Ideal Handgun Battery

[Texasred]

I'm trying to imagine the ideal handgun battery that is realistic, legal, and within a 95% of Americans budget. So guns that are for use, not considering things like heirlooms or historical significance. Please no I'll take 5 Wilson Combats, just say I'll take the Wilson Combat "etc."My example is as follows:

1. S&W340CT "Pocket Carry"
2. Glock 23 "General Handgun"
3. H&K Mark 23 (or a Wilson Supergrade) "Worst Case Scenario"

This all equals roughly 2800-3800.00. Notice it doesn't exceed 100,00.00
I think alot of us can accept this budget as a reasonable amount.

Outside of this, I also have a seperate Smith revolver for hunting, but doesnt' count as a neccesary gun. Since if you "HAVE" to hunt then any gun will work.

 

[Texasred]

No criticism needed, I just need some ideas and see if I'm on the right page as everybody else.

 

[bigfatdave]

You forgot a rimfire trainer
Not everyone likes wheelguns or Blocks

How about
KelTec p32/p3at for a mousegun
(~$300)
Springfield XD subcompact for EDC
(~$400)
Government-size 1911 for a full-size handgun
($500-$800+ depending on model)
Ruger mkIII target
(~$350)

There's an all-purpose handgun loadout that fits in one drawer and comes in at ~$1600, take your savings and buy ammo and training, or spare magazines, or a shooting club membership, or another gun.

 

[Texasred]

Thanks for the ideas Bigfatdave!

 

[mnhntr]

1)PC/BUG S&W 340PD
2) EDC Springer 1911 government
3) SHTF Springer 1911 government

 

[sonier]

colt python--1200
CZ-52-- 200 bucks
AMMO which is what everyone is missing is expensive.
50/50 of ammo and gun 1500 bucks for ammo and 1500 bucks for guns
I reload lead cast for my python so i am not hurting on ammo, i plink more 357 magnum than i do .22 lr

 

[David E]

handguns alone is not practical to most of us.

He didn't say it was. The "Ideal Rifle Battery" would be a different thread.........

 

[earlthegoat2]

I could get by with just a Hi Power or a P7.

 

[David E]

For ME, a reasonable handgun battery would include:

1) .22 Ruger

2) 4" .357 revolver

3) 6" .44 magnum

4) 9mm (Glock/M&P/XD/XD-m)

5) .40 (Glock/M&P/XD/XD-m)

6) .45 acp 1911 Govt Model (NOT a wilson!)

This would be under the $3800 mark pretty easily. I could add a .38 snub if desired and/or a pocket .380

 

[huntsman]

1. LCP pocket carry
2. BDA belt gun
3. S&W 4566 side arm
4. Colt Match target plinking
5. Beretta 87 plinking training fun.

 

[Mags]

1. Glock 19
2. S&W M&P9c
3. Kimber Tactical Entry
4. Springfield XD45
5. Beretta 92

 

[bannockburn]

1) Ruger Mk. II .22LR
2) P-3AT .380
3) Browning Hi-Power 9mm.
4) Colt Government .45ACP
5) S&W Model 649 .38 Special
6) S&W Model 686 .357 Magnum

 

[bigfatdave]

There's an all-purpose handgun loadout that fits in one drawer and comes in at ~$1600, take your savings and buy ammo and training, or spare magazines, or a shooting club membership, or another gun.

The prices go down if you go used, of course ... and other than the Kel-Tec all of those guns are tanks suitable for purchase used (the KT could be, but you'd have to know what you were looking at inside, and even a borked one has KT's warranty)
All of those guns (minus the target/hunting .22 pistol) will be easy to find quality holsters for, also. A handgun with no holster is really just a range toy, so saving money also means you should be able to order a holster before WWZ or the UN invasion hits.

I'm pondering whether chambering diversity or conformity would be better for the XD/1911 and I'm starting to think an XD45 might cover both categories. I'm not one of the .45 myth pushers, any duty loading will do for a bare-bones setup, really. Nothing wrong with swapping for another metal-frame duty-size pistol if desired, pick a common duty caliber (9x19mm, .40s&w, .45acp) for both the EDC and large handgun category, of course.

I don't understand why there are so many redundant entries in some poster's lineups, what's the reasoning behind:
- a .38 and .357 revolver
- a Kimber Tactical Entry and Springfield XD45
- a 9mm and fo-tay polymer pistol
Sort of defeats the point of a minimum handgun armory, am I missing something?

 

[RyanM]

For a truly realistic budget in this economy, I'd try to keep the total under $1,000. Something like:

CCW - Kel-Tec P11 or PF9, used - $300
Hunting - Taurus .44 magnum, used - $400
Cheap practice and small game - Ruger Mk.II or III, or Browning Buckmark, used - $250

 

[Lone_Gunman]

There is nothing that needs to be done with a handgun, that can't be done with one of these:

Ruger Mk II 22LR

Kel Tec P3AT

Glock 19 9mm

S&W 629 44 mag

With this combo, you have plinking, small game hunting, deep concealment, general defense, concealed carry, and large game hunting covered. Everything else is just cream after this, and you can own them all for less than the cost of 1 Wilson.

 

[David E]

Sort of defeats the point of a minimum handgun armory, am I missing something?

You're missing that the OP didn't call for a "minimum" collection.

For ME, having a 9mm is a good caliber to have. It's available and I have a competitive venue in which to shoot it.

Likewise the .40. I could shoot it competitively in 2 divisions where the 9mm would not be competitive. So, for ME, it makes sense. I went after the most versatile/useful calibers for me.

If there were a limited number of handguns allowed (like 3) then I'd have to think harder.

 

[SleazyRider]

1. It's nice to have at least one revolver: S&W Model 66 (.357) in stainless is hard to beat;
2. If you're inclined to carry, a Ruger LCP in .380 is one heck of a practical tool;
3. Since I can't afford to shoot either of the above as often as I'd like, a .22 for training and generally having fun is a must. Make mine a Walther P22 or Browning Buckmark Camper;
4. The CZ-82 in 9X18 is about as fine a 9mm as one could hope for, as well as the best kept secret in the firearms world. Gotta have one.

 

[Texasred]

Thanks everybody, mostly got the point of my question. There is not a budget really. It's just what the average american can afford. I see people who own 12 handguns that are all sub 600.00 dollar guns. But when you show them a Sig 210 or a Colt Special Combat they quickly turn away...I'm sure they would be much more satisfied with fewer guns and more time shooting than fine tuning.

 

[Strahley]

A Glock 19/23 is all I really "need" in a handgun

 

[Holgersen]

I don't have that much money to spend on handguns and their many accessories and things that go along with owning them, but I have built up a pretty decent battery.

Springfield XD 45 compact. This is for fall and winter and can take the 13 round magazines for when it hits the fan.
Kahr PM9 for a back up, pocket carry or for the summer months when it's shorts and t-shirt weather.
I also have a cheap single action .22LR/.22 magnum revolver for plinking.

I have other guns, but as far as a handgun battery for concealed carry the XD and the Kahr fill a lot of roles for me. I think it can take a few years to figure out what you exactly need or want in a handgun. They work for me.

 

[earlthegoat2]

every handgun ever made including all the prototypes

that sounds just about ideal to me

 

[Fishman777]

Here would be my top 5 handguns...

1. M&P9
2. M&P9c
3. M&P40
4. GP100, Stainless, 4.2"
5. Kimber 1911 Rimfire Target

 

[R.Ph. 380]

None of my handguns run on battery, most of them are manual, augmented by powder and primer. hehehehehe

Bill

 

[earplug]

Stuff I use

Bullseye Match fifty foot
High Standard with Match Dot and iron sight barrel.
S&W 625 Five inch with Match Dot
Nice but not needed any decent S&W 38/357 that can mount optics. Such as my S&W M-65 drilled and tapped for optics. It really shoots as well as my M-14.

Steel Challenge Rim Fire
S&W M-41 with a barrel capable of using optics or irons.

Steel Challenge center fire, Not perfect but they work and keep me happy.
Springfield 1911 and S&W 625


USPSA Springfield 1911 with Marvel 22 conversion unit that can be used for Steel Challenge or Bullseye.
S&W 625

ICORE Five inch S&W 625

Various loaded around the home guns. S&W M15, 38, 638, 60, 625,

Favorite carry gun S&W 642. Or any of the alloy J frames I own.

If I had to disown a bunch. Carry 642, M-41 with two barrels one optic the other iron sights. Two five inch 625's one optic, one irons.

If I was starting out I'd look at the Glock, S&W or Springfield camp and find a weapon that fit my carry needs and competition wants.

A Glock 26 for carry and what ever works for your local matches would be fine.

 

[TheProf]

For realistic self-defense use...

1. LCP = for super small "any wardrobe" pocket carry or as a back up gun.

2. j-frame = pocket carry

3. Glock 27 = IWB carry / house gun