I want a new gun, what to get?

The title really says how far I have gotten. Background first. I have a G17, two .22lr autoloaders and one .22lr revolver. I like my G17. I want a new gun but I have no clue what to get. I do want a center fire I know that. My price limit is around $500 but that can be pushed up if need be. I want a 1911 but I won't have the funds right now. I will get one someday just not right now. I am reloading 9mm, I don't want to limit my choices to 9mm. If I do get a different caliber I will just get another set of dies no big deal. I have been thinking .380, I have not researched them at all. I think I'm 70/30 towards an autoloader. With being new to reloading I think I want to stay away from .357sig right now. Yes I know go to the range and try different guns to get a feel for them. Sorry but that isn't going to happen. There is only one place around here that rents guns. When it is all said and done with trying a few guns would cost +$100.
So lets have it what should I look at? What should I stay away from? Please give me your reasons why you feel the way you do.

 

I rented a .380 Ruger LCP today, then wondered into the gun store and bought one.

I was prepared to have it kick the s*(^ out of me but that was not the case, compared to my LCR with +P it was quite civilized. I'm not a very good shot but I managed to get 44 of the 50 rounds on the paper, about half in the circle, from 7 yards.

We'll have to see how reliability goes which I'll know more about with range time.

I like the fact I can carry this one all the time regardless of clothing.

It's no Sig or Kahr, but for <$300 it seems to be a good value to me.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

It would help if you state what use you are going to put it through, if you are going to carry it, etc.

I wouldn't discount a 1911 yet. You can buy a used Springfield. Or a new Rock island for that price. A CZ75 is another, as is a SIG 2022. Too many choices.

 

I vote glock 29 just because I have recently became obsessed with the 10mm round and can't wait to get back home to go buy one.

 

I don't plan on carrying it. I just want something to put holes in paper and maybe plink on the farm.

 

Take a look at the Rock Island Armory 1911's. They are priced very well at $350-450. It looks like it will be my next purchase. They aren't the competition 1911's the pro's use by a long shot. I see them as a replica of what was issued back in WWII. They may not have the tightest fit but they are very reliable. The finish is lacking the most in every review, but it's a tool. Use it and love it.

And besides, something is just plain appealing about a banged up and dirty 1911 with ball ammo.

~Edit~ The RIA 1911's are also available in 9mm which lowers the cost of plinking dramatically.

 

If it's paper and plinking I'd say avoid the pocket guns, they are not designed for that purpose from what I can tell.

I'd put ammo cost high on the list for the purpose you have in mind. While I think .22lr is tons of fun and cheap, it's doesn't seem preparatory to me in terms of what a "real" gun will offer up.

I guess based on my straw man that leaves 9mm. I love my FNH FNP9, I'd shoot paper and plink all day with it.

 

Everybody should have at least one good wheelgun. Ruger would be in your price range. GP100 or Sp101
There's always some good used S&W classics out there for sale.

 

You are going to have to buy a 1911 sooner or later so it might as well be now....Russ

 

i've heard alot of good things about the sig pro. sig quality and around $500

 

To get a better feel of the "person to gun fit" for you I would like to know what model .22 revolver u have, to better guage your level of sophistication...

 

How do you like your .22 revolver? If you find it to be a fun filled gun to shoot I'd say that you should look at a S&W Model 15 or 19 with a 4 or 6 inch barrel. A center fire wheelgun would be a nice variation in your current shooting arsenal for range fun. The 10 and 15 being .38Spl only and the 19 being .357Magnum. But it's a light enough gun that you'll likely not want to shoot a bucket full of full power Magnums thru it. But it feels great with solid "full power" .38Spl or +P rounds.

There's the model 10 as well but that one has fixed sights so it's not as flexible on the loads for plinking accurately. Far better to get a gun that has adjustable sights.

If you didn't want a revolver and are lusting after a 1911 I'd also suggest you go with one of the slightly lesser cost options. It could be a RIA, STI Spartan or a used example of the $800 new guns.

 

Colt New Frontier made in 1972, 8 years before I was born. My grandpa bought it new and gave to me as my first gun not long ago. That gun has seen tens of thounds of rounds and still looks like new. When my grandpa gave it to me he said "a gun is like underware clean it every time you use it". That gun will never be sold it will be handed down to my son or daughter. If they don't want it, it will go six feet under with me when that time comes.

 

"I want a 1911 but I won't have the funds right now."
I just bough a Metro Arms American Classic II 45 ACP for $500.00

 

3" sp101

 

Wow!!!! I was expecting you to say a Taurus or H&R. If you looking for a range gun or home defense gun I would save money for a quality 1911 or a S&W 57 since you reload. If you looking for a CCW choose a caliber first then a quality platform. In .380 the Walther PK380 is supposed to be a great gun. It's not made of the same crap pot metal the p22 is made from. 90% of the time you get what you pay for.

 

I own a Ruger SP101 3" and a Sig SP2022 9mm(new name for Sig Pro) and as far as shooting I love them both but the Sig is much easier on my wallet when it comes to shooting. 38 special and 357 is just too expensive to go shoot paper. You can reload your 9mm or just buy it for $12 a box and shoot all day long. My vote is a Sig SP2022 you can buy one for under $450 and they are fun and reliable plus it is Sig quality for less because it is the polymer framed version of a 226

 

I second the GP100 -- 4 inch barrel.

 

If you want a fun .380, get a Walther PK380 ($341 at Bud's). Easy to shoot, almost no recoil, decent accuracy.

Bud's is also clearing out the FNP-9 for $397.00. IMHO, the FNP-9 is one of the best nines on the market. This particular gun is a California model and comes with three 10-round magazines. You can get the larger, 16-round magazines for about $40.00, if you want them. The FNP-40 (.40 S&W) is the same price and comes with three 14-round magazines. The FNPs are traditional, hammer-fired pistols with exceptionally nice triggers, decent recoil and come with two interchangeable backstraps. The replacement pistol, the FNX series, comes with four backstrap inserts, a manual safety (the FNPs use a decocker) and a significantly higher price. Others may disagree, but I don't think the changes between the FNP and FNX justify the price jump.

I'd love to recommend a Smith & Wesson revolver but the Ruger GP-100 is a fine gun and much less expensive than a comparable Smith.

 

Another vote for the GP100.

.357mag is an easy caliber to reload, so that's a plus for a novice reloader too.

 

IF you decide to go RIA 1911, get a model that is a step or two up from the base model. The fit and finish is a tick better, and worth the pennies in price difference.

RIA makes a 1911 in 9mm.

 

Kahr CW9, CW40, CW45 -- take your pick. Here's Gunblast's writeup on the CW45
http://gunblast.com/Kahr-45s.htm
The review should apply equally to the CW9 and CW40.

I recently bought a CW40 -- what a neat little gun. I can't believe how shootable it is. I've had it for about two months and have put a little over 500 rounds thru it (Speer blazer I got a deal on). Have all reloading components, dies, etc. and would shoot it a lot more except snow on the ground makes brass shagging a big pain. Recoil is a bit snappy but I can't get enough of this little gun -- never left the range without wanting to shoot "just one more" mag.

Paul

 

You are begging for a 4" .357 mag.

 

Another option would be to get another 9mm autoloader. But this time instead of a sriker fired polymer gun go for an all metal hammer fired gun. That'll give you some variety if that's what you want.

On that side of the coin I'd suggest you look at CZ 75b's, IWI Baby Eagle, Browning Hi Power or something similar.

Or if money is a touch tight just now given your desire for a 1911 but not the budget to buy a nicer one what about a .22 autoloader? As much as I know Ruger Mk III's are nigh on indesctructable I'd still suggest a Browning Buckmark over them for the more "normal" grip angle. Ruger makes a couple of .22/45's with the same grip angle but the use of polymer in the frame makes them feel terribly top heavy.

Or combine your desire for a 1911 with a budget diet by going with a GSG 1911-22. A superb little plinker that is priced new at lower than your stated budget leaving you enough to buy either a trigger job to make the trigger pull match light or a couple of extra magazines. Folks that have them so far have reported nothing but great results. I've personally shot one that sees a lot of rental use and it's doing really well despite the heavy use and infrequent cleanings.

 

Did you say that you had any rifles or shotguns?