How do you resist the urge to buy? (or what cheap handgun should I buy?)

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nico

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Here's my situation: I'm in between undergrad and dental school and am working for the summer making reasonable money (but not great). As of August, I won't be able to work again until next June at the earliest and probably won't get a significant amount of time to shoot until then either. However, I want a bedside gun for any uninvited guests. At the beginning of the summer, I really wanted to get a Springfield Loaded 1911, but thought better of it and "settled" on an SKS. I haven't been able to get to the rifle range with my new gun :banghead: but the buyagun bug is already biting the hell out of me again. I still want to get a 1911, but the XD9 would be much more realistic given my finances, cheaper to feed, (from opinions I've seen) does a good job of replicating the feel (grip angle, balance) of a 1911, and would make a decent bedside gun. The CZ75 also seems like it'd be a good, cheap gun.

My question is an either/or thing. In my position, how would you resist buying a gun?

OR

If you wouldn't/couldn't, what would be a good, relatively inexpensive handgun (preferably 9mm) that could suit the above purposes? Or which of the above two guns would buy?

Is the Tactical model XD (which I'm leaning toward) that much better than the Service model and are there any downsides to the longer barrel (this won't be a carry piece so that's not an issue)? What actual prices (I'm in MD), would I be looking at for these guns? Are there other CZ models I should look at? Keep in mind I'm looking for a full sized gun, not a subcompact or something with a 3" barrel.

Any other advice/comments are more than welcome.
thanks
 
I am unable to give advise on how to avoid buying guns as I have not figured that out yet. I would like to suggest that you think about good quality wheel guns in 38 or 357. Used model 10 S&W's or ruger security sixes come to mind right away. Low cost, dead reliable and effective for the job you have in mind. Just a thought, YMMV.
 
hmm, i hadn't really thought about revolvers. I like them, but I don't like having to deal with a DA trigger (the gun I shoot most often is my dad's S&W 910) and I like the ammunition capacity of a doublestack 9mm. I'll definitely have to handle a few before/if I buy a gun.

edit: what about taurus revolvers? What could I expect to pay for a 608 with the 6" or 8" barrels? How much do 38special and .357 mag ammo cost anyway? The only revolver I shoot regularly is a 50 year old single six that belonged to my grandfather.
 
you know, I am an undergrad myself, and I actually have chosen guns over such other luxuries like "food". Man, do what you want, but if I were in your shoes, I would just wait it out rather than buy something you won't dig. However, to a degree you have options. First, Taurus makes a full line of really reasonably priced handguns. They seem to polarize people more than any other manufacturer on this forum, but in my expereince they have been great guns, and I actually plan on buying a new 24/7 next week when my student loan comes in. Second, consider the used market. It's getting harder to do, but if you really keep up with the pawnshops and the classifieds, its still possible to get a smoking good deal on a gun. Third, consider buying something like a Springfield GI. You would have the basis for a "loaded" gun and could upgrade things like sights or whatever as money becomes available. Not only would you have a servicable useful handgun for considerably cheaper, but you would also have a gun thats unique to you once your done upgrading it or whatever. Fourth, consider guns like the Makarov. Sure, they are cheap, but have seen plenty of great reviews/comments/recommendations here on the high road about them. Other than those ideas, man, I just don't know what to tell you. If you figure out how to not be gun-crazy, I think you will become the hero of these boards. Either that, or you will be chased down and beaten severely, and hell, if that happens, you won't have to worry about buying anymore guns, at least for awhile. Oh, and real quick, you can get a new Taurus, auto or revo, for usually somewhere in the $400.00 range. Smiths, new, are going to probably be in the $600.00 range. A good used Smith, in my experience, will probably be somewhere around $400.00. Obviously, these are sweeping generalizations, covering two companies that have large lines, but it's a good ballpark area.


Timbo

P. S. I am a proud student of the University of Northern Colorado. Go Bears!
 
Cost saving tip: After replacing old mercury laden fillings with composites, cast the used amalgam into your own bullets! :D


Hmmm, mercury-silver hollowpoints.... :what:
 
As an XD fan I can assure you that you would be happy with any of the XDs. I have the sub compact, service and tactical in 40 caliber and love them all. The tactical is more accurate at longer ranges as would be expected. They are all accurate and dependable as self defense weapons. For what you are describing as a need for a bedside gun, I would go with the service model or sub compact. It could serve as a CCW weapon as well (should you need it in the future). I can tell you after owning all three, if I only could buy one it would be the sub compact. I have never fired a 9mm XD, the 40 is a little 'snappy' but controllable and really fun to shoot. Don't know about prices in MD, here in Ohio the 9mm can be had for about $375 to $425 depending on location.

That being said, the advice about a revolver is a good idea too. The 608 is about $400 around here, I just sold one a month ago. A 4" would be a nice house gun, with 8 rounds of 357 for self defense.

As far as how to resist buying guns, have you ever considered professional help to rid your mind of this evil thought? :neener:
 
It could serve as a CCW weapon as well (should you need it in the future).
Click to expand...
the thing about that is MD doesn't have CCW, and I'd be very surprised if we got it before I get done with school (not that I don't want it). When I get out of school, if we have CCW I could buy something for it. I'm also pretty sure I could find the money to get a CCW gun if by some miracle a law were passed before I get out.
 
The CZ 75 is the best value on the market today. If you want CCW, double action decocker, look at the PCR or the M3 rail equipped PO1, (my personal fave). If you like cocked and locked, the CZ75 Compact in 9mm or 40 is a good choice. The full size can be had DA/SA, DAO, or SA only, in 9mm or 40. Go to czforum.com for more answers....or czusa.com . Enjoy! Oh, and get a Yugo unissued SKS - great rifles!
 
Been there, done that. Poverty hit during law school, when I chose an unpaid internship over a paid research position. By that point, all I had left was a .22 pistol and a 12 gauge shotgun. So, I foudn a great deal on a barely used revolver and bought it for my bedside gun, until I saved enough cash doing whatever I could to buy my Smith 586, which back in 1992 cost me $327 new in the box at Sports Unlimited.

My advice is to shop around for a used gun you like and can afford. Or, since your dad is a gun person, see if he can "loan" you a portion of the money to get what you want. Dad will want you to be safe while at school. :D
 
You might check out the CZ52. It's REALLY cheap, well made, and may answer your purpose. Overpenetration can be a problem, but we're talking a powerful, well made semiauto for under $200. Got mine out the door for about $180 here in California. 'Twas "brand new"- hardly been shot. Like a Mak, it's hard to beat for the money.
http://www.makarov.com/cz52/index.html

Best,
Jeff
 
Thanks for all the replies guys. I've pretty much decided on looking for a used guns, as any of the above can be had for under $400, even in this communist state.
I'm going to the range tomorow, so I'm going to see if they have an XD9 and Taurus revolver for me to try (they don't sell CZs :( ) I'm also going to a gun show on Sunday so hopefully I'll find something worth buying.
 
and I actually plan on buying a new 24/7 next week when my student loan comes in.
Click to expand...

For the part of that loan that might be my tax money I'm very upset!!!!!!!!!!!!
That loan is for your education! I believe it is a serious misuse for program funds to acquire instructional aids that are polymer. ;)


nico
CZ pistols are 1st class units. Consider yourself lucky if you can pick up a 75 for 400-ish because by the time you get sheepskin 2.0 they will be right up there with the high priced spread.

If you go for a CZ 75, you might be able to acquire a Kadet kit some Christmas in the future which well assure cheap shooting with one slide and self defense with the other.

I just installed a Kadet on my 75 about 1/2 and hour ago and fit is amazing!
The moving parts move very well andt he the non-moving parts seem connected like they are manufactured as one unified forging.
S-
 
What about a Kel-Tec P 11? I bought a lightly used one today, included holster, 8 10 round magazines(yup, 8 of 'em! :D ), over 100 rounds of WWB FMJ ammo, 50 rounds of JHP ammo, perfectly sized small hardshell case, nylon belt holster, and more, for $200. I can sell 4 or 5 of those mags & make at least$45-$50 back. And when I have to buy more practice ammo, it shoots good ole *cheap* 9mm! ;)
New ones are available for less than $250. Lots of LEO's like them for a backup or an off-duty gun. And flush fit 12 round mags are available now.

It won't be as nice as, say, the CZ mentioned above. But if you should get a carry license it'll be a lot easier to conceal. ;)

Go ahead, flame away- but for what it is, I *Like* mine! :neener:
And you *did* say "cheap"! :D
 
Eh, I can shoot my dad's S&W 910 (decocker, DA/SA, 4" barrel, alloy frame, 9mm) any time I want. I'm looking for something that'll be more fun/accurate/reliable, and I doubt 3" polymer frame 14oz 9mm gun is going to do that. Fun to shoot/reliable are my main requirements and, given my circumstances, smaller/lighter isn't exactly a virtue IMO. I'm sure it'd make a fine carry gun though. :)
 
Find yourself a mil-spec Rock Island Armory 1911. Should cost you $300 to $350. Then get a .22lr Conversion. Great prices on Jon Cenier models.

I have found that the best way to save money is to convert all your spare cash into spare change. Got an extra $10 you won't miss? Convert it into a roll of quarters. Save your milk jugs, and put your coins in them (after you wash them out, of course). Break that roll out of the paper when you get home. The more difficult it is to convert the money back, the longer you will hold onto it. My bank has one of those coin counting machines that account holders can use free of charge. Holding onto a couple hundred bucks is easy if you have to lug it to the bank and then convert it into bills, before you can use it. Don't count your coins. It's actually alot easier to save money when you you don't know how much you have to spend.

This method actually works. The largest amount of money I ever actually saved paid for an $800 stereo.
 
I have to get a permit from the Sherriff to buy a new handgun. Has a 7 day wait, $10 fee, and a 30 mile round trip to get it.

This has taken the steam out of several potential handgun purchases recently. (And I'm a CCW Holder! :banghead: )

:(

We are working on repealing the law though. Fingers crossed!
 
If you want a 1911, get a 1911. Dont settle on a gun AGAIN, all you're gonna do is wish you got what you really wanted, a 1911.

My suggestion is to get a "cheaper" 1911 (in price of course!). Get a SA Milspec or GI. The GI will actually be CHEAPER than a XD! Perfecto!

Or spend the extra $70 or so (however much more I dont remember) and get the Mil-spec 1911.

But get the 1911. Otherwise it ain't gonna cure your buying bug, nor your 1911 bug. Then you're uber screwed. :D
 
I went to my local range/gun shop yesterday and took a look at the XD and 608 (didn't handle the 608). I really like the feel of the XD, but the XD40 (they didn't have any 9s) I handled was $515 for the black matte finish and $535 for stainless. The 6" 608 was about $450, but that's a big freakin gun :what:. A friend that I went shooting with yesterday told me about a kitchen table dealer who will take $500 for a black XD9, but I was hoping to spend $450 or under. I'm gonna start checking out the used market and local pawn shops.

The reason I've decided to wait on a 1911 (Mil specs are close to $600 here, a stainless, fixed sight loaded is a little over $800), is I know if I don't buy a loaded (or comparable) model, I'll be fighting a new urge to modify it. I've handled the loaded models, kimber customs, a friend's modified Mil Spec (comparable to loaded but no MIM and maybe a better trigger), and both Mil Spec and GI models. The Mil Spec and GI models didn't have the nice trigger of the other guns (which is one of the reasons I want a 1911), and I wouldn't want the GI sights. I also don't want to pay for factory .45acp and can't reload.
 
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