What should my 3rd handgun be?

[PigButtons]

Glock 31 or 32

If you get one of these, the 31 is the full sized 32 in mid sized, you can get a 9mm wolf conversion barrel and magazine to shoot for practice, a 40 barrel (same mag as the 357 sig) if you can get deals on ammo. AND you can get a 22lr conversion for target and plinking. 4 calibers, one permit, excellent reliability, tons of after market stuff, good resale, very short learning curve.

 

[easyg]

Yep, everyone needs a .357 magnum revolver.

 

[wlewisiii]

Revolver: S&W Model 10. Still the best. Find a tapered & pinned barrel if you can, but tapered is more important. It just looks and points better to me.

Auto: Glock. Whatever size or caliber you like, it's the best out there right now.

.22: Find a nice old Colt Woodsman. There is nothing, I'll say it again - nothing - out there quite like it.

Have fun.

 

[beatledog7]

Get a .357 Magnum. Look for a nice, tight Security Six.

 

[Manny]

If you're thinking of shooting IDPA you'll find Glock is the #1 choice:

http://idpashooting.wordpress.com/2009/02/21/top-10-most-popular-idpa-guns/

I have a G34 and it's my #1 go-to gun, I can't recommend it enough. The only thing you need to do to them to be ready for virtually any need is to put your choice of sights on. As excellent a weapon as the Beretta is it has a very large grip and you'll note that any Beretta is far from the top choice.

Being that you have a 15 round limit the 17rd mags of the 9mm G34 would force you to use the 10rd versions. However if you went with a G35 in .40 S&W you could use full capacity 15rd mags. As you reload the difference im ammo cost should be negligable.

As far as a .22, I had and got rid of a MKIII Ruger, and would STRONGLY recommend a Buckmark instead.

For the third gun, a back up to your primary is never a bad choice, but a good .357 or other revolver would sure be a great addition and could greatly enhance the capabilities of your collection. In the classic book Survival Guns author Mel Tappan differentiated between defensive guns, where he preferred semi autos, and working (field guns) where he prferred revolvers. As already recommended, a Ruger GP100 is an oustanding choice. If you can afford about $800 as noted you might want to get something extra special such as a limited edition. Here are a couple very nice options;

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-GP100RP.htm

http://www.lipseys.com/itemdetail.aspx?itemno=RUGP141P&items=exclusives

and

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-GP100WC.htm

http://www.lipseys.com/itemdetail.aspx?itemno=RUHGP-331-NVK&items=talo

 

[skidder]

This so called "right wing extremist" gets pissed hearing about these infringements , but this is not your fault.

To answer your question about the 3rd gun...I would say a 2", 3", or 4" .357 would be a good choice.

 

[2zulu1]

I'd go with either a M686 or M27 with target triggers.

 

[paintballdude902]

desert eagle.......... jk

I SAY A 1911 IS A MUST. sorry for caps on phone dont feel like deleting

 

[Demos]

If I decide to go the 1911 route, what is a reliable one for around $800 that is lefty friendly? The ones I've found don't seem to offer ambidextrous/reversible mag releases.

Thanks,
Demos

 

[230therapy]

Desert Eagle: To tiger stripe or not tiger stripe? Gold or silver? It's a very tough decision.

The ones I've found don't seem to offer ambidextrous/reversible mag releases.

Reversible mag release? I am not sure that's an option for the 1911. Get on the 1911 Forum and poke around.

If I decide to go the 1911 route, what is a reliable one for around $800 that is lefty friendly? The ones I've found don't seem to offer ambidextrous/reversible mag releases.

"Low cost" and "1911" don't go well together.

I have had excellent luck with current production Colt XSE series pistols. My Colt WWI fed all common JHPs and shot very well.

I have had terrible luck with Springfield Armory (EMP, Loaded, Operator) but SA Customer Service were able to fix the reliability problems. Details are long and involved and I was very, very annoyed when consecutive purchases were lemons.

I had an awful experience with Kimber. The guns were unreliable and their customer service department did not follow through on their promises. Springfield Armory's shop at least did what they said they would do and didn't cut corners.

You could get weird and go with 9x23mm. Now that's a hoot to shoot when your bullets push 1600 FPS. Respect ma authoratah!

Your best bet is likely a semi-custom gun from Ed Brown or similar.

Someone is going to recommend an Rock Island Armory 1911 for $400. All I am going to say is that two examples I saw in my LGS had mainspring housings with chisel marks. If you find this acceptable, carry on!

Good luck and have fun with the 1911! It's an adventure I undertake once every five years that lasts a few months. It can be a fun ride.

 

[earplug]

Buy a CZ 9mm with a 22 conversion kit

Or buy a SIG with a 22 conversion kit.
Or buy a Glock with a after market conversion kit.
Then depending on what firearm fit best, buy a compact version that you could carry if you needed to defend yourself away from the home.

 

[james_bond]

XD-45

 

[1858remington]

Springfields XD-40 is a great gun.

If you go with a Glock in 40S&W, you can buy a drop in 9mm and 357sig barrels and have 3 calibers in one gun. Wolf barrels sell them for about $100 each. Then there would be no need for the beretta 92, which would free you up to buy another gun.

The Taurus 1911's in 38super have been getting great reviews and are being sold for about $500.

A 357mag revolver is timless. Every gun owner should have one in their collection. Besides you can shoot cheap 38specials for target, and hot 357mag's when you want to have a little fun.

My fun gun is the Keltec PLR-16 pistol in 223 caliber. It takes regular AR-15 mags, is pleasant to shoot, makes a big noise and has a huge muzzle flash. Not only that, its very accurate.

 

[hirundo82]

Good choice on the .22 and 9mm. I'd add a 4" .357 (S&W or Ruger) or a 5" 1911--no gun collection is complete without both of those.

 

[rskent]

Easy, get a 1911.

For that matter why don’t you start with a 1911. After you shoot
it for a while you may not want to bother with the others.
Steve

 

[Hit_Factor]

If you are thinking about competitions IDPA or USPSA, go watch a couple matches and note which guns are shot by the average to good shooters. Some of them will probably let you shoot their gun after the match. Just tell them you are interested but want to buy the right gear first.

Generally Glocks, 1911 and XD's will make up the majority of the competition guns. These guys usually tweak their guns a lot, so availability of specialized parts is important. H&K, Berretta, S&W autos, Taurus, Kahr, Keltec and Sig are not shot often.

$800 Will get you the pistol, holster, mag pouches, cover garment if you go with Glock or XD / XDm. I also recommend you start with 9mm no matter which gun you choose.

Competition ready 1911/2011 are outside your stated price range.

 

[Sonic82]

If you want an IDPA pistol...get a Glock or 1911. I believe those are the standard competition pistols.

 

[PR-NJ]

Ruger GP100

In .357 magnum, or .327 magnum if you want to get fancy.

...and move to PA!

 

[Dr_2_B]

So far, a 357 revolver seems to be the way to go. Any suggestions for one that's about $800?

I don't see why you'd have to spend that much. Frankly, for $800, you could get two fine pistols.

As for the 357, I think a Ruger SP101 would be great. Or the GP100.

 

[wlewisiii]

$800??? Why spend that much?

Look for a 4" barreled Model 65. It'll be between $400 & $500. Put 158 gr. bullets through it as fast as possible and you can have one hell of a firearm.

 

[memphisjim]

since you reload glock 10mm

 

[carbuncle]

I think a good third gun for you would be either a .357 revolver with a 4" barrel or a full-size 1911, depending on your preferences. The .357 can also fire .38 Special, so you've got a versatile and fun range gun there or you can get an American classic in .45 ACP, which would also be a fun range gun. For specifics, think Ruger GP100 for the .357 or Ruger SR1911, Remington R1 or RIA for the 1911.

 

[muncherndn]

Sorry to hear about your limitations. If I were you, I'd seriously consider a S&W 686 or a Ruger GP 100. I don't think you would be disappointed with a quality revolver. Either weapon would be a great choice. If you go the GP route, you can get stocked up on ammunition as well. Best of luck

 

[mgmorden]

$800??? Why spend that much?

Look for a 4" barreled Model 65. It'll be between $400 & $500. Put 158 gr. bullets through it as fast as possible and you can have one hell of a firearm.

Heck if you're willing to go .38 Special they can be even cheaper. I got a 4" Model 64 less than 3 years ago for $215. In single action I'm more accurate with that gun than any other that I own.

 

[Rusty Luck]

Because of your state limiting you I would say get 2 identical Glocks because parts and conversion kits are so easy to come by, thus giving you several options with 2 guns and then buy a 357 Mag.