$700 to Spend - 2 Guns or 1?

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CTGunner

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I have some interest in 3 different guns and I'm really having a tough time deciding. Purpose is a DA/SA carry gun that will also bring enjoyment at the range and work well for a long time.

Used Guns
Option 1 - Sig P220 Carry SAS for $700 used. Like New Condition with 2 Mags.
Option 2 - S&W 4516 for $450 used. Nice condition with 3 Mags.
Option 3 - CZ82 9x18 Mak for $250. Worn Finish. Seems good Mechanically, only 1 Mag. Mags will be an issue because I'm limited to 10 rounders and they seem hard to come by.

So originally I wanted the Sig. But then when I thought about it I can actually get the S&W and CZ82 for the same total cost. While I like the Sig I'm not sure it is worth the additional cost over the Smith.

My primary concerns with the CZ is long-term reliability and availability of holsters.

What do you think?
 
I like the look of the 4516 Smith myself. Im not a fan of Sigs and I would prefer not to carry a CZ 82.
 
The S&W 4516 and the CZ82 combo would be my choice. The 4516 seems like a nice carry weapon to me, and if you find you do not like the CZ82 for whatever reason, you can easily sell it for $275 or more.
 
For those prices I'd get the Smith and extra ammo, although I tend to prefer one quality gun over multiple lesser guns.

My competition pistol is a Sig X6, but I don't particularly think it's worth the extra money on a carry gun. The Sig has undeniably better build quality, machining and finishing, but the Smith's is good enough. To be honest though I'm not a fan of the triggers on either one, but a gunsmith can clean them up.
 
For that money you have option #4:
NIB SIG SP2022 w/nightsights from CDNN for $399 and the CZ82 (or just the SP2022 and more mags/ammo).
Tomac
 
I looked at the 2022 but it was much larger than the 220 carry. But I liked it a lot for the price.
 
If I had $700 and no gun, I would go used Glock and used Taurus 85 or S&W 10. I just like having two guns. If you shop around you can find both of those for under $350 a piece.

Imagine all of the reasons one gun isnt enough. It is used in defense and is held as evidence, it breaks, it has an ammo shortage, you lose it, it gets stolen, a relative is in need, etc.

Own two guns.
 
To put some numbers behind my last post.

1. Used Glock 19 at Aim Surplus for $369. FFL fee say $30 or
2. Used S&W M&P 40 at Buds for $349 plus $30

ONe of those two plus a

1. S&W Model 10 square butt from Buds for $319 +30

Say you go with both guns from Buds. You are getting two guns for right at $700. One was very recently and still is in some place used by police as their daily carry. You get a .40 and a .38 giving you options in a shortage. Two viable defense weapons.

There are plenty of other combos out there if you lok around. You can get a Glock 17, S&W 10, Taurus 85, S&W M&P, Taurus auto, Ruger p85, etc. combo for under $700.
 
ctg,

I have both the Sig 220 and the SW 4516 but not the CZ. Tough choice on which one to get. The Sig 220 is a great gun but for me is a little long in the grip to carry everyday. The SW 4516 carries better but has a stainless frame and is somewhat heavy (while the 220 has an aluminum frame). I carry it IWB with a left sided spare mag which helps balance out the weight of the pistol. Reliability and accuracy are equal for the two pistols. The SW has a nice short reset and I'm not sure if the 220 has the Short Reset Trigger option or not.

I guess if it were me then I would buy the 4516 and then save a few hundred more and prowl gunbroker for a compact Sig 45, specifically the p245 or 220 compact. It's a p220 with a shorter grip and carries great, with 6+1 capacity. They also take full size 220 8 round mags.

Good luck in your quest.

best wishes- oldandslow
 
9mak isn't much fun by time you search down ammo or rebarrel to another cartridge. Quality of smith autos is great so get the smith and either reloading supplies to load for it...or a starter kit from any of the reloading companies and start reloading.
 
Between the three, well actually one versus two, I would go with the SIG. Nothing against the S&W 4516 and the CZ82, just that I think the P220 is a great gun, especially at that price.
 
For me personally, the only problem with the Sig is the number of magazines. If you have a minimum number of rounds you consider acceptable for carry, you may have to buy another mag. Sig mags aren't cheap. The 4516 will allow you to carry 21+1 right off the bat, and you can find additional 7 or 8 round mags for not so much cash.

If you like tritium sights, and neither of them currently have them, you can buy a set for the 4516, one or two extra mags, and a holster, and still be well below the initial price of the Sig. I owned a 457 (the "Value Line" version of the 4516) and it was very comfortable to carry all day. Not that the Sig P220 is a brick, of course.

The CZ-82... you might regard it as a back burner type of purchase, as you mentioned getting mags and a holster could take some time. I would be shocked to learn that any CZ has reliability issues other than their initial polymer pistol that they introduced in the '90's. If it shoots as well as my Makarov I think you will have a lot of fun with it. You could also try mentioning to the seller that the one mag is a problem and see if they'll knock a few bucks off the price.
 
I'd spend the money on one better gun than two cheaper ones. Quality over quantity.
 
Smith and Wesson 3rd gen autos are as reliable as any other make.
Do Sig 220s cycle empty brass? My Smith 3rd gens do.
I'd get the Smith and the CZ.
The CZ 82 is as good as any pistol, and Underwood or Buffalo Bore HPs at 1200 FPS are pretty damned impressive.
Sigs are nice, no doubt, but no better made than any 3rd gen Smith or a CZ.
Paying more for Swiss arrogance does not make it better.
It's not like we're comparing a K31 to a Carcano.
We're comparing pistols of equal quality and reliability, with a possible accuracy edge going to the Smith and CZ.
I love Sigs, I really do.
 
Smith and Wesson 3rd gen autos are as reliable as any other make.
Do Sig 220s cycle empty brass? My Smith 3rd gens do.
I'd get the Smith and the CZ.
The CZ 82 is as good as any pistol, and Underwood or Buffalo Bore HPs at 1200 FPS are pretty damned impressive.
Sigs are nice, no doubt, but no better made than any 3rd gen Smith or a CZ.
Paying more for Swiss arrogance does not make it better.
It's not like we're comparing a K31 to a Carcano.
We're comparing pistols of equal quality and reliability, with a possible accuracy edge going to the Smith and CZ.
I love Sigs, I really do.
Click to expand...

This really gets to the heart of my question. I know a lot of people are saying go quality over quantity but I'm not sure if the Sig is really 'higher' quality. It certainly is equal but I'm not sure if it's better in any specific area. Both the Smith & CZ come with 30 day warranties for function and reliability. It's how I'm leaning, at this point.
 
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