Boom stick questions. Point me in the right direction.

I don't reload a ton.  I just segregate the brass.  Haven't found it to be a problem.  But it's definitely something to be aware of. 

In reply to brandonsmash :

I'm keeping the brass for now, but may hold off on loading it.  I remember how hard it was to get large pistol primers for a couple of years, so it may come in handy at some point.  

In reply to brandonsmash :

I've been thinking about a 5.7 too, I haven't played around with it at all though either.

I was planning on going with the S&W option though

In reply to Rodan :

I know I'm really late on the Girsan HiPowers post, but I snagged a p35 match and it's really good. I would buy the remake of the HiPower before spending anything over a grand on an original HiPower though(unless it was one of the exceptions to the SBR rule)

I've been on a bit of a hiatus, added a Browning 49 gun safe, another AR, stumbled across a Norinco m14 from the few months they were available after the '94 AWB, and might be diving down the rabbit hole that is brass crafting for a French 11x59 Gras if it's still there when I have the fun budget again. 

I got curious on weight for the two carry options I use. My decades old 1911 3" compact with 7+1 and a full size 8rd mag with a bianchi carrylok leather holster:

3lbs 1oz for 16 rds. Then I tried the new to me XD compact with my tlr1 knockoff with 10+1 and spare 10rd (13 rd coming soon) :

3 ounces more. Guess what 5 rounds of .45acp 230gr jhp weigh? 3 ounces. The kydex holster weighs 1.5 oz less than the bianchi leather so I'm basically carrying same weight load but more capacity, and more importantly, better ballistics with the 4" bbl over the 3". With the loads I carry that's around 80fps difference which translates to almost 100ftlbs of muzzle energy. 

I got curious on weight for the two carry options I use. My decades old 1911 3" compact with 7+1 and a full size 8rd mag with a bianchi carrylok leather holster:

3lbs 1oz for 16 rds. Then I tried the new to me XD compact with my tlr1 knockoff with 10+1 and spare 10rd (13 rd coming soon) :

3 ounces more. Guess what 5 rounds of .45acp 230gr jhp weigh? 3 ounces. The kydex holster weighs 1.5 oz less than the bianchi leather so I'm basically carrying same weight load but more capacity, and more importantly, better ballistics with the 4" bbl over the 3". With the loads I carry that's around 80fps difference which translates to almost 100ftlbs of muzzle energy. 

In reply to bobzilla :

It's always interesting to look at the weight of the load out in relation to capability...

My old school carry was always a lightweight Commander with one spare mag.  The exemplar is a Kimber CDP Pro... 3lbs 2oz, 9+8 of .45 ACP

Over the last few years, I've migrated almost entirely to one of my P365s for daily carry, usually the P365XL.  2lb 9oz, 13+15 of 9mm

"High threat" carry is an M&P 2.0.  3lb 8oz, 18+17 of 9mm

The first two don't include a light, which the M&P has mounted (but I still carry a separate light), and the Kimber doesn't have a red dot.  The P365 is amazingly capable considering the size/weight of the package.  In dynamic drills, I can usually achieve the same accuracy as my M&P, and come very close on time.  The red dots give a big improvement in time/accuracy especially in low light.  

I am still a 1911 guy, I shoot them very well and am the most comfortable with them of anything I've owned. But something a bit more modern is also nice. I cannot make myself carry anything but .45acp, partly because I'm too cheap to add a caliber and partly because I just like big bullets carrying a crap ton of energy. I'd love a 10mm with true 10mm hot loads but I have a new house, suspension and tires to pay for. 

I really like 45 ACP.      I tried 45 +p+ the other day and it is one spicy round.   Fun but dang!!!  

In reply to dean1484 :

You should try one of those out of a 3" at night. Fireball rivals a .357 out of a 3". 
 

got all the handguns out today. Put some more rounds through the XD. It shoots really well. Follow up shots are easy-ish. Accuracy is on par with my 5" 1911. Now time to clean.