What should my 3rd handgun be?

[sebtool]

A good .357 in the form of either a Ruger GP100 or an SP101 - you can't go wrong with either.

IF you decide to go with a 1911, Ruger's new SR1911 has great reviews, from those who can get them! My LGS had 2 that disappeared about as fast as they were put out on the shelf, hard to get now... About $700 retails IIRC.

The GP100 at about $450-500, or SP101, $450 +/-, would give you plenty of room for ammo and a holster or 2....

 

[Walking Dead]

Gotta have a good revolver in any pistol collection. I'd go for a 4" barrel .357 magnum.

 

[Jim NE]

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

I totally agree with the above statement. Also, if you are limited pretty rigidly by that $800 figure, I would strongly suggest looking at quality vintage .38 specials (S&W) as a possible alternative to .357 magnums.

Yes, .357's are great and they're "two guns in one", but a whole lot of .357 owners shoot .38 spec. 95% of the time Also, vintage S&W .38's are the bargains of the revolver world right now, in part because S&W made so many of them during the last century.

The .357's of this ilk tend to go for $100 - $150 more than the comparable .38 special, maybe more. The Model 10 is a great gun, and as was mentioned, the tapered barrel is the best feeling, weight wise. I got an almost mint model 36 with a 3" bbl from the late 1960's for $425 - yes it's a concealable gun, but mine's accurate enough to target shoot with. And I learned right here on this forum what a magnificant gun the model 14 is - I bought two great shooting examples for 400-$450, and those weren't exceptionally great deals (One's even a late '50's 4 screw.) 4" model 15 another optioon.

Since you can't conceal/carry, I would spend the remaining amount on a good solid short barreled 20 or 12 guage for home defense, since NO handgun can match it's stopping power. Just my opinion. Besy wishes!

 

[Manta77]

Glad I don't live in New Jersey! Seriously though, If you feel you have the autos covered, get a Ruger Blackhawk or Vaquero in .45LC, If you still have the auto itch, get a NICE 1911 (any brand that YOU will enjoy).

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Why do you people in NJ keep voting for the same crazies who put those laws in effect?

You have a .22 picked ---
You have a 9mm picked ---
Why not buy a 1911 in .45 Auto? (if you are set on a semi-auto)
If you are willing to buy a revolver I would suggest a 4" .357 Magnum. (S&W M686) Like you said, you can fire .38 Specials in a .357...

BUT, if you do buy the .357 Magnum you might not need a 9mm as large as the Beretta. IMO the Beretta is a good pistol but large for what it is. It's big enough to be a .45 Auto or even a 10mm.

 

[Jed Carter]

I would get a Browning Buckmark instead of the Ruger. Or better still I would get a 1911 .45 acp and a (nonfirearm) .22 conversion slide assembly a Ruger GP100 .357 magnum and the 9mm pistol of your choice CZ75B, Beretta 92FS, SIG P226, S&W M&P, Glock G17-G19. I do not Know of any lefty mag releases on 1911s but most of the lefties I know use their trigger finger or off hand to drop the mag.


My choices:
1) 1911 STI Spartan .45acp, plus Kimber .22 conversion slide.
2) Ruger GP 100 4" .357 mag
3) SIG 226R 9mm with rail for weapon light/laser.
4) send in application for next permits asap!
5) move to a free state

 

[Dr.Mall Ninja]

Gotta get the 1911...

 

[Stevie-Ray]

1911. And for the .22, get a Ruger 22/45. Similar grip angle makes for cheap practice. Look to Ruger for the 1911, also. That is if you can find one.

 

[Demos]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. It turns out I wasn't as close to getting the permits as I thought, so I'm still waiting. My current plan is to handle a Mark III next to a 22/45 and see which feels better. If its the Mark III I'll go for a 357 revolver, probably the M686, if its the 22/45 I'll go for a 1911, probably the SR1911, and order some 45 ACP dies.
If I go the revolver route, I'm going for the 357 instead of the 38 because even though I'll be shooting lighter loads 95% of the time, its good to know I can get a full 357 load that 5% of the time when I might really need one.

 

[Bovice]

don't go with whatever most IDPA shooters use. It just might be the one gun that you end up hating and not shooting well. My 2 cents on the 1911 are that I would not go that route for somebody new to IDPA. With the thumb safety located where it is and the low pull weight on the trigger, it seems like it's extremely accident prone to the new competitor who rushes their draw from a holster. Remember that video on youtube where that guy shot himself in the leg with his 1911? He claimed it was from switching guns and holsters in the same day. But nevertheless, he was trying to draw quickly and shoot from retention.

Now, replace that guy with a greenhorn shooter. They haphazardly rush the draw, accidentally disengage the thumb safety, and aren't as disciplined with their trigger finger. Boom. Hole in the leg.

Nothing wrong with 1911s. I just don't think you should start with one as a competition gun given other choices.

 

[Demos]

Thanks for the heads up Bovice. Also, by the time I could actually get one I won't be a complete greenhorn because I'll have to wait two months, I've already taken a NRA pistol course, and I shoot long arms regularly now. I would also want to get very comfortable with the gun's operation, get proficient at using it, and find a good load for it before I would consider competing so I don't endanger myself, anyone else, and so I could make sure I would be able to hit some of the targets on the course of fire.
However, would you recommend using the Beretta 92 in IDPA first, and have the first round be double action for a pistol noob?

 

[Demos]

Thanks for all the input guys. After much waiting (August 26- December 9) I finally got my permits and ordered my first 3 handguns. I went for a Ruger 22/45 Target with removable side panels, a Ruger SR1911, and a Beretta M9A1. Now I just need them to arrive at my lgs, and 31 days between them. I think I'll be really happy with my decision and I couldn't have made it without your help.

Demos

 

[BCRider]

That's a very nice starting lineup. Some good variety there with styles and calibers.

There must be some gun rental outfits around your neck of the woods. Or since it sounds like you're going to shoot at a club range ask around about revolvers when you see them. Like as not someone will be overjoyed to trade you a few rounds of their revolver for some of your Beretta or 1911 rounds.

If you decide you want a revolver an excellent "mostly .38Spl with some Magnum for giggles" gun is a S&W Model 19 with 4 inch barrel. Beautifully balanced yet still a long enough sight baseline to get darn good longer distance aiming.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

Are you trying to have a wide range of different kinds of guns or are you going for guns that are similar to each other?

 

[Demos]

With the 22 and the 1911 I went for similar so that what I practiced with a lot would carry over better to what I might compete with. Other than that, I am going for a wider range of guns. Until I have a nice collection, I don't think I'm going to double up on anything. Also, I like the history behind firearms so I thought the army's old gun (or at least close to it) and their new one would go nicely together.