one of many polymer variants that fire this potent round. Glock is another good choice. One thing to be careful of is a sub compact that fires .45 ACP. The round is pretty fat. Combine that with the steep loading ramps found in most sub compacts and the flat nose of hollow points, and you have a much higher chance of jamming. I had to get rid of an otherwise good pistol for that very reason.

9mm has so many pistols available that it can be daunting to choose one. My advice? Go out and shop. When you find a few that feel good in your price range, look up reviews and make your choice. They have very slim and small 9mm autos with a single stack mag. Some, like Kel-Tek make them for a very cheap price. Others, like Walther, make an expensive high end pistol.

Thanks for the input Kenyth! I'll keep you guys updated.

[mail man]

I second the Keltec, I had one a few years ago, and it performed quite well, and was very reasonable in the price range.

Keith

[cigarsarge]

It's actually surprising how much difference a light gun with a short barrel makes on recoil, isn't it? If I shoot .38 special through my 6 inch revolver it feels like I'm shooting a pop gun. Practically no recoil to speak of. The magnum rounds are a different matter entirely.

I've got a Colt Lawman 357 with a four inch barrel that I hide out in my patrol car loaded with 38 Special +P. It recoils a bit but nothing like full power 357. I wish my department would allow 357 ammo.

[heftysmokes]

Hey Sarge, just curious, but why no on the .357 ammo?

[cigarsarge]

Hey Sarge, just curious, but why no on the .357 ammo?

My firearms instructor says the word "magnum" that follows 357 could result in excessive force problems. I guess the word magnum seems intimidating. The 357 Sig round is allowed...357 Magnum is not.

[Kenyth]

My firearms instructor says the word "magnum" that follows 357 could result in excessive force problems. I guess the word magnum seems intimidating. The 357 Sig round is allowed...357 Magnum is not.

Sarge, if you ever get a chance, fire the Glock 33 with the mag extension for your pinky. The recoil is a bit heavy, but not nearly as bad as that Para Ordnance P-10 I owned , and you don't seem to mind recoil. The longer I own it, the more I like it. The ratings and reviews are great. My personal experience with it is great. IMHO, it is one of the best, if not THE best, semi-auto, sub-compact, CCW out there. At least as far as firepower in a small package is concerned.

[mrtr33]

Is there any compelling reason to choose a 30.06 over a 7mm, specifically for deer hunting (and maybe larger game in the future?)

The guy I got hunting with now uses a 7mm, and I've been using a 30.06. He swears by the 7mm, but admits it can be painful to sight in. Thought I'd get some advice from you guys....

[Kenyth]

Is there any compelling reason to choose a 30.06 over a 7mm, specifically for deer hunting (and maybe larger game in the future?)

The guy I got hunting with now uses a 7mm, and I've been using a 30.06. He swears by the 7mm, but admits it can be painful to sight in. Thought I'd get some advice from you guys....

I am not familiar with 7mm, but I am with 30-06. 30-06 is a very common round in the US, so ammo is reasonable. It was designed for manual action rifles, such as bolt action. The long cartridge doesn't work the best in semi-auto weapons, although they've been made.

If you load your own ammo, it is one of the most versatile rifles around. You can customize the bullet weight and powder charge a lot depending on what you are hunting. It will reliably take almost all North American game. Moose and Grizzly are the only questionable ones I know of.

[VictorMJR66]

I am not familiar with 7mm, but I am with 30-06. 30-06 is a very common round in the US, so ammo is reasonable. It was designed for manual action rifles, such as bolt action. The long cartridge doesn't work the best in semi-auto weapons, although they've been made.

If you load your own ammo, it is one of the most versatile rifles around. You can customize the bullet weight and powder charge a lot depending on what you are hunting. It will reliably take almost all North American game. Moose and Grizzly are the only questionable ones I know of.

The .30-06 is "the most common round in the world." i have heard of big game hunters flying around the world and were able to by ammo.
I own both, and it is true that the .30-06 is incredibly versatile! From a 55gr, sabot, to 200+ gr projectiles.
I like the 7mm for specific use, and mine too was not very accurate with factory loads. But, with the right load, it has amazing accuracy. It happens to be in the Win M70 platform. It is pillar-bedded with a stock trigger adjustment.

My .30-06 is a 1942 Remington made, Springfield 1903-A3, sporterized. I grab it for any occassion.

[MarineOne]

Is there any compelling reason to choose a 30.06 over a 7mm, specifically for deer hunting (and maybe larger game in the future?)

The guy I got hunting with now uses a 7mm, and I've been using a 30.06. He swears by the 7mm, but admits it can be painful to sight in. Thought I'd get some advice from you guys....

I don't like 7mm for anything smaller than elk or moose, as it damages the meat too much and is really overkill unless you reload and slow them down a bit.

30-'06, .270, .260, and .243 will be better choices for factory loads and deer hunting.


Kris

[heftysmokes]

I have a 30.06 I use for everything--antelope, deer, elk--but am looking at a .243 for antelope and whitetail hunting. It'll be nice to have a smaller caliber when the boy is old enough to start hunting.