Future purchase advice needed...

[Dionysusigma]

Well, I've got only 11 months until I turn 21, and it's already taking too long. As it is, I'm rather fickle about what guns I want to buy and can never decide. That said, when I usually end up buying a gun it's: Walk into store, go straight to gun, say "I want that one," doing the paperwork, and paying for it (all done in less than 30 mins. sometimes). Basically a high-dollar impulse buy for me.

I don't want this to happen when my birthday arrives. I want to get as much advice as I can, and then SAVE my few shekels for that long-awaited Saturday. A list I've got going tend to almost always include the following guns:
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Beretta 92FS/Taurus PT92
1911
Kel-Tec P11 (CCW-able on hot days, 9x19mm... )
Springfield Armory XD9 Service, Tactical, or Ported
Riger Mk. 2 non-bull shortest length barrel, blued finish
Walther PP/Bersa Thunder (I'm a Bond fan)
Walther P99 (See above )
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My goal is to have a good, well-fitting full-size CHL gun (like the Beretta); a BUG/small CCW (like the P11), and a fun gun/trainer (Mk. 2). I can't see myself carrying a revolver to anything other than church or a BBQ (And even then, it'd probably still have to be a 1911 on those occasions) and derringers just seem to be... well, novelties. The real problem I forsee is that full-size guns like the 92 and 1911 fit me perfectly, but aren't easily concealable. I can't get a good grip on tiny guns (like most Kel-Tecs), but the P11 seemed like the best option for a "running to the gas station" gun.

Any advice/opinions on my picks? Help!

(BTW, I will get the Beretta regardless. I'll have to figure out a way to carry it, but I'll do it. )

 

[sm]

In a galaxy far far away I was almost 21 once...damn, "I are old".

-How much money - including - for ammo, holsters, belt, mags, training, CHL?
-Ammo again, gonna reload, or someone you know reload? If not, one cannot practice if no ammo.
- What have you shot, and shot well?
-If not many , go to range and rent various guns,or ask friends to let you shoot theirs.

-AND - DO try various guns in various holsters to see what YOU are comfortable in carrying. YOU, are not them and tho' suggestions save time and money and starts one in a direction...we are all different, our activities are different.

9mm ammo is effective and affordable to shoot. I use a Keltec p-11 as a niche gun.

I personally prefer the 1911 style in 45ACP because of trigger, slim profile is easy to carry...yeah that big 5" gun is easy and comfortable to carry, ammo is more expensive tho' than 9mm or 38 spl.

I like K frames - old ones, 38spl ammo is not that expensive either. I don't do .40 cal. Why? I choose my guns on platform and what I shoot best. 1911, BHP, K frames I shoot well. The .40 was not around when I made my choices, and the BHP will always be a 9mm to me. Besides that durn 40 gets in the 9mm and 45ACP brass I have to sort and I hate it.

- Do not rule out a revolver! Skills learned from K frame and similar DA/SA revos improve trigger control, sight aquistion...which helps in shooting other platforms. The skills learned from DA shooting of revos will benefit a person greatly. No matter what semi platform one goes to.

-Revos, no matter what, always good to have one. They do not require a mag, they will sit there for years neglected and work.

Lots of folks get a police trade revo like a model 10 , Kframe snubbie as first gun. Eventually they may upgrade, they now have a BUG, or additional HD gun...a gun to teach someone. Nice to have a revo for a less experienced shooter to use if stuff gets serious...and you to have your six watched.

I also subscribe to multiples of same gun for CCW. If one breaks, nice to have a backup or two that fits the same holster( s) muliples of holsters is good too. I subscribe to know one platform well...if gets serious, that is not the time to try to recall MOA.

Some students bought 2 model 10 trade ins, trigger smoothed maybe new grips a case of ammo, a holster, lessons and CHL ...for less than some folks spent on guns they could not or would not carry. Regardless they invested in skills and ammo, not so much the gun itself.

Just some ideas.

 

[Ala Dan]

One that should top everybody's list:

.45 caliber SIG-SAUER P220A

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[otomik]

Walther P99? you're not a very good bond fan...
get the Bersa Firestorm .22lr and you have a fun gun that feeds your Bond habit and save money for your other bond habits (fine smokes, suits, wine, cars). it's also a much better fun gun / trainer if that's all you want out of the Ruger Mark II.

the Beretta 92/96 has a lot of nice refinements that the Taurus doesn't have, and besides it's not a Beretta. OTOH maybe you'll find out you really like 1911s and cocked and locked (though beretta is making a cocked and locked model soon...)

 

[duckfoot]

Well on your list in order of priorty in my opinion is:

1. Ruger Mk. 2 non-bull shortest length barrel, blued finish (learn to shoot)
2. Kel-Tec P11 (CCW, why just on hot days?)
3. Beretta 92FS (ok, for when you are feeling under gunned, by the P11)
4. Springfield Armory XD9 Service, Tactical, or Ported (a change for CCW)
5. Walther P99 (once again another for CCW)
6. Walther PP (now i'll head the other way in CCW)
7. Norinco M1911 (just right for CCW)

But this is just my two bits, but I have seen and heard of others going through the a list kinda like the one I put in order.