Need Professional Help: No Vickers NHC for Californians

[Ducky Hoot]

Hello Friends

I called NHC today, the Vickers will not be available for California sale for the time being as I was told :mad: . I would appreciate any suggestions as a formidible replacement to a Vickers NHC.

Talon III?

Predator II?

GRP?

I am a newbie shooter, starting to prepare to learn matching shooting and defensive handgun courses..


Thanks for any input.

[Gunslingers]

Ducky,

If I was just starting out I would probably go for a GRP without the laser grips. A great workhorse of a gun that can take a lickin and keep on ticken! It has been my experience that your first gun usually isn't treated with kid gloves, especially if used for any high intensity handgun training. You want something that is rugged, reliable and accurate. I think the GRP fits that description. And then while you are honing your skills with the GRP, you can save your pennies for one of the more fancier Nighthawks :D

[Pappy]

Ducky,

If I was just starting out I would probably go for a GRP without the laser grips. A great workhorse of a gun that can take a lickin and keep on ticken! It has been my experience that your first gun usually isn't treated with kid gloves, especially if used for any high intensity handgun training. You want something that is rugged, reliable and accurate. I think the GRP fits that description. And then while you are honing your skills with the GRP, you can save your pennies for one of the more fancier Nighthawks :D

I agree. Go for the GRP. An excellant choice. Then after a while order a model that you can have customized...Pappy

[Frank]

I agree. Go for the GRP. An excellant choice...Pappy

Ditto.

My GRP is a first class gun, will do anything I would need, or could reasonably expect it, to do.

DVC

[garrettwc]

I'll make it unanimous. The GRP would be the closest thing to the Vickers gun.

[Ducky Hoot]

Thanks Guys

Your input was a great help for me today at the gun store.. I chose the Predator after long deliberation between the GRP Recon and the Predator. Along with Little Lebrowski's awesome review, for some reason my hands felt comfortable and the Pred. And that weird square compensator looking thing on the front I believe can only help a newb like me. So now I am broke but happy..

With Much Gratitude Guys..


Ducky

[Bosko]

Ducky Hoot, Welcome to the family. Please forgive my presumption in recommending a short trigger and slim grips if you, like me, have small hands and an abnormally short trigger finger. As you know I am sure, proper placement of the trigger finger on the 1911 trigger, be it a short or standard trigger, goes hand in hand with proper sight alignment in putting the bullet where you want it (front sight - press). I ordered a short trigger on my Predator III and Shane at NHC threw on a set of slim Coco Bolo grips "just to see if I would like them". I can only say, "They work for me". Please shoot safely but shoot it like you stole it. And of course, the prompt submission of photos will spare you the D.I.'s wrath (See the Smilie to the right).

[LittleLebowski]

This is so easy.... Order a GRP and tell Craig what cusotm Vickers like features you want on it. It will be sent as a CA legal GRP with what you want on it. Simple enough, right? Take a look at my Predator review to see what custom features they can mix and match.

[Ducky Hoot]

Thanks Bosko and Little Lebowski..

I am doing both as you recommended, I called NHC talked to Shane. It is one of the most comforting things to know that NHC staff give a hoot about their customers and their firearms, and that they wont let you hang up the phone. Shane will help me with your recommendations Bosko and thank you for them, I do have small hands. And a GRP becoming a Vickers, I am told its the best idea ever but "no can do" cause of the integrated magwell.

A week left till my Pred comes.

But now, let me present the bigger issue. I am sure you all understand it or have it. I have the need to buy another 1911 and I am making up all kinds a reasons up for it in my head as well as preparing to sell off my sig and glock and other non-essential goods including my wife's hand bag and china collection..

The Only Problem..

Les Baer SRP or NHC GRP Recon?

[Bosko]

Ducky Hoot, I do not have any personal experience with a Les Baer pistol, although from what I read they are righteous. That said, my Predator III, Black Diamond finish, short trigger, slim grips, red fiber optic front sight is the best handgun I have ever had, and I have owned and shot more than a few in my checkered career as a Special Agent/Field Firearms Instructor. I am going to try to move two Kimbers, one of which was recently rebuilt with an internal extractor slide by Kimber, and use the money to buy The Wife her own P3 for Christmas (lag time - 16 weeks). She says she is perfectly happy shooting her Ruger SP-101, 3 inch barrel, with .38 Special and .357 Magnum loads but, I saw her face when she handled the above described P3 tonight. Please see my range report, this date, under "Is The Black Diamond Finish Worth The Money?"

Bosko - still pumped over six hours later!

[Frank]

It's a tough choice. Both are great guns. I have an SRP (as well as a few other Les Baer), and it's an excellent performer. I also have a couple of NHCs, and like them very much. Both my Les Baers and my NHCs are completely reliable and very accurate.

With that said, I think I'd be more inclined to the GRP Recon (at least as of right now). Two reasons: (1) I can field strip my NHCs without tools, but the Les Baers definitely need a bushing wrench; and (2) the NHC GRP Recon has an accessory rail, and that could be useful. Just my opinion as of this moment -- YMMV.

DVC