TNWNGR

Since you already have an Lc9 and LCP I'd suggest you consider an SP101 or a 3" GP-100 instead of the LCR so that you have a more comfortable handgun for shooting. You'll then have a very robust revolver you can easily run +p+ or .357 Magnum round's through as often as you like and also use it to work on your revolver shooting skill's.

The recommendation to see how each of the pistol's you've mentioned fit your hand is a good one. Of the pistol's you've expressed an interest in I have more confidence in the G-19 than any of the other's. I have some interest in the S&W M&P but the Glock M-19 is a more proven product that I have more experence with.

You've purchased a first rate pistol and a great training tool that you'll use for year's and share with other's.

I prefer the .45 Colt and one of the Ruger's with a .45ACP extra cylinder is what I would suggest. As to the range you shoot at do they allow shooter's to shoot .45ACP pistol's? If so then the .44 Magnum allowance is deceptive as factory .45 Colt ammunition is fairly mild. With handloads in a Ruger or other overbuilt platform is a romping stomping catridge. I believe that you should question the range managment and perhap's file an appeal.

Another option for a DYI project is.1911 AUTO CHECKERED FRONT STRAP - Brownells No it's not the same as a custom hand checkered front strap but it does work rather well. I've owned or used hand checkered front strap 1911's, stippled front strap's and stock one's. It's all about what you want and can afford to have done.

Kandros Custom Gunworks - Nashville's Premiere Custom Colt 1911 gunsmith I've not dealt with him but have only heard good comment's about his work.

Any good 1911 slide will work but may require minor fitting to work correctly. You don't have to replace your slide to install different sight's, just mill the correct sized dovetail in and use what you've got.

Consider any basic 1911 platform as a part swap out project because that's what we all do with our's. The wise shooter breake's the pistol in first and limit's themself to better sights and trigger as a first step.

Glock 19 9x19 4th Gen with High Viz sight's and a Berreta Tomcat .380ACP for when he need's something smaller. As to the Taurus 709 have a trigger stop installed and the trigger reworked to change the break, then install thicker grip panel's.

You run across the most interesting gun trades and this one is a fine example, I guess you've written off the M&P pistol trial again. I always thought the DW wheel guns should have done better than they did and felt it was a managment problem and not a product failure.

Thinking outside the box for solution's and way's to cut cost really paid off here. That's some first class workmanship in cutting and fitting the grip tape it turned out great.

Garufa pretty well covered the basic's, the 586/686 are L-Frame revolver's, slightly larger and stronger than the K-Frame. They came about due to the Model 19's reported problems with flame cutting and shooting loose with a heavy diet of magnum round's. I've owned a couple and consider them to be a first class revolver but still prefer the M-19 and M-13 for general use. If I want something a bit stouter I'll shoot my M-27 or will hunt up a M-28.

It’s on the Official Police frame which is larger than the Police Positive. I’m pretty sure the New Service\Python \I-Frame Designation is what you’re looking for. My Colt Model 357 (pre-Python) is also on the New Service I-Frame. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_Official_Police

I wonder if Taurus will repair the PT-22 for you? Good over all article and the PLY 22 is an intresting pistol I think will have to go on my short list. I was very suprised at how well it felt in hand and how well it looked. It's nice to read that it shoot's well. Small .22LR pistol's that work correctly are a real value.

Colt Trooper - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Mark III wasn't well regarded at the time which was a bit unfair as it shot well and was failrly accurate. Collector wise, well it's not a Python and it was intended to compete with the S&W M-19.

I couldn't remember if the Beretta Tomcat in .380 ACP was a tip up barrel so I looked at one this morning and it does have the tip up barrel. Also it is thicker and heavier than the LCP or P3AT and has pretty decent sights, its also heavier which will help it feel better while shooting. I'm keeping it in mind as an option for my wife when circumstances dictate something smaller but still capable.

You would be dollars and cents ahead to start out with a good used basic 1911 GM platform .45ACP. My preference is and remains the Series 70 Colt, but one of the clones that have been taken care of will be fine. Either a FTF or dealer transaction where you can discuss any problems with the pistol is the preferred route to go. Aside from a decent set of fixed sights don’t worry about anything else unless you have a parts breakage. Run ball or hard cast bullets through it and shoot it a lot for several months, preferably at least a year, really get to know it. By this point you’ll either be completely sold on the 1911 or you won’t like it at all. If you’re sold on it then you know what you need in a carry pistol or range gun. Your capital outlay will be the used pistol, magazines, ammunition and possibly a set of sights. However, your experience and knowledge level will be practical and sound.

As to a good pistol you wife can use I’d suggest finding a used Beretta Model 86 Cheetah in .380 ACP as it has a tip up barrel so she will not have to rack the slide. I would also recommend the S&W M-438 or 638 shrouded hammer(can be pulled back to the cocked position) 38 Special 5 shot J frame revolver. Either or preferably both of these will more than satisfy her needs for a personal protection handgun. Even better both of these handguns can have their trigger pulls safely and easily improved either by a competent gunsmith or an in home instillation of a Wolff Spring(s) Kit. BTW you can also install a Wolff Spring kit on the Charter Arms revolver at home by yourself too.

I think you need to add more wood fiber to your diet Craig and less plastic.

Tennjed, I think this was a great thread to have started and you couldn't have picked one more important. Topic's like this bring out the best in a forum and people will participate in them. I agree that a S/A revolver or good DA/SA can be fun to shoot and a lot less trouble to keep up with the brass as well. 0-)

A handgun is a tool, any tool can be missused or abused by neglect, hard use or mishandling. When this occur's something goes wrong with the tool at the worst time possible. Pistol, revolver it doesn't matter they'll both go down on you. Some of you fellow's don't sound like you've ever had an empty cartridge case lock up your cylinder ejector by getting trapped under it. How about a a stuck case in the cylinder chamber the cylinder ejector star jumps over during the cylinder dump? I can keep on naming them and everyone of them has happened to me. But, I can name a as many or more things that can and will go wrong with a pistol and most of them have happened to me as well. Train often, do malfunction drills and expect something to go tango uniform with your gear.

Nope. The brass shavings are normal and as long as the ejection is consistant to the side all's good. The G-23 mag in a G-27 can cause FTF problem's due to finger/hand pressure on it's base while shooting. I make myself relax my little finger when shooting a G-27 with G-22 or 23 mags. Other factor's can be to loose of a grip or a bad mag as you know but first try to put less pressure on the mag base.

Sound's like your wife is on the right track now to become a good shooter, time and practice will get her to that goal. You have the right ideal on the putting a dab of paint on the front sight of the revolver, it will make it easier to pick up in lower light or against a dark backdrop. I don't care for it but will be the first to say it can help so give it a try. On down the road a bit you can consider replacing the front sight with a fiber optic sight which IMMO is a very nice set up.

Pawn Shop's are hit or miss with an awful mark up, some will deal with you andlower the asking price some will not. Know what your looking at and what it is worth then start working your deal. Most of the folk's you meet working in the pawn shop's are fine folk's but you will run into some that you don't want to be around again. The bottom line these folk's are there to make a living and if the store get's a reputation for cheating they cease having customers.

I’ve carried a PF9 quite a bit in a pocket holster w/o any problems but P3AT and LCP are more comfortable in my pocket. The Ruger Lc9 is really nice for carry in a low profile OWB or IWB holster and is more comfortable to shoot then the PF9. Some other options to consider are the KT P-11, Ruger SR9cc, S&W M&P Compact or the Bersa Thunder 9mm.