Hmmmm, my 5" 1911 weighs 37oz empty, 45oz loaded. And just a bit of trivia, my SW329pd weighs 31oz loaded.
I understand. I am second guessing my choices a bit at this point to be honest. I still think if I get the Glock dialed in it will be the lightest option with all the features I want. I want a rail to be able to put a light on, I want night sights, I want 10mm with a full size grip. I also want a gun with a ton of holster options available and I'm impressed with the Razco ones I have.
With my Glock I'm getting closer to the Sig or Springfield 1911's I liked in price and weight than I planned on when starting this project. I've added a shade over 5oz with the light and barrel that were all my choice, so that needs factored in. It's my own fault that I didn't do enough research about Glock barrels and springs before my purchase and spent extra money there. It's also a bit of a crapshoot figuring hot HC ammo out after doing research between people who have no issues with everything stock, and those who modify. Either way I can't cuss Glock. My gun shoots accurately and reliably with normal jacketed 180gr ammo and the stock components. That's what the majority of customers shoot. I guess after my rifle experiences I understand making a few changes to a stock gun to make it right for me.
I shot the 5.5"44 Redhawk I sold enough to know I don't shoot a revolver that big with that much recoil as well as I do this Glock. With plain Remington 240gr JHP ammo it rocked me pretty good even at 55 or so oz empty. I don't think a 329 is right for me, as tempting as the weight is. My 386XL Hunter 357 is pretty hard to beat for me. The S&W 69 with Buffalo Bore managed recoil ammo is the 44 I feel would fit me the best, but after shooting hot 10mm's I don't think the recoil compares to even a mid range 44 in a revolver. I think I'd be better off with my 357 I know and hot loads than any 44. I think I can fit my needs better right now with the 10mm than any revolver round.
I've always liked 357's as a good balance of power and recoil. The 10mm is right there in energy numbers, and the platforms it's available in lend themselves toward accuracy on multiple shots. It's no 44 in power but shot placement still trumps energy every time. It's enough in the right place in my opinion and offers more chance for multiple rounds on target than any other option. Don't count on extra rounds on target, but take advantage of them if possible! Also night sights and a light rail are undeniable advantages in many situations. I love my revolvers, but have to be honest about their limitations in some scenarios. Hunting is different than unplanned defense.
I'm actually looking at trading another pistol off on another 10mm. I've always liked having two ways to fire any ammo I have on hand. I'm debating between a 10mm 1911 and a 10mm Sig 220 SAO. If I get another one I want the trigger pull of a hammer fired gun. I want to be able to carry it cocked and locked so I don't have the long trigger pull on the first shot in a hurry. I am a huge fan of 1911's and would normally go that route, but for this guns use I question it a bit.
If I'm honest with myself any 10mm I have will be a woods carry gun. If I have a hammer fired one with the trigger I love, I'll likely carry it over the G20 any time weight isn't a big factor. That means the sandy river I fish a lot, the swamps I hope to moose hunt in again, lots of really dirty terrain is where this pistol will be. I want it to be another option to the G20 for just as bad of conditions.
A 1911 I have no issue with on reliability, trigger, I really like them. The only 2 reasons that have me considering other options are:
1. Grip safety: Is the benefit of having this as an added safety feature better than the negative of it being another place for debris or mud to cause failure?
2. This is the primary reason: A 1911 is a lot easier to loose parts from taking it down to clean it after a slide down a muddy hill, sand blasting on the river I fish, lots of other adverse conditions. I've taken the Ruger P97 I've been packing on the river apart and cleaned it up a lot of times in a few seconds. I started carrying it over my 386 due to the ease of cleaning after a river trip filling it with sand. That's not a big deal when I can clean the gun at home in an environment where I'm guaranteed to find everything if I slip up compressing the spring, but is a bigger factor 100 miles from civilization in Alaska.
I have a Sig 226 with a 22LR, 9mm, and 40 conversion kits. It's been my nightstand gun for a few years and nothing other than the 22LR kit has ever failed to feed or function in any way when I've taken it out to shoot it. It is the simplest thing to take apart and wipe down components I've ever fired I think. A 220 SAO would be heavy but similar in the important features. Only downside I really see is the lack of a grip safety (also on both my advantage & disadvantage 1911 list) meaning the trigger itself and mechanical safety are the only things preventing an accidental discharge.
