Test driving a bunch of pistola's...

[BIGdaddy]

Looking at a bunch of different ones.

XD9
Sigma 9mm or 40
Ruger P95 9mm
Sig pro 9mm
Sig P6(used)
Smith K38(used) .38
RIA tactical .45
Bersa thunder .380

$450 is my upper price range, simply cuz I have to set the bar somewhere :elkgrin:, and don't really think its necessary to pay more then $500.00 smackers for a sidearm.

I have to say that part of me is trying to decide which is prettiest..haha!!:coffeedrink:

Melissa really likes the bersa, the XD-9, the 1911, and really digs Ruger revolvers, but they're a bit out of my price range.

I'm pretty committed to getting a quality gun, and honestly keep talking myself into and out of those three...

Anyone else shopping for anything?

I have to say a SAA in .357 crossed my mind, too. New vaquero, anyone?

 

[BIGdaddy]

Another way I'm thinking about this, is who do I want to emulate when everyone's gone to sleep (and there's no-one to laugh at me).

Snap-caps in place, ammo locked up, as I break-in and burnish the internals through safe-direction dry-firing, I shall become:

1911 - The sergeant-major from "We were soldiers": "Prepare to defend yourselves"

Bersa - Bond from any of the connery,etc years: "Bond, James Bond"

SAA - Quigley down under: "I said I didn't have a use for them, not that I didn't know how to use them."

etc...

As you can tell, my search is very scientific...

 

[7wt]

What do you want it to do? What do you want to do with it? I love a nice SSA but not as a defense gun. As far a price limit goes, it should be in line with what you expect it to do. I am saving for a $3000 air rifle, it's more than what I want to spend but it's what it cost and I want it.

 

[BIGdaddy]

I want it to hit what I'm shooting at when I pull the trigger.

I want it to do that every time, whether its a zombie, a perpatratorio, a rabbit, a rabid leprechaun, or a paper-man-shape.


.380, 9mm, .40, and .45acp are all equally perfect and acceptable to me.

...as long as it doesn't make my butt look big.

 

[cnynrat]

Seems like there have been a lot of good deals floating around lately on Sig P6's. I am partial to Sigs in general, but I know not everyone likes the SA/DA trigger. If you haven't done so already, I'd recommend you shoot one before taking the plunge if you decide to go in that direction.

 

[MotoDave]

You can get a used Springfield Armory 1911 in that price range, which is hard to beat (for my taste, at least).

I just had 3 dot sights, a beavertail grip safety and commander hammer added to my SA GI model, and couldn't be happier with it for a relatively cheap gun.

 

[BIGdaddy]

You can get a used Springfield Armory 1911 in that price range, which is hard to beat (for my taste, at least).

I just had 3 dot sights, a beavertail grip safety and commander hammer added to my SA GI model, and couldn't be happier with it for a relatively cheap gun.

yeah, the RIA tactical has the BT grip safety and commander hammer, as well as some snazzy sights. I don't think it has any MIM parts, either. Supposedly, it shares some high end parts with the likes of kimber and Ed brown, not sure which though. Maybe trigger parts?

I like the idea of being able to tinker with the 1911, as well as being able to buy a .22 conversion kit from kimber, etc., later, so the gun is able to run on more than just .45 ($$)

I also wouldn't mind reloading a round like .45. Seems worthwhile to me for some reason, more than the others.

In that train of thought, a 1911 would become as useful as a revolver than can use both .38 and .357, from a ammo availability standpoint. Run out of .45? Quick change over to .22 and pummel the zombie's to death.

Not to mention it's a great game-getter in a pinch.

 

[BIGdaddy]

What do you want it to do? What do you want to do with it? I love a nice SSA but not as a defense gun. As far a price limit goes, it should be in line with what you expect it to do. I am saving for a $3000 air rifle, it's more than what I want to spend but it's what it cost and I want it.

yeah, I like those.

 

[Lichen]

I have 3 Ruger pistols and 2 Ruger rifles. But I'm really not too crazy about my P-series 9mm. It just seems kind of clunky and not nearly as fun or easy to shoot as my .40 Glocks.

 

[Mr. Leary]

I would recommend looking for a used Baretta 92. I have two, and they are fantastic firearms, and have been the standard equipped sidearm for our military for a while now...

I would also recommend sticking to 9mm. No ammo shortages, and it is an ammo that will always be relatively cheap, due to the quantity produced for the military.

 

[BIGdaddy]

I have 3 Ruger pistols and 2 Ruger rifles. But I'm really not too crazy about my P-series 9mm. It just seems kind of clunky and not nearly as fun or easy to shoot as my .40 Glocks.

yup, can't beat the price of a p95, but I consistantly come away dissapointed whenever I handle or shoot it.

too bad.

Glocks don't feel right in my hand, though I know they're rock-solid performers...funny that XD's do, though. They're pretty much the same as far as ergonomics.

 

[Mr. Leary]

Glocks don't feel right in my hand, though I know they're rock-solid performers...

Me too. They just don't feel real I guess.

 

[BIGdaddy]

Me too. They just don't feel real I guess.

yeah, mel and I both like the feel of the all steel guns, but she also likes the ergonomics, warmth, and lighter weight of the XD.

I tend to agree. XD would be a solid, no-surprises type of gun. Definitely would be fun to get into some shooting events with this one.

As stupid as it sounds, though, I feel like I have less of an emotional/historical connection with the XD. I feel like when I pickup a 1911 or a SAA, I connect with American history, and even some of my family who were cowpokes or soldiers in the great wars...

And thats part of the fun for me, too. :chef:

 

[Fergie]

You might look at the EAA Witness in .45ACP.

I bought this gun when I was looking for a 1911, and have been very happy with it.

You can buy different uppers for it as well, and then you can shoot .22LR, .357Sig and .40 S&W I believe.

I bought mine new, and this would be at or above your limit, but they are available used for better prices.

 

[Dave Bennett]

I have a Ruger P90 .45, and like the 1911, I consider it a real man's sidearm

Now that I've handled Glocks more I like them. Swiss watch reliable and super simple. My next pistol will be a Glock .40 because I have another gun that uses the same mags

The XD? Ummm... I dont like the fact that it's a "Springfield Armory" that is made in Croatia... not that they dont make neat guns but I hate the watering down of an American icon. I've heard some negative reviews on these as well.