You Decide: 2013! My next pistol!

[Panzercat]

Well, this is a tough one for me, so maybe you'd like to help bring some sanity back to this decision. I have a purchase coming up. It'll either be a 1911 or a revolver and i can't have both. The choices are:

Umarex/Regent R200 1911 5in .45ACP


I've owned a Regent before (r100 model) and have nothing bad to say about them. Neither does Gunblast, ironically. This model will only set me back $550 and I have to admit, it's pretty darn sexy for the price point. Or we could go with...

Taurus Raging Bull 2.25in .454 Casull


What's not to like? Some people malign Taurus, but I've don't hear many bad things about their Raging Bull line (the firearm blog loves it, too). I love the look and it's full of .454 goodness with the option to fire .45 long. Only issue it it will set me back substantially more-- Almost $800 after ffl fees and the like.

On one hand, the 1911 is more budget friendly and won't make my wallet wince like the Taurus will. On the other hand, I can get the 1911- or any 1911 for that matter -at any time. That Taurus is rare. No, I don't have a particular need for either. It's not likely I'll be shooting Laser Zombie Bears popping out of the Alaskan snow or any like activities with the 1911.

Yeah, there's probably half a dozen other 1911s you'd choose first or you'd go with the Ruger Alaskan but these are the guys I'm looking at right now. Hit the poll and tell me what's up.

[ollogger]

Heres my 2 cents
dont like self chuckers
1 for the bull

ollogger

[Rimfire McNutjob]

I'm betting that 454 puts on quite a show with that short barrel. Do they at least make it in 3 inch?

[KirkD]

At the end of the day, a fellow should get what he likes the most.

[Streetstar]

They seem like two completely different pistols for completely different needs .

the Taurus looks like a great self-defense pistol if you're backpacking in bear country while the 1911 is a great plinker
/self-defense/do everything pistol

For 500 bucks you may be able to find a gently used Springfield mil spec as well

Ultimately it's your money but if it were my money I'd go for 1911 because for me the 454 would turn into a novelty pistol after the first couple of cylinders through it and it would likely sit unused for months alongside my 4570 encore pistol, A.R. 15 pistols and other assorted oddities which fall under the realm of "fun guns".
A 45 acp I would get tons of use out of though

[AJMD429]

Ultimately it's your money but if it were my money I'd go for 1911 because for me the 454 would turn into a novelty pistol after the first couple of cylinders through it and it would likely sit unused for months alongside my 4570 encore pistol, A.R. 15 pistols and other assorted oddities which fall under the realm of "fun guns".

A 45 acp I would get tons of use out of though

Yep. Although if I had a few 1911's already, I just might be tempted to get a Casull. Probably a wrist-breaker to shoot with that short a barrel though, but I'd be loading it to match my Rossi .454 - more in the ".45 Colt +P+" range, so it might be bearable.

(...get it 'bear'able - a 'bear' gun - well, anyway, time for bed...)

[damienph]

I do like 1911s (alot) but I would go for the 454. I think that it would be a good packing pistol in the woods. Not too many 4 or 2 legged varmints that Taurus couldn't deter.

A plus to the 454 is you can also shoot 45 Colt ammo through it for practice or just plinking.

I have a little Taurus 2" model 85 that has shot a steady diet of 125gr +P and has never given me any problems. I am sure that some have had problems with Taurus products but I really think that through the magic of the Internet they have attained a much worse reputation than they deserve.

[alnitak]

I voted for the Taurus, because you can always get a 1911 -- and a good one for that price. However, the Taurus is more one of a kind. However, it really depends on your circumstances. As an earlier poster said...will you shoot it once or twice and then it sits? Or, will you carry it in the woods, perhaps in case Mr. Bear wanders by? If you are looking for a range pistol, or even SD carry, then the 1911 wins I think. However, if you have that niche filled and want something different, or more specialized, then I say the Taurus. Only you can decide...good luck!

[Blaine]

I voted 1911.....I'm not familiar with that brand, but, I'll take your word on it. With a good hardcast, flat nose bullet, it should suffice for anything you need to protect yourself from.

[Griff]

I don't really care for stainless auto-loaders... but if you don't have a 1911, you should!

If you buy the .454, you should really buy one for everyone that suggests it, and make them shoot theirs FIRST!!!

[Old Ironsights]

So far, all of the above opinions above are valid & I agree with...

Ish.

If I HAD to choose between those two specific guns I'd go with the Revolver... if only because it allows "commercial" downloading to .45 Colt CAS Pipsqueek loadsas well as SAAMI .45 Casull Whompums.

I personally don't care for "Full Frame" 1911s, but they are wonderful packages - within their limitations - nonetheless.

Still, in terms of sheer usefullness/broad applicability, the Revolver gets the nod.

PLUS, if you get the hankering, ANY .452 Revolver can have a .45acp cylinder crafted for it.

I had one for my Freedom Arms .454.

My only "gripe" with the Taurus, as with any DA .454, is that it is a DA. I.E. the DA "hump" will HURT YOU when firing "full house" .454 loads.

The .454 Cartridge was developed with the SAA/Birdshead style grip in mind. It is SUPPOSED TO ROTATE IN YOUR HAND ON FIRING. The DA "hump" prevents that... to the extent that the web of your thumb & forefinger can handle it anyway.

Anyway, in the "humble" opinion of a guy who has owned both a full size 1911 AND a 6.5" Casull at the same time - be careful what you wish for. A Snubby Casull is a .45 Colt Shooter that can handle .454 Whompums in a "Holy Bear Poop" situation.

The 1911 is a Self defense gun that can be fun in competitions.

Different guns, different uses. Not really comparable.

[buckeyeshooter]

smith and wesson 500!

[RIHMFIRE]

1911....
but would not mind the 454 in a longer barrel..for hunting..
that snubby isnt good for much else except for self defence

[Borregos]

The revolver gets my vote, I hate picking up brass:D

[Sixgun]

The 2" 454 is like a democrat.......useless. If I'm gonna get another 1911, its gonna be a Colt or a Springfield

[TedH]

I would vote for the 454 between the two choices, but not such a stubby. I had a Taurus 454 with the long 8" barrel a while back, and even it was a handful. I would want a minimum of a 6" barrel. I think you would find it didn't get shot very much just because of how punishing it would be with full power loads. If you download it to reasonable levels, you may as well get a 45 Colt.

[Pete44ru]

$575 OTD, from my friendly FFL, last Spring.

Made in America ILO the Phillipines or South America counts as extra points for me.



FWIW, A 2" .454 will bite you in the butt, and hand you a piece back......................

.

[.45colt]

We have two rageing bulls in the "extended" Family out on the Farm.both have seen 1000's of rounds,been loaded with +P loads and still keep on truckin. But.....I....don't want to shoot one with a 2" barrel. NO Way. .

[MrMurphy]

Neither, being familiar with both.

I'd get a Ruger for a .454, or a S&W (not sure if Ruger currently makes a .454, they keep changing their minds).

In a 1911, a Ruger, Springfield or Remington for a base gun.

[Ji in Hawaii]

I LOVE the looks, history, feel, and performance of a 1911 Colt especially the full size versions. If I had to go smaller I'd probably get a Glock.

As far as big bore magnum revolvers are concerned I'm from the school that anything with a barrel length less than 5 inches and you're just wasting powder, and making allot more noise and muzzle flash. I do appreciate the quality of Taurus firearms, I own several, and my favorite is my stainless model 44 with 6.5 inch factory ported barrel.

[rossim92]

neither! buy a glock model 21 with a double stack mag. Thirteen rds, and managable recoil.

[Panzercat]

Surprised the margin is so wide in voting.
That said. I literally just realized that I can safely convert a 1911 to .460 rowland. HMMMmmmm...

[Lastmohecken]

Personally, I don't like either one of those guns, much. I love 1911's but don't care for that one, and that I would much rather have a 4 Smith and Wesson 4 inch model 29 or a short Ruger SuperBlackhawk, or hold out for a better 1911.

[6pt-sika]

I voted against both !

Get a REAL gun get a S&W 629 4"

I'm not much on Taurus in anything they make .

1911's are 1911's if you had one ......, need I go on .

454 Casull while intresting ain't all that for shooting alot . I hate picking up brass and a 1911 for me would have to be a reloading affair now .

44 MAG revlover has plenty bite and you do not have to pick up your brass so you can reload .

[John in MS]

"The 2" 454 is like a democrat.......useless. If I'm gonna get another 1911, its gonna be a Colt or a Springfield"

I'm with Sixgun!

[Ji in Hawaii]

I literally just realized that I can safely convert a 1911 to .460 rowland. HMMMmmmm...

Now you're talkin', sounds like a plan, and much more affordable than buy 2 guns.

[Mescalero]

Do you gave the hand strength to work the slide?

[guido4198]

If you don't have a decent 1911 in .45 acp....GET ONE.
I've also never heard of "UMAREX" or whatever that name is..If it's a decent clone that will go off every time it should, and shoot at least as good as a std. government model, you'll be MUCH BETTER served than you would by owning a 2.5 in. .454 Casull. I don't often try to tell folks what to do, but since you asked....In my opinion....a 2.5 in. "Raging Bull" .454 Casull is simply a "STUNT GUN". Built for no reason other than "because they could", and because there's a sucker born every minute.
BTW: Any fool that believes that they're gonna use one of those to protect themself from a Bear had better be planning on shoving it down Said Bear's throat before pulling the trigger. Unless they're sincerely training with hundreds of rounds per week, under actual STRESSFIRE conditions....they're gonna be better off buying 2 of them, tieing them together with a piece of rope making a bolo to trip the bear.
That's just my opinion and not worth any more than what you paid for it...but then...you asked.

[Panzercat]

Do you gave the hand strength to work the slide?

That's what my robot butler is for

Okay, thanks for all the awesome input. Gonna go with the 1911. Like I said, I've got first hand experience with the Regent/Umarex brands and Gunblast likes 'em too. Hell, here's a youtube from hausofguns. The fact that I can throw on a .460 Rowland kit pretty much satisfies the hand cannon urge that has me wanting a .454 as well.

Win/win

The final polling tally is:
1911- 49%
Taurus- 17%
Robot butler dragging me behind a Volkswagen via bungee cord- 34%