Help me decide which to get next...

[TonyB]

OK I know we're talking apples and oranges here,but here's my 2 choices.Money is a concern but I can pay them off over time.
1)Essex frame(Colt slide).45acp 3.5" barrel $349 used\
2)Beretta 92 .40cal. LIKE NEW(spotless) $579

I was all set to put $ down on the 45 today when I wen in and saw the 40.I like the Beretta platform but I've always wanted a 1911.
Both seem like good deals,although the Beretta has a better reputation,the Essex is an unknown......but I NEED a 1911
the 1911 I would have paid off in a month....the 40 would take almost 3 months......HELP

 

[cool45auto]

Beretta 92 .40 cal

I think you mean 96!

That's a pretty big difference in price. Of course I'd recommend the Beretta!

 

[Traithe]

If you can shoot the 45 and verify that it functions ok then you should probably go ahead and get it, since it's what you want.
I personally would be a little leary of any gun that has been cobbled together froom parts unless there is paperwork from a reputable gunsmith that built it. If you can't shoot it and they don't know who built it, I'd go with the Beretta.

 

[sig970]

One of the best .40S&W out there is a Beretta 96 Border Marshal.
.40 with the Trijicon NS included. I got mine for $609

 

[Matthew_Q]

Get the 1911... it will be a great choice... everyone should own at least one!

 

[10-Ring]

I've owned a few 40 S&W pistols. Of the bunch, I really liked the 96. Of your 2 options, I'd go w/ the Beretta as my first choice.

 

[George Hill]

Never heard of Essex frames... I'd roll with the Beretta.

 

[cratz2]

Is the Essex frame a Government, Commander or Officer sized frame? I've only seen full size Essex frames and that would be kinda funky... a Government frame and Officer Slide. Same reason I don't much care for the Defender.

 

[blades67]

The only Essex frame/Colt slide gun I have tried was a .38 Special. Very accurate gun, but finding good magazines is like winning the lottery (never happens to me). Essex made a decent frame, but that short barrel means the frame is chopped. I would buy the .45.

 

[WonderNine]

Sorry to put a damper on this, but I wouldn't touch either.

Hmm...a pieced together 1911 or a overly large .40 caliber? (my favorite caliber )

 

[Ramshackle]

I'd _absolutely_ stay away from the 1911 since 3.5" guns are finicky enough without trying to make a Frankengun gun reliable. Shooting it for a few rounds won't tell you much since 1911s can change character once they get dirty (100 rounds or so). That $350 can end up costing you double to get a problem gun to work right. Plus, there's no factory to send the gun back to in order to make it run. Save your money and get a new (under $600 for a mil spec 1911) or lightly used factory gun.