Help Someone Out
Tom informs me in comments that he wants a pistol for buy a gun day. His criteria:
bigger caliber than a .22; manual safety; ammo that’s not ridiculously expensive.
For cheap ammo, I’d recommend 9MM. However, I don’t like handguns with manual safeties and I carry a Glock 30 or a Sig P229. So, with the manual safety criteria in mind, what say you, dear reader? I figure H&K maybe a Springfield XD40 (no, it doesn’t have a manual safety but does have a grip safety). Leave advice in comments.
February 28th, 2005 at 2:38 pm
Look for a Makarov in either .380 or 9X18…
Or Taurus makes a fine selection of 9mm semi-autos.
Or… Smith & Wesson model 10 .38 special. No safety, true, but you don’t need one on a DA revolver…
February 28th, 2005 at 2:53 pm
I’d second the recommendation for a revovler in .38 Special (or even .357 mag for when you want to really reach out and touch someone).
The Glock is a great choice too – why does he want a manual safety???
I recently got my 1991A1 – and while I don’t carry it day to day yet – as soon as I get a comfortable IWB holster it will become my daily (well, when not in DC) piece. Right now that’s being handled by a little 2 inch barrel Colt Commando in .38 Special.
How about a little Walther PPK in .380??
February 28th, 2005 at 3:25 pm
CZ/Witness/Baby Eagle in 9mm. Comes in compact and full-size versions, in polymer and steel frames, etc. Normal capacity magazines are available in plenty. Accurate. Durable as hell. Proven design. Slide mounted safety/decocker on newer models, frame mounted on older models (like the 1911 or the Hi-power).
Come to think of it, a Hi-Power wouldn’t be so bad either.
February 28th, 2005 at 3:38 pm
I was thinking of the .38 special for the “cheap ammo” part. He could get a Model 66 .357 Mag and shoot .38 special with it…
February 28th, 2005 at 3:51 pm
Beretta 92/96 (9mm or 40sw). Or, if super-cheap is desired, bersa .380acp.
February 28th, 2005 at 4:11 pm
what about the ruger p-sersis.
I have heard good things about them and they are supposely cheap (if you are looking for somthing that is just for fun those might fit the bill), even for defense use they would proably do very well.
the problem when you limit youself to guns that have manual safties you drastically limit the number of pistols that you are looking at.
Of course you might want to check out guns that have conversion kits. I know for the springfield xd you can get a 40 caliber and get a 9mm drop in barrel (it might need some fitting from what i have read, but it will work). They also have some 22 conversion kits for larger guns (though they are rarer from what i have found).
February 28th, 2005 at 4:14 pm
CZ would be my first pick. Or, just to be different, a Star BM-a 1911 in 9mm.
February 28th, 2005 at 4:22 pm
I’d second the Star BM suggestion – you can probably pick one up for $250 or so too. Inexpensive gun, inexpensive ammo.
What ever route he goes, he should check out CDNN investments before buying.
February 28th, 2005 at 4:48 pm
One piece of information that would help would be the size of pistol he is looking for. I would suggest taking a look at the CZ75B, but in reality he should try a number of handguns and choose the one that fits his hands the best. The fit, in my opinion, is the most important thing.
February 28th, 2005 at 5:07 pm
I’d advise a Taurus in .40 or larger; an Eaa Witness in .40 or larger; a Sig in .40 or larger; a Hi Power in .40 or larger or a decent 1911 in .40 or larger. The Sig, Hi Power & some 1911 clones will be pricey but some 1911’s, the Taurus & the Witness can be had for around $400 (sometimes less).
There are cheaper options (most in smaller chamberings) but if at all possile I’d look at those first.
Course it’d be helpful to know his budget as well as he recoil tolerance & whether or not this is going to be a general purpose hogleg or something he tucks under his jacket everyday.
February 28th, 2005 at 8:02 pm
Wow, thanks for all the advice. Based on the suggestions, I’ve got some additional specifications to dish out.
As to why the manual safety, I guess I’m just used to having it there. Most of the handguns I’ve played with have had them. No, I never rely on just the manual safety — never pull the trigger unless you mean it, and never put your finger on the trigger unless you mean to pull it — but as I say, I’m used to having it there.
And from looking at the suggestions, I suppose I should specify a magazine fed pistol. Not a fan of revolvers; I like the higher capacity a mag generally gives.
As to purpose, this is strictly recreational. Although I do intend to get a carry permit, I don’t intend to actually carry. Even if I wanted to, there’s not much point. If I leave the house, I’m usually either at work (which has a posted policy against carrying) or in a bar (where I’d never carry).
No, I simply intend to wreak havoc on paper targets.
Truth to tell, I have gun envy: my wife has one (a Browning .22), and I don’t.
February 28th, 2005 at 8:03 pm
Oh yeah, cost. I actually don’t know what’s reasonable, since I haven’t really done any shopping. I was thinking something in the $250-$300 range, but I don’t know if that’s reasonable / worth doing / etc. If it is much beyond that, I won’t be able to do it by tax day…
February 28th, 2005 at 11:46 pm
Oh, .45 ain’t that expensive, either. There’s some pretty cheap stuff available out there if you check Shotgun News.
You can probably shop around and find a M1911 or clone for $300-350, or pay ahundred bucks more and get one almost new. And it IS a .45!
And if there’s a pistol you want to customize, it’ll be a 1911. You can deck it out any way you want it, except small. You can shoot pipsqueak target ammo, or full-bore barn-burners. Same gun, different springs. Everything’s available for one of those…
February 28th, 2005 at 11:58 pm
CZ52 in .30 Tokarev. Manual safety. Tight roller lock. Flat trajectory. Cheap ammo, IMO. Should be had for under $150, including 2nd magazine and flap holster.
And fun fun fun.
March 1st, 2005 at 1:42 am
Like I said before, check out CDNN Investments and download their catalogue. They have a great assortment of guns at pretty good prices – and are probably the best place to get police trade ins that I know of. They don’t sell the guns online, but you can always order one over the phone and have it shipped to your local FFL (I recommend Coal Creek Armory in Knoxville).
March 1st, 2005 at 2:12 am
I just got a Taurus Millenium Pro PT145 for $325 a short while ago, it’s a .45 mid-frame. The older versions had issues, but the present model is quite reliable. Definately worth checking out.