Wanted to test out a firearm...

[randomoutburst]

Not sure if this is the right sub-forum, but here goes:

I was looking at purchasing a new handgun. My considerations are narrowed down to three pistols, all chambered in 9mm:
Kahr K9
Kimber Pro Aegis II
Springfield EMP

Now, quite unfortunately, no ranges have the Kimber or Springfield for me to test-fire. Because they cost a considerable amount of money, I'm not willing to purchase before trying.

Does anyone in the Dallas area have either a Kimber Aegis II (Ultra, Pro, or Custom) and/or a Springfield EMP chambered in 9mm which they would be willing to let me and possibly my husband test fire? We live in McKinney and are up in the Sherman area frequently so wherever you live I'm sure there's a range somewhere in the middle where we could meet. We would buy the ammo and pay our own range fees of course.

You can PM me, reply in this thread, or (best option) email me at kristencolv@yahoo.com.

 

[txinvestigator]

Did you try DFW Gun Range? They might not have that specific Kimber, but they do have Kimbers to rent.

 

[DCortez]

My wife shoots a Kimber Ultra Carry in 9mm. We should make the 13th meet.

 

[txinvestigator]

My wife shoots a Kimber Ultra Carry in 9mm. We should make the 13th meet.

Hope you take this as the friendly compliment it is, but your wife is sexy! And I've never seen her!!atriot:

 

[TxEMTP69]

My wife shoots a Kimber Ultra Carry in 9mm. We should make the 13th meet.

How does it do with the 9mm in the 1911 frame, heard (never seen) there have been chambering issues, has she had any issues?

 

[randomoutburst]

My wife shoots a Kimber Ultra Carry in 9mm. We should make the 13th meet.

I didn't know the Ultra Carry had the option of 9mm! Well, darn it, I may have to add another to the list. I would like to make it to the meet but I'm scheduled to work that Sunday.

txinvestigator, I'm not looking for a Kimber specifically. Their guns just happen to fit very nicely in my hands. I'm only looking for 1911-style handguns chambered in 9mm, so not just any Kimber will do . If they have it, great - I just shot off an email (comment form or something) to ask if they have any of those handguns available for rent, so hopefully I'll hear back from them soon. Someone told me they were membership only, so I hadn't even checked them out until you suggested it! Next time I'll check myself before assuming a range is membership only.

Still, if anyone out there has one they're willing to let me test-shoot, I'm still up for that method of testing these models.
Thanks!

EDIT: Well, I'll be darned...Last I looked at the Kimber website I was under the impression that my choices for 9mm were more limited than they really are! My list of considerations just grew to include the Kimber Stainless Pro Carry II and Tactical Pro II. I sure hope at least one range around here has even one of these so I can try them out...

 

[DCortez]

How does it do with the 9mm in the 1911 frame, heard (never seen) there have been chambering issues, has she had any issues?

We did. Had this been my first Kimber, I don't think I would have bought another. Since the break in, 400 or so rounds, this gun is now smooth a silk and hasn't hiccuped once. Total, I think we have close to 1500 rounds through it.


EDIT: Forgot to mention, we also dumped the Kimber mags and switched over to Tripp mags. Night and day.

 

[randomoutburst]

Got a response: they do not have any models that I am looking for available for test-fire. So that settles it: I need a test-fire with a private individual who's willing to let me try their handgun out.

 

[txinvestigator]

Got a response: they do not have any models that I am looking for available for test-fire. So that settles it: I need a test-fire with a private individual who's willing to let me try their handgun out.

Bummer, so sorry.

 

[F350-6]

If you like the feel of a 1911, is there any reason you're against test firing one in a 45?

My Dad bought a SCCY CPX-1 (very similar to the Kahr P9) for my mother in 9mm. That thing kicks worse, is harder to shoot and less accurate than my commander size 1911 in 45.

If you're worried about recoil, don't discount the 45 since it can be less than a 9mm depending on the weapon size & configuration.

 

[ducksps]

I also prefer the recoil of a 45 over a 9mm and find it much easier to shoot. Much less of a snap and more of a controlled push when the firearm recoils. The 45 is a lower pressure round and does behave a tad differently. That said a lot of folks do prefer the 9mm for recoil but trying both if not already familiar would not be a bad idea.

All of the pistols your looking at are good choices so any decision should be fine. Very smart decision to try them all before making a final choice.

 

[navyguy]

Too bad you can't make the 13th shoot. There is at least one 9mm 1911 that shows up regularly. And my DW CBOB .45 is about as easy to shoot as they come. You'd be welcome to shoot that.

 

[randomoutburst]

I know! I really wish I could make these meets but unfortunately between school during the week and work on the weekends I rarely manage to sleep, much less make it do a meet (or a gun show - ARGH!).

I will find a way to test fire them eventually I think; I may just have to wait a little longer. But that's okay because I'm not in any rush.

And to whoever asked why I couldn't test-fire a .45 (you're on the previous page and I can't see your username), it's because I want to fire the model I'm looking at buying in the caliber I intend to buy in order to ensure I'm testing what I'll be getting. I know all those models I'm considering fit well in my hand and are in the caliber I think I want, so it makes more sense to test those than one in another caliber - especially since just a little bit of width in the grip makes a huge difference in my tiny hands.

 

[Sidewayz]

Did you try Bullet Trap in Plano? They have a lot rental guns also. And good prices on new ones. And don't require memberships.

[url]http://bullettrapinc.com/[/URL]

 

[dadoo]

why not 45?

Hey random,

Congrats on getting armed and ready. I want to ask the same question that F350-6 asked in that if you are looking for a 1911 style, why not a .45 1911? The Rock Islane compact 45 is a true 1911 in an easily concealed 3.5" barrel configuration. I carry one just about every day (can't carry at work, although there are times... ). The price is way less than either of the ones you are looking at and you get the best customer service in the biz. If you are in the DFW area, I'd gladly let you try mine out.

 

[Texas1911]

I also prefer the recoil of a 45 over a 9mm and find it much easier to shoot. Much less of a snap and more of a controlled push when the firearm recoils. The 45 is a lower pressure round and does behave a tad differently. That said a lot of folks do prefer the 9mm for recoil but trying both if not already familiar would not be a bad idea.

Most 9mm handguns also tend to be considerably lighter than a full frame 1911 / 2011 also. My 2011 in 9mm was butter smooth and had very little recoil. My Glock 19 on the other hand, is snappy in comparison.

Either way, if you are going to opt for a single stack I would recommend a .45. The gun was designed around that cartridge, and visa-versa, so your not having to adapt the gun to fire another cartridge. That tends to produce greater reliability and overall function with the .45 in a 1911 frame.

The recoil of a .45 is mitigated by the weight of the gun, and I find that .45 returns to center much better than 9mm for me. My double taps are half the group size with .45s, and it seems to be the manner in which they recoil.

 

[randomoutburst]

I know you guys mean well in suggesting I look for .45s, but my husband and I have our own reasons for looking at 9mm and I'm not likely to be swayed. Some of it is weight and size for carry, some of it is the way the grip fits, and there's more that I don't quite feel like discussing because it's really a moot point. I'm looking at 9mm, that's it. I know looking for 9mm limits my options brand-wise because not every company makes a 9mm 1911, but I'm also considering size and not necessarily looking for a full-frame...again, when you add the 9mm consideration, it limits my options even more. That's something I'm okay with.

I did try the Bullet Trap and while they did have the Aegis II for me to hold (which is what got me interested), they do not have any of those models to test-fire.

 

[txinvestigator]

I'm looking at 9mm, that's it.

Yeah, leave her alone;

JUST KIDDING!

 

[Texas42]

Recoil in most pistol calibers has more to do with gun contruction than anything. My little 380 auto kel tec has more kick and snap than my nine's.

I think a lot of the 9mm 1911's aren't incredibly popular, and hence you really need to order one to get the one you want. : /

Do you mind me asking? Is this a carry piece?
Sorry, I don't own nor have shot any of those weapons, though I've heard nothing but great things about the Kahr.

 

[randomoutburst]

txinvestigator - You're lucky I have a good sense of humor. I know a female friend who would go bonkers over that one! Maybe I'll send it to her... But for the record, I do intend on trying a .45 1911 next chance I get. I'm not looking at 9mm because of recoil. I'm aware of how differently a 9mm and a .45 recoil.

Texas42 - It will be a carry piece come next August when I can apply for my CHL. That's why I'm not in a huge hurry. I have a Kel-Tec PF9 and after some time at the range I have determined that no matter how good a grip I have on my gun, it's too much kick. I'm not limp-wristing it, it's just too much for me to hold on to. :-P So that's part of why I'm looking for another gun and part of why I know recoil differs between guns and calibers.
I've also heard great things about the Kahr. The K9 fits my hands wonderfully but is still feels on the beefier side of the ones I'm looking at so I'm not sold on it yet. I didn't get a chance to test-fire this model last time we went shooting like I had hoped. We went to a different range than planned and the one we visited didn't have one to rent.