Searching for a New Carry Gun

[mr surveyor]

IF single action pistols are in the loop, then I would put the EMP in the running as well. I don't personally own one, but have a good friend that bought the EMP 40 earlier this year. It is a great handgun, and really fits my hand well. Excellent quality, and seems very reliable, as well as a good shooter. As for the recent jabs at Kimber.... I can't answer to their quality control in recent years. I take most of the complaints I read on the internet as "unhappy campers" venting about the occassional guns that aren't "perfect out of the box" with all manufacturers. It's just the nature of the consumer to complain the loudest about a higher priced product that's not 100% upon delivery. Kimber handguns are built to very close tolerances that often require a lot of break-in, or honing/polishing by the custom shop or experienced gunsmith, but will last for many, many thousands of rounds, possible several generations of shooters. The EMP's I have handled seem to be similar in overall "tightness", although possibly a bit more forgiving. My limited experience with Kahr is that they are generally very good quality and made of high end materials, and the suggested break-in to prove reliability is really no more rounds than most folks would want to shoot for themselves... around 200 rounds. To me, that's not even enough to really get the feel for getting optimum (for me) accuracy anyway.

As I get older... and older.. and older... my purchases tend to be more towards higher end products (regardless of what they may be) manufactured in the USA, so my opinions may be a bit biased on what I personally spend my money on. Problem is, it's hard to find much that is actually made in the USA!


surv

[randomoutburst]

I very much agree about wanting to purchase something made in the USA, as long as it meets my needs and wants as well. My hubby's and my gun collection is comprised mostly of USA-made firearms if I remember correctly, and we like that. :)

I'm seriously considering the Kimber and Springfield over the Kahr now but that's not going to stop me from looking at the Kahr tomorrow at the range. We'll see what I get - I'll post photos if and when I get my new toy. :)

[mr surveyor]

just keep in mind what platform you will be comfortable carrying with a round chambered, ready to fire. If you have no reservations about carrying a 1911 style cocked and locked, safety engaged, then go for it. I know that women have more problems than men in "dressing around" their carry guns. CompVest can give you all the advice in the world in that regard as she is probably one of the leading experts on that, as well as many other training procedures. I have found that the exposed hammer spur on 1911 style pistols can grab loose clothing, but I do love the 1911 in a belt holster when a proper cover garment is comfortable to wear (finally cool weather is coming). The striker fired DA pistols just seem to have much fewer protrusions to snag clothing when "un-holstering", and offer the trigger as the only action needed to send a round down range, which to me is a possible plus if faced with a strssful situation. But, then again, all that's needed for either platform is sufficient training, i.e. lots of range practice, to get the proper muscle memory developed for whatever handgun you decide on.

So much to consider... so many choices.....

Last night after my wife (precinct election judge) and I delivered the ballots and other voting booth stuff to the courthouse, we stopped at the local Hershel's to do our traditional "end of voting day" meal... she stood at the counter for 5 minutes trying to "decide".... with all the available choices, she ended up ordering a plain old hamburger and frys. What does that have to do with choosing a handgun.... absolutely nothing


surv

[whumble]

+1 Kahr