There are a bunch of DE variants, you don't mention which it is or what caliber so it's impossible to make a call on the price. If you're thinking investment, I'd stick to a classic 1911, Colt but not necessarily; Springfield Armory, there are many older makes. Heck I even have an original GI model made by the Singer Sewing Machine Company and another made by Remington Rand. Stay as close to the original Browning design as possible and as old as possible. Avoid bling. ROI for gussied up guns is poor. You also can't go wrong with older Smith and Wesson revolvers in minty shape and that's a gun you can actually learn to shoot with. See if you can talk JP out of one of his J frame Smiths. I think they're CA approved.
I would say, in general, now is not the time to be investment buying. Prices are silly, although they are silliest with the ugly, more modern hi-cap semi-autos. 900 dollar Glocks. Really??
It's often said that 1911s are a niche market with dedicated collectors. That flies in the face of the fact that virtually EVERY large pistol manufacturer has a 1911 line. They're often unpopular with the crazies because they "only" hold 7 or 8 shots. My favorite shooter is a 2003 Smith 1911. I shoot it in IDPA competitions as my main pistol. I paid 675 for it new in O3 when S and W began their 1911 line. New ones are a thousand and I have turned down 850 for mine. It's probably got 10K rounds through it.
I am thinking these days that now that the congress has done what the congress does best and (just like I predicted) nothing is going to happen and nobody's coming for our guns, the bubble will soon burst and many of the hoarders will realize they have child support/trailerhouse/pickup payments to make and we'll once again see bargain basement gun sales. I'm not buying until then.

Not so much HF as Toyota Corolla. They're sort of like Glocks, only uglier if that's possible. As cheap, working reliable guns they have a dedicated following. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't pass the test of time in generations of use like Smiths, Sigs, (some) Colts and Rugers. I think of them as disposable guns. They serve a purpose.

The Kimber Custom shop does some great things with the 1911 chassis, and that's a proven round.

Also to consider is the .40S&W. I was once a huge fan of the 10mm....until I fired a Glock in .40 S & W. That round is very controllable for it's size.

Match your size, hand and eye dominance, physical stature and protection needs to the ballistic curve and energy you require in a round, and you'll see which caliber and action to move toward.

The key isn't the biggest boom. The object is to match a tool to the person, so that the 3rd and 4th round is as consistent as the 1st. In the moment of truth, you need to have quality tools that you trust and can predict the outcome of deploying. A squeeze of adrenalin doesn't help most people shoot more accurately.

How so? I have to cock my hammer to fire the first shot

Always bringing up sex...

Hi-Points are solidly made in the US, come with a lifetime warranty, and are decent firearms. Those that don't like them have never owned one, usually. They aren't the Mercedes of guns, they are the Chevy Caprice...inexpensive, reliable, and serve a purpose.

Remember...one person's Saturday Night Special is another guy's home defense piece.

Since you admit to owning one, so will I. I own a Hi Point 380. I picked it up for my tackle box for $90. If I'm on out fishing on a boat, and capsize, I didn't lose my M&P...

A buddy of mine works for Hi-Point, as a gun smith. He swears by the guns he helps makes, and carries nothing but Hi-Point. If he swears by them, and can out shoot most with them, then they must be decent guns.

Personally, I am not a huge fan of how they feel in my hand, even though I own one. It feels more like a cordless drill than a hand gun. JMHO

Unfortunately for your theory, not this time.

I could be wrong. The only one I ever saw closely was at a pistol shoot and the guy was showing it around, not competing with it. (I've never seen anyone compete IDPA with anything except a 1911, but I've only been to two shoots.) I think it was a variation of some sort and not a Colt. I was under the impression that it was DA THOUGH.

Listen up Dude! Don't you be dissin my "9". You hear! She's one *****in little shooter...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps08b4f0a6.jpg

- Peter.

I owned a MKI and now a MKXIX and both of them are NOT going to be DA. You have to cock the hammer first if you are talking of the Desert Eagle from Magnum Research.

Well, he and his mates do a good job in my opinion.

- Peter.

Tony
 

In relation to the original posters comments. I just realized one think I forgot to mention. Not that it matters in the greater scheme of things but whenever I see a Desert Eagle I can't help but think about "Bullet tooth Tony" and is Desert Eagle, Point Five O :D

- Peter.

*** DA/SA - What matters is your comfort level. ***
 

In order to get a round in the chamber, you either have to pull back and snap or in the case of my Beretta .32ACP, you can pop up the barrel, drop in a cartridge, snap the barrel back down and lock it in place, then DA the round. After that, everything is SA 'til the clip is empty. Or, you can cock the hammer, "slide" the round in the barrel, then squeeze the trigger. Any way you do it, after setting the 1st round up in the barrel, you're good to go whatever way you want.

On the Beretta Px4 Storm (.40), slide the cartridge in from the mag and SA to your heart's content...the slide stays open after the last round ejects. Slap in another clip, release the slide, then squeeze the trigger toward Nirvana.

As for control? The Px4 is quite controllable. Out of the 90 rounds I went through a few weeks back, I had one mis-fire and one "partial eject" (limp-wristed that one). The mis-fire was able to be re-loaded in the mag and shot successfully. I also went through a few rounds of shotgunning 12 and 16 gauge clays.

The next day? No soreness of any kind. Neither the hand or shoulder. Surprised myself. I thought I was going to be sore either way and got away with nothing at all. Happy camping all around. :thumbsup:

Bit complicated that isn't it?

- Peter.

It was a Magnum Research Desert Eagle @ Cabela's.

And likely, a .45 as I recall....

Lots of great advice, guys. Thanks!