A fool and his money...

[76shuvlinoff]

OP,
tastes and requirements change, if you'd seen how many times I have configured and reconfigured my 35 year old Harley you'd feel pretty good about what you have spent on guns.

I have levers autos wheels pocket rockets and a scattergun or two. Some for the truck, some for the nightstand, a few for the belt. There is no one size fits all and I'm still not "happy". One of the arenas I have not delved into is evil black rifles and I won't be "happy" until I try that too.... someday.

I will admit I have my most fun with a Marlin 39A and Marlin 60.

 

[EddieNFL]

I'm 180 out. With the exception of a Kimber, I regret (to differing degress) every gun I've ever sold or traded. I finally decided to keep what I have and buy outright.

 

[slickone]

For my money the Ruger SR9c. I own a G-19 and a SA XD 9 Svc and the new SA XDm 5.25 Comp plus an ATI 1911 Officer model 45. I just like the Ruger a little better than the others and it is cheaper.

 

[towboat_er]

I now regret selling, every gun I've ever sold. With the exception of a junk Heritage 22 that was worn out.

 

[Manny]

I don't regret a single gun ever sold and I've sold quite a few in my quest for the "right" guns. If a gun or any other possesion doesn't meet your needs and give you enjoyment, why own it? I only have limited funds to enjoy this interest so why have them tied up in things I don't care for? Interests and needs change, sometimes our choices do too.

In the process of going through so many guns I've at least got a clearer idea of what I like, so I'm getting better at buying more wisely. These days I tend to 9mm Glocks for pistols and Ruger DA's for revolvers. I see the OP has a S&W 642 for discrete use and just gon a full size S&W M&P 9mm for other uses, that mirrors my choice of an SP101 snubby and Glock 34 for the majority of my uses. I find that to be a very suitable combination, the SP for discrete use and the full size Glock for bedside duty with attached flashlight, and also target use.

I've enjoyed my search and consider it worth the money spent, not that I plan on stopping anytime soon.

 

[NMGonzo]

It's a hobbie.

There are worse hobbies to be had.

Cheer up!

 

[jon86]

OP, do you enjoy your 642? Have you considered a 3" model 60? Or a 3" SP101? Just throwing suggestions out...

 

[Nushif]

Well, ultimately if you decide to like rifles more than handguns, more power to ya, no doubt, but I read something like this ... and that kinda stuck out to me:

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.

Frankly, the prone position while shooting should in theory only ever induce mental and eye fatigue. Not physical fatigue. You're lying down, basically.
Sitting at a bench is similar, you're not supporting your own weight, you should be able to at least mildly comfortably shoot all day long, with eye and mental fatigue being the only limitations.
My question to you at this point is, how do you do shooting a rifle standing?

If I were in your situation I would look not at the guns that seemingly don't fit, but look at your physical capabilities. "Action Shooting" or more accurately shooting from non-rested position requires a certain very minimal fitness/physical ability level.
I find when I slack on my PT, my shooting suffers, and while a nice and soft recoiling 9mm can mask this, my shooting is massively improved when I am in better shape.

Not to mention for some reason you do seem to have overlooked the 9mm. I know it's tempting to say one *needs* at least a .45 or .357, but shootings all over the world are quite contrary to that.
What would I do? Hit the gym. And get a nice 9mm. They can kick as little as a .22 in a fullsize service frame.

 

[spanishjames]

This thread is over four years old, and the OP's last activity was in 2008. It's still an interesting topic though.

 

[Nushif]

Fact right there, I do often find that the physical fitness level is an obvious overlooked fact in self defense, hence the whole reply.

 

[stevolene]

Ive gotta tell ya the G19 gen 3 is pretty sweet, pachmyr makes a nice slip on made for it that takes that roughness away, been my favorite 9 mm for awhile now