How do we decide???

[BHPshooter]

As most of you already know, I am a proud owner of a BHP. I love her.
But I also want to get another pistol, just because I am really into pistols.

So, I have been thinking about a few:

• A Springfield Armory Mil-Spec 1911
• A Ruger P-89 (not sure which variant)
• A Walther P99 in 9mm
• A Taurus (fighting between a PT945 or PT92)
• Yes, I'll admit it: A Hi-Point 9mm -- for $99, it's been tempting for something so @#%$&!* ugly.

HOW DO WE GUN NUTS DECIDE???

Well, what do you think? Which do you think would be the best all-around buy?

Anyone else have a comprehensive list of guns tempting them daily? Let's see 'em!

Wes

 

[10-Ring]

Seems like the natural choice is the Springfield Mil Spec! A no-brainer really

 

[SelfProclaimedExpert]

With the Hipoint exception, the guns in your list are all reasonably nice and decent values. You have a hicap 9mm, do you want another (the answer could be "yes", I prefer 9mms myself)?

Have you actually gone done to the shop and handled each of these guns? Worked the slide, tried the trigger? Proof is in the pudding, you will likely be turned on or turned off by some as you look at how they are built, how they point, where their levers and buttons are.

Again, they're (almost) all reasonable, so it is up to your personal tastes more than anything.]

PS. I'd be much more inclined to get the Beretta like Taurus 92 over its Brazilian designed sibling.

 

[CWatson]

I must respectfuly disagree about springfield.My friends Highpoint has had zero troubles,not so with my MilSpec SA.Read the "Buying a new 1911 tommarow" on this forum for details of my trouble with my Milspec,and terrible service given by them to me and others.


Spend a few $ to get a Colt or Kimber if you want a 1911.As for the others on your list I have shot a couple Taurus PT92 Beretta clones without ever a hicupp.Ruger autos?Ugly(to me)but seem like the Timexes of guns.Have shot the P-89 a little funcioned fine,have shot my P-95 alot and am very satisfied with it.CW

 

[MJRW]

I wouldn't recommend the Taurus or the Hi-Point. The first three you listed indicate that you can afford a nicer gun than these two. Get the nicer gun.

 

[PCRCCW]

I would recommend the Taurus..the metal frame guns run like a Timex in a Stainless Steel band Ive owned many and shot alot more than that and they are good shooters.
Just a note..the PT945 is a Beretta, Taurus and Sig design....an improvement over the older open barrel model. Youll like the gun alot.
Other than that...you cant go wrong with any on your list....yes, even the HIGH POINT Ive shot a couple, I wore my disguise to the range so no one would no it was me
Each gun will have its "bad ones' but generally you have solid choices listed.....my recommendation in this situation and all similar to it is:

Rent them and see which one your brain and hands like the best! Had I done this years ago....I would have saved thousands of dollars in actual money spent.....let alone the time and headaches associated with getting a gun that looks, feels, handles and is rumored to be a great gun. But you buy it and just dont like the way it shoots in YOUR HANDS.

Shoot well and good luck.....................

 

[BHPshooter]

Well, the problem around here (Utah) is that I am not aware of a SINGLE range that rents guns. I keep looking, but it seems to be in vain.

But I have handled all of them on the list. All of them seem to have some advantages.

SA Mil-Spec: Has that 1911 feel, the price is reasonable, and It's in .45 -- I've never shot a .45, so I would like to.

Ruger P89: Ugly, but seems to be built like a tank. Doesn't feel as nice as my BHP (nor does it have the *right* grip angle for me), but I wouldn't be afraid to use it under less than desireable circumstances. Pretty reasonable price.

Walther P99 (9mm): I don't have a poly-gun, and this is one of the few that I like. I like that it *simulates* the DA/SA action of a trigger-fired gun.

Taurus (PT945 / PT92): I have handled the PT945, and it just has a good "feeling." I like that it's a .45 -- variety.
My Dad has a stainless PT92 that has been a real performer. I would be fine with either a Taurus or Beretta version. I shoot pretty well with these.

Hi-Point : The ugliest gun ever made, it's true. I have handled one, and it felt like crap. Heavy, off-balance, no slide release (WTH?), did I mention ugly as sin? But for $99, still has a slight temptation.

The .45 vs. 9mm issue doesn't really matter -- I'd be happy with either. I have a 9mm and am happy with the price of ammo. If I had a .45 I'd be happy because I've got variety, so caliber is really a non-issue.

Just out of curiousity, though, can anyone recommend any others that I should put on my "considering" list? I can afford mid-range pistols, but the real high-enders (like the P7M8) are a little much.

Thanks for the responses, guys.

Wes

 

[BerettaNut92]

I'm with 10-Plasticmonger-Ring on this one.

 

[Berg01]

The Springfield Mil-Spec is a decent gun out of the box; it has the potential to be awesome with the addition of the following pistolsmith work;

Basic Defensive Package @EGW

Basic Defensive Package

On Customers Gun $225.00

Polish and Throat Barrel

Polish Feed Ramp

Novak Fixed Rear Sight

Ramp Front Sight

Crisp, 4# Action Job

Tune Extractor

Polish Bolt Face

EGW Long Ejector

Copyright © 1998-2000 EGW. All rights reserved.

If you want a nice gun out-of-the box to complement the 9mm BHP, go with a CZ 75B in .40S&W; mine fits my hand and balances well, and it is extremely accurate.

 

[P95Carry]

Value, ruggedness and reliability ..... go Ruger. Not top of the ''pretty'' list but it shoots to a good standard IMO outa the box ... and is VERY unlikely to let you down.

 

[CWatson]

You wanted suggestions on more choices?Glock model 17 or 19,both 9mm.If you don't mind smaller guns,the Bersa Thunder is a nice little package.They run$200-250 and are inexspinsive but not cheaply made guns.Other options would be a surplus P-1,alloy framed P-38 or Star model B both well made 9mm shooters.I own all of the above except the Star,can't find one in CA and am very happy with all of them.In fact except for My Springfield I am happy with all my guns.CW

 

[CWatson]

Fumegator you stated in the other thread that you would save the extra $$ to get a Colt.Check on the 1991 model they run about $50-60 more than Springfield Mspecs so you won't have to save up to long.If you have no local stocking dealers [www.gunsamerica.com] usually has a good selection.CW

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

It's impossible to choose... you just get what you can get for the best price at the time and wait to get the others as you save money or run into a good price.

Case in point, my Para Carry, I wanted a new 1911, and a dealer cost + $10 sale showed up so I picked it up. Even though I wanted the PT92 Stainless Taurus or a CZ75B, the Para was the largest discount that I wouldn't see again for a while.

Walthers tend to be expensive here... and Ruger is having their rebate sale so I would vote for getting the Ruger now. And Hi-Points will always be inexpensive too, so those can wait.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I'd suggest a good .22 caliber revolver or semi-automatic pistol: you can shoot a lot more rounds more comfortably and less expensively, and really develop your accuracy.

 

[Ky Larry]

Any of the Ruger 'P' series will serve you well. Don't ovetlook CZ 75B in .40 S&W.