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I did it, and BOY did I do it big!!!

I took my mom to the gun store looking for a bigger gun for her. She's got a Taurus model 85, and a Sig P232 for her carry guns that she alternates. She's been wanting something a little bigger, but still manageable for her. She tried my brothers G22 and liked the .40, admittedly a little snappy, but she could handle it. She does not like the Glock though. We tried I don't know how many guns, she probably held 20 guns today, and we found a beauty and a spectacular deal as well. She fell in love with a P229 in .357 Sig, like new in the box with 2 12 round mags out the door for $650. The previous owner bought it less than a year ago, had Trijicon's put on 2 months ago, and bought the Sig factory .40 barrel for it which was included. Less than 1000 rounds have been put through both barrels!

But that's not all. While looking around and playing like one must do in a good gun store, I found a Kimber Warrior and a Kimber Raptor II. Now, some of you may remember how I've had this 1911 bug lately, well, I got some cold medicine with the Kimber logo on the side! I got the Raptor II for myself, and my brother's been looking for a Desert Warrior, but decided he liked the black Warrior better, so it went home with him. We got a great deal on all 3 buying them at the same time. It was a quality family afternoon. The only thing that would have made it better was my wife deciding she needed a gun too. I'll have to post some pics of my new child when I get a chance. You 1911 guys won me over, and it's a happy place to be!

As a side note, the gun store in question has a really good selection of 1911's in stock from some top manufacturers, is willing to work with you, and very knowledgable. I don't really want to shamelessly plug them on here, but a good gun store has been hard to find in my area lately, so I'll share my good fortune. If anyone's interested and in my area, PM me and I'll tell you where to go.

Take care and happy shooting,
Will

Zounds!
Obviously there are those that have lots of play money on hand!

I did go big, as you so aptly put it, and bought the (black) Kimber Warrior as my first pistol. Yeah, I am partial to it. It shoots real good. In fact, it makes me look good, which is hard to do. I can imagine that the Raptor is just as sweet. Note that Kimber says that 500 rounds must exit the danger end before it is considered 'broke in.'

Congrats on some nice pistols. Had I more money, I was going to seriously look at the Raptor Ultra for my CCW.

~Bill

Well, let me clarify. A large family venture was sold, and there was a specified amount of play money just for the occasion. Since my wife is not a gun person, she has her allotted amount of play money to use as she sees fit. Trust me, it's not an every day occurance!

Will,

The seemingly general consensus is that the Kimber mags are more prone to feed problems than aftermarket mags like Wilson, Chip McCormick, etc. I initially had some feed issues, but now I always shoot with the McCormick 8rnd mags, and no problemos.

Suggest that you go when the range is least busy, otherwise you are going to attract shooters to yourself like Texans to a BBQ if you let them see that Raptor!

Also, owning the .22 Kimber conversion for the pistol will give you a whole different gun. I love using mine, the advantage is the weight and trigger are exactly the same, and the .22 is a laser gun for grouping. Plus at 500rnd/$10 you can shoot to your hearts content!

~Bill

Good family outting. Need to take every one to the range. Probably have by now. I am going to be back in the dry land cotton fields in about 3 weeks for a visit w/ the wife's folks. There will be a lot of antis there. I did have a really good visit w/ a B-in-L last time they were here. He really had no idea & is still not convinced things are as dangerous as I say, even w/ the paper articles in front of him. My goal is to get him to a range while there. Hope that don't cause a roof to fall in somewhere.

The Marshal wrote:Will,

The seemingly general consensus is that the Kimber mags are more prone to feed problems than aftermarket mags like Wilson, Chip McCormick, etc. I initially had some feed issues, but now I always shoot with the McCormick 8rnd mags, and no problemos.

Suggest that you go when the range is least busy, otherwise you are going to attract shooters to yourself like Texans to a BBQ if you let them see that Raptor!

Also, owning the .22 Kimber conversion for the pistol will give you a whole different gun. I love using mine, the advantage is the weight and trigger are exactly the same, and the .22 is a laser gun for grouping. Plus at 500rnd/$10 you can shoot to your hearts content!

~Bill

+1 McCormick 8rnd mags

+1 Kimber [ Ciener ] conversion

Sounds like quite a successful day!

Is she going to use the P229 for her CCW?

The 229 is for travelling mostly. But also to live in the loaded in the safe in case it is needed. She's got several carry options. For belt carry or IWB she likes the 232 and the Taurus 85. She's also got a nice purse with a gun pocket. The 229 is perfect size for the gun pocket when she wants extra firepower. It obviously adds weight to the purse, but she carried it around the house all day yesterday to see how it felt. She likes it, and says she can handle the extra weight. She wants a good way to secure it in her vehicle while travelling also. Any suggestions? Something easy to reach. I saw a link to a holster that goes on the front of the seat, but I can't remember where it was on here!

Will

I'm considering the 229 as a CCW, as well as the 239, is why I ask.

I too would love to find a holster that would work in my car.

Cyphur, she's got an option that I don't have. I look silly carrying a purse. I honestly don't know if I'd carry the 229 IWB. It seems a little big even for me. A good OWB and good cover garment would probably be alright. But its great in the purse she has, and I think it's an awesome car gun, especially if she finds the right vehicle set up.

Good to know, always like to hear first hand experience.

Let me know what you find out for in-car setup's, I am quite intrested.

cyphur wrote:Good to know, always like to hear first hand experience.

Let me know what you find out for in-car setup's, I am quite intrested.

+1 on information regarding in-car carry

Sounds like a great day. You all got some mighty fine guns.

With reguards to car carry, there was a thread a while back about a small safe designed for the car. It had a very strong cable used to attatch to the car. It is very nice. I'll keep looking for the post. IT was a post by stevie_d_64.

Here is the post.

http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... automobile

and the link.

http://www.center-of-mass.com/

It is a really nice little box and fairly inexpensive. The medium will fit a full sized 1911 with spare magazine.

longtooth wrote:Good family outting. Need to take every one to the range. Probably have by now. I am going to be back in the dry land cotton fields in about 3 weeks for a visit w/ the wife's folks. There will be a lot of antis there. I did have a really good visit w/ a B-in-L last time they were here. He really had no idea & is still not convinced things are as dangerous as I say, even w/ the paper articles in front of him. My goal is to get him to a range while there. Hope that don't cause a roof to fall in somewhere.

Have you tried the presentation that you showed me at lunch on the B-in-L? It was very convincing.