Im considering a extravagant purchase.. worth it?

[Ninja42]

Hi all!

I am just a few weeks away from buying my first gun, and untill yesterday I was sure that it would be a Glock 34. I hope to get into practical shooting soon, and I was under the impression that the G34 was amongst the best weapons for that purpose. However, the gunsmith also have a bunch of old army surplus SIG P210 restored to 99+% condition, and there is something inside me that makes me want one of them too. The guy is so sure of the condition of his SIGs that he offers a full two year warrenty as if the guns were new, and forthermore he offered to throw in a .22 LR conversion kit for it. The P210s are not cheap though... I could get 2½ Glock 34 for the cost of one of those, which is why I am in such doubt. Will the SIG make me significantly happier than the Glock? Will it even make me a happier shooter at all? What would you get?

 

[mgdavis]

Over $1000 for a used Sig? That seems very expensive to me.

 

[Frandy]

You are going to get both sides of the aisle on this one, you know that, right?

You need to decide what you want the gun for. If this is your first handgun, consider how long it can be before you could pay for a second one. Consider what you want to immediately use the weapon for (self protection? carry? home defense? plinking at the range? your only gun for at long period of time?).

Also, how many mags are you getting? Are mags available and at what cost? Are spare parts easily obtainable?

Now me, I'm an old fart with an income that can afford to get the 210 and not be concerned about many of the above issues because I have plenty of other firearms to cover all the bases. But, if I was younger (I assume you are) and it was to be my first and only handgun for a while, I'd want one that was practical in all respects, not that the 210 isn't, but...

Then again, there's the "emotional cool" factor, that depends on how much one succumbs to that internal stirring.

2 cents and not worth much more....

 

[bad LT]

old army surplus SIG P210

There are surplus SIG 210s on the market?

 

[10-Ring]

I'm not the SIG fan many here are, but as I understood it, the P210's go for more than $1k so, barring a more informed member schooling me on this subject, sounds like a deal, esp w/ 2 year warranty & 22lr conv kit.
?? Are these refurbs? what vintage are they? matching parts? have any pics?

 

[kentucky_smith]

Over $1000 for a used Sig? That seems very expensive to me.

Unless, it's the Holy Grail, a 210.


http://www.gunsamerica.com/classifieds/none/_976758762.aspx

 

[Ninja42]

This pic is from the gunsmiths website, but it looks exactly like the the one he showed me in the store:

The P210 is his specialty, so he carries just about everything in spare parts, and the guys shop enjoys quite a reputation for good customer service in my gunclub. Extra mags will cost me just about twice as much as the extra mags for the glock, but I am willing to pay up if.. Unless Im talked out of buying the SIG here of course.

I wont be buying another gun anytime soon, no matter if I buy the Glock or the SIG, as I wont be able to get another permit in a year or two.

EDIT: Oh wait, it IS refurbished! I wasent too familiar with the word the first time I saw it, so I failed to understand it right.. Good thing I have my dictionary. Sorry about the confusion.

 

[DogBonz]

well

Over $1000 for a used Sig? That seems very expensive to me.

Normally I would agree with you, but the 210 is considered one of, if not the finest 9mm ever made. I think that they sold for over $2k new.

 

[kellyj00]

ahh that's a toughy. The sig has a real COOL factor, and it's very highly regarded among those who know. The glock is a cookie cutter.

both will make you happy, I'm afraid, especially if it's your first. My suggestion, buy the cheaper glock... and spend the rest on ammo. guns are just funner when you shoot them.

 

[Storm]

Go with the Sig. While it may not be the most practical choice right now, someday, and probably sooner than you think, you will be kicking yourself for having passed on it.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Glocks are a dime a dozen--a Sig 210 is hard to come by.

 

[CWL]

Get the SIG if you can afford it. It is extremely rare and an incredible shooter.

 

[chaim]

Get the SIG. I'd love a SIG 210 if I could afford it. About the only thing you'd be better off with a Glock for is if you wanted to carry (and I suppose you could make do with the 210 if you had to).

 

[akodo]

try going to auctionarms.com or gunbroker.com and typing in sig 210 in the search function.

ALL sigs are great guns, but the sig 210 is something special. something from the days long past. Closest thing to it I guess woudl be the 'pre-64 winchesters'. If you think you ever in your life would want to own one, buy it now, because whenever that desire creeps up again, it will take you years to track down the deal you have in front of you right now.

 

[Majic]

You can't buy accuracy. That's a skill you have to develop. The 2 pistols have 2 different actions. You have to decide if you want the action of a Glock or the single action of the Sig. The .22lr kit offered with the Sig allows you plenty of cheap practice (which you will need seeing that this will be your first handgun). With the Sig you will have a highly respected pistol. With the Glock.......well they are about a dime a dozen. Either one will serve you well at first, but I believe the better trigger action of the Sig will serve you better if your skill level rises enough.

 

[browningguy]

A P210 for a grand is a very good deal. I've seen well worn ones go for $1500, and mint will be $1800 and up. These guys are very expensive but will give you an idea.

http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/admin/show_inventory.php?catID=5&subcatID=48

 

[Winter Borne]

Sig me baby. Much rarer and will always hold it's value.

IMO

mk

 

[Mortech]

ALWAYS go for the hard to get ones first

 

[Black Snowman]

A lot depends on your future, as many have said. If you can recover from the purchase, I'd lean toward the 210. My first handgun was a Glock 24P, so I know the lure of the competition Glocks.

My advice, whichever gun you get, is to take a course on handgun shooting. Best money you'll ever ever spend firearms related is training. You'll save thousands over the years in range time and ammo. Definitely do it before participating in competition. You'll be light years ahead and can avoid developing bad habits and reinforce your new skills.

Free advice and worth every penny.

 

[tbtrout]

How I regret some of the opportunities I have passed up while trying to be practical, or I wanted something else that I could have bought at any time. The problem I have is once I pass it up and get what I was looking at originally, I get the bug for what I turned down and end up spending more for it than I would have. Becase the opportunity has passed.:banghead:

 

[270Win]

I also would go with the Sig.

 

[trueblue1776]

oh delirious lust for a P210...

210 is the Aston Martin DB4 of the handgun world for me, So smooth, effective, classic looks, what more could you ask for?

(And I couldn't afford it if I saved my milk money for a year)

Why not buy a Glock and with the leftover money buy an AK to keep it company?

 

[1BLINDREF]

Being a Sigaholic like I am, I'd go for the Sig.
You'll always be able to pick up a Glock, but the Sig P210 is the Holy Grail IMHO.
Would you care to share your source for these P210s???

 

[Two Cold Soakers]

Go for the Mojo

Sig.

If you end up not wanting it, trade it for two glocks.
I double dog dare you.

You'd have a tough time trading two glocks for that Sig, however.

The key word is "Restored". What'll that do to the deal??

 

[DBR]

I bought a new Sig 210 with a matching serial number factory 22lr conversion from Sigarms in 1996 for $1895. It has walnut grips and a polished blue finish. I think it is a "5 series". At that time it listed for around $2500. I've never regretted that purchase. It is truly unique gun both historically and mechanically. However, I don't consider it a general purpose gun at all.

If the gun/conversion you are considering is an original Swiss manufacture and in the condition you describe, it might be a very good price. Is the conversion a real Swiss made factory Sig unit? IIRC CDNN had police trade-in 210s for around $800 (without a 22lr conversion) a few years ago. The factory new 22lr conversion with one magazine was about $600 when I bought mine. Refinishing of this type of gun generally reduces its value.

The Sig 210 is in no way a practical alternative to a Glock. Magazines cost about $125 and are not "hicap". Parts and support are not generally available and are very expensive.

It is a great gun to own that is reputed to easily exceed 100k rounds and still show 1 1/2" groups at 50M. I consider mine a unique, accurate, shootable curio. It would never be my only gun.