[yhtomit]

I earned two hundred dollars recently by reviewing and editing a thesis paper -- and while I'm mostly broke (grad student, go figure) but hope not to be forever (law degree, if all goes to plan, a year from now;)), I'm very tempted to spend that particular lump of money (plus perhaps as much as another hundred dollars) on ...

- a Kel-Tec P11 (since I have the CCW, and despite the fact that I can't have it either on campus or in my apartment because I live in University housing -- it would be nice to actually have a "C"-able pistol, even if must live in a parent's basement most of the time. I've been favorably impressed with reviews and personal accounts of the P11, and like the feel, but haven't yet had a chance to shoot one myself.)

OR

- a reloading press (for under $200, it seems I can get a lot better press than I used to assume)

OR

- membership at a local range (South Philly Gun and Archery -- VIP membership, which I think is $250, gets range time, unlimited rentals, and bring-own-ammo privileges)

OR

- Some instruction (I dunno how much it would cost for the training for a Utah permit, but that is somewhere on my wishlist)

- What should I be thinking of? :)

If you woke up and found $200 (plus some stretching money, perhaps as much as another $100) in your pants pocket tomorrow morning, and were passing by a gun store ... what would you do with it? :)

Caveats:

- Anything involving or affecting .45, .9mm, .22LR is good :) On an unlimited budget, caliber would be no constraint, but over the past several years I've confined myself intentionally to those calibers (handguns and one .22 rifle), so even if I were to find a nice lused-but-decent .38 revolver, I'd just have to admire from afar for now. Likewise a Mosin-Nagant -- if those fired 5.56x45, I'd make an exception to my ammo-types rule, because I'd like a gun in that caliber ;)

- I have hearing protection I'm happy with (cheap Remington-badged muffs, plus silicone in-ears), or I might seek a pair of the electronic ones.

- I have a few full-sized handguns; more than I can justify, fewer than I'd like ;) But bargains on 9mm or (less likely, I know) .45ACP handguns well suited to concealed carry on my medium-size body would be more interesting.

I realize that everyone has different interests / preferences, and I'm not soul-searching here, just tapping the tree for some interesting ideas ;) Perhaps I'll find some more grad students seeking review soon and bump up my possibilities -- editing really is a satisfying way to earn money, right up until a certain level of incomprehensibility.

timothy

[Glock22]

I would probably buy some more .40 caliber bullets, and some hi-cap magazines.

[whitetiger7654]

I'm with Glock22. With ammo prices climing and more bans trying to pass. Mags and ammo are the wisest investments right now.

[HuntCast]

I'd probably pick up a CZ-52 and a few rounds.
Don't know why......... just like the way they look, lol.

[john1911]

With the price of ammo, I'd get set up for reloading.

[Dienekes]

Ammo. Always ammo.

Then put aside some money every week/month until you have enough to send yourself to a good shooting course like Gunsite. When it opened up in the late 70s I was a young buck with some decent guns but not enough brains to take the next logical step.

Finally got there anyway--but I should have bought a few less guns and gone the first chance I got.

On the plus side I spent at least as much time on the range as I did in the office.

[CNYCacher]

Yugo SKS, they are getting harder and harder to find. 7.62x39 is as cheap as 9MM right now.

[MJZZZ]

Reloading equipment and supplies. It's my next purchase. Mike

[Nomad, 2nd]

Ammo/Reloading/training.

None of these would be wrong.

[rbernie]

As many hicap mags as you can buy for your current pistols. You can never have too many, and you never know when you'll want them and can't get 'em...

[PPGMD]

Well if your range doesn't allow you to bring ammo I would get the membership if it's cost effective, otherwise ammo.

Myself, I already have a yearly membership to my range, so I would use it on ammo.

[MRIman]

Hell,it's only 2 "bills",spend it on boze and women!!!!!!!!!!!!!:neener: :neener:

MRI

[VA27]

Ammo, and lots of it. You can never be too rich, too thin, or have too much ammo.

[stevekl]

Gosh, that's a good question.

If $200 fell into my lap I would deposit it and forget about it but if I HAD to buy something gun related:

A decent scope with resetable target knobs, adjustable paralax, at least 10x.

OR

A neat Remington 700 stock. You can get good ones for $200, right?

[PistolNewbie]

I could definately use lessons, but since the question was what stuff would you get, I think maybe a spotting scope. I really don't need one since I still can't shoot for sh*t, but it would look cool at the range. :cool: You can never have too many toys! I could also use it to spy on neighbors. :D On second thought, maybe another mousegun.

[AJ Dual]

The range membership.

All the gear and ammo in the world is useless if you don't have somewhere to use it.

[dave_pro2a]

MAGS Standard capacity USGI AR-15 mags, AK-47 mags, Glock mags, and whatever else you might need in the future ;)

[WoofersInc]

Gotta go with ammo and extra mags.

[PotatoJudge]

I'd buy bullets and an 8lb jug of a powder suitable for 9mm and 45 (like Win 231, maybe a surplus powder if there are any available). Alternatively, I'd buy more bullets and 2lbs of powder. You can put together a basic reloading setup for those two calibers pretty cheap anytime, but it's components you need to lay in.

I'd also consider buying a couple thousand rounds of 7.62x54R for a rainy day.

[bensdad]

I just got a Heritage Arms replica of the Ruger Single 6 for way less than $200. You could get than and 3,000 rds of 22LR.

[ssr]

Magazines. I always pick up extra magazines here and there when I can. You can have a super nice gun, but if your magazines crap out, it's worthless. You can have a $2000 gun, but it's dependent upon a $30 magazine. You can never have too many or too many that hold high round numbers.

Reloading is good too, but you'll need more than $200, if you want a progressive press and all the extras, for handgun ammo.

You also mentioned CC. Can you use a better hoster or belt? Those are good too. Maybe a nice holster, belt, mags.

[obxned]

Ammo!

[ArfinGreebly]

Price of ammo is going up faster than price of guns.

Ammo and mags is a good start.

Presumably you have cleaning supplies.

And a good knife.

And a decent holster.

[Gustav]

It all depends on what you want to do.
First of all I would suggest getting into reloading a little later as reloading presses and gear turn up in newspapers and at yard sales, moving sales at flea markets and on e bay often for much less than when bought new.
As for handgun choices the Kel Tec is decent for the money so are other choices such as the Malarov the Walther P1 (P38 alloy frame a great deal for $200-250) it comes with spare magazine and holster and will only go up in price once supplies are gone.
Another good choice is the CZ 82 .380
Also many places have police trade ins such as the Smith & Wesson K frame .357 magnums and .38 specials.
As rifles go the best bang for the buck has to be one of the Yugoslavian SKS rifles they are going up in price as supplies run short.
A good inexpensive rifle is the Mosin Nagant 91/30 rifle 1938 carbine or 1944 carbine, many to choose from some with wood stocks some laminated stocks. The 7.62x54R round has been in use since 1891 and still being used today!
One of my favorite rifles is the .303 British Enfield MK IV either original or sporterized they still are inexpensive but ammunition is getting harder to come by for these.
Ask around as someone may have one to try before you buy or rent from a range and see first if its what you want.
If you are lucky and shop around you may be able to get a decent used pistol and or rifle for near what you are looking to spend.
Many of the Military surplus firearms come with holsters cleaning kits slings etc.
If all else fails do a web search and go to an FFL dealer for a small fee and have what you want sent to them try to avoid as much mark up as you can it saves to shop around.
Good luck in your quest

[scout26]

Reloading equipment and initial supplies. It'll always be cheaper to roll your own (and make better ammo) then buying it. Check out the Reloading forum for some great info/advice on what to get for you initial setup.

The range membership is a close second, but if you find another thesis paper to edit and reivew then you can get that also. :D