Nice! Here’s my Raptor. I got elephant Ivory grips on mine, courtesy of my amazing wife.
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Thank you sir! My wife is very nice to me 
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Awesome! I have a relative who, when he gets of age, is only interested in the 1911 
. I don’t think it’s the best choice tbh, BUT if it’s between him not getting a carry gun vs. having a carry gun, than the 1911 will be fine.
I also wouldn’t mind having one myself one day. I just find them to be more maintenance, and more expensive.
The Kimbers, though not cheap, have options that are in reach price wise 
. Though, I’d love to get a Springfield 1911 (not a Springfield guy, but I’ve heard nothing but good about their 1911s).
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Nice rig! Is that your EDC? The grips look very smooth. Can you maintain a defensive grip if your hands are wet, ie: sweaty from high heat, or under stress, or rain?
All the Raptors come with the giraffe bone smooth grips. Loved them originally! When out on the range in 98 degree heat and 80% humidity I found they would, for lack of a better word, slip and maintaining a solid grip was iffy.
I knew this was going to be my EDC so I found VZ Grips. Honestly the first shoot with these were painful! However during a rainy day on the range they didn’t move. After 10 years, these grips permanently lock into the indentations on my palms. You could not remove my firearm from my cold dead hands without a crowbar 
My rigs that you see are the same firearm the colors have been changed to protect the innocent 
.
All my Kimber’s have VZ Grips. Wouldn’t mind a set of Ivory’s! On my next acquisition.
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I just trained a young man that is actually going into a Federal LE Academy and will be issued a Glock. He had never fired a handgun before so I gave him a mini version of our Defensive Shooting Fundamentals course one- on-one.
He did GREAT and at the end I let him fire an assortment of firearms so he could see how the fundamentals are the same. His hands down favorite? The 1911. He literally ran to a gun store I recommended and bought himself a really nice S&W 1911 I’ve been eyeing for myself for a few weeks now 
My experience is that when I introduce folks (again new shooters) to different platforms in the smaller calibers to .38/9mm and smaller, everyone loves the Glock.
But the second I introduce a 1911 in to the rotation the love affair is almost universal. And I make sure folks KNOW I am impartial. I go out of my way NOT to influence new shooters in gun selection, just present information and options. I don’t think my prejudices need to, or should be, part of my training.
I believe that the easiest way for someone to get REALLY good at shooting handguns is for them to work with a gun they love AND never tell them that they can’t do something. They will amaze you every time!
As far as more maintenance, my 1911s go into rotation in training with myself and others and I do not give them any more maintenance than my Glocks. Clean, lube, shoot, repeat.
From a cost perspective a quality 1911 is a generally a slightly bigger investment than a striker fired gun, BUT they also hold their value better long term (except when folks are panic buying like now). I just bought a Kimber from the 1990s and paid more than the original cost of the gun because it has actually appreciated in value. My Wilson Combat has appreciated $2,000 since I bought in 2007. There is no Glock out there that you can say the same of.
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I may have to get in the market for one . I love 45 ACP, but I’ve only shot it from plastic.
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This is most days. On the weekends, different holster, but everything else the same.
The only difference, is dear season. Different fun and knife.
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YEAAAH that’s Texas size. I like it!
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In my usual winter wear, namely jeans and a Carhartt coat, it’s doable. In my hunting coveralls, it disappears. And that is with a cheapy holster. With a good holster, I believe I could conceal this in a T-shirt and flannel over shirt.
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TOTALY different experience. I had a Glock 20 for a long time and I HATED that gun. The XPs is probably the closest to a decent .45acp gun I’ve fired in terms of feel for me. When you shoot a 1911 the feel will be completely different. I will say I have been wishing for Glock to come up with a Commander sized single stack .45 and 10mm gun. They would be amazing CC guns. And I will say I have been carrying the heck out of my Glock 43X with the Shield Arms 15 round mags. Amazing how much I really like that gun and it feels great in my hand. Anyway, If Glock ever makes those single stacks though, I will be first in line to try one but it will never replace my beloved 1911s.
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@Scoutbob The black slide was introduced a little more than a year ago. I’m not a fan of the silver slide. Overall, I like it’s size and capacity. I also like that Shield Arms makes a 15 round magazine for the 43X.
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This is what peeks my interest in it.
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Yes, the two watches is definitely excessive. 
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Exactly my thoughts.
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Happiness is a warm steel gun! John Lennon, I think!
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And some poachers. Kidding aside that’s a good looking firearm
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