wvglock

Another vote for the Commissary.  If you ever happen to go to Bolivar try Richards BBQ.  It's take out or picnic table only, but there hot sauce on a pulled pork sandwich is perfect.

Another vote for the STI Trojan.  If you can find one used with a Dawson package put on it your in great shape.  I would start wearing out a bullseye then hand it to another shooter and they would start wearing it out too.  The Spartan is a great pistol too.

My FFL's around here want $45 per transfer.  Its not the worst thing, but it is ridiculous.

Just a bit of past experience for me. I had a p229 that had been shot to death and a g36 that had a frame recall.  I am not holding a grudge on either make.  I'm actually looking for a sig 1911 right now.  I like that I can strip a glock down to the frame and not even have to google it.  I hate that if I bobtail that 1911 if I get it, it will void the warranty.  I have baby hands but glock now makes a 30S that I believe is a fix for that.  It is simply a matter of shooting both and choosing whichever one you want.  Go for the one that hits bulls eye if it will be a range gun or presents faster and stays on target if its a CCW gun.  Buy the one that completes the task you want it to accomplish the best.  Sorry if I made it worse not better. 

Isn't it sad that a father can not give a son a gun in another state unless he dies.  I am still surprised that this has not been resolved.  Or the fact that some of us live on the border of another state and can not go across the boarder for any gun buying or selling.

Sorry if it was already said, but dummy rounds always work for when I train. Also, take his wife or girlfriend with him and let her shoot. Men often overthink it. My mother fired 10 shots in to the bullseye because I told her to pull the trigger, but try to not let the gun fire. On the dummy rounds she didn't flinch because she did not know when the hammer was going to fall. It will prove to him that's it's not a macho thing it's a follow the directions thing. Both eyes open from the beginning would be nice too. That's a hard habit to break. Again sorry if this was already said. Safe shooting and good luck!

I was a glock fan and then a sig fan and then........................ finally I bought a 1911. Then 2 more (that I kept). It is very addictive. Good luck buying just one.

Browning Purist............... No wonder you didn't have any holsters for a railed 1911 :-) ...................... Seriously take a look at the STI Spartan.

Im going out on a limb here but a STI Spartan would be a great gun for around $600. Its one of the best bang for your buck guns out there. No upgrading needed for quite some time.

same here.................... Thing is I might be putting mine up for sale. Its an operastor. Great Shooter

I wonder if Chris would take a class at Tom's facility, or have his main editors take a class to get a fair perspective.

I would think with current price gouging, Les Baer is the best bang for the buck. The rest of the money can send you to Thunder Ranch or Gunsite, for some training.

I might add that I like shooting slugs out a distance, and I am also conderned about recoil for the misses.

I am getting the bug for a auto 12, but can't decide on which one. I like the price and reliability of the cz, but the saiga has a massive advantage in capacity. This would be a home defense/ SHTF gun. Any suggestions.

Thanks for all the great advise. The thing that makes the S&W good and not great is the "loose" trigger, that is suppose to be that way. The MIM take down lever that is "mating" to the frame. The long break in period. Its a fine shooter and a great price, but my CCO shows the difference in quality. I wonder what technically is different between the trojan and the spartan. I could always use some more ammo and upgraded sights and a magwell. My budget is 1K give or take. I shoot about once a week, and reload .45 so ya it will get about 5-6K rounds yearly.