Best sidearm?
I'm a soldier waiting to get into the 75th Ranger regiment at Ft. Benning. I've been told that when in regiment, i'll be allowed to carry my own sidearm. Since the Ranger's main job these days is clearing rooms in Iraq, i think a sidearm would be a neccesity. But what brand and caliber should i go with? With the M9 as the official sidearm, 9mm ammo would always be on hand, but i get the feeling i could use the extra stopping power of .45. I also turn 21 in a few months, so i'll also have it for self defense. Any advice would be appriciated.
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If price is not TOO much of a concern; 1) Ed Brown Custom 2) Rock River Arms. Either offer exemplary craftsmanship, customer service, and quality control. If my life were on the line, one of these 2 would be on my hip. Sig Sauer would place third for me on this short list. Thanks for serving...good luck over there!
"When I cease learning...I'm dead"(Me)
"Power corrupts...Absolute power corrupts absolutely"(Descartes?)
"History is written by winners"(Patton)
"You get a lot farther with a kind word and a gun than you do with a kind word alone!"(Al Capone)
"There is nothing lower than the human race...except the French" (Samuel Clemens)0 -
I'll advise doing nothing until you are in the regiment. You will learn from your NCO's the best choice for your group's missions.
The greatest problem with the 9mm cartridge is that it doesn't perform well if your shot placement is bad. Anyone who has successfully completed airborne & SF training, not to mention Ranger training, will be quite proficient with his sidearm, & generally will be able to make CNS shots. For now, I wouldn't worry about it. You are one of the best (but I bet you already knew that!.)
Neal0 -
A high school friend of mine is a Ranger & carries his personally owned Para Ordnance .45acp. I think that would be the way to go. You get capacity, reliability, and accuracy. You may also want to check out the Kimber BP10 line of guns, they also have a 13rd mag capacity.
Have you qualified with the Beretta yet? Reason I ask is that the 1911 style gun (Para, Kimber, etc.) will spoil you on shooting the Beretta. 1911's usually will have a much smoother trigger pull as compared to the Berettas.
Regards,
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Since it will be a full size outside holster pistol, you have a lot of choices. There's also the 40 S&W and the 357SIG which have good records for stopping. With the 357SIGs' flatter trajectory, you can make longer range hits. Then there's the issue of ammo availability and any restrictions on bullet type. Of full patch bullets, I believe flat points are more effective. The 235gr full patch round nose 45ACP bullet isn't so hot. 0 -
45acp. My personal preference is the 10mm but that will not work for your mission. 1911 type. The Kimbers are very very good. Remember what the mission is and use the tool best fit for it. Learn from those who have walked before you. My 2 cents [8D]
Greg
Former Marine
A N G L I C O0 -
I've tried out the Sig Sauer 220, it was nice, but i've grown to love the H&K USP. There's just something i don't like about the 1911 style pistols, i guess the design, and i fired one before and didn't like the trigger much. Thanks for the suggestions, though. 0 -
Please take the time to read this essay about the .45 ACP. I think that you will find it very helpful. This is one of the most interesting articles that I have ever read on the subject of pistol calibers.
http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/other/jh_45acp.htm
God bless
RIGHT WING AND PROUD OF IT0 -
In your case, reliability, simplicity, easy fast cleaning, rugid and durable, and most of all accuracy!!!! H AND K MATCH 45 or USP series, not that expensive anymore!!! but like the others have stated, see what your superior officer has to say!!!! 0 -
Jim Jones: I really feel your question should be on www.military.com
under the Infantry forum. These guys will give you all the correct
answers as to: if, yes, or no this is true about personal weapons
allowed etc.. Good luck. Or, if you wish I will post your posting
there and give you some answers from those in the know. Dont you think
it is time to change your occupation from College student to Army in your profile?0 -
Heh, guess i better change that. I made this account about a year ago before i decided to make the career change.
I can probably just ask one of the cadre about sidearms in regiment to verify it, but thanks for the link.0 -
Mr. Jones. I have a slightly different line of advice. Although I do love the 1911 it would be my advice to check out the different makes and models from various mfg's, find out, either by trying or asking current Rangers that served in Iraq or elsewhere, which pistols function best in the environment you are going to. This is a big deal to me personally. You might go out and buy you that new Kimber 1911, but if it can't handle the dust and dirt then it's no better than a rock. Above all else, get you something reliable for the environment(s) you will be serving in and before you take it with you make sure you have it broken in well. Last thing you want is a jammed up firearm.
Before you take it with you, shoot the hell out if it...crawl through the mud and sand with it and shoot the hell out of it again.0 -
I'm gonna jump on the 1911 band wagon, but not for the entire ride. You would be hard pressed to find a better weapon than the 1911, especially the Kimbers, Springfields, and the Para's. I own one of all of them, but if it was me going where you are probably going, I would opt for the Sig P220 45ACP.
Has too be one of the most accurate, reliable handguns on the market today. Has an exceptional history of reliability, and accuracy. And like the majority of the other responses here, ask everyone that you can to find out what works best where you are going!
Thank you for serving, and helping to keep America safe![:)]
BigBarn,
Viet Nam Vet-2 tours
"Respect the land, and it will respect you"0
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