which is CHEAPER to feed: .32 acp or 9x18 Mak? and can i get both at wallyworld?

[smartshooter.45]

im thinking of picking up a new shooter with only plinking in mind. i have a great pistol in .45 acp so im set in the self defense department, but .45 is just too expensive to shoot for fun.

centerfire has a few inexpensive, but quality walther clones made by FEG and im having trouble choosing one. my biggest factor is cost/availability of the ammo.

one is in .32 acp http://www.centerfiresystems.com/AP-FN.aspx

and one is in 9x18 Makarov http://www.centerfiresystems.com/PA-63.aspx

i normally stock up at wally world so im wondering if wally has both types and which is cheapest. any input would be greatly appreciated.

happy holidays everyone

 

[outerlimit]

For a cheap shooter I recommend either a .22lr or picking up range brass and reloading for .45ACP. Or a 9x19mm.

 

[MetalMan52]

Cheap

I'll second the .22 for a cheap shooter, they don't come any cheaper.
The Wally worlds in my neck of the woods don't offer either of the calibers you are interested in. If not a .22 then 9mm might be your best bet.
Pat

 

[Snowdog]

I'll echo the advice of a .22LR if "cheap fun" is what you're looking for (sans the risk of an STD). If it's a 1911 you have, you have the option of a conversion kit such as those from Ciener ( http://www.22lrconversions.com/1911-pg.htm ) for about what a new .22LR pistol would cost you, without the need of a FFL dealer/registration, all while allowing for your "cheap fun" to increase your proficiency with your 1911.

No, I'm not a spokesman nor do I have one, but I've been convinced after borrowing one belonging to a buddy of mine.

If you're dead-set on one of those two pistols you referred to, I'll point out that while the 9x18 ammunition might be a bit cheaper by the box, the sharper recoil of the 9x18 might kill some of the fun factor during extended plinking sessions. Either will make cans dance.

 

[PX15]

JMOfartO:

I certainly agree with the other folks who suggest the 32cal. round would not be MY choice in a plinker..

I have two 32cal. pistols (LWS32's) and trust me on this, 32 cal. ammo is not cheap. FWIW you can find 32 cal. ammo at WalMart, but I've never seen 9X18 ammo there.. I should think you'll be searching dedicated gun stores and the like for that stuff.

The general opinion has always been that there is simply no better, or cheaper way to "plink" or casual target shoot than the old faithful 22cal. lr round. It's available almost anyplace that sells ammo, and it's cheap, or cheap when compared to any centerfire ammo.

I bought a Firestorm FS22 a few years ago specifically for plinking, and it's been a great pistol.. My specimen has digested any ammo I tried in it from the cheap Winchester or Remington WalMart Value Pac's of 500 or 550 or whatever number of rounds..

Most folks don't care for the Bersa/Firestorm line of pistols, but I'm of the opinion that those who put them down have never actually owned one. The FS22 was $227 OTD and like the proverbial Timex watch, "it just keeps on a ticking"...

Not trying to be a B/F salesman, but FWIW the Bersa Thunder 380 series and the FS22 series were designed from the old Walther PP pistol, and that was a fine firearm. The FS22 actually makes for a "spur of the moment" personal defense choice, altho the 22cal. round is nobodys first choice in that role. I keep some CCI "Stingers hollowpoints" around in case I need to use the FS22 for any job other than plinking, as I think Stingers are about as good a round in 22cal as I've personally seen.

I'm an old fart, and another fine 22 cal pistol in my experience is the plain old Ruger "Standard" 22.. It's available in all sorts of fancy configurations now, and I guess all of them are fine, but the originals are hard to beat for the money.

Just personal opinion, I'm sure some would disagree and that's ok.. Opinions are just that, and I have short term memory loss anyway.

Best Wishes,

Jesse

 

[grimjaw]

smartshooter.45, FEG also produced at least two PPK-ish clones in .22LR, the SMC-22 and APK II (aluminum and steel framed respectively, I think). I just picked up the APK but haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. For a plinker, I'd go that route or the Bersa before I'd recommend something in .32 ACP or 9x18. Even 9x19 is a more economical choice in today's market than either of those two calibers.

Of the two calibers you asked about, though, .32 ACP is undoubtedly easier to find at Walmart and probably other retailers.

Best of luck.

jm

 

[test drive]

Cheaper of the 2 will be 9x18 but you will have to get it at gun shows or on line for the best price .32 is high no matter where you get it but wally world does have it at 18.99 a box

 

[Ben86]

My walmart does not carry any 9x18, but do have .32. It is not cheap. I suppose the Makarov would be cheaper but harder to find.

If you want a cheap fun gun get a .22lr. Rugers are great. But if you want a trigger closer to your sd handgun get a sig mosquito or walther p22.

What kind of .45 do you have. Conversion kits are great.

 

[smartshooter.45]

Thanks for the input. one more question!

my .45 is a Kimber Pro Carry 2. i know that this is a basic 1911 design but there are a few design differences from the original 1911 platform. will a ceiner conversion kit work on this gun? if so it sounds like i just need to pick up a conversion kit. cheers.

 

[icebones]

if you really want it i would go with the 9x18. cheaper than dirt sells it in military "spam cans" for pretty cheap. if u really want to plink with more power i would look into getting a CZ-52. they usually run about 100-150 bucks at gun shows. and the 7.62x25mm it uses is also pretty decent. cheaper than dirt also sells it too if memory serves. but for plinking. hand me a ruger mkIII and a few thousand rounds of .22 anyday

 

[Keeterbird]

9x18 Mak is much cheaper, but you have to get it from the internet to save any money.

 

[oneounceload]

a 32 ACP is cheap - ONLY if you reload it

IMO, you're better with a .22 for pure plinking....if you want more OOMPH, then get the 9MMx19 - wally world sells the hell out of that stuff - the cheapest thing next to a .22

 

[MAKster]

At gun shows you can find moderately priced steel cased Silver or Brown Bear ammo for the Makarov.

 

[sniper7369]

Wally world has 32, but it's damn near 20 dollars a box. You can get 9mm there for less than 10 dollars box.

 

[Craig M. Arnold]

a 32 ACP is cheap - ONLY if you reload it

IMO, you're better with a .22 for pure plinking....if you want more OOMPH, then get the 9MMx19 - wally world sells the hell out of that stuff - the cheapest thing next to a .22

+1

Best regards.

 

[woad_yurt]

.32 ACP is way more expensive than 9x18. Wal-Mart doesn't stock 9x18 but it's available online almost as cheap as 9x19. And, please, check out an actual Makarov. Magnificent pistol.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Our local gun shop has Brown Bear 9x18 90grn. hollow points or ball for $10.00 per 50 rnd box. A Makarov can easily be converted to .380acp by simply changing the barrel.