Would you buy a pistol simply because you could find hi caps for it?

[10-Ring]

Subject line pretty much says it all...if you could buy hi caps (esp. for CA readers ), would you buy a pistol you don't have just to use them or would you be happy w/ the 9mm pistols you already have?

 

[BamBam]

The availability of FACTORY hi-caps at a reasonable price might play a small part in my choice.
Most aftermarket mags (IMHO) aren't very reliable.
Some factory hi-caps, like Glock, are just crazy-high in price.

 

[SodaPop]

My favorite 9mm is the Sig 228.

I picked up a Beretta 92FS instead. I ain't paying $90 or more for Sig mags. I'd rather get used 92 mags for $35.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

I would not buy a full-sized pistol without being able to use the magazine size they were designed to use.

 

[M1911]

I think the better question is whether I'll buy a gun to go with some of these hi-cap mags I own

Unfortunately, I don't have the ready cash for an HK91 or a Thompson. I might be able to swing a M1 Carbine, but I couldn't fit it in the safe. And I can't afford a new safe at the moment.

 

[cool45auto]

That's not why I bought my Beretta but it sure is nice to have them hi-caps around!

 

[FPrice]

It would be a consideration but NOT the major reason. High capacity magazines may be a plus in some circumstances but how well I like the firearm and how well I can (could?) shoot it are more important.

 

[Kahr carrier]

Nope I would buy a pistol because I like it the Hi-cap mags would be an added bonus.

 

[10-Ring]

Thanks guys. I guess I just needed a small reality check

 

[Blackhawk]

Nope.

 

[Schuey2002]

Not this fellah'..

 

[Snaps]

not because of, but it's nice to have them out there

 

[Coltdriver]

On the other hand, if having a hi cap mag appeals to you then getting a pistol because it can use them is not a bad idea.

I once ran out and bought a S&W Sigma because you could get hi caps for it and it was relatively cheap. Worst trigger I ever experienced. Swapped if with some cash for a HP.

I discovered the Browning HP could take 13 round stock or 17 round mags and that the 17 rounders are available for $20.

I got two HP's now and a few of each of the hi cap mags.

 

[six 4 sure]

I'll pass along something a friend of my told me. He's a state trooper that's the range officer in his district, and has gone through several tactical training courses.

1. If you can't get it done in 10 shots, the other 5 probably won't help you.

2. If you do get into a true shootout you're going to need more than one mag and the last thing you need to be worrying about in that type of suituation is stomping a $100 mag into the dirt.

Six

 

[Snaps]

That "If you can't get it done in Ten shots" thing I've heard before. I think on some kind of video abotu the 1911 as a defense weapno. I just can't remember who it was.

 

[91101]

I bought the pistol (5906 S&W) because I like the style. I have several of it's "big brothers" (4006, 1066, 1006). Personally I probably wouldn't have bought any gun in 9mm if I couldn't get cheap hi-caps for it. I got 2 with the gun. Later I bought 4 more factory 15 rounders 1 17 round Mec-Gar and one of those silly 30 rounders (all unused) for around $100.

Michael

 

[Handy]

The following have big mags available for cheap:

BHPs, including FEG "clones" and the Arcus.
Beretta 92s.
Some Sigs, if you can find the nice MecGar mags.
HK USP9f (kinda $55 bucks-but compare that to their 10rd. mags!)
CZ-75 is still coming with them.
CZ clones, Witness, Sphinx, Baby Eable, P9.
S&W, including Daewoo DP51 and Keltec (same mag wells)
TZ99.


Add to the list if you can. Before the ban, a good 15 round mag tended to cost around $30. Many of the ones I listed are that or less, so I'm callin' em reasonable. Military BHP mags seem to be the value winner.

 

[Dr.Who]

10 Ring, That's why I bought my G17... It had legal Hi-Caps. So yes it made a difference. Enjoy...

 

[CWL]

I'll put it another way.

I still own some guns because they have hi-cap magazines for them (I live in CA). Even though I don't shoot them anymore, I don't want to let them go. My Glocks would be a good example of this.

 

[Alan Fud]

I first secure the hi-cap mags before buying the pistol. If I can't get the mags, I don't bother buying the pistol.


Alligator Al: Share What You Know & Learn What You Don't.

PS: While we're on the subject, I would really like to get a SIG229 in .357SIG ... anyone know where I can get about half a dozen hi-cap factory mags at a semi-reasonable price?

 

[Handy]

Oops, forgot Taurus 92.

 

[arinvolvo]

If I cant accomplish what I need to accomplish with 10 rounds of 9mm, then maybe I shouldnt be shooting at it in the first place.

 

[caz223]

Yes, I am rather ashamed to admit, I bought a 5904 3rd gen. smith auto, just because hi-caps were cheap, and available, without doing any other research on the weapon (Yes, it was cheap, and looked serviceable.).
As you can imagine, I regret the purchase of that gun to this day.
As reliable as it is, and despite the fact that I have 2 hi-caps for it, I think I would be better off throwing the pistol at an assailant, rather than trying to shoot them with it.



While hi-caps are an advantage, please don't do yourself the disservice of making that the first thing you check for.

***EDIT*** While the pistol may have acceptable defensive accuracy, 100% reliability, and good handling characteristics, I would say that accuracy is more important to me than capacity.

 

[Onslaught]

That "If you can't get it done in Ten shots" thing I've heard before. I think on some kind of video abotu the 1911 as a defense weapno. I just can't remember who it was.

It's used EVERY time full-caps are mentioned... The only thing that varies is the number of shots you "can't get it done in"... 1911 owners say "7", wheelgunners say "5" or "6"... It sounds like a really insightful comment from an experienced individual, but . If you were in a situation where 12 bikers with lead pipes were coming at you, and you were running backwards and firing, then those last 5 rounds might just be the best $70 you ever spent

To answer the question...
I would not buy a pistol BECAUSE full-caps were available for it, BUT if I were in the final stages of choosing between 2 9mm pistols that I had fully researched, both had a reputation for reliablility, both felt good in the hand, etc... Then if one had hi-caps readily available, and the other one was born as a 15 rounder but was pretty much neutered to 10 rounds with no option to "fix" it, (SigPro 2009 for instance) then I'd probably buy the first one. (Or the .40 S&W version )

I can say that I have absolutely NO interest in any of the new full-sized 9mm pistols without full-caps available.

 

[Soap]

High capacity baby whale killer mags look silly in my 1911. But for destroyer of rainforests rifles, I like to buy standard capacity mags even though I don't own the rifle...yet. For example, I want to pick up some FAL mags while they're so cheap.