Hey, gimme some birthday purchase advice

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Joey_the_Wolf

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Hi everyone, just dropping by for some advice from you guys.
Anyways, April 8th is the day I turn 21, and that's going to be a really great day for me as I will be applying for my CCW, as well as making a purchase or two. Anyways, I have a Rock Island 1911 pistol (gift from my mom) that I absolutely love, but as I have found out, shooting a .45 on a regular basis is expensive, so I decided to purchase another pistol when I turn 21 for plinking and range use, etc. I want a 9mm.(the reason I don't go for a .22 is because I want something useful for defense as well should I need it) Here's the thing though, I decided I really want a rifle as well, so you see where this is going? :)

Anyways, here's the thing, I'm a half broke college student, so my budget for purchasing new toys is limited. By the time I turn 21 I will have about $600-$700 of money to burn. Since I already have a .45 and a 12 Gauge my defense needs are covered, so this will be just for fun. So I need some advice as to what to get. Since I want a handgun AND a rifle, I was thinking of getting a Walther P-38 and an AK. Or maybe getting a Springfield XD and an SKS. Or perhaps a used Glock 17 or Beretta and a good, solid bolt action rifle with a nice scope. Or just getting a nice AR, or getting a USP instead. But if I splurge and get the latest and greatest gun it will mean I'll only be able to buy one, and I'd really like the pistol and the rifle...

I have also considered just buying a good rifle (like an AR, or an AK with a ton of ammo) for like $600 or so, and spending the rest on getting some reloading equiptment and learning how to use it so I can shoot my .45 more AND roll my own rifle rounds too saving money in the long run. I really don't know. I have a ton of choices and a ton of things I want, but I'll only have about $700 or so saved up around then to work with so yeah....

What would you guys reccommend? Should I get a P-38 type pistol for plinking and an SKS or AK, or should I splurge and buy a good bolt action .308 rifle and invest in some reloading equiptment? (I have no idea how to reload, so I would have to learn)

I figure I have 3 months starting today to find out what to do, so any tips, advice or info greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
 
If you really like shooting your .45 I would spend the money on a reloading set up and components. That way you will always have some ammo around.

If money is tight (I remember being a college student with a .45, LOL) reloading makes it possible to shoot. I got an inexpensive single stage from Lee (my wife got it and many accessories for me for Christmas, my mom got me some calipers and a micrometer) I think they got everything for under $220. Then another $100 on components and I was all set for the first 1000 rounds or so.

Since you have a .45 and 12 ga, why not get a .22 for the range? You could get a reloading set up, enough components for 1000 rounds, a decent .22LR auto loader and a couple bricks of ammo for $700.
 
You may find even if you build your own AR or a quality AK you will be spending at least $500-600 and that doesn't leave much $ for reloading equipment if your limit is $700. Plus you have to factor in dies, primers, powder, bullets, etc. and it's a good idea to get a chronograph if you are going to start reloading (or make a friend who has one).
I've never heard of a P38 being used for a defensive pistol outside of WWII but they are neat.
I'd say build a quality AR and save up for reloading equipment. I got brass and dies but haven't started reloading .223 yet myself.
Every person needs an Evil Black Rifle :evil:
 
CZ 75 is a good, cheap 9mm.

The AR-180B seems to be a little cheaper than AR-15s. Similar design (believe it's got a gas pistol instead of the AR's typical system), just less Mall-Ninja-bility in a 180.

Or you could donate blood plasma, and make enough for a pricier AR.
 
Buy a 9mm CZ and the Kadet Kit in .22. You will get tons of trigger time on your one frame with the two slide/barrel setups.

I started with the 75BD, and now have the P-01 as well. Kadet fits on both. For around $30 you can get 200 WWB and 500 .22 and have a full afternoon shooting. When you handle your 9mm like it was .22 your groups will shrink right up.
 
Buy the reloading equipment. It makes the endless search for cheap ammo go away and you'll be using the best possible ammo. $700 will buy an RCBS Beginner's Kit and you'll have some left over for components. Bullets and primers.
You won't get an AR or an AK for $600.
"...I will be applying for my CCW..." You'll be taking the course first.
 
you like the 1911, you say? you want a 9mm, you say?

sounds like you need to make the aquaintance of the Browning Hi-Power
 
thanks for the info

Wow, thanks for all the replies, alot of useful tips here :)

Anyways, the poster who said to get a Glock 19 got me thinking that it probably would be a good idea to get something that's reliable for CCW as well. Although I can conceal a full sized 1911 in a IWB holster (done it at home just to see if I could, I have not illegally carried) while wearing a T-shirt with an open plad shirt over it, although even just the T-shirt works reasonably well) it is a big gun, so a compact pistol might me good for me, and a used Glock might not be a bad idea... I'll think about that. That new 4 inch Browning HP that came out (from Charles Daly?) also appeals to me for CCW...

Getting a .22 conversion kit for my 1911 is something I've thought about too, and I might just do that at some point as no collection is complete without a .22

Oh, and I spent alot of time last night looking up reloading info, and it's definietly something I want to get into, so I might head down that route. Having an endless supply of cheap ammo that I can load as light or as strong as I need is really something that's caught my attention....

Hahaha, I knew this would happen. They told me shooting was fun so I decided to get into it... but they never told me that buying stuff was addictive as well. I guess I better start saving up. :)

I'll be sure to let you guys know about what I get when I get it, and probably post some pics too, thanks again for the advice.
 
Well,
The first firearm I bought was a Marlin lever action carbine in 357 Magnum.
It also shoots 38 Special.
I have yet to buy the matching wheelgun (I'm mainly into auto pistols), but when I do I'll have two firearms using that caliber, which is one of the most popular.
It's a great plinker as well, especially at indoor ranges where large rifles are a bit much, and I could take it out for deer and be more effective than a revolver.

But I second the reloading - I'm looking into it as well. It's amazing how most of these "I'm broke" sentences can swap "in college" with "wife just had first kid".
 
The WASR-10 AK-47 can be had for as low as $310 online.
Click to expand...

Got mine for about that price at a local gun show two years ago. Roughly 3000 rounds of dirty Wolf ammo later (and some minor cleaning/maintenance) the ugly still performs like a champ at 100-150 yds. Well worth the 3 bills.
 
I have been in your position (still am, kind of); poor college student with a long wish list. The easiest way to decide is to write everything down along with approx prices. Then prioritize into groups of what you need most, what you can afford, etc.

Are you desperate for cheap ammo? Do you need a compact carry gun, rifle, or range plinker? I was a poor college student with almost no income and a long list of guns that I wanted but there were a couple that I needed more than others (a deer rifle and a handgun). There were other guns that might have been cooler, but they were either too expensive or impractical. Now that I am out of college and employed, I am working on filling in my "Want List".
 
If you are thinking a .22lr conversion kit for your 1911, I'd recommend the Ceiner conversion unit with some extra mags.

The CZ75B is an excellent choice. There is a variant out now that mates the CZ75B full-size frame (and takes the 15/16-round mags) with the Compact slide. They call it the CZ75 SemiCompact, and there are a couple on the GunsAmerica site if you can handle the new software for $340 - $350. I would also recommend that you pick up some extra mags from Mec-Gar (they make the factory mags) too. That would make a nice carry piece.

The CZ75 Kadet, as mentioned above is a wickedly accurate unit, look at the CZForum (www.CZForum.com) for the occasional conversion unit for sale. Be warned, they go as fast as somebody lists them. Mags ditto.

Food for thought.

Shoot safely and enjoy.
 
I have too agree on a handloading set; preferably the RCBS "Rockchucker"
Supreme Master Reloading Kit, as it comes with everything you will need
except empty brass, bullets, primers, and powder.

But, if you had rather have a 9m/m handgun; the DA/SA SIG-SAUER P228
would be the way to go~!;) :cool: :D
 
I'd recommend something from the English section of the local bookstore to help with that "anyways" problem.
 
How about

A Schmidt-Ruben K31 and a used Glock 17/19. You can pick up a K31 for around $200 and a used Glock for $400 or less. If you don't mind the older frames you might find one right around the $300 mark. I do not own a K31 yet but after all the good I have heard abou them itis on my wish list. You can generally get ammo for the K31 through Midway, Cheaper than dirt etc. The 7.5 is extremely accurate in these gun and is the ballistic equivelent of the 308. I too think that you should consider reloading.
 
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