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

[helpwanted]

Buy what you really want or you will end up losing lots of money on trades. Always happens to me with my impulse buys and don't-want-to-save-for- another-couple-months-so-I'll-settle-on-this-buys. Hunt around for what you really want and if you find it but can't afford it yet, put it on layaway. Wally World Winchester Whitebox is 20 bucks for 100 rounds. Reasonable cost for occasional shooting. Save your brass and scrounge up whatever's laying around.

 

[scubie02]

when I was in your shoes in college, I ended up going for a Taurus 85 38 snubbie, which at the time I think was something like $189 brandy new. If you really need inexpensive, look for a S&W model 10 as I think someone else mentioned--you can generally find one in quite nice shape for $200, you can often find a police trade in with lots of blue wear but in excellent mechanical shape for $130-$150.

As far as 9mm's--I have owned numerous polymers (walther P99, sig pro) as well as the cz-75 and xd-9. The one I still have is the xd-9. It has been utterly reliable, is extremely accurate, easy to take down for cleaning--I don't think you'd go wrong with one of those. I have nothing against 1911's mind you--I have 3 springfields, including a mil-spec, and they have been extremely reliable as well.

 

[scubie02]

oh, btw...you could also consider the taurus tracker model in say 357 mag/38--still relatively inexpensive and 7 shots so closer to autoloader for # or rounds.

 

[deker]

Nico,

I too am stuck in MD (not for long though!)...I'd recommend heading down 198 to the Gun Rack in Burtonsville to fondle a few CZs. The guys there are friendly and they stock a fair amount of stuff with decent prices (for MD). Having said that, I got my CZ75 (hardly) used on gunbroker for a little over $300. I can recommend a good transfer agent locally too

If you want to check out a CZ for real, PM me and I'll let you know next time I take my CZ75BD to the range. (I shoot at On Target on Rt. 175 near the fort usually).

-d

 

[nico]

Deker,
I (and quite a few of the other MD folks on this site) shoot at On Target too. That's the shop I mentioned in my post. I'd love to see what a CZ can do, especially since I haven't even seen one in person yet.

Also, would you mind spilling the beans on the FFL you mentioned? I've heard there's a range/shop in the Baltimore area that will do a transfer for $15 but can't remember the name.

It's starting to sound like CZ75 vs. XD9. . .

 

[hightech]

Springfield

I would go with the Springfield XD9 tatical . I have all three and carry the compact everyday or the tatical when required. As for the revolver get a S&W model 15 or 19 in 357 mag with a 4 inch barrel. Talk to an instructor and learn how to shoot a revolver single action. You can shoot a revolver almost a fast as a semi with full recovery between shots. As for the volume of ammo, you will not need all 30 rds of the XD. If you do, you are in the wrong neighborhood.

 

[Eskimo Jim]

NIco,
I have a couple of rules which I apply to myself for firearm buying:

1) No new firearms get bought until I have used a recent purchase numerous times.

2) no 'cheap' guns. I go for quality in the $350-600 range. This forces me to not buy due to economic reasons

3) I break rule 1 and 2 only for something collectible that is rare.

4) I try to limit myself to one or two guns a year so that I have to become proficient with a firearm.

5) If I haven't used a firearm in the last two to three years and it wasn't bought to enhance a collection, ie it doesn't servce a purpose, out it goes.

6) don't go to a show or shope unless you want to buy.

7) more ammunition, a vault and range time would probably do me more good than another firearm to sit idle in the safe etc.

Also, beware of someone who only has one gun. They probably know how to use it VERY well.


Good luck.

-Jim

 

[Berg01]

That CZ 75B is one of the very best values in a new semiautomatic pistol (notice I didn't say cheap). The Smith and Wesson 908 and 910 are also very good values. Other than that, if you want really inexpensive handguns, look for a good used S&W Model 10 or 19 wheelgun. To me "cheap" handguns are like cheap life preservers, parachutes, and crash helmets, the consequences are too great if it don't work right.

 

[355sigfan]

I would get a Glock 17 or 19 on the used gun market. Excellent pistols that are the best their is in the 9mm game. I prefer custom 1911's myself but the GLock 17 is a close second for me. There is also all kinds of good deals on used sig da pistols right now. If you like da sa guns sigs are the best.
Pat

 

[nico]

Berg, I shoot a 910 that belongs to my dad now. Maybe it's just the crappy Cabelas bulk ammo I've been shooting (I'll find out when I buy some WWB since I just ran out of the Cabelas stuff), but it's been less than reliable. I have at least one FTF every other magazine. I also like the feel of the XD better than the 910.

 

[Berg01]

Berg, I shoot a 910 that belongs to my dad now. Maybe it's just the crappy Cabelas bulk ammo I've been shooting

I'd give S&W customer service a call on this one; they might want to take a look at it; I think their customer service is excellent. A friend of mine has a 910 and used to have the 410, the .40 S&W version with the Hi-Viz sights, and both of these were good shooters.

 

[InfernoMDM]

My own experince as a under grad - First I started shooting my dads S&W 469. A pretty good gun even if you hate SW. One thing I learned was many places over charge. Many firearms can be had by simply going to the dedicated forum and saying I am a poor college student. You could go talk on the ED forum and say "I am from ___ state, going to college, poor. Where do I find a good deal on __ firearm in ___ caliber." I have seen a few guys verify that a guy was honest and give them a firearm.

Many people here have made some great great points on different guns. The XD is a great gun. I am personally a german firearm fan. Bought my first handgun for 700 which was a Walther p99 now I can find them for 435 because I know where to look, and asked on the Walther forums. There are also less apatizing 9mm's that work great. I absolutely hate my Ruger P-89 (old version) because of the trigger on it. However they are dirt cheap and shoot everything, and well mine was free. God bless friends with to many guns.

Basicly - Shop around and go for a specific gun. Almost all firearms besides the select high price ones can be had for nearly any price with patience (HK's a viable 1911 etc)

If you dont have the patience, sometimes you can get a cheap reliable gun. Just remeber friends dont let friends buy Highpoint/jenings.

 

[nico]

I handled a CZ75B SA and an XD9 at the same shop last night, and I've decided I want the CZ. The thing is, it's $500, which is more than I was hoping to spend.

It was at The Gun Rack, for the MD folks. Does anybody know of a better place to look for CZs?