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Joe, I bought my G23 when they were new. The original mags never fell out with gravity. As I understood it I was told that Glock did not intend the mags to fall free. Now, perhaps the mags are different today. I am looking to get a new pistol and have posted about that etc. Basically my G 23 is straight factory and has never given me any problems in all these years. I have never replaced or repaired anything. But I do notice now that the original mags swell somewhat with a fullly loaded magazine. Likely, soon I will retire this G23 when I decide on what I want. There are almost too many choices.

Excellent info on government pistol contract. Rules out Glocks because the mags must drop easilly. Of course that could be easily remedied. But has anyone handled or shot the new Kimber?

I saw a magazine advertisement for a polymer frame DAO Kimber pistol in .40cal. Essentially a Glock type pistol made by Kimber. Anybody know details about this? I was surprised to see Kimber entering this market. Wonder how good their entry into this arena is?

I truly am concerned about the manual safety. I fear that I would forget to wipe down the safety in a real life confrontation. I actually saw a jewelry store holdup video on cable tv where a robber came in with a revolver and started shooting the owner. The owner drew his pistol but forgot to wipe down the safety and was shot 6 times. The robber left the store, then returned to shoot him in the head. He was out of bullets and the jeweler lived. I am not sure now, how many of the 6 shots actuallly struck the victime. At any rate , THAT particular jeweler would have been much better off with a revolver or Glock than whatever complilcated(for him) pistol he had. All I have really ever shot has been revolvers and my G23. It is only recently that I got the bug to shoot better and compete. Before, I was into other pastimes. Now, I have learned to truly enjoy shooting, reading about shooting and improving. Before, I read a couple of excellent books and implemented the instruction, I was content with having all of the bullets somewhere in the target. Now, I am dissapointed if bullets are outside the center ring or X. BTW, in a sting of 5 there is generally a flyer. But, I shoot way better than I ever thought I could. I doubt, I will ever be very good , or a serious competitor but I want to enjoy the accomplishment of hitting what I am aiming at most of the time. Simple goal for a simple guy without much natural talent or the excellent eyesight of the true marksman. If, I did not have this lingering doubt I would like to get the S& W PD model with the crimson trace laser. I figure if I am attacked by armed criminals., I will need everything in my favor and a huge dose of luck to survive. I have seen some real life videos (as every one has) and a real assault by criminals has too be one of life's most serious challenges for a non violent, average person, that I consider myself to be. I cannot shoot anywhere near as well as Enos, Leatham et al. Never will either.

I want to buy a single stack 1911 syle pistol in 9mm or 40 cal. and want to pay no more than $1500 retail. The array of pistols offered by Kimber alone is confusing to me. What would be a specific model that would have a light trigger pull, say 3 to 4lbs, be about the size of a Glock 23, with superior sights such as the Heinie staight 8, be light weight for daily carry and yet be accurate enough to enjoy shooting at the range. I would like to compete in the local combat shoots and would like to be competitive. I currently shoot a first generation G23 and would lilke to try a single action pistol with better sights and a much better trigger. Any specific model suggestons? Thank you.

Read historical books about the Battle of Stalingrad. I believe those German and Russian soldiers could still teach today's "operators" a great deal about urban warfare. Some people today think they know infinitely more about combat than their fathers and grandfathers. I say that some of today's "operators" would not have lived more than 12 hours in Stalingrad or Gauadalcanal. Korea was no sunday outing either. Other than that, we sure have great gear but I dont know that I am a better warrior than my ancestors. In fact, I know I did not go through a fraction of what they did. As bad as conditions were in my youth, it was not like the Great Depression and other upheavals that toughened my ancestors. And a lot of fantastic police officers arrrested and killed ultra well armed Depression era gangsters, while armed themselves with revolvers etc. Just owning gear does not make the warrior. The the Japanese in particular, had poor gear, yet they gave us Hell in the Pacific. Knowing what those soldiers who came before me did keeps me humble and respectfull of every incredible sacrifice they made. That all I have to say on this subject. And after, a long lifetime, I learned there are NO SECRETS, all is known when it comes to combat and dying.

With regard to my statement against flashllights... I am assuming that the homeowner is in a justifiable shoot situation. I believe that we are assuming for the purpose of this discussion that if we are discussing actually shooting an intruder we are long past talking your way out of the situation or the "intruder" is in reality a benign prescense. No rational citizen or officer wants to harm an innocent person or even a threat that does not warrant lethal force. If you feel you must use a flashlight, dont mount it on your weapon, hold it with your non dominant hand as far away from your body as possible. That way if the bad guy shoots back... they often do that... they will hit air and not your body. BTW, yes, this means that you will be shooting one handed. That is after all the raison detre of a pistol in real combat. While we see "operators" on FOX channel posing for the camera, pretending to enter a hostile filled room with all kinds of confusing equipment on their carbines including lights etc, remember....THEY ARE WEARING BODY ARMOR. Your wife will not. I think that the combat doctrine of Fairbourne, Sykes and Cassidy et al is proven by far more gunfights than what relatively few skirmishes occur in Iraq. Dont forget the lesssons from millions of encounters in WWII. Pray we never again see such warfare again. As for me, I have learned personally to keep it simple, effective and above all, deceptive. I may not be as strong and fast as I was years ago but I still remain sneaky and dirty As for a "safe-room", fantastic. However, I cant afford such a room. Most of us live in ordinary homes that are as vulnerable as can be. I wish I could own a big home with a safe room and a billiard room and a library and a pool etc. As for police stumbling into the wrong home? I think they should look carefully at their search warrant and use discretion, so as not to hurt innocent citizens. This happens too frequently today. It is the officer's fault, not mine. I am sleeping in my own bed, I did not invite you to assault my home in force etc. how do I know who the heck you are?

I dont know as much about pistols as most everyone here But, I do know self-defense. For a wife at home I would recommend a good dog( an alert one) and a revolver. Say a .357mag that she could shoot 38specials for most of her practice but keep the magnums loaded for defense. Also, No flashlight!!!! You and your wife know your own home much better than an intruder. You literallly can negotiate your house in the dark and ambush etc an intruder. Why would you give up that tactical advantage by making yourself a target with a light? Let the badguy light himself up or fall over a coffee table and dealing with your reasonably formidable dog. In my case, my family dog is formidable and faithful and loving to her family. But I know she would not be beguiled or easily stopped by badguys. We make a great team. She hears and smells much better than I do and she does not over analyze decisions like humans sometimes do. I think a double action Smith revolver is a great way to go. And they are cheap enough to buy two and hide one near the front door in case someone tries to pretend to be legitimate visitors and then rush the door. Also, I dont think there is any significant combat advantage between today's excellent 9mm ammo and a 45 or 40cal. I shoot a 40 but I am going to switch to a 9mm now. Ammos cheaper, recoil less, every bit as deadly. After all, if we had a choice everyone would choose a military rifle and not a pistol at all. Rifles and shotguns are much more powerful than most pistols, right?

I just stopped by the local shop and they did have a Browning HP. It is very comfortable and is DA and SA. The trigger felt quite light and crisp even in DA mode. Then, the gun shop clerk handed me a G36 and that felt thinner AND the trigger is markedly lighter than my old G23! Now, I understand why so many of the forum members own several pistols. It is so difficult to settle on just one. Plus, I was told by the clerk that he is about to receive a G17 from the factory with a Crimson Trace grip! I never knew the firearm industry is so competitive and aggressive in marketing. It is overwhelming. This is the first year that I have actually shot frequently and become interested in becoming an excellent marksman. There is so much to know and learn. I never realized before how difficult it is to replicate the kind of shooting I watch on cable with Mr Enos and Leatham et al. They make it look so easy. But I am learning just how difficult or should I say, how far I must go to approach that kind of mastery. But, then I did master the longbow and recurve. I remember when I was lucky to hit the target with a single arrow. thanks!

You might want to try a Browning HP. They are small (shorter grip) and thin, and also have a short trigger reach. Made in both 9mm and .40SW. It is very concealable and reliable. Thank you. I will check into the Browning. Maybe I can find a local gun shop that has some in stock.

Springfield has no plans to produce even one gun on their "new" on the front cover of every magazine in the country, frame size. Not even the featured micro in .45 gap. Zero. Trader please expand on this. Why would they spend so much on advertising etc and not produce that pistol? I would sure buy one in 9mm, wouldnto others? And in 45 GAP every one of the gun mags has done a story on how ideal it is.

Are there any reputable manufacturers making single stack,9mm 1911 style pistols? I noticed that Para Ord sells the "warthog" in 9mm BUT since it holds 12 rounds, I presume it is thick handled. I would like a small carry pistol with the great single action trigger and the thin grip. Such pistols are readily available iin 45 but what about something more controllable such as a 9mm or maybe a 40? As some of you may remember I shoot a glock 23 but I like the feel of the 1911 grips and I shoot better with a single action. The Glock is a paradox. On one hand it is utterly reliable and simple to clean. On the other hand the grip is not so comfortable for a man with smaller hands and the trigger is not comparable to a fine single action trigger. Somewhere, there must be a solution?

Thank you. I would not have thought of only sending the slide, to save postage. I wonder how the gunsmith or factory figure out how to align fixed sights?

I would like to buy a new G 19. Could I order it from the factory with a different sight system? If for example I want the 24/7 sight by AO or the Sevigny discussed elsewhere, How do you do it? Do I buy the sight and then have a local gunsmith install it? How can I know the local guy knows what he is doing. If, I choose a non local smith, will Glock ship pistol to him and he installs site and sends to me? Obviously I have only owned pure stock guns. But now I can shoot better and would like a choice in sights. Thank you.

I believe I have seen the future of handguns. It is the FNH pistol called the "five seven USG". It holds a 20 round magazine firing 5.7 by 28mm ammo travelling in excess of 2100fps with little recoil. I contacted the company and if the ammo becomes available as advertised in October, I will be buying one. I have the same feeling about this pistol as I felt when I saw my first Glock so many years ago. What do you guys think? BTW, one of the bullet types will be restricted to LE and Military as that bullet can pass completely thru bullet resistant vests. There will be a soft bullet for sportiing use. It appears this pistol is single action and polymer to boot.