acaixguard

If your budget is under 1000, maybe 1911s aren't your best bet. If you want a .45, might I suggest the HK45 (in whatever trigger variant you are comfy with)?

Whichever you want to make your primary pistol, get a 2nd one. That way, you have the "2 is 1, 1 is none" rule covered.

If you don't mind the drive to Allentown, I highly recommend Joe Riedy, who is a Vickers Shooting Method instructor. I've taken his basic pistol class, and he's an outstanding instructor. Check here frequently for his next class, which is held a few times per year... http://www.sightsandtrigger.com/Training.html

Try the HK45, preferably with the LEM light trigger.

The real safety is with adequate training. Namely, making sure you have an ingrained habit of leaving your finger well outside the trigger guard until you decide to shoot. The DA/SA can be mastered, but it definitely takes more practice for most people. If you go with this type of action, be sure to practice constantly with both trigger pulls. Don't get lulled into a false sense of confidence by only shooting in SA mode. I see this all too often. People rave about how well they can shoot DA guns, and I come to find out that they have not fired a single shot in DA mode.

Training Training, training, and more training is the key. Gotta get it ingrained to keep the finger off the trigger until you consciously decide to pull the trigger. Once my finger is inside the trigger guard, it means I have made up my mind to fire already. For my purposes, I'd much rather have a consistent trigger pull that will up my chances of landing a somewhat accurate shot, without being so light that it's too easy to fire. About 4-5 pounds is right for this purpose.

Feel, maybe not. But you will definitely notice an accuracy difference. If you have trouble hitting your target under range conditions (and many people struggle to get a more accurate DA shot vs doing so with a SA shot), then how much worse can you imagine the shot being under stressful conditions?

If you are considering the SIG, be sure to also consider whether you want to master a DA/SA pull. Sure, it can be done, but it takes a lot more time than striker fired guns. Most people who shoot timed drills will fare much better with a single action or striker fired pistol. Sure you can start off a DA pistol in SA mode at the range all the time, but that's "cheating". If you ever used a gun defensively, you need to be able to not pull the shot on the first long DA pull. Which is why many, including myself, advocate a pistol with the same trigger pull for each shot, and a pull that isn't too heavy either.

Amongst your choices, I'd pick the Glock 19. Simple and overall they are very reliable. Easy pistol to shoot and will last you through all stages of skill level as you progress. However, I'd definitely like to suggest the Walther PPQ as well. Accurate, reliable, ergonomic, and best of all, you will not find a nicer stock trigger out of any striker fired pistol on the market today. The Glock 19 was my primary pistol and for good reason. It would have taken a hell of a pistol for me to choose that over my Glock 19. Well that time has come, and the pistol that came along is the Walther PPQ!

9mm for sure. There is nothing a .40 does that a 9 won't, other than cost you more and give you more unnecessary snap to deal with.

I had a 226 in .40 in the past. Was very reliable, and feels great in the hand. I sold it cause I am not down with DA/SA action guns anymore, and found the controls to be awkward after getting used to my Glocks and 1911s. The grip itself felt great in the hand, but didn't care for the very high bore axis. SIG QC went down the crapper in the mid 2000s compared to the top notch quality they were known for years prior. Not sure how they are today overall, but the MK25 is supposed to be solid. Just make sure you are comfortable with the DA to SA transition after the first shot if you go with a SIG.

Walther PPQ! Same ergos as the HK P30, with a far superior trigger and a much more reasonable price. In fact, is has THE best out of the box trigger for any striker fired gun today.

If anyone is interested, as of early last week, RTSP still had 2 left in stock. I know because I put a deposit down for my 2nd PPQ! It hasn't been a month yet since my initial PPQ purchase, so I need to wait for the 30 days to clear first. In my opinion, currently the best polymer gun out of the box today. All it really needs are a better pair of sights, and maybe stippling on the grips if you want a more aggressive texture. In fact, the frame of the PPQ I have now is out for a stippling job currently. Can't wait to get it back! Then just gotta wait for the 10-8 sights to become available. I just hope that Walther decides to keep the current version with the Euro style paddle mag release available. That's kind of why I rushed out to get a 2nd one so soon...I was afraid that soon, only the American button style mag release would be an option on the M2.

That's assuming the quality of the parts and fitting don't fail you. First thing to check is that the plunger tube is properly staked on. I had a Gold Match years ago, and the plunger tube fell right off when the grips were removed. Of course, this was a sample of 1 pistol, but there are MANY others who have reported similar issues with Kimber over the years. Another thing is to make sure the Schwartz safety works for you on a Series II. A buddy of mine, who has shot 1911s for decades, had trouble disengaging the safety.

Ha, if he has room for more, I'm interested.

SIGs are not highly regarded in the 1911 circle. The main issue is how they are put together, and the quality of the parts. Most mass produced 1911s today are pretty inferior in both departments.

This! There's a reason why many top smiths like this for a good base gun to customize later on. I always suggest, if you're budget is under 1k, stick to a good no frills GI type 1911. Avoid "semi-custom" 1911s like Kimber.

I've rented full auto at Classic Pistol over 10 years ago. Unfortunately, they know longer offer full auto rentals.

Any other places relatively accessible to NJ that rent full auto?

Give this a read if comparing the DAK to the LEM... http://pistol-training.com/articles/hk-lem-vs-sig-dak

You may have to be willing to drive a little more than 20 minutes to have access to more ranges other than RTSP.

Well actually, if a 9mm is out of the question, amongst the choices you listed, I'd go with the HK45 for sure. The reason is that HK is renowned for top quality engineering. SIGs were a great choice back in the day, but in the last 5-7 years, they've suffered through some QC issues. Not sure how it is today with SIG. The M&P45 is also a choice too, which lots of aftermarket support.

It's known in many circles that Glocks are the most reliable in 9mm (or at least were until recently).

Take a good look at the M&P or the Walther PPQ, both of which are available in .40. The M&P has a .45 too. I'd avoid Glocks in anything other than a 9mm, as they tend to have the most issues. Question though...any particular reason why you want a .40/.45 and not a 9mm?

Any reason why you didn't list the M&P9 as an option? But anyhow, among the choices you selected, I think you'd be happiest with the M&P series in the long run.