I'm torn...Advice?

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rantingredneck

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OK so I've got some funds coming in from a pending sale and I'm trying to figure out how to spend them. I had been looking into getting my first AR, but have kinda backed away from that idea in the last day or two. I want one, but I'm a practical guy to a fault. If I can't see myself using a gun regularly I know I won't keep it. I've had AK's and SKS's that I ended up trading away because while they were tacticool, they just weren't something that I used on a regular basis.

Mostly when it comes to guns, I'm a hunter (deer, upland birds, beginning predators) and a target shooter. I go to the pistol range 3-4 times per month and to a rifle range every 2-3 months.

I've got about 850 total to spend from a couple of sales and want to get something practical for my shooting habits. I've wanted a .243 Win bolt action for awhile and have been seriously considering Savage 110 series rifles with the accutrigger. I can get a package gun at Walmart (one here still sells guns) for around 350.

I also want another handgun that is more concealable than my P89 and P90 Rugers. I like the P95 but it isn't tons smaller than the others. I've looked at some other guns and the XD series looks real nice. I've read good things too. I would want it in 9mm too I think. Mostly for ammo price. I've got a .45 and the ammo is pricey around here. I don't like .40's too much. I've owned one and shot several and don't do so well with them. In a smallish platform I think the 9mm is where I'm at. I have to admit that magazine interchangeability with my p89 is a big selling point for the P95.

My question: are there other guns in either the rifle or handgun that I should be considering?
 
I guess I wasn't terribly clear that I'm kinda over the AR bug. I've been in love with the .243 win for awhile and haven't jumped. Also want a smaller carry weapon so I'm really into the two gun idea right now. Really looking for info on the XD. Is it so much better than the Ruger that it justifies the $200.00 additional price tag.
 
Look at a Sig Pro SP2022, I love it more than my sig clasic and they are cheaper too! Oh and an M1A makes a hell of a deer gun.
 
An M1A for me would require a helluva divorce lawyer too. I'd love to have one but don't quite have that much cash on hand right now in my gun fund. :D
 
I'm over the EBR bug...........

OK the rifle CALIBER part is pretty much decided. I really want a .243 Win bolt action, probably Savage but I'm open to other suggestions there. I'm mostly asking advice on the Handgun portion of my two gun shopping spree here. Either I can go with the Ruger P95 or the XD9 or (Insert other option here).
 
What caliber are you looking for in a handgun ? Me I really love my M&P40 and its quite easy to conceal using a IWB holster
 
XD 45 I have both the XD9 and XD45 XD45 isnt much bigger than the 9mm and it holds 13 rounds in the mag unless your looking for cheaper shooting then the XD9 would probably be better. Either way though the XD is a great weapon very accurate nice trigger for a polymer and I have had no FTF or FTE in either of mine.
 
I'm trying to stay with 9mm for ammo price and other considerations. I'll consider a .45 but I've never been a big .40 fan. Have owned one and shot several more over the years. Just never been the cartridge for me. Another consideration is that I already have a 9mm and a .45 so I keep stocked in both calibers. Really don't want to add .40 back into that mix.
 
XD 45 I have both the XD9 and XD45 XD45 isnt much bigger than the 9mm and it holds 13 rounds in the mag unless your looking for cheaper shooting then the XD9 would probably be better. Either way though the XD is a great weapon very accurate nice trigger for a polymer and I have had no FTF or FTE in either of mine.
 
Yeah that's my thinking too. The .243 makes an awesome whitetail/coyote combo weapon. I've got a .30-06 bolt action and quite a few shotguns/slug guns but want something that won't completely mangle coyotes. That being said it must also be able to reliably handle whitetails as that is my primary hunting focus. I've heard of .223's and .22-250's killing deer, but I'd rather go with something heavier.
 
CZ 75s are pretty cheap. The Taurus 9mms seem to have a good reputation, too - go to a range that rents guns and try a few different 9mms on for size, fit, et al.
 
For deer rifles I am kind of biased towards the Rem 700 but if you want a Savage have at it.
For a pistol you said you wanted something more concealable. How small are we talking? I have a XD9SC and it's a fun and very reliable rig. I also have a Glock 26 and it's even more concealable (it's surprising how different they feel in size while carrying considering their similar size). The barrel feels high on the XD compared to the Glock. You can't go wrong with either one. If you want a service or compact size, there are a plethora of guns.
 
Im a 1911 lover at heart, but I have to admit I really have been impressed with my Block ..... er I mean Glock 19.

9mm, compact frame, 15 round capacity, reliable to a fault.....whats not to like?
 
Dont forget to check out the Beretta PX4.

PS- I love how no matter what you say everyone tells you to get an AR.
 
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I fully understand your situation, and where you are coming from. The best
advice that I can give you, is to go ahead with the purchase of an AR-15;
and let all else fall where it may~! The reason being, H.R. #1022 has been
reintroduced again by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D- New York. She tries this
same thing each year, but so far it has failed. With the demos in control of
Congress, NO ONE can tell what might happen? So far, this bill has no co-
sponsors; and hasn't made it out of committee. But if it does, we the gun
loving public will have the fight of our lives~! Folk's like Clinton, Schumer,
Boxer, Pelosi, Fienstein, Bayh, Glenn, and the like are lick'in their chops in
hopes of getting a chance too shoot us down, with their vote.

It would be a comfortable feeling knowing that you have that AR standing
in your gun safe, in case its needed~! If 1022 passes, you won't we able
to run down to your favorite gun shop and pick one up. And while you are
at it, you might better stock up on at least one case (1,000 rounds) of
.223 ammo. I know how you feel 'bout wanting a .243; but put that on
the back burner for now; and help us tackle the challenge that looms
ahead~!;) :D
 
I've got about 850 total to spend from a couple of sales and want to get something practical for my shooting habits. I've wanted a .243 Win bolt action for awhile and have been seriously considering Savage 110 series rifles with the accutrigger. I can get a package gun at Walmart (one here still sells guns) for around 350.
Click to expand...
I'm a practical guy to a fault.
Click to expand...
I'd get a Savage built Stevens M200 - Savage action & bbl, plain Savage trigger (pre-accutrigger), plain grey synthetic stock, no frills - it defines practical. Sportsman Warehouse and similar big box stores sell them for around $260. Then I'd put a little money into a good scope. I've always liked Burris Scopes, particularly their Fullfield II line. A Fullfield II 3-9x40 will run you about $210. Keep in mind that this a much tougher and more durable scope than what comes with the Savage factory package. Burris also has a lifetime no questions asked replacement warranty. Most importantly the Fullfield II has better light transmission than its price competitor the Leupold VXI. The better light transmission and clearer glass will definetly help on those dawn & dusk low light Coyote shots. With rings & bases it'll total a little over $150 more for the package with a much better scope and a very practical rifle.

On the handgun end I'd look at a used single stack metal frame S&W in 9mm. They're available in DA/SA or DAO operation so it'll work just like your current Rugers. Nothing new to learn keeps things simple. The pistols themselves are rugged and reliable. You should be able to find a used one in VG to EX shape for around $300. Another good option is the Stoeger Cougar compact single stack 9mm. Beretta shipped the Cougar tooling to their Stoeger subsidary in Turkey for lower labor costs. CDNN has new ones for $300. www.cddninvestments.com - download the catalog for gun prices.
 
XD vs Ruger and varmint rifles.

For my money, I'd opt for the XD for the following reasons:
more caliber options
great customer service if you need it (although I haven't heard bad about Ruger)
a little less blocky and easier to conceal
capacity
comes with mags, holster and mag pouch

For varmint rifles, you really can't go wrong with a .243. The Savage line is known for out-of-the-box accuracy, especially with the accutrigger. Look at the Stevens line, too. They are basically a Savage with no options (accutrigger, cheaper stocks, etc.). The accuracy is there and aftermarket stocks cure a lot of "ugly stock" ills.

If, however, you are still slightly smitten with the AR bug, a 20" or 24" A3 (flat top) with good glass and a 1:9 twist will put 62gr-75gr SP and HP bullets into varmints with boring regularity at three and four hundred yards.
 
My thoughts on your possible choices - GO GET 'EM!

Last year, I purchased both the .243 Stevens and the Springfield XD9, and I couldn't be happier with both.

The .243 is, by far, the most accurate rifle in my collection and in spite of the fact that I have a .270 Mossberg and a .308 Remington, I'm thinking that the .243 will be the one I turn to when it comes deer season.

I'm 61 and only recently have been able to start a collection of rifles/handguns, so I haven't had very many years in which to practice and hone my skills as a rifleman. With the .270 and the .308, I can keep my shots within decent tolerances, but I gotta tell you, that Stevens .243 gives me twelve-shot groups within 1.5 to 2 inches. It's a pleasure to carry - with the scope, it's less than 7.5 pounds and the trigger is very nice.

The Springfield XD9 is both accurate and easy to shoot. I was in the market for a used S&W Model 10 .38 Special, but my son-in-law kept yelling at me to buy the "Springfield 9, the Springfield 9". I had to admit, it fit my hand very nicely and had gotten rave reviews, so I plunked down the money and walked with the 9.

I'm happy I did. Again, I'm learning how to shoot, but I don't think I could have chosen a better handgun to start with. It cycles smoothly, the recoil isn't anything to fear, and I can group fairly well at the pistol range.

Those are my observations on your question. (I also got my S&W Model 10. $200. When I got it, I'm not sure it had more than a dozen rounds through it and I feel like I got a great deal. Every time I shoot it, I think I'm Broderick Crawford in the '50's TV show, "Highway Patrol". It's a fun gun for an old guy.)
 
Love the XD9, but...

I love my XD, but I kind of wish the .45 had been out when I was in the market. I'm not completely comfortable with the power of the 9mm, but hollow points kind of even the score. I know the XD45 isn't much bigger than the 9 and doesn't feel too much different. Either way you go, you'll be happy. Also, no FTF/FTE on mine either.
 
Anyone who professes to be that practical will have to check the Taurus MilPro's real hard, right?;) My PT-145 has been faultless, and I'd expect no less from the 9mm. And that with the rifle leaves lots of ammo money left over...
 
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