What Am I Missing? Purchasing 3 Handguns

[PeteyPete]

I'm in the market for 3 handguns for reasons only my state government can explain, but I'm having a hard time deciding which 3 I should purchase. As of today I own:

• G17
• G19
• RIA 1911
• Ruger SR1911
• Sig P229 .40/357sig

What would you buy to add to the list? Here are a few I'm considering: Beretta 92A1, Ruger mk3, HK VP9, GP100 in 357, STI Trojan, Springfield 1911 RO, CZ-75, M&P9Pro, P226, BHP, S&W686 in 357. What am I missing? What would you get?

Purpose of use is: shooting targets/steel, introducing new shooters, rounding out the collection, owning history.

My only criteria for purchase:

1. Cannot be exorbitant in price
2. Must be able to purchase ban-state mags
3. No exotic ammo choices.

 

[swopjan]

Pretty much everything you listed is on my 'eventually' list too but if I had your guns I'd get a revolver or .22 for some variety.

 

[Thermactor]

I'd say a P226, Ruger Mk3 and a nice wheelgun (your choice) would round out your collection nicely.

 

[mgmorden]

I would eliminate the Trojan and the Springfield - you've already got 1911's covered.

Ruger Mk3 would be a good choice - a .22 is great for introducing new shooters and target shooting.

For #2, I'd opt for the 686 or the GP-100 you listed to round things out with something different.

For gun #3 you have pretty much all 9mm's, so I'd get one of those. My opinions thereof:

Beretta 92A1 - can't stand them.
HK VP9 - never fired one (only one of the 9mm's in your list I haven't), but looks VERY promising on paper.
CZ-75 - Like very much - best DA/SA on the market IMHO.
M&P 9 Pro - Love them. My favorite striker fired gun.
SIG P226 - Ok. SIG's aren't terrible, and I like them better than the Beretta, but I think the CZ is the better gun of this styel.
BHP - Ergonomically superb, and probably the "prettiest" 9mm IMHO, but I don't like the triggers, and they hold less rounds than the rest. Not a terrible choice though.

As another gun to possibly consider - the Walther PPQ M2 5". No pre-ban mags available but that's the case for the VP9 and M&P on your list already so I figured I'd mention it.

 

[stompah]

Ruger SP101 in 22lr, then a GP100. If you want to pocket carry then a LCR or comparable S&W.

I am not a huge revolver guy, it just looks like you need some to round out the collection.

 

[NOMI WASP]

I want a PPQ, I think they are the sexiest polymer pistol I've seen.

 

[Jlr2267]

GP100 is a very solid choice, as would be a 686 (older model).

I can also *highly* recommend the CZ75. There are several variants of this pistol. I have the CZ75B and it is my all-time favorite.

 

[1KPerDay]

You need a revolver and at least one .22. Up to you whether you want to cover both bases with one gun.

I'd get a Ruger GP100 .357 or 686, the Beretta, and a Ruger MKIII or Browning Buckmark.

Wait... P226 first.

 

[Fiv3r]

I think a .357 is never a bad gun to have on hand. A 4" GP100 would make a fine heavy duty do-it-all wheel gun. Easy to control with .38 special and robust enough to handle the heaviest hot loads. I usually favor a stumpy little SP101 for carry, and I don't really NEED a GP since I have a .357 Blackhawk and a .357 Vaquero, but if I didn't have any of those guns the GP would be what I would buy.

A Ruger .22 is never a bad thing either. The Mkiii is economical, reliable, and accurate. I shoot mine a lot, but unless it's a target with dynamic action (like a soda can), it's rather boring making ragged holes off hand at 25 yards Great for teaching new shooters and the 22/45 has the same grip angle as the 1911 (even though I have never found it to be a very good analog for the .45, really)

A good 9mm is always wise to have in the stable. Inexpensive and available ammo abounds (when there isn't a drought or a scare...then switch to a .40). I know a lot of people don't like the 92fs, but I adore mine. I don't have overly large hands, but the 92 is like putting on a glove. It's the most accurate center fire pistol that I own. I don't even take my FNX-9 out for a walk anymore. I don't shoot it as well as the 92, and I think it's an incredibly beautiful gun. It would be on my "There can be only one" list fighting between a 2.25" SP101 snub nose and maybe a good reliable 1911.

 

[WestKentucky]

Beretta 92 is a great choice, 686 is another great choice, and since you are heavy on autos now I would recommend another revolver of your choice...I personally would go ruger Blackhawk or vaquero in 357 along with that 686 so your only stocking 1 revolver ammo type.

 

[Teachu2]

1. CZ 75
2. Ruger MK. III
3. 686

 

[WestKentucky]

Another great gun to consider is a Walther ppk...my choice would be 32acp

 

[Arkansas Paul]

You can only buy 3 at a time? Is that what you're saying?

You give a list of what you already own, so I'm a bit confused.

 

[CWL]

I'd say start with the Ruger MKIII (or MKII if you can find one used); then
SW 686
Last could be Beretta 92 or a CZ 75. Whichever fits your hands better.

Wait a bit before you move up to pricier M1911s. If you start now, you may find yourself spending everything on them before you've built up your collection!

 

[wally]

Since you don't have a revolver I'd go with the 686 and add the CZ75 and M&P9PRO.

Yeah everyone should have a .22lr, but with the current ammo situation why bother.

 

[Normandy]

Ruger Mark 3.
S&W model 66 (.357 mag)
Browning Hi Power

 

[ol' scratch]

A Ruger Mark III and an FN High Power or an FEG P9M "Hi Power". The Ruger is a lot of gun for a little money. The FN Hi Power can be purchased as can the P9M Hi Power clone on the surplus market. I only gave $300 for my surplus FN Hi Power a few years ago. Prices have increased slightly, but the FEG has held at the same price it was a few years ago. For the FEG, check Southern Ohio Gun.

 

[Tallball]

Any good 357 revolver would be at the top of my list.

My 92 has been outstanding for 25 years or so... and so has my FEG High Power clone.

Pricewise, the Taurus 92 clone is made in an ex Beretta factory on Beretta machinery, but is relatively inexpensive.

I paid $200 for my excellent Hungarian High Power clone.

 

[cfullgraf]

S&W686 in 357.

If you find an S&W 686 in anything other than 375 Magnum, buy it. It would be a very rare bird indeed.

Put the names in a hat and draw them.

The Ruger Mk 3 would be good for new shooters.

The Browning High Powder is good for historical value especially if you get a vintage military surplus model.

 

[Bobson]

Walther PPQ
SIG P238
Ruger Mk3

Yeah, buddy.

 

[earplug]

S&W 627 5" 8 shot + moon clips for training, steel and its cool
Or,possibly the new S&W 8 shot 9MM revo.
S&W Model 41, or High Standard 22.
J frame 38. 642.

 

[ugaarguy]

Purpose of use is: shooting targets/steel, introducing new shooters, rounding out the collection, owning history.

Based on your criteria I've commented below on what you're considering.

Beretta 92A1, - Good gun, but not great. Big for a 15 round pistol, huge for a 10 round pistol. Fairly expensive for what it is, but it does meet the historical criteria for having the commercial version of the standard US Military sidearm that's about to hit three decades in service.

Ruger mk3, - A .22 semi-auto is a huge gap in your collection. I'd rather have a Ruger 22/45 or a Browning Buckmark than a MK3 (particularly with the two 1911s in the stable), but any of those three would be great options. I'd also consider a .22LR top end for one of the 1911s as an alternative.

HK VP9, - They're too new for me (and probably most folks here) to have a well formed opinion on, and no one knows how they'll do long term.

GP100 in 357 / S&W 686 in 357 - This is another big hole in the collection. A pre-lock 686 would be my choice if buying used. If new, I'd get a GP-100 Match Champion without hesitation.

STI Trojan / Springfield 1911 RO - I'd be happy with either as a target gun to go with the other 1911s you already have. You don't have a match / target pistol in the collection so that would fill a hole.

CZ-75 - Great guns. Trigger reach is a bit long for me, so make sure you handle one before buying. If it fits you well the CZ factory made Kadet .22 LR top end is a worthy consideration.

M&P9Pro - It's different from your Glocks, and it fills the target / practical match role too. On the other hand, a Glock 34 fills the same role, fills the Glock collection, and can share mags with your 17.

P226 - Unless you get a 226 X5 to fill the target / match role it's not different enough from your 229.

BHP - It's different from what you have, it's a classic, and it's quite slim for a double stack mag gun, even if you are limited to 10 rounders.

What am I missing? What would you get?

You're also missing a .22 LR revolver, like a pre-lock S&W model 63 kit gun, or the new Ruger competitor in the form of the 4.2" bbl .22LR SP-101.

 

[TMR]

How about a Dan Wesson 12 in 357, blued or stainless in whatever barrel length you want then add some other barrels later, they're pretty cool.

 

[cgrutt]

Only read a few of the responses but they were aligned with my recommendation which would definitely include a 22 and at least one wheelgun. Not on your list but I own a Sig P220 and P938 which I would recommend. Also if you like your G19 why not add a G23? I own both and prefer to carry the 23 over the 19 but both are great guns. Good luck.

 

[JDR]

CZ-75B (9mm only), P226 (prefer it in .40 S&W), S&W686 (4" BBL)