Lost on what to buy

[JHenry]

So assuming my court fees dont deplete what money ive got saved up im interested in buying a gun but im not sure what i want. Ive narrowed it down to three firearms. All my options will be mainly used for occasional plinking except for one which will be explained later.

Interarms Ak47 from atlantic- always wanted one but i want to tinker around with whatever buy and if i got it the only thing i could consiously do is get it refinished/get a nicer wood stock, as i dont believe tacticool and AK go together.

Sig 1911 tacpac- 1911 and sig together just feels like a winner of a package, it comes with a rail, CPL(laser), and 2 magazines. I like the 1911 because of the huge aftermarket potential although id stop after installing a magwell and possibly an extended ported barrel.

The Magnum Research BFR in 45-70- again i think this is a pretty good deal, for under $900 i can fulfill my want for a large caliber wheelgun, a unique(i love the look of long cylinder) gun, and a very accurate shooter out to 100 yards(maybe more but im going off what ive read). This could be used for handgun hunting, which i think id like to try, and it would be a much less painful process to attach an optic to unlike 1911 or AK(doesnt come with the rail on the side). only downside is the 45-70 isnt a very cheap round and 20 rounds of ammo could run the same as like 50-75 rounds of 45 acp and alot of ak rounds.

all opinons are welcome, thank you

 

[cbmax]

Jhenry,

I think the first thing you need to decide is whether you want a rifle or a handgun. Once you nail this down, I can be of more help. I would also suggest that you try and decide between wheel gun and autoloader.

CB

 

[Dr.Mall Ninja]

I got a list of guns that I want to buy.... I wil one day have them all, just look around wait for a great deal, then snatch it up and scratch t off your list.

 

[bannockburn]

JHenry

Well since we don't know if you have any other firearms, then I would probably look to the one that would be the most versatile. To me that would be the M1911. I don't know where you live but for a lot of people this time of year, an indoor range is the only place you want to go for target practice. Not likely you would be able to use either of your two other choices there. You could also get a .22LR conversion set-up for the M1911, thereby giving you a more economical way to practice or to do some plinking.

 

[JHenry]

well my friend has alot of land past city limits(im talking a 500 yard stretch at least) and once Feb starts, our hunting lease will be pretty much usless until next november so ill have that as well. In fact the only range we have relitively close is a YMCA and other then the rifles they have there its off limits to everyone except law enforcement.

To make it short, a place to shoot isnt the problem.

 

[Sam1911]

...but i want to tinker around with whatever buy...

Usually it is a good idea to know what, very specifically, you're trying to achieve before you start to tinker around.

Does the gun work?
Does it work reliably and accurately?
Have you improved yourself to the point that the gun is holding YOU back, not the other way 'round?
What is actually deficient about it that needs to be improved?
Can you really accomplish a quality improvement or are you just looking to scratch an "I-must-bolt-things-to-other-things" itch?

Interarms Ak47 from atlantic- always wanted one but i want to tinker around with whatever buy and if i got it the only thing i could consiously do is get it refinished/get a nicer wood stock, as i dont believe tacticool and AK go together.

Should be a quality rifle. You may not need to have it refinished at all. There's only so "good" an AK can (or should?) look. Remember, the safety lever is going to take the finish right off the side of the receiver again, almost regardless of what refinishing job you have done. Ironwood Designs makes the best looking traditional stocks for AKs. You could "tinker" one of their sets on without having messed anything up.

Sig 1911 tacpac- 1911 and sig together just feels like a winner of a package, it comes with a rail, CPL(laser), and 2 magazines. I like the 1911 because of the huge aftermarket potential although id stop after installing a magwell and possibly an extended ported barrel.

What are you going to do with the 1911? A magwell can be a fine addition if you're into certain categories of competition, though it might disqualify you from other categories. How are your reload times without an added magwell?

Extended ported barrel? ...... No, that's silly on a .45ACP 1911. A near 40 oz. 5" barreled gun (in .45) is plenty easy to shoot fast with perfect control. You don't need ports, comps, extended barrels, or other gizmos. A little training and a lot of practice will go a lot further to improve your shooting than incompatible, ineffective, Hollywood-looking "upgrades."

The Magnum Research BFR in 45-70- again i think this is a pretty good deal, for under $900 i can fulfill my want for a large caliber wheelgun, a unique(i love the look of long cylinder) gun, and a very accurate shooter out to 100 yards(maybe more but im going off what ive read). This could be used for handgun hunting, which i think id like to try,

This sounds like a real nice idea. BFRs have a great reputation.

and it would be a much less painful process to attach an optic to unlike 1911 or AK(doesnt come with the rail on the side).

Yes, a handgun scope could really stretch the range for your handgun hunting if you develop the skills to make ethical shots.

Adding an optics side-rail to an AK isn't an extremely hard job, especially if you can find someone local with the tools and know-how to help walk you through it. That might really help work that "tinkering" bug out of your system.

An optic on a 1911? Again...WHY? What would be the purpose of that? There are very few forms of competition where an optic on a .45 1911 is going to be acceptable, and probably even fewer situations where it will be helpful. What will this gun be intended to DO, wherein the expense, weight, bulk, and very limited type of improvement offered by an optic is going to help you?

Before you ever take a screw-driver or other tool to a firearm, you should have a VERY clear, well-researched plan that defines a GOAL you hope to achieve by your modification. If the goal is "to have bolted something to something else," get an Erector set.

...only downside is the 45-70 isnt a very cheap round and 20 rounds of ammo could run the same as like 50-75 rounds of 45 acp and alot of ak rounds.

If you really like to do mechanical type things and want to be a lot more physically involved with your shooting system, I'd suggest you learn to hand-load ammo. You'll get to shoot a lot more for less and could develop loads which actually do improve your ability to hit your target far above what the factory ammo can achieve.

 

[hso]

"tinker" and quality NIB guns just don't typically go together.

If you want to tinker with firearms get used or even busted guns (or at least cheap).

Unless I'm mistaken the Sig 1911's don't use all standard parts so tinkering isn't easy.

 

[huntsman]

I vote for #3 just cause it's different and a quality gun

If you need to tinker buy a 10/22 there's a whole lot of after market crap you can buy and put on.

 

[InkEd]

The Sig 1911s do use some proprietary parts. It sounds like what you need to do is buy a basic 1911 like a Springer Mil-Spec and do some simple upgrades. Start with things like changing the sights and MSH. Once you've done that maybe install a long style trigger and beavertail safety. Then you can move on to polishing/swapping internal parts. Lastly, you can attempt to checker the front strap of you're feeling brave. (I sugget you practice on the MSH first because you can replace when it gets messed up.)


Once you've done all that stuff, you'll end up with a gun that's almost as expensive as an Ed Brown or Les Bauer 1911 and (if lucky) almost as nice as just buying one like a Loaded or R.O. model from the Springfield Armory factory.

On a positive note: You will have fun doing it AND by the time you get everything correct,
you'll probably be cured of the "tinkering" bug.

My best advice is buy guns that are pretty much equipped as desired. If you want to "tinker," then learn how to do it correctly. Ask a gunsmith if you can hangout and help around the shop.

 

[InkEd]

BTW you can build an AR pretty easily.

 

[youngda9]

Pick a random number out of a hat and do what that poster told you to do.

I vote a Smith pre-lock revolver.

 

[CaliCoastie]

Have you soot a large caliber handgun? Have you shot a 45-70 rifle?? I own a 44mag(not a45-70 by a long stretch) and have shot a 45-70 lever action and I can tell you thati have no interest in a revolver chambered in the cartridge.
Good luck with your choices.

 

[Tony G]

Im having a simular debate with myself,love shooting my 17hmr looking at a 23" 17 rem barrel for my contender.Merry Christmas to me !

 

[JHenry]

o shoulda checked up on this more often.

Ok lets get started

Extended ported barrel? ...... No, that's silly on a .45ACP 1911. A near 40 oz. 5" barreled gun (in .45) is plenty easy to shoot fast with perfect control. You don't need ports, comps, extended barrels, or other gizmos. A little training and a lot of practice will go a lot further to improve your shooting than incompatible, ineffective, Hollywood-looking "upgrades."

Yes it is very silly and itll be the last thing i would do to a 1911, but i do like the look of the extended barrel. A threaded barrel would be nice but since im not buying a suppressor fot it anytime soon it would just be kind of pointless, but a ported barrel might help to some effect with the muzzle flip, and im a big guy(6'3 275 played football and all that good stuff) but 45 recoil doesnt vanish and it couldnt hurt to try.

Unless I'm mistaken the Sig 1911's don't use all standard parts so tinkering isn't easy

Indeed they do not, i was espically bummed about them not having a full length guide rod cause i wanted to throw in one of those that have the laser in them, but ill digress lol

Have you soot a large caliber handgun? Have you shot a 45-70 rifle?? I own a 44mag(not a45-70 by a long stretch) and have shot a 45-70 lever action and I can tell you thati have no interest in a revolver chambered in the cartridge.

Well according to reviews ive read because the BFR is so massive in size and weight, it is reported to have no more if not less recoil than a 44 in 4 inch barrel(dont quote me on that though). But there is certainly an appealing quality to a handgun that can accurately reach out and touch something out to a 100 yards.

BTW you can build an AR pretty easily

Ive handled ARs, we own two, but the AK and FAL always appealed to me more(espically the AK).

My best advice is buy guns that are pretty much equipped as desired. If you want to "tinker," then learn how to do it correctly. Ask a gunsmith if you can hangout and help around the shop.

I understand where your coming from but as long as the trigger is nice and crisp the gun functional(which i trust the sig models are) ill take the money i save and buy that super fancy set of damascus steel grips(yes i have an obession with them lol) and other goodies, like 10 round mags. I have no real need for a crem de la crem pistol, at least at this point.

If you need to tinker buy a 10/22 there's a whole lot of after market crap you can buy and put on.

i have a 10/22 and its great but im looking to move on to other things

alright i think thats about everything

 

[Lex Luthier]

Most of us here will agree that we will always like firearms and will probably acquire more as we learn more about it and learn to appreciate the subject more. Just get the one that moves you now, and get another one later. Each one is different and special in its own way. Don't sweat it so much.

 

[JHenry]

Court fees? I musta missed a few episodes!

during my 6 hour drive i started zone out for a little bit (you know riding in the right lane at a constant speed, listening to the radio) and a cop tried to pull me over for speeding, but i never saw him while he was catching up to me and from there he was so close behind me i never saw his lights and i thought some road raging a-hole was just tailing me so i didnt pay it much attention, 5-7 mins another cop car comes, i actually see this one, and i pull over. I tried to explain but it didnt help much, so i have to go to court for eluding arrest.

 

[The-Reaver]

Subject Answer = Me more ammo

=)

 

[gbran]

The BFR in 45-70 will be a blast to shoot, but it ain't gonna be a high volume shooter, even if ammo cost wasn't a concern. I have an SRH in 454 Casull and trust me, it ain't the cost of ammo that holds me back. I can't imagine hi-power 45-70's would be any less painful.

 

[The Sarge]

I have been lost on what to buy for almost 50 years. So I just buy anything and everything. Now I am called an avid collector. My wife calls me crazy.

 

[JHenry]

yea the recoil of the .45-70 kind of worries me but at the same time it seems like a plus. The advantages it brings in my mind outweighs the potential lack of comfort. Plus the 45-70 is noted on several occasions on the reviews ive read to have a good bit less recoil than the 454, despite similar velocities.

 

[MICHAEL T]

A 44 mag pistol will do a 100 yds so will 357 . Many pistol and rifles will hit at 100 yds and be on with practice . I have seen 200yd hit with a shot gun using slugs on a man size target . This was smooth barrel not slug barrel

If you want a 1911 that get one that is 1911 compatable SIG isn't You talk about recoil of a 45 as reason for all the ad on Then you want a real hand cannon That makes the 45 seem like a 22 .

I think you need to rethink your whole set up other than AK maybe.

 

[JHenry]

well a 7 inch 45-70 will inherently be more accurate, ive never done long distance shots with a 44 or 357, but the 45-70 undoubtly has advantages over both. Theres just some kind of allure to a large revolver in 45-70. and 100 yards is just what ive read, i will definitly push the boundary of its effective range if i got one.

The 1911 is definitly the more traditional route and yea to complain about recoil on it then list the 45-70 BFR does seem weird, but im not going to be doing long range shooting with a 1911 either. Im not worried about recoil punishing my hand and wrist as i am with being able to just shoot very quickly and still be accurate.

I think ill be happy either way, auto pistols are great but i also love the idea of 100 yard plus plinking

 

[buck460XVR]

Plus the 45-70 is noted on several occasions on the reviews ive read to have a good bit less recoil than the 454, despite similar velocities.

...........you are kidding, right? Put both calibers in the same firearm and shoot them. The massive size of the BFR does help tame recoil, but believe me, it does not eliminate it, nor is it more pleasant to shoot than .454 in the appropriate handgun.

well a 7 inch 45-70 will inherently be more accurate, ive never done long distance shots with a 44 or 357, but the 45-70 undoubtly has advantages over both.

Handgun accuracy generally is not an issue of the caliber, but of the shooter. Handgun accuracy is not something that most come by easily and generally it takes much practice to be accurate past 25 yards. If you don't have the cash to spend on the ammo or your gun is uncomfortable to shoot much, you'll never get accurate enough with it regardless of caliber to even consider shooting game @ 100 yards. Being able to shoot a deer where it counts @ 40 yards with a .357 beats the 'ell outta gut shooting one @ 100 yards with a 45-70. IMHO, a BFR 45-70 is a handgun suited for a experienced big bore handgunner and most folks would be better off to spend their monies for a .44mag and the ammo to get good with it.