[Falstaff66]

I'm still looking for my first Pistol and I'm running up against the availability and price of guns here in Massachusetts, and the realization that transfering guns from out of state will be unlikely. I had all but decided to buy a CPO Sig 228. Now I've discovered that they are very hard to find in MA, and the price reflects that scarcity.

So it's back to the old drawing board. Here's what I'm thinking in 9mm.
-Sig P226. Great gun. I'd prefer the smaller P228 but otherwise fine. Feels great and I shoot it well.
-Beretta 92FS. Even bigger than the P226, but I can get a new one cheaper than a used P226. Feels good, haven't shot it.
-Sig P229 in 9mm. If I was getting a .40, this would be it.
-H&K USP Compact. Not MA compliant, but I might be able to find one. Expensive, as much or more than a P226. Never held one or shot it.
- CZ 75 PCR. The Regular 75 seems too big. The PCR looks good, price is right (not MA compliant but a dealer has it anyway) but I know nothing about them. Never even held one let alone fired it.
- Browning HP. Some guy has a few of these to sell, but they are SA right?

I want a DA/SA trigger (no Glocks). I like having a decocker. I'd prefer an metal frame, but could make an exception for something like an HK USP. Can't really find any Rugers or Springfield Armory pistols as they aren't compliant. I don't much like the S&W pistols or the Walther P99, although they are common and available.

So what can you guys tell me about these guns? I hear bad things about the HK trigger ("gritty"). I don't know anything about the CZ trigger. I like the ergonomics of the Sigs, everything just works. Not wild about the slide mounted safety of the Beretta. Any suggestions on what to pursue further or avoid would be appreciated.

[wrangler5]

Are you restricted to guns that are already in the state? My kid just got a used 226 from CDNN with night sights for under $400 delivered (to his FFL - cost another $35 for the paperwork to get it transferred to him.) Very nice piece, showed few signs of use other than the usual friction points where finsh rubs off, and came with Hogue grips.

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

You are on the right track, but I very strongly suggest the SIG-SAUER P228.
IMHO, if offers better balance than its counterpart, the P229. Both, are great
firearms but why lug around the extra weight of the P229?

[gudel]

try USP9 and B92FS. These are two of my best guns for 9mm. Everything else is not important.

[Falstaff66]

WRANGLER, yes I am more or less restricted. I was planning on ordering from a place like CDNN, most likely ordnance outsellers. Then I learned that while Sig 226, 229 and 228 are on our "approved firearms roster", in order to comply with our AG's "consumer protection" regs they need additional features. Sig makes them and designates them P226M for example. Pretty damned sad. Some guns, like the Walther P99 are MA compliant in the regular version sold everywhere.

[outofbattery]

Four Seasons in Woburn has some used SIG's you might be interested in.http://www.fsguns.com/used/

[grimjaw]

Will this just be a range gun? If so, why not just SA?

Once you go Hi-Power, you never go back . . .

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/images/051003m.jpg

jmm

[gen]

Four Seasons in Woburn has some used SIG's you might be interested in.http://www.fsguns.com/used/
Those really aren't very cheap at all, check out this: http://www.ordnanceoutsellers.com/page1.htm

[outofbattery]

Unfortunately,those aren't an option for MA residents as we can only buy new handguns that are on the approved roster and all used handguns have to be sold with paperwork stating that they were sold here before the new laws came into effect.Used SIG prices have climbed in the past year by about $100, I bought 3 used SIG's for $375-450 last year from the same shop but don't know why the prices have gone up.

[LynnMassGuy]

If you're in MA the CZ75, the USP, and the high power are all out of the question.(Unless you can find one for sale that was in MA before the AG screwed everything up.) Anything you buy has to be on the State approved list and the AG's list with a few confusing exceptions.. Here's (http://www.fsguns.com/fsg_information.html)a list of guns you can't buy.

[TimboKhan]

No offense guys, but Massachutsetts just seems like it sucks. If understand you correctly, you are not allowed to buy used guns (!). Is this just private sales, or from gun shops too? If this is the case, does this mean that you are not allowed to buy the "pre-owned" Sigs? I mean, they come from the factory and all, but they are used, right? What happens to guns that are part of an estate? I have to tell you, I buy a large part of my guns used, and in fact actually view shopping for used guns as a hobby in and of itself, so the concept of not being able to wheel and deal over a used gun is foreign to me, to say the least.

[LynnMassGuy]

We can buy used guns. All of mine are used. Handguns just need to be on the lists(State approved and AG) or in MA before a certain date that I'm not sure of. (Very confusing.) MA is pretty backwards.

Regards
John

[outofbattery]

It is rather confusing,I'm not sure how they manage to have a seemingly unlimited number of factory refurbed Glock 17's and 22's available in MA ( unless they all came from MA LE agencies ? ) when new Glocks were approved for sale for a matter of weeks before the AG decided they can't be sold here.Mind you,not every gun on the approved list is available for sale either-it is a dumb situation-but most definately used handguns are available.

[Rockrivr1]

Yes, the Mass laws are a pain in the butt to follow. Out of your list I would stay with the Sig. I have a 229 with the 9mm, 357 Sig and 40 S&W barrels for it. The same mags can reliably feed all three calibers. I enjoy shooting this handgun very much. The down side to the 229 is that it's heavy and not very condusive to CCW. Not sure if that is an option for you. I've shot the Beretta's and they just don't seem to fit me right. Your results of shooting it could be different. Oh and unless you have unlimited supplies of money I'd stay away from buying a used HK in MA. The cheapest I've seen was around $800-$1,000 for models that were pretty dinged up. Your best best would be to go over to the Boston Gun Range in Shrewsbury and rent ones that you may want to buy. They have a great selection to choose from. They are a little on the expensive side in regards to range fees, but it's cheaper then buying something you don't like.

Another point that is not mentioned very much is that if you find a used gun that is not on the roster out of state and it was manufactured before Oct of 1998, you can have it transferred to you in MA at an FFL. Some FFLs will do this and others will not. Four Seasons in Woburn is one that will. They transferred a Glock 26 to me from a guy in Maine. The gun was made in 1997 and they did the transfer and indicated that it was absolutely legal.

Good luck in your selection.

[Chipperman]

Private sales do not have to be MA compliant.

[Falstaff66]

Well I'm now an armed citizen. :) I could hold out for a P228 no longer and picked up my very first firearm today, a P226M Two Tone. It's used but looks to be in excellent condition. Now I just need to get down to the range and try it out.

Thanks for your help. Ulitmately the 226 just isn't that much bigger than the 228/229, the grip and trigger reach seems almost identical.

Here are the pictures.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c230/slance66/IMG_0009.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c230/slance66/IMG_0012.jpg

[Chipperman]

Congrats!

Oh BTW, that blue thing in the case makes a good paperweight. Compliments of our beloved AG. :barf:

[LynnMassGuy]

Beautiful pistol! Where'd you get it and where are you going to shoot it?

[Falstaff66]

Lynn,

I got it at Four Seasons in Woburn, Massachusetts. Nearly everyone on Northeastshooters.com said that was the place I needed to go. It was so clean that I just had to take it home.

I'm about to join Braintree Rifle and Pistol Club, but before that happens I'll probably take it down to American Firearms School in North Attleboro.

[depicts]

There are lots of hipowers for sale in mass, including two excellent FN Argintine models, one a shortened Detective model. The MAGAZINE is blocked at 10 rounds, but the gun holds a full 13 round mag if you can find one (almost any gun show has pre ban hi power mags)

Fallstaff, nice first gun. Why drive all the way to Braintree to shoot it? Come see us at the Mansfield Fish and Game *S*

[LynnMassGuy]

There are lots of hipowers for sale in mass, including two excellent FN Argintine models, one a shortened Detective model.
I meant new.(Although I know I didn't specify.)

Four Season is pretty cool. I've bought 9 of my firearms there.

[Falstaff66]

depicts,

I'm like the indoor range and my wife's from the South Shore, so we head near Braintree fairly often. That said, a friend of mine is a member at Mansfield, and I plan to see if he's up for some shooting over there. Perhaps I'll be persuaded.