chaim
Member
Within 2 weeks max I will no longer be unemployed. I am still looking in the meantime for something that pays better, but I accepted a job offer starting Aug 15. It is a huge pay cut from my last job, but I am breaking into a new field and this is pretty much the perfect job to get experience in this field which will help for better jobs and getting into grad school down the line (I want to work in mental health and this is a "floater" position in a psychiatric hospital, so I will be exposed to every inpatient department in this psychiatric hospital and thus I'll be exposed to every major mental health issue).
Anyway, I still have some money left from when my last position paid me for all my unused leave time. Depending upon how much is left when I get my first paycheck at the new job I am strongly considering rewarding myself with a new gun.
Still, going into a new job after a month and a half without a job, and with a big paycut, I want to keep the costs down. Thus, I'd prefer something I could easily find used and definately want to keep it under $400 (MD prices) and preferably under $300.
Here are the major catagories I'm considering:
-A 4-6.5" large bore (likely either another .41mag or my first .44mag). This would be for fun but also to take with me for "critter" protection when camping. My current S&W 57 is just too nice (and collectable- it is a first year gun in terrific condition with a wood presentation box and all the tools) to risk taking into the woods. I want something that is either new (and thus I won't worry about damaging it or even wear) or a bit more beat up/worn.
-A 6" K-frame or equivilent Taurus. I bought a Ross holster that is designated for a 6" K-frame for my 586 figuring both the K and L-frames are medium frames so it might work. Well, it is a bit too tight (it fits, but draw is slow). So, what better excuse to buy a gun than to get one that fits a holster I own?
Anyway, .357mag out of a 6" gets respectable velocity/power and bears on the east coast aren't particularly large so it may work for "critter" protection when camping as well.
-A 2-3" K-frame. I love my S&W 65LS (3", .357mag, K-frame). I think a 3" K-frame is a near perfect carry gun on the belt or possibly IWB (though the bulge will be too big for tucked IWB). However, my 65LS is my first .357mag so I am having trouble having some of the changes done on the gun that I want done on my carry gun. Of course, I live in MD where there is no carry so I only carry when out of state in a state where I can CCW. For the limited times I can carry I don't really need a new carry gun since my 65LS without mods works, my Taurus 85 is a great carry revolver, and my Taurus PT140 Millennium Pro is a great carry gun (and I have a couple other guns that will do for part-time and/or occasional carry). I don't really need a better carry gun until MD goes CCW or I move. However, I have a "thing" for carriable guns.
-Small frame, lightweight snub. I love my Taurus 85 but for pocket carry something lighter would be nice.
-My first "cowboy" revolver. Believe it or not, I still don't have a SA revolver that isn't black powder (of which I have 2). Not sure the caliber or which gun if I go this way- probably a Navy Arms or Cimmaron SAA clone but I also like the Remington 1875 clones, caliber will probably be .45LC but could be .357mag since I have several .357s already and I'm set up to reload for it.
-A .357mag or .44mag lever rifle. I love pistol caliber lever rifles. I have one in .45LC but .45LC doesn't have enough of a rim which sometimes causes it to have occasional feeding/extraction issues. Both .357 and .44 mag tend to be more reliable in a lever rifle.
-A large bore lever rifle (probably either 45-70 or one of the big revolver calibers, either .454 or .480Ruger). Mainly "just because" but I would tell myself that it was for bear protection when camping to have an excuse. I don't hunt so that excuse and just for fun would be the only reasons.
-I would love another 1911 or my first BHP but neither fit my current price restrictions. Even a SA Mil-Spec is over $500 here and the Charles Daly 1911s run $450+.
Some specifics-
-Large bore: I'm undecided. I'll probably go Taurus to keep costs down. I'm kind of drawn to the Tracker in .41mag (if I went that way it might even fit in that K-frame holster better than my L-frame does), but I'm concerned about recoil shooting .41mag in a relatively light medium-framed revolver. I also like the 6.5" Taurus 44 quite a bit, it is big and heavy (good to tame the .44mag), but still a bit smaller (and easier to tote when camping) and quite a bit less expensive than the Raging Bull.
-6" K-frame to fit my holster. I'm considering just about any 6" .357 from S&W as I love S&W K-frames. However, I may be slightly leaning towards the Taurus 66 since I have a couple S&W K-frames already and it is a K-frame sized medium-frame (as opposed to the L-frame sized medium frame) that holds 7 instead of 6 shots. I'm also considering a 6" Taurus Tracker in either .41mag or .45LC (probably go with the .45LC for the lower recoil, but then lose a bit on "bear defense" power). I'm pretty sure the Tracker is closer to the K-frame than the L-frame.
-2-3" K-frame. I'd prefer another 3" but depending upon what I find and the cost I'd go with a 2" or 2.5". I'd prefer a S&W but will also consider a Taurus (they used to make the 65 and the 82 in 3") or a Ruger Speed/Security Six. It doesn't really matter if it is .38spl or .357mag since I usually load my defensive guns with .38+P even if the gun is a magnum.
-Small frame, lightweight snub: Slight leaning towards the S&W 642 just because they are so inexpensive these days (just over $400 locally), but depending upon price or if I found a good used deal I'd be more than happy to get a Taurus as well (I think I like their small snubs better than S&W J-frames). It would need to be either the titanium (thus too expensive) 850 or the CH models since I don't want an exposed hammer for a pocket gun and I don't like the Bodyguard style. If they made the 850 in aluminum instead of titanium that would probably be perfect (I'd prefer the Centennial style and Taurus aluminum guns are usually pretty inexpensive). I may consider the Taurus 85 in aluminum with an exposed hammer since that would bring the new price to the mid-$300 range. I'd love the Taurus 905 for the 9mm chambering, but I think the only lightweight models are titanium (thus bringing up the price over my price limit).
-Cowboy revolver is covered pretty completely above.
-Lever rifle: I'm torn between a HD and fun lever rifle in .357 or .44 or a more serious rifle in the larger/more powerful caliber. I do have the .45LC Win 94 which is reliable enough to use for HD, and while ammo is more expensive than .357 it is comparable in cost to .44 and isn't much harder to find than either. I think I may be slightly leaning towards the big bruiser. Still, I may be wimping out a bit since I think I'm leaning towards the .454 or the .480 over a 45-70, .450 or .444Marlin.
Out of these different catagories the direction I'm leaning keeps changing based on my mood, time of day, etc.
Anyway, I still have some money left from when my last position paid me for all my unused leave time. Depending upon how much is left when I get my first paycheck at the new job I am strongly considering rewarding myself with a new gun.
Still, going into a new job after a month and a half without a job, and with a big paycut, I want to keep the costs down. Thus, I'd prefer something I could easily find used and definately want to keep it under $400 (MD prices) and preferably under $300.
Here are the major catagories I'm considering:
-A 4-6.5" large bore (likely either another .41mag or my first .44mag). This would be for fun but also to take with me for "critter" protection when camping. My current S&W 57 is just too nice (and collectable- it is a first year gun in terrific condition with a wood presentation box and all the tools) to risk taking into the woods. I want something that is either new (and thus I won't worry about damaging it or even wear) or a bit more beat up/worn.
-A 6" K-frame or equivilent Taurus. I bought a Ross holster that is designated for a 6" K-frame for my 586 figuring both the K and L-frames are medium frames so it might work. Well, it is a bit too tight (it fits, but draw is slow). So, what better excuse to buy a gun than to get one that fits a holster I own?
Anyway, .357mag out of a 6" gets respectable velocity/power and bears on the east coast aren't particularly large so it may work for "critter" protection when camping as well.-A 2-3" K-frame. I love my S&W 65LS (3", .357mag, K-frame). I think a 3" K-frame is a near perfect carry gun on the belt or possibly IWB (though the bulge will be too big for tucked IWB). However, my 65LS is my first .357mag so I am having trouble having some of the changes done on the gun that I want done on my carry gun. Of course, I live in MD where there is no carry so I only carry when out of state in a state where I can CCW. For the limited times I can carry I don't really need a new carry gun since my 65LS without mods works, my Taurus 85 is a great carry revolver, and my Taurus PT140 Millennium Pro is a great carry gun (and I have a couple other guns that will do for part-time and/or occasional carry). I don't really need a better carry gun until MD goes CCW or I move. However, I have a "thing" for carriable guns.
-Small frame, lightweight snub. I love my Taurus 85 but for pocket carry something lighter would be nice.
-My first "cowboy" revolver. Believe it or not, I still don't have a SA revolver that isn't black powder (of which I have 2). Not sure the caliber or which gun if I go this way- probably a Navy Arms or Cimmaron SAA clone but I also like the Remington 1875 clones, caliber will probably be .45LC but could be .357mag since I have several .357s already and I'm set up to reload for it.
-A .357mag or .44mag lever rifle. I love pistol caliber lever rifles. I have one in .45LC but .45LC doesn't have enough of a rim which sometimes causes it to have occasional feeding/extraction issues. Both .357 and .44 mag tend to be more reliable in a lever rifle.
-A large bore lever rifle (probably either 45-70 or one of the big revolver calibers, either .454 or .480Ruger). Mainly "just because" but I would tell myself that it was for bear protection when camping to have an excuse. I don't hunt so that excuse and just for fun would be the only reasons.
-I would love another 1911 or my first BHP but neither fit my current price restrictions. Even a SA Mil-Spec is over $500 here and the Charles Daly 1911s run $450+.
Some specifics-
-Large bore: I'm undecided. I'll probably go Taurus to keep costs down. I'm kind of drawn to the Tracker in .41mag (if I went that way it might even fit in that K-frame holster better than my L-frame does), but I'm concerned about recoil shooting .41mag in a relatively light medium-framed revolver. I also like the 6.5" Taurus 44 quite a bit, it is big and heavy (good to tame the .44mag), but still a bit smaller (and easier to tote when camping) and quite a bit less expensive than the Raging Bull.
-6" K-frame to fit my holster. I'm considering just about any 6" .357 from S&W as I love S&W K-frames. However, I may be slightly leaning towards the Taurus 66 since I have a couple S&W K-frames already and it is a K-frame sized medium-frame (as opposed to the L-frame sized medium frame) that holds 7 instead of 6 shots. I'm also considering a 6" Taurus Tracker in either .41mag or .45LC (probably go with the .45LC for the lower recoil, but then lose a bit on "bear defense" power). I'm pretty sure the Tracker is closer to the K-frame than the L-frame.
-2-3" K-frame. I'd prefer another 3" but depending upon what I find and the cost I'd go with a 2" or 2.5". I'd prefer a S&W but will also consider a Taurus (they used to make the 65 and the 82 in 3") or a Ruger Speed/Security Six. It doesn't really matter if it is .38spl or .357mag since I usually load my defensive guns with .38+P even if the gun is a magnum.
-Small frame, lightweight snub: Slight leaning towards the S&W 642 just because they are so inexpensive these days (just over $400 locally), but depending upon price or if I found a good used deal I'd be more than happy to get a Taurus as well (I think I like their small snubs better than S&W J-frames). It would need to be either the titanium (thus too expensive) 850 or the CH models since I don't want an exposed hammer for a pocket gun and I don't like the Bodyguard style. If they made the 850 in aluminum instead of titanium that would probably be perfect (I'd prefer the Centennial style and Taurus aluminum guns are usually pretty inexpensive). I may consider the Taurus 85 in aluminum with an exposed hammer since that would bring the new price to the mid-$300 range. I'd love the Taurus 905 for the 9mm chambering, but I think the only lightweight models are titanium (thus bringing up the price over my price limit).
-Cowboy revolver is covered pretty completely above.
-Lever rifle: I'm torn between a HD and fun lever rifle in .357 or .44 or a more serious rifle in the larger/more powerful caliber. I do have the .45LC Win 94 which is reliable enough to use for HD, and while ammo is more expensive than .357 it is comparable in cost to .44 and isn't much harder to find than either. I think I may be slightly leaning towards the big bruiser. Still, I may be wimping out a bit since I think I'm leaning towards the .454 or the .480 over a 45-70, .450 or .444Marlin.
Out of these different catagories the direction I'm leaning keeps changing based on my mood, time of day, etc.
). Also, MD has the built in gun lock law. For autos there is a non-built in lock that counts but it only works in autos. There is no equivelent lock for revolvers so revolvers in MD must have a built-in lock. The GP100 does not so I could only go with a used gun made prior to the law or a new gun if there is still one on dealer shelves that was made prior to the law (I think it took effect Jan 2002).
