chaim
Member
I'm sort of starting to think about adding one more gun (for now) to my "collection". I was starting to get into small CCW type pieces but unfortunately I will probably have to put off my move to a CCW state yet another year (I am in an online graduate program right now, but I had to go full-time first session so I can't work and financial aid issues are keeping me from moving for now). I have neglected full-size range guns in my thinking of late and now that I'm stuck in MD another year I'm thinking about them again.
So, while it will probably be about a month (give or take a week or two) before I buy it is time to start thinking about my options.
Unfortunately, some of the nicer options I was thinking about can't happen. I just found out what my insurance settlement will be from an injury in a car crash and well, lets just say that it isn't very pretty. I will probably need to stay under (maybe at) $500 MD prices (figure we are probably 10-20% more than where you are).
Anyway, here are some of my thoughts (autos only, revolvers may get a second thread or may not):
-Taurus PT92: I like Taurus guns though in the past I wasn't that attracted to this design. Well, I shouldn't say I wasn't attracted to it since I often found myself looking over Taurus PT92s and Berettas, I just didn't really want to want one. However, a local dealer has had a sale for a while now on these ($409 blue, $419 stainless- I don't know if any are left) and this got me started on thinking about them. I would like another full-size 9mm to compare to my CZ and I know these are good guns. I do like the Taurus safety a lot more than the Beretta's. I'm thinking I should finally give this design a try and for a Beretta I'd have to go used.
-Beretta 92: See above for comments. This is the original, though I do much prefer the Taurus safety and some of the used 92s you see around here are pretty beat up by the time the previous owner sells (still usually asking $450-550). New they are a bit high ($550-600) and not many dealers have them anymore (they don't have the built-in lock which MD law requires on all guns made after 1/03).
-Ruger: Yeah, I know. Ugly, blocky, too big... I used to own a P89 which was 100% reliable, though not that accurate. It was my first auto and I was stupid to sell it. I would probably get the P90 since it is a better (more accurate) gun, but I might get the 89 for nostalgia. These are well made guns, I actually like the look, and they are priced right (plus the $40 rebate on top of that). If I want another before I leave MD (which depending upon where I go for the rest of graduate school and where I get a job may never happen, though I likely will leave) I have to get one soon since they too don't have the lock (plus, even if they add it, wouldn't it be nice to have one without it- someday, when all guns have them and most states require them, it will be a reminder of days gone by).
-BHP: Used BHP or FN HP or new clone. I got to fire one about a year or so ago and it may be the one 9mm that has a chance of beating out the CZ in my mind. Classic, great ergonomics, accurate, pretty, etc.
-CZ 75/85 variant: I do love CZs. I have the basic, the 75B. Should I pick up a 75BD, 75SA or 85Combat while I still can (again, no built-in locks)?
-CZ 97: I love .45s, I love CZs. Enough said? Well, this one is towards the top of my pricing (I think they are around $550 here). They are also sans lock.
-1911: I love my Charles Daly. I may go with another Daly while I can (no locks) or the related Rock Island Armory. I may go with the SA Mil-spec (though at $550 around here, this may be more than I want to spend). Another option is to look for used Colts in the $450-550 range.
-S&W 910: A little small for a range only gun but close. A little thick for CCW but close. These are supposed to be very nice and if the AWB sunsets, Hi-caps!!!
-Forget the full-sized gun and go compact anyway: Just 'cause I'm stuck here another year doesn't mean I can't buy one or two small guns too. I can still enjoy them at the range and I'll have a good CCW gun when/if I move. Here I'd consider: S&W908 (no lock, while available), used S&W 3913, Kahr K/P 9 (no lock, while still available), Charles Daly compact 3.5" 1911, save a bit more for a Kimber ProCarryII and a few others as well.
-Forget autos, just stick with more wheelguns. For another thread (.41mag Taurus or S&W, 3" K-frame, etc)
So, while it will probably be about a month (give or take a week or two) before I buy it is time to start thinking about my options.
Unfortunately, some of the nicer options I was thinking about can't happen. I just found out what my insurance settlement will be from an injury in a car crash and well, lets just say that it isn't very pretty. I will probably need to stay under (maybe at) $500 MD prices (figure we are probably 10-20% more than where you are).
Anyway, here are some of my thoughts (autos only, revolvers may get a second thread or may not):
-Taurus PT92: I like Taurus guns though in the past I wasn't that attracted to this design. Well, I shouldn't say I wasn't attracted to it since I often found myself looking over Taurus PT92s and Berettas, I just didn't really want to want one. However, a local dealer has had a sale for a while now on these ($409 blue, $419 stainless- I don't know if any are left) and this got me started on thinking about them. I would like another full-size 9mm to compare to my CZ and I know these are good guns. I do like the Taurus safety a lot more than the Beretta's. I'm thinking I should finally give this design a try and for a Beretta I'd have to go used.
-Beretta 92: See above for comments. This is the original, though I do much prefer the Taurus safety and some of the used 92s you see around here are pretty beat up by the time the previous owner sells (still usually asking $450-550). New they are a bit high ($550-600) and not many dealers have them anymore (they don't have the built-in lock which MD law requires on all guns made after 1/03).
-Ruger: Yeah, I know. Ugly, blocky, too big... I used to own a P89 which was 100% reliable, though not that accurate. It was my first auto and I was stupid to sell it. I would probably get the P90 since it is a better (more accurate) gun, but I might get the 89 for nostalgia. These are well made guns, I actually like the look, and they are priced right (plus the $40 rebate on top of that). If I want another before I leave MD (which depending upon where I go for the rest of graduate school and where I get a job may never happen, though I likely will leave) I have to get one soon since they too don't have the lock (plus, even if they add it, wouldn't it be nice to have one without it- someday, when all guns have them and most states require them, it will be a reminder of days gone by).
-BHP: Used BHP or FN HP or new clone. I got to fire one about a year or so ago and it may be the one 9mm that has a chance of beating out the CZ in my mind. Classic, great ergonomics, accurate, pretty, etc.
-CZ 75/85 variant: I do love CZs. I have the basic, the 75B. Should I pick up a 75BD, 75SA or 85Combat while I still can (again, no built-in locks)?
-CZ 97: I love .45s, I love CZs. Enough said? Well, this one is towards the top of my pricing (I think they are around $550 here). They are also sans lock.
-1911: I love my Charles Daly. I may go with another Daly while I can (no locks) or the related Rock Island Armory. I may go with the SA Mil-spec (though at $550 around here, this may be more than I want to spend). Another option is to look for used Colts in the $450-550 range.
-S&W 910: A little small for a range only gun but close. A little thick for CCW but close. These are supposed to be very nice and if the AWB sunsets, Hi-caps!!!
-Forget the full-sized gun and go compact anyway: Just 'cause I'm stuck here another year doesn't mean I can't buy one or two small guns too. I can still enjoy them at the range and I'll have a good CCW gun when/if I move. Here I'd consider: S&W908 (no lock, while available), used S&W 3913, Kahr K/P 9 (no lock, while still available), Charles Daly compact 3.5" 1911, save a bit more for a Kimber ProCarryII and a few others as well.
-Forget autos, just stick with more wheelguns. For another thread (.41mag Taurus or S&W, 3" K-frame, etc)