[highrider]

If the dealer is allowing an amount towards a gun you can't really go buy trade in value but rather the dealer's cost when new. Different mark-ups. So if new the gun she won cost $X you'll only get around that much to play with. He's not going to allow more than what he paid for one.
This is absolutely correct. However, on the other hand, the alloted cost was applied to the cost of the gun she picked. They didn't just give her their cost value against their marked-up price. Anyway, here is what she finally picked (Plus $100 in cash or $100 worth of merchandise.)
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b340/highrider98/92FS_S_maxi.jpg

I'll tell you what, guys. Whether she got a good deal or not, she was so excited about her new Beretta and the cash, that made it a good deal for me. ;)

[teknoid]

GP-100 .357 maybe? It wouldn't cost quite as much though.

[highrider]

"GP-100 .357 maybe? It wouldn't cost quite as much though."

teknoid,

She has a Colt .357 and shoots it a lot. If she doesn't want another .357 maybe I'll steer her towards a 9mm semi. I'm hoping she would be able to get a decent pistol for the value of the .44 Mag.

[trueblue1776]

Sigs are always in style. :D

[hexidismal]

Anyone know if I'm in the ballpark with my estimate?
Yep, seems exactly right to me. Probably around $630 or so.

[yhtomit]

Rather than trade-in *money,* might it make sense to hang onto the gun and look for an actual trade in the future?

Though personally, I think I'd be loathe to part with it, and that's speaking as someone who harps all the time on the benefits of having only a few calibers to bother with :) I'd keep the .44 just to have one! (Even if it's a gun I wouldn't go and buy.)

timothy

[teknoid]

She has a Colt .357 and shoots it a lot. If she doesn't want another .357 maybe I'll steer her towards a 9mm semi. I'm hoping she would be able to get a decent pistol for the value of the .44 Mag.

You could get any number of excellent 9mm semi's for what the Redhawk is worth. An XD or M&P would leave enough change to keep her in ammo for quite a while. I'm sure there are some that will also cost just as much as the revolver, but I have no working knowledge of them. The only semi I paid more than $400 for was a 1911.

[envonge]

You should keep the 44 mag. Very fun caliber to shoot.

[christcorp]

Well, if you are looking for a gun that is cheap to fire, then the 9mm is the right answer. If you want a gun that is practical for defense and such, then a 45acp or 40s&w would be better. I definitely like the suggestion of the SigSauer. I think the P220 45acp is about the best gun I have ever shot in my life. I have or have had more guns than my wife wants to count. There is no doubt, without exception, the Sigsauer P220 would be the last to be sold or gotten rid of.

2nd choice would be the P229 in 40S&W. Another excellent gun. I personally think that the 9mm is only of value because you can get cheap military surplus ammo. Other than that, it's too small for most things and to large for some other things.

3rd choice; especially for a woman who may not live in the best of cities or neighborhoods, would be to use the money to buy a Sigsauer P232. It's is a beautiful .380 that is very easy to carry and use. Even if you don't buy a Sigsauer, this is a very good suggestion. If there is any left over money from the trade on the Ruger, which there should be a little left, you might be able to pick up a few boxes of ammo. Then, being she got all this for free, you convince her to get a CCW permit. Then she can be trained and be able to carry a very affective gun. Too many people think you have to have 38 specials, 357 mag, 45, etc... for a good self defense gun. Just not true. You get her a gun that she can become dead on at 15 feet, and that is better than any other gun that's going to make her flinch or recoil on. Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Later... Mike....

[Monkeybear]

If she shoots .357 often she should be able to handle .44 just fine.

[zoom6zoom]

Get a box of .44 Specials

[highrider]

Well, if you are looking for a gun that is cheap to fire, then the 9mm is the right answer. If you want a gun that is practical for defense and such, then a 45acp or 40s&w would be better. I definitely like the suggestion of the SigSauer. I think the P220 45acp is about the best gun I have ever shot in my life. I have or have had more guns than my wife wants to count. There is no doubt, without exception, the Sigsauer P220 would be the last to be sold or gotten rid of.
This will be strictly a range gun. Her CCW is a Glock 27. The .40 & .45 are out. I have several Sigs and the only ones that she enjoys shooting are the 9mm. She shoots .38 Specials in the .357 and that is as much kick as she wants. Maybe there will be a nice CPO in 9mm. A lot of good advice from this thread. I have jotted down a few suggestions so we will see what tomorrow brings, but it is her decision to make in the end. I'll let you know how she does.
Thanks to all, Frank

[Beagle-zebub]

What type of Colt .357? If it's a SAA or a Python, it weighs three quarters of a pound less than the Super Redhawk; if it's one of the older double actions, the difference is closer to a pound. With lighter loads, or even specials, the Super Redhawk could be quite tolerable.

It is not, however, practical (I'll reluctantly concede that much), both because of size and ammo cost, although you can impress the hell out of people when you tell them your daughter shoots a .44 magnum. There's the camp aspect, too. :D

[Monkeybear]

If its just a range gun how about a nice CZ Kadet .22lr?

[dbarale]

She already has a CCW and a house/range gun. What about a fun gun like the SIG Mosquito in 22lr? Or a Ruger 22/45?

[03Shadowbob]

I personally think that the 9mm is only of value because you can get cheap military surplus ammo. Other than that, it's too small for most things and to large for some other things.

especially for a woman who may not live in the best of cities or neighborhoods, would be to use the money to buy a Sigsauer P232. It's is a beautiful .380 that is very easy to carry and use

I am failing to find the logic in these statements. It sounds like you are stating the 9mm is too small for defense, which it clearly is not, but yet you advise on getting a .380??

[Big Daddy K]

Get a box of .44 Specials

Xactamundo! The 44 special is a joy to shoot out of a big wheel gun. Boom and a push for recoil. I like Mag tech Cowboy loads.

I would keep it. Set it up with a nice holster. Mabey a scope or red dot etc. The Red Hawk is just a nice gun to have.

[christcorp]

You don't really have to see the logic. I believe that because most woman have the luxury of having a purse, that the 380 is a good CCW weapon. Personally, the only thing I use a 9mm for is punching holes in paper. It's cheaper to fire. I personally wouldn't use it for Self Defense. While the 380 is indeed less powerful than the 9mm, it makes up for it in the size of quality 380 pistols you can buy that are really compact and useful. There are still many countries that use the 380 as their caliber for the police force as well as many police in this country as a backup. I have fired more 9mm than I care to remember. I am not a fan of it. For close self defense; like on the street; the 380 is just as affective as the 9mm but much easier to shoot and carry. That's my opinion. For further than 10 feet of actually shooting another person, then I would suggest jumping right to the 45acp or 40s&w in auto, or a 357 mag/38 spec +P in the revolver. Sorry, but the 9mm is not a good choice in my opinion. Pain in the ass at less than 10 feet and not worth much at 50 feet.

Either way, the OP already mentioned that his daughter already has a carry gun. So, I apologize for hijacking this thread. later... Mike....

[AndyC]

The .44 Special ammo has my vote - besides, how can you bear to give away a firearm you actually won? ;)

[ozwyn]

Why get another handgun?

She might like a levergun in .357 to go with her current revolver, or a shotgun.

[DWARREN123]

If she and you can, take a look at CZ hand guns (semi's).

[retrieverman]

If you are dead set on getting her something else, I would wait until closer to deer season and sell it (not trade it), take the proceeds, and buy your daughter what SHE wants.

[highrider]

The .44 Special ammo has my vote - besides, how can you bear to give away a firearm you actually won?

SHE won!;)

[Majic]

While the SRH is a big heavy revolver why not trade it for a lighter, more packable .44 magnum like a Super Blackhawk or a S&W M29/629? With the right loads she may become a big bore fan.

[fireflyfather]

So, you talk about recoil and flinching, then suggest a sig p232? That thing recoiled more than my friend's stock 1911. Lots of small guns that don't kick that bad, lots of bigger guns that are still easily fit into a purse.

[christcorp]

If you think that the sig P232 kicks and has recoil, then i don't know what to tell you. I'm not an excessively big guy, but the sig 380 is one of the most pleasant guns I've ever shot. Later... Mike...

[BlkHawk73]

If the dealer is allowing an amount towards a gun you can't really go buy trade in value but rather the dealer's cost when new. Different mark-ups. So if new the gun she won cost $X you'll only get around that much to play with. He's not going to allow more than what he paid for one.
As for what to get...let her decide what feels best to her. If it's not comfortable for her, she won't enjoy shooting it. Can't push her to a make/model just becasue you have a liking to it. On the other hand you gotta keep her away from junk.
As far as suggestions... A revovler will be more user friendly proberly. Ruger's are great and with thier extra weight will help make shooting them a bit more enjoyable.
For an auto, I'd look at some of the Walther PPK or Sig P232 styles.

[FXWG]

I'm going to have to throw my vote in on a nice .22lr semi
for all around plinking and practice. She can get a real nice
pistol, a nice red dot, some extra magazines and a whole
bunch of different types of ammo for experimental purposes.

[Kimber1911_06238]

a ruger .44 mag around here is about $550.

[joe4702]

I'd say a nice target .22. Something like a bull barrel Browning Buckmark with integrated weaver rail. Put a red dot sight on it. Pure fun and cheap to shoot.

[gazpacho]

Personally, I wouldn't trade in any daughter that showed a nack for winning handguns . . .