Need Help; Gun money burning hole in pocket!

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Gideon

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I have a dilema...I'll be getting a bonus soon and part of it's earmarked for a new gun. Problem is I can't decide so I'm asking for some free advice!

I have a 642 airweight, Kahr P9, Kahr MK9, SP101 (3") .357 and an SA .45 acp 1911 full size.

I'm stickign with either .38/.357, 9mm, or .45 acp. My Kahr Mk9 is my best all round gun at present because of the balance of concealability, accuracy, shootability, round count, etc. It's a great blend of all those. I use the J frame for pocket duty along with a Keltec P3AT.

The hard part in selection for me is that I have small hands. Single stacks are great but even a Sig 239 seems a tad fat in my hand. The Kahrs are perfect in this regard as are 1911's which I love:eek:

So, at this point I'm debating on the following:

Springfield EMP; pro's: 9mm, low recoil, fast followup shots, nice SA trigger, carries 10 (3 more than my MK9) and is still very concealable on small guy. I'd really like a compact (officer's) sized .45 acp but I know I wouldn't be as accurate or as fast with one as I would be with a 9mm. A man's gotta know his limitations! :rolleyes: I plan on getting an officer's sized .45 acp someday but it wouldn't likely be a primary carry for me.

The second choice is to get another SP101 but this time, get the bobbed 2" version. At some point I want to get an SP101 customized by Gemini Customs. I simply love what they do to a ruger.

I've looked at getting a Ruger GP100 more for field carry but find the trigger reach to be just slightly long for my grip. In SA it's fine but in Double action my finger tip just gets on the trigger which makes for a weak DA pull

The 2nd SP101 route is cheaper even if I get it customized. The EMP would, in my opinion, be about the ultimate 9mm for a guy with small hands who likes 1911's.

So what would you guys do if you were me? I almost feel guilty buying an EMP when my MK9 is as great as it is! But if I buy the EMP, that would be my "final 9mm".

If there's a third option it would be to buy the all stainless verison of a S&W 642. I love my 642 but don't like how the finish is wearing off it. With an all stainless you can get it refinished any number of ways.

Thanks for the help!
God Bless
Gideon
 
I would go with the EMP. I debated buying one, but ended up with a P9. As much as I like the P9, I still want an EMP.
 
Apparently you're not overly concerned about money and if thats the case I'd go with the S&W 386 PD with the new stainless cylinder. Of all the scandium UL revolvers, this guy is my top choice. At 20oz and holding 7-rounds with a 2.5" barrel, this wheelgun is serious medicine for just about any encounter I can imagine, and it's sweet to look at to....You asked, and there you are......about $700.00 anywhere........Good luck!
 
Well that 386 is truly beautiful but I would guess it would kick like a Russian Mule!:eek: Not a bad suggestion thought!

And money is a concern; in fact, this will be my last gun for the forseeable future. That's why I'm thinking of going all out on the EMP. The Ruger is cheaper and nicer but though I've just posted this, I'm thinking I should just get the one I have worked on by Gemini and get a different gun, either the EMP or something else.

I do keep looking at .45 ACP's but would want one that's a true officer's size and even then I know I couldn't shoot one of those as well as the EMP.

Choices,....such hard choices....If money wasn't an issue it would be a lot easier to choose! ;)
 
CDNN has, (Or had last week), some 2.25 inch DAO SP 101's for about $350. They are .38 special, but I picked up one with the idea of sending it to Gemini. Should total out to $650-$700 for a slick custom revolver, less than a lot of new guns.
 
What about a hi-power? If you are looking at the EMP, the HP gives you single action, higher mag capacity, and it fits my small hands like a glove.
 
From the list you made, it sounds to me like you could use a good shotgun and carbine! :neener:
 
Have a similar problem. Wife said I can get whatever I want as long as I keep it under 2k. I'm too cheap to spend that much, but it leaves me open to buy a real nice toy.

Worse yet, she told me that a week before a gun show comes to town!

I decided to start with an action type - 1911 SA.

Caliber - .45.

Something that is different from what I already have in size, shape or configuration - like high-cap full-size with poly frame.

Last qualifier is it has to be something I shot already that I really liked.

My choices are: Para Slim Warthog (have a high cap compact); Bul M5 full-size (have full sizes but not high cap, 14 in mag); Springfield commander and Charles Daly (I think they call it the Elite) compact.

I'll get the prices off of Bud's for each and if they beat it at the show I'll bring one of them home. If not I'll come home and order either the Bul M5 or the Hawg.

Then I'll make the short drive to Nevada (25 miles) and play Texas Hold 'Em with the money I saved from the 2k....

OTOH, you never know if I may not be tempted to take the plunge on a Wilson Combat or STI....
 
Good responses from all!!!

I looked hard at the Ruger Blackhawks; cool! not a defensive weapon at all but cool for a woods gun! I would have to find one to check how it feels in the hand. Definitely not a good choice to pull sometimes CCW but a beautiful gun!

I love the seecamps but already have a P3AT (I know, no comparison :eek:) but I'm waiting to see how the Ruger LCP turns out.

I agree with the comment about a good carbine and/or shotgun. I could use a shot gun or better yet, an AR15. I'll have to think about that some more

And I have been tempted with the high end .45 1911's. Wilson Combat makes a compact (officer's sized) model called their Sentinel that has a "rounded" grip modification that seems great. It's not Bobbed in the conventional sense, just "rounded". I've never seen a more beautiful .45 1911 (you can get it in 9mm too) in my life but it's about $2,600 :eek::eek:)

I could never live with the guilt I'd have buying something like that as a family man, in fact, even the EMP is a stretch :eek: but I can justify that because,...:confused: well, I had a reason, wait a minute...:uhoh:

So I'm still throwing this around but you guys have given me a lot of thoughts and I'll check out the group buy on the EMP! Sounds almost too good to be true and you know what they say about that!

God Bless
Gideon
 
Brought home a Para. Nice one, has new extended beaver tail grip safety, extended safety lever, buffers, Wolf springs, recoil buffer, extractor and only shows slight holster wear near the muzzle. Came with a fistful of mags, all the old parts that were replaced, part receipts, paperwork going back to original sale and in original box.

Went $50 over what I budgeted, but I had also budgeted for some of the upgrades it already has. Was funny, was second to last table I looked at before I saw anything I even wanted to ask about. Takes me until then to see one of my four qualifying guns. Was ready to come home and buy from Gunbroker or Buds.

Goes to show what can work out when you narrow it down before you shop.

Gonna shoot tomorrow. Hope the dang thing goes bang, hits near where I point and feeds and extracts...
 
Gideon,

If you like the EMP, you may want to take a look at the STI LS9 and LS40 ($789).
They are very slim (0.765" width). It is a 1911 Variant.http://www.stiguns.com/

I have heard some troubling reports about EMP reliability on THR. You may want to do a thread search and talk to some people who have them.

Another option for the gun money is to tart up one of your pistols. Night Sights, spare longer barrel threaded for a suppressor, a suppressor, extra mags.....
 
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Well, I LOVE my handguns, and have a few in common with your lists, BUT I have to agree with asknight and say a good rifle/carbine/shotgun would be the next purchase if it were my choice. You have some nice carry and house guns already. Take care of the longarm side of your armory, and you will have a much better rounded battery. Just my .02 :)
 
Might consider the Kahr P45. Mine handles variousl ammo, and is more accurate than I can shoot. Its my primary CCW now. Before that it was a Mak for a long time.
 
Get some of the old hand crafted/assembled blued steel classics where the value is bound to go up.

I love old High Standard 22 pistols, 1911's and pre lock Smith revolvers.

I had a couple of polymer handguns in the past but there wasn't any "pride of ownership" there for me.
 
Take the SP101 you have, ship to Gemini Customs for full-house tuning. Put the rest into a good .22 pistol you can afford to shoot. Older High Standard, Model 41...maybe a Marvel conversion.
 
I've got $3,100 bucks just itching to spend on a couple of handguns,but I have not received my permits,eight months and still waiting.Go figure thirty days issue or deny statures.:rolleyes:
 
I agree with the comment about a good carbine and/or shotgun. I could use a shot gun or better yet, an AR15. I'll have to think about that some more
Click to expand...

That, or something chambered in 22, as parisite and Mike suggest. If $$$ is going to be tight in the near future, a 22 is the simplest way to stretch your shooting budget (reloading is another). A good 22 (semi auto, SA or DA revolver, rifle) is a wonderful, fun investment that you can go out and plink with on a nice afternoon, without thinking "that last shot cost me 35 cents."

I only own one 22 at the moment, a S&W K-22 Masterpiece. I'll be adding more as time goes by, such as a CZ-452 bolt action rifle and perhaps a Ruger Single Six SA or Browning Buckmark.
 
I saw no battle rifle on your collection list. Get one before they are banned.

That said, I've got my EMP. Love that gun! If you buy something else, you'll still wish you had spent the extra money and got the EMP!
 
Several mentioned a good carbine. I've followed up on that and looked at some AR15's. I could get a good one for what the EMP costs. I also looked at the Ruger Blackhawk, even found one used for $300 but it's single action. It would be a great field gun but not as practical in any kind of defensive situation. I have .22's so that's covered. None of the larger smith or ruger revolvers like 686 or GP100's fit well.

So It's starting to boil down to the EMP or the AR15. I have two good 9mm's and a good .45 1911, but no AR, still the EMP.

I'll just have to really weight that out until the bonus gets here in a few weeks.

Thanks again for the input!!
God Bless
Gideon
 
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