Where do we go from here???

[Jordan85]

Ok you guys. I am completely new to guns and I know this is all personal preference, but I thought it would be fun to ask anyways...

I got my first gun 9 months ago (XD40), got my second a few weeks ago (M&P 40), so it would seem I got my police/military/rugged pistols covered for now (might have to upgrade/buy a Sig for the collection in the future).

So you're in my shoes, love all sorts of guns, and there's just so many directions to go:banghead:

I'm thinking either:
Ruger snubbie
Old military surplus pistol (Makarov prob)
1911- manufacturer yet to be determined

The ruger or surplus pistol are more likely since I am a broke college student and I think I could get a good ruger revolver for half of what I would have to spend on a 1911 of the quality I demand, and a military pistol for half or less of that, but I just thought it would be fun to see what people would say

 

[The_Shootist]

For For the SP 101

I own all 3 but if I had to choose I'd go for the Ruger for durability, concealability, shootability and the flexibility of the ammo , in both .357 and .38 spl you can find for it.

Not quite a perfect one size fits all - but it ranks in the top five

 

[catfish101]

I am not a big pistol person but I do have a Makarov and I know a 9x18 isn't a power house but it is small. It is a safe gun and they are very accurate for what they are. They are also pretty cheap to buy. I have an old Russian version with adjustable sight and it has been a fun little pistol to have and shoot.

 

[bigun15]

I personally would take the 1911 just because it's a 1911, but that's just IMHO.

 

[Furncliff]

You would be surprised at what ~400$ can buy you in a 1911. I was. I have several pistols and wheel guns in different calibers, but no .45's. For Christmas my wife gave me a Rock Island Armory 1911 tactical, in the flavor - .45.

O.K. it's not a high end custom gun, and probably not the Colt Match pistol I'm saving for. I'm gaining respect for it. It seems to be a well made, honest representation of the 1911 pattern. My first 100 rounds I had my doubts, but it has smoothed out and is functioning reliably and accurately with Winchester White Box. I'm shooting off a simple rests at 30 ft and getting excellent results. The trigger was very good right out of the box. Check it out.


Tom

 

[Bazooka Joe71]

Well, if you don't have a lot to spend and you have already ruled out the 1911, then I don't know why you wasted your time putting it into the poll...

If you do have enough to purchase any of the 3, then there is really no question you should go with a 1911...They are just too much fun not to have one.

 

[chris in va]

Very tough decision. I'd toss a coin on that one. All three are great.

 

[Moonclip]

Of the three since you have a somewhat limited budget and you already have 2x service pistols I'd get the SP101. Nice to have a revolver,.357mag is versitile, but one is gonna cost a good bit more than a Makarov.

 

[loki.fish]

Everybody should own a 1911 sooner or later, but most definately sooner.

 

[NGIB]

I'll throw in a vote for the Sig P6 German police guns that are available for under $300. I bought one and I love it...

 

[crebralfix]

Get a 22!!!

22 pistols are ADDICTING! They're fun and cheap to shoot! Some manufacturers make 22 conversion kits for guns. Advantage Arms makes them for Glocks and 1911s. Ciener makes kits for a variety of guns.

Look at:

Beretta Cheetah
Ruger MK 2 or 3 or 22/45
Ruger Single Six or Bearcat
Beretta M21
S&W 41
Browning Buckmark
Walther 22
SIG Mosquito
S&W, Charter Arms, and Taurus make 22 revolvers. I really like the S&W 617.

Just so you know...if you get one, they clone in the safe.

 

[Mousegun]

If you get a 1911 and get it accurized, there is nothing sweeter. You can match almost any other gun at 25 yards once you master the trigger and no longer anticipate the recoil and I usually do better with it at 50 yards than with anything else because it just makes bigger holes.

 

[possum]

1911 , a sa 1911 at that next
and then next a wheel gun.

 

[Eightball]

You need a 1911 at some point in your life--aim high, my friend, and get it "out of the way". Then get a Commander 1911, bobtailed 1911, etc.

 

[cookekdjr]

Of the 3:
-Can't blame you for getting an sp101. Concealable, soft recoiling for a snubbie, can shoot any .357 round you can stuff in the cylinder, as well as any soft .38 target load. Very accurate, built like a tank.
-Also like the 1911. I'd look at entry-level Norinco's and Springfield's. Lots of Folks like RIA's.
-The Mak is one of the greatest designs in pistol history (like the 1911). I like the Bulgarians for the high quality to price ratio. Very reliable.

Hold each of them in your hand and pick what you like best. I'd personally choose the Ruger, but you can't go wrong with any of the three.
-David

 

[kjshank]

If I was you, I would want all three, I was in shoes similar to yours recently. I've got a Makarov .380 then recently bought a beretta 9000 9mm. still need sp101 & 1911. But from your past purchases, I'm suprised you don't want a glock .40 & a Beretta 96. Your decision also depends on what you want to do with what you buy, If you want a carry gun, I would say sp101/makarov, range gun 1911.

 

[spiroxlii]

I voted 1911, but you already have a couple of full size pistols (and I wouldn't recommend a compact 1911).

If you're thinking about an older military surplus handgun, why don't you consider the CZ82 instead of a Soviet or East German Makarov? It's chambered for the same 9x18mm cartridge as a Makarov, but it's got a higher capacity, and... it's a CZ!

 

[jad0110]

None of the above (although all are excellent choices).

Get a 22!!!

22 pistols are ADDICTING! They're fun and cheap to shoot! Some manufacturers make 22 conversion kits for guns. Advantage Arms makes them for Glocks and 1911s. Ciener makes kits for a variety of guns.

Yep, everyone needs a nice 22. Revolver (SA or DA) or auto, doesn't matter. 22 = hours of affordable fun and great training. As mentioned, 1911s (among others) are available with 22 conversion kits, though honestly a dedicated 22 is probably the best choice in the long run.

crebralfix lists a lot of great choices. Add used Colt Diamondbacks, Ruger SP101s (yes, they were offered in 22LR) and S&W K-22s to the list as well.

Again, the choice you listed are great (I'd lean towards the SP101 myself). I personally would add a 22, that's all.

 

[Firepower!]

Ruger! Because 1911 you will compromise on quality as you mentioned. AND Makarov, unless new, I do not trust. Old ones are really run down pistols, which are not reliable.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

Ruger snubbie: with all those other brass pukers you own, you'll need something that will not have ftf, fte, mag issues, etc. 6 for sure.

*note my username*

 

[ravencon]

AND Makarov, unless new, I do not trust. Old ones are really run down pistols, which are not reliable.

This hasn't been my experience. My EG Makarov has been very reliable. If you have one and are having problems I'd replace the spring with a new Wolff (not very expensive). If you're still having problems I'd try another magazine. You should be good to go.

From the ones I've seen, these guns were not shot all that much. I suspect most were carried as badges of office and rarely made it to the range. YMMV.

 

[woad_yurt]

A Makarov is like a slant six Plymouth engine. Yup, they're old, but they never die. I have 2 now (one is for my Dad sometime soon) and they are a wonder of simplicity, strength and reliability. The ammo is cheap and they just work and work. Nice and flat, too.

 

[the pistolero]

1911. The bare-bones Springfield GI or Milspec would be a great choice; my GI set me back about $425 after tax, and I am thinking the milspec would be about $100-150 more. But that's just a guess on my part.