The official TST I like guns thread.

[SvicksTc]

ya i feel both of you on the religious symbol. Dave i know you suggest the cozy partner and both the cross breed and desantis is about the same price...

how is N87 holster that you are so graciously hooking me up with, feel with the glock? Ill be heading to the local gun shop after my last class today to get a feel

[cmr076]

Originally Posted by SvicksTc

ya i feel both of you on the religious symbol. Dave i know you suggest the cozy partner and both the cross breed and desantis is about the same price...

how is N87 holster that you are so graciously hooking me up with, feel with the glock? Ill be heading to the local gun shop after my last class today to get a feel

umm, its ok... not the best but by far not the worst. It will absolutely get ya started until you feel like dropping 75-100 on a different one.

[DC2.2GSR]

yeah anything will work and it's obviously better than jamming the gun in your pants with no holster like some kind of thug idiot. lol. I went from a POS Blackhawk neoprene one to a leather Blackhawk, (worst by far), then a Serpa CQC OWB (great for OC, but terrible for CC), then a DeSantis pro stealth, then a Cozy Partner on Dave's recommendation (worked a crapload better than all the rest), and now I have a Comp-Tac MTAC for my Sig that also safely fits my M&P. The MTAC makes all other holsters I've tried on or owned feel like junk. The main thing is the two mounting points being spread far apart. It makes for a holster that actually stays where you put it and keeps the level of cant that you want, unlike all the others. As comfortable as the Cozy Partner is, it moves around a lot because the belt loops are made of very thin leather and are about an inch apart. Although I've seen a crossbreed in person I've never worn one. I would imagine that it's just about the same stability-wise as the MTAC though. Since I'm now sure that the MTAC is the way I want to go I ordered a new M&P body for it on Monday as well as a Comp-Tac 1.5" to 1.25 taper belt. Production time was two days and my order status says "Shipped". I'm psyched to get them. I've never had a real gun belt, but everyone says it makes a world of difference.

[cmr076]

Originally Posted by DC2.2GSR

yeah anything will work and it's obviously better than jamming the gun in your pants with no holster like some kind of thug idiot. lol. I went from a POS Blackhawk neoprene one to a leather Blackhawk, (worst by far), then a Serpa CQC OWB (great for OC, but terrible for CC), then a DeSantis pro stealth, then a Cozy Partner on Dave's recommendation (worked a crapload better than all the rest), and now I have a Comp-Tac MTAC for my Sig that also safely fits my M&P. The MTAC makes all other holsters I've tried on or owned feel like junk. The main thing is the two mounting points being spread far apart. It makes for a holster that actually stays where you put it and keeps the level of cant that you want, unlike all the others. As comfortable as the Cozy Partner is, it moves around a lot because the belt loops are made of very thin leather and are about an inch apart. Although I've seen a crossbreed in person I've never worn one. I would imagine that it's just about the same stability-wise as the MTAC though. Since I'm now sure that the MTAC is the way I want to go I ordered a new M&P body for it on Monday as well as a Comp-Tac 1.5" to 1.25 taper belt. Production time was two days and my order status says "Shipped". I'm psyched to get them. I've never had a real gun belt, but everyone says it makes a world of difference.

a good belt is almost as important as a good holster IMO, I have a really thick desantis belt that I absolutely LOVEEEE

[~Brian~]

Originally Posted by DC2.2GSR

I know we're like two pages past it by this point, but just a note about caliber choice...

All defensive handgun calibers will kill people. With modern designs the diameter of the bullet isn't as important, but it still plays a huge factor in how much damage you're going to do to soft tissue. With that said, there's nothing out there that has "stopping power" and nothing will stop someone in one shot unless they mentally submit (sometimes involuntarily) or unless you disrupt their CNS.

.40S&W is not weak by any means and is not a lesser alternative that anyone has chosen because they can't handle a .45ACP or whatever. .40 is a caliber that people choose when they want a definite performance gain over 9mm, but when the particular gun they've chosen is not offered in .45ACP. 9/40 guns are almost always on one frame and .45s are on a totally different one, usually a larger one.

With M&Ps as an example (but it still applies to most other model lines as well) when someone is choosing between a 9C and a 40C and a 45C, they're all considered by S&W to be "compacts", but the 45C is a 4" barrel model with a wider overall width and a taller grip, but the 9C, the 40C and even the 357C are all 3.5" barrel guns with a much smaller grip. They are the identical guns aside from the barrels and the magazines. When someone has decided that the smaller gun is the one they want, there are only three calibers offered. The .45ACP is not even an option.

I'm assuming we all know the generally accepted recommendations for all around best performing loads of each caliber (124 gr. +P 9mm - 165 gr. .40S&W). In 9mm, with any bullet design or load, you get a smaller bullet and substantially less muzzle energy (the mythical "stopping power"), but you get two extra rounds to carry along (12+1 in the compact). In .40S&W you get a larger bullet and substantially more muzzle energy than the 9mm, and with equal muzzle velocity, and you only sacrifice two rounds (10+1 for the 40C) due to the size of the round. Now, throw in the fact that some guns aren't rated for use with +P ammunition and the gap between the performance of 9mm and .40 becomes even greater because you have to use a standard load.

As for the .357Sig, well that's an obvious clear winner in terms of muzzle velocity and energy, but you have a smaller diameter bullet. Smaller hole and less contact with soft tissue is offset by the fact that it delivers a bigger punch. The problem with .357Sig though is price and availability. First, not every manufacturer offers a gun with it as an option. Next you have to consider availability. I have never seen a single box of .357Sig in a Walmart and I've only once seen a handful of boxes at Cabelas. In fact, not too long ago I posted in this thread about seeing my first box ever 'in the wild'. I know some of you buy online or wherever and say not to buy at Walmart, etc. but the WM shelves are a good indicator of what's available elsewhere. Right now there are (as of 2 hrs. ago) at least 2500 rounds of .40S&W on the shelf at the Walmart down the road. 9mm is down around 500 rounds and there were only two 50rd boxes of .45ACP. It's more plentiful than any other caliber and I believe it's because so many law enforcement agencies have totally abandoned 9mm in favor of .40S&W so the production has been ramped up. You could say it's because no one wants it because of whatever reason, but regardless - it's there for me to buy. When you do eventually find .357Sig it's significantly higher priced than anything else on the shelf.

.40S&W is now easier to find than any other caliber (especially .357Sig), offers greater performance than the 9mm, offers a good compromise in price between 9mm and .357Sig, and is the largest round available in smaller framed guns. Why not choose the round that offers the best of each aspect?

You just made me feel A LOT better about my gun. Thank you!

[DC2.2GSR]

Originally Posted by ~Brian~

You just made me feel A LOT better about my gun. Thank you!

lol. No problem.

It's not really about feeling better about your (or my) choice just because someone else says so though. Realistically, you have to take a lot of things into consideration when you buy a certain caliber. I listed a few of them. Too many people buy a certain gun or certain caliber just because other people say it's good or bad or whatever. You have to look at the purpose of the gun and weigh your options and pick the best round for you. Purely relying on an imaginary term like 'stopping power' or just buying a gun or caliber because "it's badass and all the rest of them suck" is just stupidity.

All modern ammunition has advanced to the point where they all deliver basically the same results. There are limitations and benefits to each, you just have to find the middle ground. As I said before, I chose .40S&W because of the options available for a compact gun (not a larger .45ACP frame) it's (IMO) the best selection when overall effectiveness for a carry gun is a concern, as well as price range practice... and we all know that more range time means that you're going to be a better shot, which means that your overall effectiveness with the gun is going to continually grow. It's a compromise for the sake of being a better shooter.

Then again, if .40S&W is too snappy or whatever, and you happen to shoot a 9mm better, then you're going to be more effective with a 9mm. More properly placed shots using a smaller caliber is going to trump a handful of wildly fired large caliber shots any day.

[92awdtsi]

Originally Posted by DC2.2GSR

Then again, if .40S&W is too snappy or whatever, and you happen to shoot a 9mm better, then you're going to be more effective with a 9mm. More properly placed shots using a smaller caliber is going to trump a handful of wildly fired large caliber shots any day.

that is what made me decide on the g17. I wanted a full size handgun that I could put 2 or 3 rapid shot in a tight group almost every time. My dads g23 was just a little too much for rapid fire (at least for me). Maybe I'll just save my money for a glock 7

[~Brian~]

Been a while since I uploaded a photo..

[SvicksTc]

Originally Posted by cmr076

umm, its ok... not the best but by far not the worst. It will absolutely get ya started until you feel like dropping 75-100 on a different one.

Ya I dont know what my other investments will be, money will be tight after the purchase ha probably buy some bulk ammo and hit the range and practice practice hopefully with you guys

probably a few weeks after i save ill invest in a better holster

Originally Posted by DC2.2GSR

yeah anything will work and it's obviously better than jamming the gun in your pants with no holster like some kind of thug idiot. lol. I went from a POS Blackhawk neoprene one to a leather Blackhawk, (worst by far), then a Serpa CQC OWB (great for OC, but terrible for CC), then a DeSantis pro stealth, then a Cozy Partner on Dave's recommendation (worked a crapload better than all the rest), and now I have a Comp-Tac MTAC for my Sig that also safely fits my M&P. The MTAC makes all other holsters I've tried on or owned feel like junk. The main thing is the two mounting points being spread far apart. It makes for a holster that actually stays where you put it and keeps the level of cant that you want, unlike all the others. As comfortable as the Cozy Partner is, it moves around a lot because the belt loops are made of very thin leather and are about an inch apart. Although I've seen a crossbreed in person I've never worn one. I would imagine that it's just about the same stability-wise as the MTAC though. Since I'm now sure that the MTAC is the way I want to go I ordered a new M&P body for it on Monday as well as a Comp-Tac 1.5" to 1.25 taper belt. Production time was two days and my order status says "Shipped". I'm psyched to get them. I've never had a real gun belt, but everyone says it makes a world of difference.

i was wondering about these so called "gun belts" and how different they are from say a regular belt thick band leather belt?

Im use to wearing a leather belt my girlfriend got me from guess everyday, hopefully wont have to switch that up...

do you guys use OWB holsters for the range, or no holster at all?

[bastid]

Originally Posted by ~Brian~

Been a while since I uploaded a photo..

What grip/treatment is that? Looks great!

[~Brian~]

Thanks! It's just a basic Hogue grip. Cheap and effective, def a win win

[cmr076]

Originally Posted by SvicksTc

i was wondering about these so called "gun belts" and how different they are from say a regular belt thick band leather belt?

Im use to wearing a leather belt my girlfriend got me from guess everyday, hopefully wont have to switch that up...

do you guys use OWB holsters for the range, or no holster at all?

gun belt, regular belt, gun belt:



the "gun belts" are almost... stiff if that makes sense and I think make a huge difference when drawing and holstering.. When im at the range I carry the same way i do when im on the street (concealed) so I can practice drawing, aiming, shooting, etc. how it would be in "real life" although I do have a blackhawk OWB kydex holster for my beretta I just have never used it haha

[SvicksTc]

Originally Posted by cmr076

gun belt, regular belt, gun belt:



the "gun belts" are almost... stiff if that makes sense and I think make a huge difference when drawing and holstering.. When im at the range I carry the same way i do when im on the street (concealed) so I can practice drawing, aiming, shooting, etc. how it would be in "real life" although I do have a blackhawk OWB kydex holster for my beretta I just have never used it haha

thats a great idea, and thanks for the pic reference thats perfect view, i was thinking it was going to be thicker/stiffer, i think the belt i use will work pretty well then its pretty stiff like that i guess come sunday we will see

[bastid]

Originally Posted by ~Brian~

Thanks! It's just a basic Hogue grip. Cheap and effective, def a win win

I was considering the Hogues, but I'm going to try to sugru it first though (www.sugru.com). Did you source them locally or order them online?

Also - Any internal/trigger mods done yet? I'm on the fence with mine (heavier guide rod, threaded barrel/suppressor).

[~Brian~]

Nope, no internal work. Just the grip and the TruGlo sights. It's my carry gun, so I was told to avoid any trigger mods.

[DC2.2GSR]

Got my MidwayUSA range bags yesterday and I have to say, I'm 150% satisfied with the purchase and I'm really impressed with the quality and size of the bags. I bought one compact competition range bag in OD green for my actual go-to-the-range bag and one black competition bag, the full size one so that I can retire my piece of junk under armor gym bag that is currently me 'get home' bag with tools, etc. that permanently lives in my car's trunk. If you don't own one, buy one ASAP. You won't be disappointed.

btw, anyone want to shoot this weekend? I think I'm heading to targetmaster maybe tomorrow or sunday. They have a sh*tload of rental guns and tons are HKs so my buddy will actually be able to shoot a few different HKs before buying one. it's open ended though, I can go anywhere. Just let me know.

[cmr076]

Originally Posted by DC2.2GSR

Got my MidwayUSA range bags yesterday and I have to say, I'm 150% satisfied with the purchase and I'm really impressed with the quality and size of the bags. I bought one compact competition range bag in OD green for my actual go-to-the-range bag and one black competition bag, the full size one so that I can retire my piece of junk under armor gym bag that is currently me 'get home' bag with tools, etc. that permanently lives in my car's trunk. If you don't own one, buy one ASAP. You won't be disappointed.

btw, anyone want to shoot this weekend? I think I'm heading to targetmaster maybe tomorrow or sunday. They have a sh*tload of rental guns and tons are HKs so my buddy will actually be able to shoot a few different HKs before buying one. it's open ended though, I can go anywhere. Just let me know.

thats like asking a stripper if she wants to take her clothes off, although I am headed to CPI, bob has an SBR he is trying to sell me and wants me to put some rounds through it to see if i likey

[SvicksTc]

ahh wish i was home this weekend, cant wait for next weekend

[Munky]

Wish I wasn't working this weekend.

[DC2.2GSR]

Originally Posted by cmr076

thats like asking a stripper if she wants to take her clothes off, although I am headed to CPI, bob has an SBR he is trying to sell me and wants me to put some rounds through it to see if i likey

haha yeah i figured you'd be shooting somewhere. When are you going?