21 soon, need help choosing an innexpensive carry piece!

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

stevekl

Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2004
Messages
394
As the subject implies, I will be 21 soon (in a month) and for a while I have been thinking about taking a CCW class with my dad, and also thinking about picking up a new pistol or revolver for carry.

At first I thought about a Ruger SP-101. Now I like revolvers. My favorite gun out of my 12 piece collection is a Ruger Single-Six, and I hope to own a GP-100 one day. But after thinking long about it, I decided that I would be more comfortable with something more than five rounds. And I don't like S&W nor Taurus, so a snubby is out.

So I thought about an automatic, but I don't have alot of experience with them because I haven't been paying attention to the industry lately. But here are the three initial ideas I have:

1) Compact Glock .45 (G30 or G36)
Pros: Super reliable and I like the safety system alot.
Cons: Unfortunately may be out of my price range. I'm a college student and I really don't want to spend more than $450, and all the Glocks around here are around $550-600. A Glock, unless I can't find it used, is out of the question therefore.

2) Ruger P345
Pros: I'm a big fan of Ruger. I have three Ruger pistols and they're all great. I have a P95 and it's the only automatic pistol I own that has never failed once. It's apparently very slim.
Cons: Is it too long for carry? I don't know, what do you think?

3) Springfield XD
Pros: I no next to nothing about these pistols.
Cons: I know next to nothing about these pistols. I've never even priced them because up until now I haven't thought about them at all. Edit: I forgot to mention, I have owned a Springfield pistol before (A GI 1911) which I did not like, as it was surprisingly unreliable.

So, if you can provide me with any opinion on either the P345 or XD, that would be great. Also, if you can think of any good, concealable pistols for around $400-450, that would help too.
 
Springfield would be my choice but I don't consider them inexpensive I think the 380 Bersa for around 220 is the best inexpensive pistol. But I like 380 for a carry round. I'm a civ not military or police I don't need 200 rounds of large caliber firepower that weights 2 1/2 to 3 lbs. The Ruger 101 to big for my taste
 
For Glocks, check out www.cdnninvestments.com for police trade-in used Glocks (add $10 or so for shipping and $20 for FFL transfer, but save on sales tax). I've also seen used Glocks for $350-400 at a gunshop in Alexandria (that one military-surplus shop near the river, with the de-watted AA cannons and such outside).

If you're looking for really inexpensive, look for a Makarov. Slightly less powerful than 9mm NATO, but inexpensive ammo, eight round capacity, very slim, extremely accurate, fewer moving parts than almost any other pistol, and almost always under $200 for the more common nationalities.


Maybe think a little bit harder about your capacity issue? If you love revolvers, the S&W 642 is extremely popular, very concealable, and maybe around $325 used.

Good luck in your search, -MV
 
Why not Taurus

The millenium series is a pretty good lineup. And their new compact 24/7 with a DA/SA trigger just about perfects them. I state this because I have not had any issues with my PT145 regardless of the bad press I've read.

However, mine is a 2nd or 3rd generation model with the previous issues all addressed. Nicely I might add. It fits my had so well I just had to ask. Also, I don't like the trigger on the XD, seems a bit too light for CCW employment.
But I like a heavy pull for safety, that's just me. More time to think about it and back off if you do actually have to employ it also.

jeepmor
 
You sure you're dead set against a revolver? My first two were a 4" 66 and a 2" 649. I still put them to use. But the Colt Cobra (alloy frame Detective Special in 6 shots) has put them waaaaay back to the end of the safe. These D frame Colts may look small, and be only 2", but they sure don't shoot like a snubby.

I admit it, Colt's revolvers have won me over. Unfortunately, Colt's not making them anymore. The production line is down and out, my praise falls on dust covered, scrapped and sold off equipment.

Good news, we're not too late to sucker people out of guns they think are old and outdated to fund their desire for new and . . . . well new.
 
CZ is also quite cheap in prize, but definitely NOT cheap in quality. I've heard NIB CZ 75s going on 400 or so bucks. CZ 75 series (a lot of variety, full size, compact, safety/decocker, with/without accesory rail, ambidextrous version CZ 85) is mainly 9x19 cal, in Europe we have also 9x21 mm, and manual says they have it in .40 cal also, CZ 97B is .45 cal. CDNN might have them.

So there's many to choose from, good stopper with the variety of rounds in US. I have to settle with FMJ and semi-jacketed bullets only. :cuss: :banghead:
 
Buy a Bulgarian Makarov, and spend the rest of your money on ammo.

If I couldn't afford my Kahr PM9, and didn't like S&W (I shudder to think that there is any sane person who doesn't love S&W revolvers) so that I didn't have a 642, I would carry a Bulgie Mak.

Even though it is a bit heavier than I like (I prefer pocket carry), it is slim enough to go IWB, and provides somewhat decent firepower in a very reliable and accurate package.
 
Police Trade In Glocks

I'll second what was said earlier - look at police trade ins for a Glock. Both CDNN and Kentucky Imports, www.kyimports.com, have great prices on trade in guns, often with night sights for as little as $20 more. I picked up a Glock 22 several years ago that was a police trade in. The finish had some holster wear but its a great shooter. I'd strongly consider 40 S&W over 45 ACP for carry; pistols chambered for it are usually a bit smaller than 45, more available on the trade in market, and ballistically the differences between 40 and 45 are splitting hairs. Just my thoughts.
 
If you are looking for great value for the dollar, consider CZ and Makarov.

CZ would be a little higher price, more refined gun. Check out CZ-USA.com The CZ RAMI is a great small size concealable auto in 9mm or .40. Most folks say stick with the 9mm in this gun; more pleasant to shoot out of a small gun and possibly more inherently reliable. Slightly larger and a joy to shoot are the CZ 75s; there is a "compact" version that would be easier to conceal.

Makarovs are the AK-47 of handguns - bit crude, but extremely cheap, effective, and reliable. All the info you could ever want at Makarov.com as well as some "upgrades."
 
Get a Hi-Point!

Sorry, had to throw it in there:)
I would go with either the SA XD or the Glock.
If a range near you rents firearms you might try renting a few and seeing what you like.
 
Shoot everything you can , then take a couple weekends off the social circit and buy what you like irrespective of expense a carry gun is not the place to economise in my opinion and i am not a gunsnob i own everything from sigs to tauri all i care is that i like it and its relyable .
 
Suggestion: HOLD OUT 'TILL LATE MAY!

I would strongly suggest looking at and shooting everything that interests you but WAIT until the new PF9 is released from Kel-Tec before you make a purchase...

It looks VERY promising to me...
 
To be honest I am seriously looking at either a Makarov or a Bersa in .380.

Tell me, how easy is it to find 9x18 these days? Can you pick it up in any old gun store?
 
You can get about anything you want from CDNN in your price. Glocks, Sigs, BHP, SW i think they even have some Rugers.
 
-----quote------------
Tell me, how easy is it to find 9x18 these days? Can you pick it up in any old gun store?
----------------------

I don't know about any old gun store, but it's available at most of them around these parts. As always, prices and selection are better when you buy online in bulk. I have had really good luck with the S&B 9x18 ammo, which can be had cheap online.
 
Taurus autoloaders

Just a note... One of my co-workers bought a Taurus Mill 40 S&W

He sent it back to Taurus 3X for repair of the plastic trigger.

My opinion: Let Taurus stick with revolvers.

I carry a G23 40 S&W. If it's good enough for the FBI it's good enough for me.

Good Luck.
 
If it's good enough for the FBI it's good enough for me.
Click to expand...

They also use computer systems dating back to the 1960's, so I've never put much stock in that statement. :D

Also not a Glock Disciple. The grips are just odd for me, and the things are needlessly chunky. Polymer has advanced since Glocks started being made, a lot of polymer guns are thinner now...but theirs aren't.

Taurus has some nice stuff. The Millenium Pro PT745 is a .45 barely larger than a Kahr.
 
You probably couldn't go wrong with a Mak or a Bersa. I also have a P95....great, reliable gun, but too big to carry in summer. My Bersa .380 is my summer carry.....shoots a real nice 15 yard group, I couldn't be happier with it.

I'm currently looking for another summer carry (larger caliber than my .380). I'm looking at the Taurus PT-145. Actually I'm just waiting for it to come in, although I haven't shot one yet it seems to fit all my requirements and has some great reviews.

Jerry
 
What Price for your Life?

Though I have only recently become a member of the High Road, the answer seems simple to me. Price should not be an option, because in all actuality the question you have to ask yourself is like the title of this reply, what price are you willing to put on your life, for me there is not one. Therefore I propose that you get the best pistol that you can afford, 500-800 should get you a really smooth autopistol ala HK USP (upper lever in price range 700+ retail), Springfield XD ( which by the way is far easier than a 1911 clone to dissasemble 450$) Hi Points, Kel Tecs, are useless in a combat senario. If you are looking for a small concealable Walther PP7 in .380 auto will suffice, though Jeff Cooper (ie. father of the modern hangunning technique) will disagree. Or if you really like wheel guns a Ruger GP-100 is your best bet in 357 mag. far cheaper, heavier (less felt recoil), and far more reliable than S&W.

Hope this rambling reply helps.
 
Using pricing from Kentucky Imports, www.kyimports.com, here's a comparison:

Trade-in Glock 17 or 23 w/ night sights $360
' ' Beretta 96 Centurion w/ night sights $310
' ' Sigs, various 9mm, 40, 45 w/ night sights $400
' ' HK USP Compact 40, no mag, w/ night sights $490
Same as above, no night sight $430
S&W Various Semi Auto trade-ins $250-$380
New Springfield XD 4" 9mm or 40 $420
Bulgarian Mak used VGC $160
Star BM 9mm used VGC $150
New Ruger Semi Autos $300-$380
New Taurus PT92 stainless $360

High end the USP will be right around $600 by the time you pick up a couple mags plus shipping & dealer fees. Low end the Mak or the Star for near $200. For around $400 give or take the Glocks, Sigs, or S&Ws are solid pistols in serious calibers that arent overly large for carry.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

C
  • Locked
Need opinions.. Glock or Springfield?
2
Replies
35
Views
1K
Gryffydd
G
G
  • Locked
  • Poll
Ruger P95 vs. Walther p99
2
Replies
30
Views
3K
gc70
gc70
T
  • Locked
Anyone pocket carry a Glock 29 or 33?
Replies
5
Views
885
TexasShooter59
T
euclid
  • Locked
Glock finally has some real competition...
2
Replies
41
Views
3K
9x19
9
M
  • Locked
  • Poll
P345 any good?
Replies
10
Views
911
BobCav
B
Back
Top