BReilley
Member
Wow, what a can I've opened up.
Allow me to comment a bit:
I don't want something old simply because it's old - that analogy was intended to explain that I still see value in things(cars, tools, weapons) that others might forsake in favor of the next cool thing. Although the designs of the pistols I mentioned are considered outdated, they are still functional and should not be dismissed simply because they are old. With cars, there aren't many new models that interest me in the same way as a quirky mid-engined two-seater from the eighties. If I had my choice of pistols, I'd still want a "classic" design, even though there are all kinds of high-tech weapons available... I'd love to own a quality 1911, CZ 75(or its big brother the 97B), SIG P210. Glocks don't like me very much, and the weight distribution of most poly guns doesn't feel right to me, so they're pretty much out anyway.
The main thrust of this bit is that I do not consider these retired service pistols the peak of handgun development in any way, however at this particular time I don't have a ton of money to put into a weapon. We just bought a new house, my wife just finished student teaching, we have student loans to pay off etc, so I don't have much "free money". When I do, I will buy what I want - a brand new pistol in a more serious caliber. I don't want to stretch my budget to "save" $100-200 by buying someone else's pistol, taking their word that it hasn't been abused, functions properly, etc. I'd rather buy a much cheaper milsurp gun that I *know* will need to be reworked, then rebuild it myself. In doing that, I will learn about the weapon, and I will be much more able to trust a machine that I have been through myself.
So, yes, cost is a factor, but not in the way that most of you seem to think. I'm expecting to spend as much overall as I would on a used mainstream pistol or a new cheapie, but rather than put it all toward the pistol I'll be able to make it more functional and suitable for service.
As for the whole ballistics thing... 9mm Makarov is definitely the low end of what I'd want to carry(and, great observation about blowback vs. locked-breech, that's been a thought of mine, too). At heart I'm one of those guys who'd love to open carry a full-size 10mm all the time, but a few things keep me from doing that. Actually, a few *hundred* very thin green things keep me from doing that
Not only do I have to consider my wallet, but also my daily situation. I want to carry concealed at work, but I run the front counter at an auto shop so I can't ever have an untucked shirt, and here in Arizona I can only wear a jacket or windbreaker for four or five months out of the year. It's going to be difficult enough to conceal a small pistol; I can't even think about a larger one for full-time carry. I'm not going to work in a shop forever - in fact I hope it's only a few years until I can start teaching too(at which point carrying at work sadly ceases to be a consideration), so this is not going to be my carry weapon forever, anyway.
As for the whole body armor thing, by the way... really, now. What kind of idiot is going to do anything but RUN from an armed adversary wearing body armor? Not *this* kind of idiot I'm not even going to plan for a scenario involving such an individual... most incidents involving an armored gunman involve more than one, and frequently long guns rather than pistols. In the event that I do find myself involved in such a situation, I'd think it a good idea to avoid a shootout entirely, and wait until there is a chance to use surprise instead. Anyway, body armor is not a factor I will consider in choosing a sidearm, it's just too remote a possibility to put much thought into it.
Thanks very much for all of your comments and thoughts, in favor and otherwise.
The general consensus seems to be that while there are certainly more powerful, more advanced choices for carry, a P-64 would serve quite alright after some work. I'll keep my eyes open for a good one and may buy soon.
I know(and have known) deep down that a CZ-52 make a poor CCW choice, by the way, but what it boils down to in the end is that I think they're cool toys and I want one
Again, thanks.
- Ben
Allow me to comment a bit:
I don't want something old simply because it's old - that analogy was intended to explain that I still see value in things(cars, tools, weapons) that others might forsake in favor of the next cool thing. Although the designs of the pistols I mentioned are considered outdated, they are still functional and should not be dismissed simply because they are old. With cars, there aren't many new models that interest me in the same way as a quirky mid-engined two-seater from the eighties. If I had my choice of pistols, I'd still want a "classic" design, even though there are all kinds of high-tech weapons available... I'd love to own a quality 1911, CZ 75(or its big brother the 97B), SIG P210. Glocks don't like me very much, and the weight distribution of most poly guns doesn't feel right to me, so they're pretty much out anyway.
The main thrust of this bit is that I do not consider these retired service pistols the peak of handgun development in any way, however at this particular time I don't have a ton of money to put into a weapon. We just bought a new house, my wife just finished student teaching, we have student loans to pay off etc, so I don't have much "free money". When I do, I will buy what I want - a brand new pistol in a more serious caliber. I don't want to stretch my budget to "save" $100-200 by buying someone else's pistol, taking their word that it hasn't been abused, functions properly, etc. I'd rather buy a much cheaper milsurp gun that I *know* will need to be reworked, then rebuild it myself. In doing that, I will learn about the weapon, and I will be much more able to trust a machine that I have been through myself.
So, yes, cost is a factor, but not in the way that most of you seem to think. I'm expecting to spend as much overall as I would on a used mainstream pistol or a new cheapie, but rather than put it all toward the pistol I'll be able to make it more functional and suitable for service.
As for the whole ballistics thing... 9mm Makarov is definitely the low end of what I'd want to carry(and, great observation about blowback vs. locked-breech, that's been a thought of mine, too). At heart I'm one of those guys who'd love to open carry a full-size 10mm all the time, but a few things keep me from doing that. Actually, a few *hundred* very thin green things keep me from doing that
Not only do I have to consider my wallet, but also my daily situation. I want to carry concealed at work, but I run the front counter at an auto shop so I can't ever have an untucked shirt, and here in Arizona I can only wear a jacket or windbreaker for four or five months out of the year. It's going to be difficult enough to conceal a small pistol; I can't even think about a larger one for full-time carry. I'm not going to work in a shop forever - in fact I hope it's only a few years until I can start teaching too(at which point carrying at work sadly ceases to be a consideration), so this is not going to be my carry weapon forever, anyway.
As for the whole body armor thing, by the way... really, now. What kind of idiot is going to do anything but RUN from an armed adversary wearing body armor? Not *this* kind of idiot
I'm not even going to plan for a scenario involving such an individual... most incidents involving an armored gunman involve more than one, and frequently long guns rather than pistols. In the event that I do find myself involved in such a situation, I'd think it a good idea to avoid a shootout entirely, and wait until there is a chance to use surprise instead. Anyway, body armor is not a factor I will consider in choosing a sidearm, it's just too remote a possibility to put much thought into it.Thanks very much for all of your comments and thoughts, in favor and otherwise.
The general consensus seems to be that while there are certainly more powerful, more advanced choices for carry, a P-64 would serve quite alright after some work. I'll keep my eyes open for a good one and may buy soon.
I know(and have known) deep down that a CZ-52 make a poor CCW choice, by the way, but what it boils down to in the end is that I think they're cool toys and I want one
Again, thanks.
- Ben
