Need Pricing Information

[nmX.BattleKat]

Hello Ya'll,

A friend of mine just told me of this forum. This is great. I've been looking for a forum like this. I need to ask if anyone knows where I can go get pricing information on a handgun I own.

I own a Browning .380 BDA, 13 round clip, and packmire (sp?) grips. It's the blued version. Very clean condition. I've had it for about 10 years. I bought it used, but it was practically brand new when I purchased it. I've been thinking of selling it so I can purchase an HK .45, but haven't made up my mind on that.

A little history about myself:

I'm a woman, and I've just spent the last 15 years on active duty in the Air Force. I'm qualified to fire the M16. Like I said above, I own a Browning .380 and for the time being, I live alone. I own the gun for "home safety" but luckily have never had to use it for such. And before anyone asks, NO, I'm not afraid to use my gun in such an event. About 3-4 times a year I try to make it out to a firing range. I shoot fairly well with my .380. It's a nice little gun that fits well in my hands. I would like something with a little bit more power and I'm not a big 9mm fan. I've seen the HK .45 at a gun show and I really really like it although I've never fired it.

Any advise would be welcome.....along with some place I could get GOOD pricing information on my .380 (unless someone out there can price it for me). If you would like a photo of the gun, I can post one up in about a week or so.

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

CDNN is selling new nickel BDA's for $369 right now----so you probably won't get much for yours---I'd keep it and go the lay-a-way route.

What's wrong with the 9mm?? Same bore size and twice the power of the .380 that has served you so well for so long---cheap practice ammo too.

[John Forsyth]

CDNN is selling them for $340 NIB.

[Will Fennell]

battlekat,
The first thing I would recommend is trying to get a chance to test drive any new pistol before you purchase. I spend quite a bit of time in San Antonio each year shooting Sporting Clays, and i can't believe that I can't recollect if there is an indoor range in town....surely there is. If so, see if they have one that you can rent. HK USP's are fairly popular as rental guns, due to there ruggedness.

Shooting the USP .45 will be VERY different than shooting the BDA .380. Not bad, just different.

Sounds like you basically like your .380, so don't dump it until you are fairly sure you like/want the HK.

If I may make another suggestion to try...if you like the BDA[and your comfortable with how it works], but want more power than the .380 or 9mm, see if you can try out a BERETTA 96 .40 cal. All the controls are in the same place as your BDA, and it is a very soft shooting pistol for a .40.....a definate step up from the .380.

Good luck, and let us know what you do......

[nmX.BattleKat]

Thanks ya'll.

There is nothing wrong with the 9mm. I just have never found one that I like or that fit well in my hands. I have fairly small hands. When I picked up and held the HK, it "fit" almost like it was made for me. Hard to explain, but it did.

Yes, I would definately "test drive" a .45, or any gun, before I purchased it. Like I mentioned before, I'm just thinking right now. Haven't made up my mind. Since it was suggested I keep the .380, I probably will. It's a good little gun....and yes, I'm very comfortable with it.

Will, I'm not sure if there is an indoor range in San Antonio or not either. I'll have to ask my cop friends. I usually go to this outdoor range on the Northeast side of SA. It's a good, cheap place for me to fire my current gun.

By the way, if I should use the word "weapon" in place of the word "gun" please forgive me. My military training has ingrained that word in my head when referring to guns. They are ALL considered "weapons".

[C.R.Sam]

Welcome

Opinion.
Hang on to what you know well.
Untill AFTER you have learned another.

And pick all the brains you can find.

Sam

[nmX.BattleKat]

Thanks Sam, thats exactly what I'm doing hehehe

Oh, and thank you all for the warm welcome. I was a bit nervous posting here since MOST times the ownage of guns is a "man's world"...know what I mean? Then again, I'm not your average woman. I like all sorts of guy toys (i.e., cars, guns, computers, stereos, etc.) and NO, I'm not lesbian. My boyfriend thinks its cool I like all this stuff. It's much more interesting than fashion magazines, makeup and hair products....haahahaha

[C.R.Sam]

Battle Kat
Don't care if you are Barsoomian.
You a gunny...
You are welcome.

Sam

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

9mm suggestions:

Glock 19
S&W 3913 LS
S&W 908
Sig 225
Sig 228
Sig 239

I'm betting you might find one in that bunch to your liking. A lot more controlable and easier to handle than the big bores. The .40 esp has some pretty snappy recoil--even though I have a .40 it is one of the least controlable out there -- a G27.

[nmX.BattleKat]

Wow..thanks Omaha.

This is like buying a new car...tons of makes and models to choose from. It's going to take me while to find the right one for me. I got lots to "test drive" now...hehehe

[RustyHammer]

BattleKat,

C.R. Sam is right ... I'd hold onto the Browning.

As far as "being a little nervous posting because you're a woman", no problem. (Being Air Force, on the other hand, is a different issue .. ha.ha.ha .. )

Rusty

GO NAVY!

[nmX.BattleKat]

hahaha Rusty. To be honest, Navy was my second choice had the AF not taken me It's all good....we all serve the same purpose....amen?!?

[C.R.Sam]

Rusty...

Battle Kat....right on.

Sam...USN Ret.

[RustyHammer]

BattleKat -- Yup, you're right .... For God and Country!

++++++++++++

Per 23rd Ed. Fjestad Blue Book of Gun Values ..

BDA-380 ACP Cal., double action, 10 (C/B 1994) or 14 shot 3-13/16 in barrel, fixed sights, smooth walnut grips, 23 oz., introduced 1978 - recent production was by Beretta. Disc. 1997

(Blued)

Last MSR was $564

100% = $450
98% = $345
95% = $260
90% = $220
80% = $175
70% = $150
60% = $125

[45R]

Originally posted by nmX.BattleKat
Thanks ya'll.

There is nothing wrong with the 9mm. I just have never found one that I like or that fit well in my hands. I have fairly small hands. When I picked up and held the HK, it "fit" almost like it was made for me. Hard to explain, but it did.

Yes, I would definately "test drive" a .45, or any gun, before I purchased it. Like I mentioned before, I'm just thinking right now. Haven't made up my mind. Since it was suggested I keep the .380, I probably will. It's a good little gun....and yes, I'm very comfortable with it.

Will, I'm not sure if there is an indoor range in San Antonio or not either. I'll have to ask my cop friends. I usually go to this outdoor range on the Northeast side of SA. It's a good, cheap place for me to fire my current gun.

By the way, if I should use the word "weapon" in place of the word "gun" please forgive me. My military training has ingrained that word in my head when referring to guns. They are ALL considered "weapons".

If you have smaller hands, try renting or consider the 1911. The grip is slimmer then the HK. My GF and sister have smaller hands and enjoy shotting the 1911. My .02 cents

[Preacherman]

Battlekat, if you're in San Antonio, you're not far from Thunder Ranch, which is about 40 miles from Kerrville. Why not give them a call (see their Web site, http://www.thunderranchinc.com/, for numbers) and ask them to recommend a good advisor/shop in San Antonio for you to talk to. They must know several, being so close (I know there's a good one in Kerrville that they steered me to when I was there for the first time). The right person to talk to, someone who comes recommended by a trustworthy institution like TR, is worth gold!

[nmX.BattleKat]

Wow! Thanks again ya'll.

45R, I'll look into those guns for sure.

Preacherman, I've been to Thunder Ranch website, their prices are waaaaaaaay expensive for me. I saw a special on that place on TV about a year ago. And I've driven by it. It's about 1.5 - 2 hours from my house. I have some cop friends I can talk to though. I might be able to talk them into allowing me to go with them to the ranges they fire at.

Rusty, thanks for the pricing info!!!

God Bless the USA!!!