A fool and his money...

[armed85]

Well I suppose calling myself a fool is a bit harsh, but I've come to the realization that I've wasted a lot of money on guns. This thread is partly to vent and party a confession. Am I the only person that's having a hell of a time figuring out what he wants?!

I've tried revolvers and 1911s and have decided I do not like either.

Oddly enough, with the exception of my Ruger 10/22, I like my rifles. The 10/22 while being a cheaply built rifle has so much utility that I simply cannot part with it. The handguns that I've bought and later gotten rid of had little utility.

Here's my list of shame:

Glock 21 Semiauto
Gunsmith Customized Smith & Wesson 66 6" Revolver
Smith & Wesson 500 8" Revolver
Ruger GP100 4" Revolver
Gunsmith Customized Ruger GP100 6" Revolver
Gunsmith Customized Smith & Wesson 686 4" Revolver
Kimber Custom II Semiauto
Kimber Pro Carry II Semiauto
Smith & Wesson M&P Compact Semiauto
Colt XSE Combat Commander Semiauto
Colt New Roll Mark 1991 Semiauto

The Glock 21 was my first "real gun." It was also too big and unsuited for any purpose other than home defense. I would rather use a rifle than a handgun for home defense. Sold.

The Smith & Wesson 66 was bought used on GunBroker.com. The gun looked like hell and most definitely was not "in like new condition." I paid $350, so I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to send it to Smith & Wesson to have the trigger pull smoothed out and the frame refinished. $250 later Smith & Wesson returned a revolver that still looked like hell. I didn't want to deal with it anymore. Sold.

I bought the Smith & Wesson 500 Magnum for $600 and sold it for $600. It was a deal I couldn't turn down because I knew I could get what I paid for it. It was a fun gun, but I could not afford the cost of ammo and simply had no use for it. Sold.

The 4" GP100 had a poor trigger pull. The GP100 is too big for conceal carry and the poor trigger pull took the fun out of target shooting. Sold.

The gunsmith customized 6" GP100 had a good, but long trigger pull and seemed like a good choice for handgun hunting and target shooting. After using the GP100 for hunting, I decided I would rather use a rifle. Because of the size and weight, I didn't like using it as a target gun. Sold.

The gunsmith customized 4" 686 had a good, but long trigger pull. Like the Glock 21 and GP100, the 686 is too big for conceal carry. As a target gun, I didn't like the long double action trigger pull. I didn't like cocking the hammer before each shot for a short, light pull. Sold.

The Kimber Custom II is a heavy gun. It seemed like a good choice for target shooting. I got bit by the Colt bug and sold both of my Kimbers to fund Colt purchases. Sold.

The Kimber Pro Carry II was bought as a conceal carry gun. The aluminum frame made the gun recoil more and was uncomfortable to shoot. I had also got bit by the Colt bug and sold both of my Kimbers to fund Colt purchases. Sold.

The Colt XSE Combat Commander is a heavy gun which makes it comfortable to shoot. Now that problem was out of the way I found my experiment with a conceal carry 1911 had failed because the Commander is too heavy to conceal carry. It's a very pretty gun and very well built. I had no use for it. Sold.

The Colt NRM 1991, like the Kimber Custom II, is a heavy gun that's seemed like a good choice for target shooting. After shooting many rounds through it I decided I don't really like shooting it. It's a very pretty gun and very well built. I enjoyed owning Colts more than shooting them, but I have no use for a target gun that I can't shoot well. Sold.

The Smith & Wesson M&P Compact is smaller and less heavy than the Commander. The .40 S&W round from this gun had the same recoil as the Kimber Pro Carry and is just as uncomfortable to fire as the Pro Carry was. I just can't win. Sold.

So there you have it.

Maybe I'm impulsive.

I have come to the realization that for target shooting, I don't like handguns. I still want another handgun as I want a gun that's easier to shoot than my Smith & Wesson 642.

My 642 is great for a last resort weapon that I can always carry. But there are times that I can fit a larger gun in a holster. So my search continues...

Needless to say, I don't want to buy another gun and find that I don't want it anymore.

If only I could find a range where I can rent...

Am I the only person that's having a hell of a time figuring out what he wants?!

 

[22-rimfire]

Stick with rifles! I really never figure out what I want other than I want it and I buy it. I almost never sell anything. Last gun sold was a Python. The money was used to feed my 22 habit.

Buy a high quality 22 revolver for target shooting and plinking. Buy a Colt Trooper Mark III in 357 for range shooting and perhaps hunting. But they do have a long trigger pull in double action, but they're smooth. My favorites hunting revolvers are my 41 magnums. I see you never really had one of them. You skipped up to the 500...

Look at the Smith 625M for target shooting. It is a good one.

 

[GunNut]

You really need to try a 9mm handgun of some type. The reduced recoil compared to the .357mag and .45ACP will make quite a bit of difference.

I'd recommend trying one of the following:

HK P7M8/P7 PSP
Browning Hi-Power
CZ 75B
Sig P226
Glock 17 or 19

One of those should work out for you.

 

[Grandpa Shooter]

Unless you live somewhere that requires you to have a handgun, whether or not you carry one, or have one in the safe is, entirely up to you. From the list it looks to me like you spend a lot of money trying to make a gun "perfect" as opposed to having one that is fun to shoot and versatile to boot. Why not try to find a few gun nuts who have cases of them and respectfully inquire if they will show you how theirs work. Few guys with large numbers of handguns can resisting informing a newbie.

I have a few revolvers and semis simply to practice with or carry. Nothing glamorous about them, but they shoot!

 

[ReadyontheRight]

A rifle you know is the perfect personal firearm.

You may notice that an extremely small number of Armys issue a handgun or shotgun to a soldier without issuing a corresponding rifle.

At least our tax dollars are spent on something right once in a while.

If you need to carry, you have certainly burned through a lot of good pistols you do not like. Your dislike of the G21, 1911 and GP100 are beyond me, but that's why we have a free market.

What about a Browning High Power, CZ-75B, Walther P99, Taurus PT-145, Beretta 92, Ruger Redhawk .44 mag, Ruger SP101, Kel-Tec P11, H&K, All the various Sigs...?

 

[Walkalong]

Well I suppose calling myself a fool is a bit harsh, but I've come to the realization that I've wasted a lot of money on guns. This thread is partly to vent and party a confession. Am I the only person that's having a hell of a time figuring out what he wants?!

You are not alone my friend.

The only way to truly know if you like something is to shoot it. Around here there is nowhere to rent guns so I have to buy it if I think I will like it. I have "rented" many guns by buying them, then selling or trading if I did not like them. Some I liked, but they just did not "flic my bic" so if I needed funds or trade fodder, out they went.

 

[Mad Magyar]

All of us go through this somewhat, probably hanging on to some guns longer than we should...No problem with your rifle choice, perhaps you might consider a smaller handgun for pocket carry, your car, and to keep handy around the house....

 

[Jim Watson]

Your only application for a handgun is for holster carry, something more shootable than your 642 pocket gun, right?
If so, I see two approaches:
1. Go with Gun Nut and get a medium or compact 9mm. Recoil will be moderate and accuracy at least passable with a large magazine capacity. The 9mm version of your Kimber Pro Carry would be a very soft shooter.
2. Get a good example of a K-frame S&W, better than your dud M66 and learn to love the double action. That will give you small and medium guns that operate the same way, which might pay off if you get attacked.

 

[CWL]

Ragsdale85,
I think that you are among the few who have actually paid for the right to be opinionated about handguns.

Most people have owned very few pistols and yet try to push their brand of Kool-Aid down other people's throats.

 

[armed85]

I've been considering a Glock 19 because of the reputation, but I've been looking at the Springfield Armory XD 9mm and Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm. The CZ 75 P-01 looks interesting as well.

It's nice to have choices

 

[Silvanus]

Glock 9mms are a very good choice, it size was the only thing you didn't like about the 21.
CZs and M&Ps are awesome too.

Try one of those and you'll find something that suits you.

 

[bruss01]

Sounds like you might want to try one of the following:

Springfield XD9 (there's a compact, if that's your preference)

CZ 75b 9mm (again, compact if you prefer) Send to Jim Miossi at Miossi Gun Works to have it slicked up nice. There is about a 1 year waiting list but Jim is the best.

A nice .38 special revolver that will handle +P - The Ruger SP101 is ok (you might want to swap grips) or a S&W. But by all means get a pretty one. No one wants to be stuck with an ugly gun.

I think you will find that there is no one best gun that magically excells at every possible function you want a handgun for. You will be happier buying separate handguns for individual purposes. One for targets, one for CCW, one for HD, etc. And don't be afraid to keep a gun a while, have it tuned, or even put it away for a few months because your tastes and your needs do evolve over time - you might come back to it later with a renewed appreciation.

I have a bunch like that, have never sold any, and I'm very happy with my little harem.

 

[armed85]

I'm leaning towards the XD as of now. I'm going to hold one tomorrow and my local funstore.

Is there a pictures of a size comparison between the XD Service and the Glock 19? I've been trying to find some pics for size comparison.

 

[autospike]

Where are you? IMHO, it sounds to me like you would benefit from finding someone (or a rental range) that would let you shoot a hundred or so rounds through an XD & a G19 before you make another purchase.

I gotta ask something: You mentioned that the .40s and .45s were uncomfortable to shoot, but you didn't say that about the .500. Was it really that big of a problem on the autos?

 

[Sun195]

Here's my list of semi-shame - most of these were traded at a loss...

1) S&W 642: barrel wasn't put on straight; didn't want to fool around with it; didn't really suit my purposes anyway; traded

2) Ruger Vaquero 5.5" Stainless .357: thought I wanted to get into CAS, but didn't; really didn't like balance of this gun; traded

3) Russian SKS: bought a Mak-90, so thought I didn't need this - dumb mistake; sold (at some profit); later replaced (for a lot more money) with another Russian SKS

4) Benelli Sport II: always wanted a Benelli - didn't actually like the way it shot once I got it; traded

5) Mossberg 500: everyone should have a truck gun... if they use it...didn't use this one; traded

There's other guns I've bought that I should just get rid of because I don't use them, but I just haven't gotten around to it yet.

 

[modifiedbrowning]

If you're now looking at polymer 9mms make sure to look into the Walther P99. Best of the breed IMO.
Another nice lower cost alloy 9mm is the Bersa Thunder 9 in fullsize or compact. Should be around $350 or so.
www.bersafirearmsusa.com

 

[Jim K]

Hi, Ragsdale85,

I think you are approaching the thing the wrong way. It is obvious that you are a pragmatic person and want a gun or guns you can use. So how do you plan to use a gun? Hunting? Range? Home defense? Carry concealed? Personal defense while hiking?

A "gun nut" or a collector may buy a gun simply because he likes its looks, or it fills a niche in his collection, but you want to buy only what you need. So first you have to figure out what your need is. Then you buy a gun suited to that need. You may have more than one need. You may hunt, but also need another gun for home defense. Fine, but when you go shopping, think of the gun you need for one purpose and select only from those guns that fit that purpose. You won't always be satisfied, but you won't spend a lot of money trading guns, either.

Jim

 

[doc2rn]

Same way

1) S&W 351-traded becuase it wouldn't shoot straight at 5 yds
2) GP100- bought for range/HD sold
3) S&W 9mm- sold inaccurate shot low consistently
4) SP101- bought for CCW sold too heavy
5) S&W 642- too light to shoot stout loads
6) M66- bought for work traded
7) G19- traded on G32
8) Beretta 96- hurt wrist after prolonged shooting sold
9) Berretta Bobcat- traded
10) KelTec 32-traded
11) Taurus 92AFS-brand new waiting on parts so I can trade it, Grip screw fell out.
I have kept the G32, Ruger MKI, S&W Model 10, and Colt MIM .45 as I enjoy shooting these along with my favorite rifle the 77/22.

 

[jeepmor]

Maybe I'm impulsive.

It's a hobby, that's okay. Maybe you just haven't found what your looking for yet. Or, maybe you just get one, get bored with it and move onto another. Guns are much cheaper than women in this regard, and they don't talk back.

Hobbies are supposed to grow, alter and change. Some interests grow stronger, some fade, it's just life. If your enjoying yourself in the process, so what. If you're making yourself bankrupt in the process, well, that's a different issue.

 

[wideym]

Finding one pistol for every occasion is as rare as finding out your Bill Gates long lost brother. Instead use this opportunity to buy a pistol or two for each occasion. A couple for plinking, a couple for concealed carry, a couple for hunting, five or six for zombies, five or six for mutant bikers from outer space(S&W 500 would have been perfect), etc.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Well I suppose calling myself a fool is a bit harsh, but I've come to the realization that I've wasted a lot of money on guns.

Welcome to the club.

If I sat down to think about how much money I've spent on guns that I didn't like, or sold/traded at a loss to either get something I liked better or just because I was in a pinch and needed money right then, or had stolen ... Denial feels so much better.

 

[jpwilly]

My buddies XD 9mm seems to both of us to recoil more than my PT1911. My PT145 is comfortable to shoot too even though it has a short bbl and polymer frame??? The PT145 is my CCW. The PT1911 is my range queen I shoot the PT145 too but certainly not as much. Sounds to me like you need 2 pistols just like me. One for carry and one for range.

 

[clang]

Trigger pull on double action revolvers take practice - if you don't want to invest the time, I suggest you stay away from them. (Personally - I've come to appreciate them.)

The same can also be said of some DAO pistols that have exceptionally strong trigger pulls.

Someone already mentioned a Target .22. This is something everyone should own, as they are accurate and very inexpensive to shoot. A Ruger Mark II or Browning Buckmark can be had for a reasonable price, or a S&W 41 or Browning Challenger for more money.

As already said, if .45ACP and .40S&W are too painfull, then a 9mm is your best choice. There're too many good guns out there to list.

 

[Seancass]

so does the OP have any handguns he DOES like? you shouldnt force yourself to like something. if you dont like handguns, you'd better just keep shooting rifles.

p.s. 22's are whacha need.

 

[armed85]

I have a Smith & Wesson 642 that I like.

It might not sound logical, but for some reason I like the 642 more than I do 1911s or large revolvers. It's never jammed, it's never malfunctioned, it's easy to clean, I can shoot it accurately at 7 yards, and I can conceal it in almost any clothing. I can conceal it in sweat pants (I'm not that much of a redneck though haha). It's kinda hard to wear a good gun belt and holster with sweat pants.

I do appreciate the history behind the 1911 and the classic lines of a revolver. I believe that a 1911 or a revolver are just as capable of saving my rear end as a Glock or XD or any "modern" handgun.

I don't like 1911s or revolvers. I can't quite figure out why. The one reason that I have come up with that makes sense is weight. Recoil doesn't bother me so much as having my arms extended while unsupported and holding a heavy gun for long shooting sessions. I feel fatigue after shooting 50 to 70 rounds from a 1911 or revolver. I can shoot 200 rounds sitting or 500 rounds prone from my rifles before I feel fatigue.

Maybe that's the way handguns just are.

I would like to try to find a handgun that has greater range than my snub nose revolver, but not be heavy like my 1911 or revolvers.

I tried the Kimber Pro Carry and Smith & Wesson M&P Compact. These guns are not heavy, but without the weight, recoil is too much of a distraction from shooting accurately.

I am now thinking that the 9mm is the way to go.

The Glock 19 looks like it might be it, but I don't like the grip. The Springfield XD Service feels great, but it looks like it might be too big to conceal. The Smith & Wesson M&P grip is too big. The sub compacts, the Glock 26, XD Compact, and M&P Compact are too small.

I'm torn between the Glock 19 and the XD Service as of now. If I could figure out how to conceal the XD, that would be what I would want.