Trying to decide on my next pistol. Help!

Status
Not open for further replies.

Trashyshoots

Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2019
Messages
598
Wall of text, sorry.

So I have a budget of around 2500(ish) and I'm itching for something new to me. Granted with that budget, the sky is nearly the limit, but boy do I have expensive taste, and accuracy is the most important thing to me when considering guns.

So far my thinking and thought process:
New Smith and wesson 617 with a scope or red dot.
Pros:
Cheap will leave money left on the table for other stuff
Will eat any .22s during a shortage
Want a double action revolver pretty badly
Cons:
Havnt heard the best in the accuracy department (big con)
Availability during these times.
I'm really really against the lock after I had a 642 become a paperweight. (Can be rectified with a plug but imo shouldn't be there in the first place)

Smith and wesson model 41 with a scope
Pros:
Accurate as heck
Affordable with my budget
Performance center version has a rail already
They're so gosh darn pretty.
Cons:
Ammo picky (needs standard velocity)
I already have a volquartsen scorpion. (That requires high velocity hmmmm)

Colt bankers special in .22
Pros:
Have a hankering for a double action .22
Would love a smol revolver to irritating friends with "betcha I can hit that with this" tomfoolery
Vintage colts imo are smooth as butter
Cons:
Pricey
I'm buying it to shoot and would be better off with a smith 34 (if I recall the model number correctly)
Vintage colts going out of timing is always a concern of mine
You never know what kind of joker owned it before me.

Freedom arms .22 revolver
Pros:
My trusty old ruger single 6 has been a crown jewel in my collection, and I'm known at my local desert trash heap as "that weird guy that doesnt miss with a .22 revolver" (no joke) the freedom arms would just be a nicer example.
Accurate as heck.
Could mount a scope or dot to it. (Probably hearsay but I dont care)
Not ammo picky
Cons:
Budget buster.
Not sure if I could order a shorter barrel on it. (I'd like under 5 inches)

Pardini free pistol
Pros:
Absolute accuracy.
Have bricks of high end standard velocity ammo stacked.
A rep posts on target talk regularly where I'm also a member.
I've wanted one for at least 5 years.
Cons:
Another budget buster.
Irons only.
Could get the same feeling with a high end air pistol in my back yard.

MGM barrel in 300blk with a supressor for my g2 contender
Pros:
Cheap(ish)
Accurate
Already have other mgm barrels and have been extremely happy with them
Cons:
Dont already have a suppressor and I have a hard time waiting and paying for my rights
My g2 frame is currently waiting for repair and I've never been happy with its trigger.
Ammo and component shortage.

1911 build based on an idea I have. Take a railed colt 1911 add a threaded barrel, suppressor and scope. Add a tiny bipod on it, bam! Looks like something the CIA wouldve tried to smuggle into Cuba in the 60s
Pros:
Would be cool as heck.
I love benching handguns and embarrassing ar dudes slapping steel at 200+ yards.
I like weird guns
Cons:
Paying for my rights and waiting.
Already have another high end 1911 build in the works.
Ammo and component shortages
Might be difficult to get the railed colt I want new in this market.
Might (knowing me would) bust the budget

Or a high end scope. For a 1911 build I have in the works.
Or just buy more precious metals.

Help!
 
Last edited:
With a $2500 budget you could find a couple of really nice guns. I'd look for a nice classic S&W revolver for one of them, like a M27-2, a M57 or a M29-2. Any of those would eat about half of that, if not a little more.. Hang on to it for a year or so and sell for a profit, if that's what you want to do.
 
If I had $2500 to spend on a pistol I don’t think I would be looking for advice on what to buy. I would already know where it would be going. Congratulations on your money though. Opinions other than your own only get us into trouble usually. You will end up with what someone else likes.
 
@Bang switch
Searching through my rolodex mind to try to remember those model numbers, iirc they're all centerfires correct? Not a big fan of centerfire revolvers (hearsay I know)

@Electricmo
I feel I would be happy with everything on my list, it's not often I stumble into that kind of money, but every now and then I get lucky. I'm always about 1k away from having more money than brains though. Lol.

@Armored farmer
The 617 is a fine option, but I'm worried about accuracy. Especially when a free pistol is also on my list hah.
 
New python or anaconda.

Send the other 1k to me (finders fee).

All of your options seen to be well thought out and have potential plus and minus potential.

Time to start handling what you can in person. Reckon you'll know when you find it...
 
I would cross the 1911 build off of the list unless you really know what you’re doing. 1911 accuracy comes from detailed fitting of many parts. That being said, there are great $2500ish options in the 1911 world. Les Baer? Check out https://cj1911heaven.com/. Dan Wesson.....Springfield Professionals...Alchemy Custom Weaponry...Wilson (ACP models or EDCx9).....
 
I would cross the 1911 build off of the list unless you really know what you’re doing. 1911 accuracy comes from detailed fitting of many parts. That being said, there are great $2500ish options in the 1911 world. Les Baer? Check out https://cj1911heaven.com/. Dan Wesson.....Springfield Professionals...Alchemy Custom Weaponry...Wilson (ACP models or EDCx9).....

I definitely wouldn't be the one building it, that would be sent out to a proper smith. Hence why I'm sure I'll crush that budget.
 
I have a personal interest in adding a 617 and/or a Model 41, so, I like this entire discussion.

This is a beautiful day Life is good. :)
 
I will be visiting Collectors, in person, during the next day or two, to take a closer look at a few things. It is like a museum, but with price tags on everything.

That sounds fantastic, I'd love to go to a place like that with a pile of cash.
 
That sounds fantastic, I'd love to go to a place like that with a pile of cash.

I prefer going WITHOUT a pile of cash. ;) I will try to walk through there, today, because I will not have cash, until tomorrow. It is not unusual for me to cool-down, if I sleep on it.

If I really want something, but am not sure I can justify spending the money, they will allow a two-day hold, at least for serious walk-in buyers.

There is, also, a lay-away program, for walk-in buyers.
 
Try to find a Ruger Mkii for your 22. You won’t be disappointed. If you want to buy new the Ruger Mk IV is well regarded but I don’t have any hands on experience with it.
 
Try to find a Ruger Mkii for your 22. You won’t be disappointed. If you want to buy new the Ruger Mk IV is well regarded but I don’t have any hands on experience with it.

I have a volquartsen scorpion so I think I'm good there, I actually had a mkiv that I mounted a reddot to before I ordered my scorpion to see if I'd like a pistol with only a red dot. I loved it haha
 
Let’s see here now $2500 ish. I can’t believe I just typed “ish” it’s one of my pet peeves.
I might look around for a very good condition Ruger Old Model Single Six with a 4 5/8” barrel and send it off to Bowen Classic Arms for his Western Classic Tune which includes a trip to Doug Turnbulls for the frame to be color case hardened. Add the Deluxe Tune upgrade and barrel hand lapping because it’s worth it. Before sending the gun replace the ej housing with a steel one and get a Ron Powers brass Colt style grip frame then make your own straight grain walnut grips.
 
I guess I’m the odd man out. Have a 10 shot 617. Bought it years ago when Galyans was in the business of selling guns. Like it but no more and maybe a little less than most of my .22’s

Might be because it’s stainless. Whenever I pick it up I always think ‘man I wish this was blued’.
 
I would love a Bankers Special in .22 but am not enough of a revolver guy to pay that much for one.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top