The internal safety I was referring to is the trigger lock you mention. Its actually a three part internal safety that locks the trigger ( so we're talking about the same thing in different words).

Probably. But as the trigger block is on the exposed part of the trigger, I don't consider it to be "internal." Although Joe Cominolli has developed a manual safety for Glocks: http://www.cominolli.com/ourproducts.html

And yes, 22's are cheap. I have a buddy that runs the guard staff at McNeil Corrections Facility in Washington. Big time gun guy. Militia, whole nine yards. He was thrilled a few years back when the Costco near him started selling 22 ammunition. He now has CRATES of it sealed and buried. Is always saying he hopes he uses it all before he dies but doubts it very much.

Even though the price has gone up in the last couple of years, they're still the cheapest round you can buy. It's about as cheap as reloading, but without the work of reloading. Just the other day, a customer brought in a S&W model 617 for an action job. It's a stainless, ten-shot .22 revolver which he intends to use for practise, being as the price of cast bullets has gone up so much.

He buys his bullets, while I cast my own. And to give you an idea of how high the price is, Dillon is charging $115 dollars per thousand for 45 semi-wadcutters, while I can cast resize and lube a thousand (of the same bullets) for $15 dollars.

Like I said earlier in the thread, the five shot 22 derringer is small, but amazingly accurate and effective at the range you're going to be using it at. And its only $100 at most.

I only use derringers for side matches at Cowboy Action events. And the .22 is frowned upon.

Ken V.

The only one I know of fires a .410 shotgun shell, and I've never fired one. It might not be that bad, I understand that it also fires a .41 Magnum which might be even worse. But then, it's not something one would be shooting every day.
Ken V.

That's the same one I saw. I was a tiny bit scared of it.....

That's the same one I saw. I was a tiny bit scared of it.....

There's definitely going to be some recoil, but being as the barrel is so short, It may not be all that bad. The shorter the barrel, the less time there is for the powder to burn inside the barrel, and the more powder that will burn in front of the barrel -- lower velocity, higher muzzle flash.

Ultimately, there's only one way to find out.

Ken V.

By Colt officer"s .45 ACP I pesume you mean the 1911.

The 1911 (Government Model) has a five-inch barrel, and a standard seven round magazine. The Commander has the standard seven round mag, but the barrel is only four and a quarter inches. The Officers Model on the other hand, has a shorter grip which means that the magazine holds only six rounds, and the barrel is three and a half inches long -- three quarters of an inch shorter than the Commander, and one and a half inches shorter than the government model.They're fairly easy to conceal especially as compared to the regular 1911.

One simple reason. Those guns are huge, even if carried behind the back. Straight from Ray, my Abe, "you might as well be carrying a broadsword". And he is right.

They're not tiny, but they're not "huge" either. And the "lightweight" Officers Model (aluminum frame) is even nicer yet.

And I don't remember Jack carrying a 38 special. The only 38 I remember him carrying was the one he took off those Three Card Monte grifters he shook down.

I don't remember that either. Unless he's thinking of the AMT (Arcadia Machine Tool) 380 Back-up.

Ken V.

- Nope,
in the german translation of the books RJ ( he"s been called Handyman Jack
over here,handy = mobile) has an Smith .38 Special BUG and an Glock 19.
I personally would prefer if RJ would be packing a Colt 1911 A1 like
Aloisius Pendergast.

- Nope,
in the german translation of the books RJ ( he"s been called Handyman Jack
over here,handy = mobile) has an Smith .38 Special BUG and an Glock 19.

Difference in translation I suppose. What is a .38 special "BUG?"

I personally would prefer if RJ would be packing a Colt 1911 A1 like
Aloisius Pendergast.

What you wrote was; "Or an Colt officer"s .45 ACP behind his back." The Colt's Officers Model has a shortened grip-frame, and a barrel and slide that is one and a half inches (38 mm's) shorter than the 1911 Government Model.

As it's illegal to carry a concealed handgun in New York City -- the entire State for that matter -- Jack needs something that is easy to conceal. A full size 1911 is not readily concealable -- except perhaps in winter when he would be wearing heavy clothing.

Ken V.

There's definitely going to be some recoil, but being as the barrel is so short, It may not be all that bad. The shorter the barrel, the less time there is for the powder to burn inside the barrel, and the more powder that will burn in front of the barrel -- lower velocity, higher muzzle flash.

Ultimately, there's only one way to find out.

Ken V.

While completely true, there is almost no weight to the gun to absorb the recoil. In my experience, the heavier the weapon the better able I am to manage the recoil, although, of course, wrist alignment and tension play huge rolls in this as well.

The 1911 (Government Model) has a five-inch barrel, and a standard seven round magazine. The Commander has the standard seven round mag, but the barrel is only four and a quarter inches. The Officers Model on the other hand, has a shorter grip which means that the magazine holds only six rounds, and the barrel is three and a half inches long -- three quarters of an inch shorter than the Commander, and one and a half inches shorter than the government model.They're fairly easy to conceal especially as compared to the regular 1911. They're not tiny, but they're not "huge" either. And the "lightweight" Officers Model (aluminum frame) is even nicer yet.I don't remember that either. Unless he's thinking of the AMT (Arcadia Machine Tool) 380 Back-up.

Ken V.

You want huge? The Beretta 92 series and all it's decedents. OMG. Hiding that thing is impossible.

Difference in translation I suppose. What is a .38 special "BUG?"What you wrote was; "Or an Colt officer"s .45 ACP behind his back." The Colt's Officers Model has a shortened grip-frame, and a barrel and slide that is one and a half inches (38 mm's) shorter than the 1911 Government Model.

As it's illegal to carry a concealed handgun in New York City -- the entire State for that matter -- Jack needs something that is easy to conceal. A full size 1911 is not readily concealable -- except perhaps in winter when he would be wearing heavy clothing.

Ken V.

Just a point Ken, you can get a permit to carry a pistol outside of NYC (it's tough, but my friend in Albany has one), although RJ wouldn't be able to secure one, seeing as how he doesn't exist.

And personally I'm not a fan of SOB carry, but that's just me.

The 1911 (Government Model) has a five-inch barrel, and a standard seven round magazine. The Commander has the standard seven round mag, but the barrel is only four and a quarter inches. The Officers Model on the other hand, has a shorter grip which means that the magazine holds only six rounds, and the barrel is three and a half inches long -- three quarters of an inch shorter than the Commander, and one and a half inches shorter than the government model.They're fairly easy to conceal especially as compared to the regular 1911. They're not tiny, but they're not "huge" either. And the "lightweight" Officers Model (aluminum frame) is even nicer yet.I don't remember that either. Unless he's thinking of the AMT (Arcadia Machine Tool) 380 Back-up.

Ken V.

Ken, a question for you.

I am actually currently shopping for a compact 1911. Shorter barrel than the officer's model, and relatively inexpensive. Any you would recommend?

I have decided to move away form my old carry standard of 9mm to 45, but want something ultra compact. I know 45 makes it difficult to find this with a decent magazine capacity, but still want 6+1, or at the very least 5+1.

What would you recommend?