Buying a Gun

[brichter]

And for those of you who desire both penetration and stopping power:

I prefer the AT&T method of "Reach Out And Touch Someone"

Max effective range 1830 meters. That's 200 yards, or well over a mile.

I like! The head explodes like a pumpkin thrown at a wall from a car going 60, then a second or so later, you hear the shot!

 

[Ratters]

With modern bullet design the 9mm can be an effective stopper. Bullet technology has come a long way over the last ten years. But if I'm shooting ball ammo, give me .40 or .45 any day.

Budbandit, a bunch of people from calguns.net are shooting at Chabot the day after Thanksgiving. I have a variety of different pistols so if there are some you want to try you are welcome to and not have to pay rental fees.

 

[Cincinnatus]

Originally posted by brichter Max effective range 1830 meters. That's 200 yards, or well over a mile.

Conversions:
1,830 meters = 2,001 yards or 1.137 miles Factor of 10 difference, but who's counting??

And if youse guys can wait until Saturday, I can bring my Sig P220 .45 with its 6 magazines....

 

[zefflyn]

Hammerli Trailside

However, if you're looking for a fun, accurate .22, take a look at the Beretta 87 target. Mags are a bit difficult to find, but other than that it's GREAT. I'm a decent shot (not a great one, but shoot 2-3 times a week) and can hold it to a 1.5" group at 15yds. Here's a link on the Beretta site http://www.berettausa.com/product/product_pistols_main.htm near the bottom.

I had an 87 - but it would continually jaim and fail to feed, regardless of ammo type, or state of cleanliness or lubrication. Plus, the magazines were a pain to load since the button on the follower was so small, it was tiring to push down while loading.
So, I sold it for a S&W 617 10-shot .22 revolver, and have not regretted it.

 

[brichter]

Conversions:
1,830 meters = 2,001 yards or 1.137 miles Factor of 10 difference, but who's counting??

Missed a 0.

 

[zefflyn]

Plenty of places have the Hammerli. However you need to be a LEO or have a special license to obtain one. They aren't classified as assault weapons, but they have never been submitted for the CA "drop test" to be certified as a "civilian safe" gun. Therefore, no badge, no hammerli.

Looks like someone forgot that the Trailside is on the list of exempt Olympic-class handguns:
http://caag.state.ca.us/firearms/forms/pdf/op.pdf
Not everything has to be drop tested!

FWIW, Reeds also operates a gun range in Santa Clara. Personally, I think it's nicer than targetmasters and they also have some handguns for rent. If you enjoy big wheel guns, at least rent the S&W .50 revolver. It's definitely a hand-cannon. Maybe purchasing a .357 wheelgun would be your best bet. You can shoot cheap .38 special for "normal" use then shoot .357mag when you want to crank it up a notch.

I second the .357 motion! I have three, if anyone wants to try them out. We should have another BARF range day, and try out each other's equipment, except without it sounding as gay as that did.


I'm one of the few who think caliber of firearm doesn't really make much difference. Every cartridge in existance has killed, and can easily kill someone.

The most important thing is that the gun fits your hand well, and doesn't injure you while you're shooting it. Bonus if your fingers can easily reach all the controls/levers/buttons. Bigger bonus if you can easily get cheap ammo to practice with, in addition to premium high-performance ammo.

 

[KIDRR]

.38, .357=no


9mm, .45=yes

 

[jimboecv]

If I had ONLY one handgun, it would be a 4" .357 mag with a round but, double action, bobbed hammer, adjustable sights, stainless OR 5" 1911A1, 45ACP, adjustable sights, etc. Easy, accurate, dependable, hits hard or makes big holes.
Cool thing about a .357 is you can shoot those cheapie .38's too. Can't go wrong with a S&W 686.

 

[zefflyn]

So what's the decision budbandit? What ya gonna get?

 

[Groink]

Another vote for the 1911-style pistol. My 1991A1 was fairly cheap and dependable (only one feed failure out of thousands of rounds; it was a crappy reload from the range). I don't have big hands, so the slim stock grips fits nicely. If you have bigger hams, you can get some Pachmayr grips.

I've shot a bunch of Glocks (17, 19, 23, 30) and they all felt harsh and [in my hands] had a tendency towards muzzle flip. They were fun to shoot, but they tired me out. I could shoot my Colt all day long.

One weapon I wanted to get at one point were the Ruger carbines that could use the P-series pistol magazines. They look like fun, fairly cheap shooting (if firing 9mm) and could make a decent home defense weapon.

 

[budbandit]

Still undecided but highly appreciative of all the ideas, input and kind offers everyone has made.

So what's the decision budbandit? What ya gonna get?

 

[zefflyn]

So when are we going shooting?

 

[navy8ret]

Here is the list of approved guns. If it's not on the list, it's not approved. http://justice.hdcdojnet.state.ca.us/safeguns/safeguns_new.taf I'd say you got lucky Oz, and I wouldn't advertise it.

So you are telling me that because Thompson/Center Arms isn't on that list it cannot be sold in Cali. ? If so then why can any gun shop I have ever been to be able to sell them?

(Just read what jimmywanger said. Guess I should read the whole thread first )

 

[navy8ret]

I'm going to be biased Jason

Don't buy too much gun.
Don't buy the latest/greatest.

Buy once. A few of my friends who shoot competively have done it, I've done it, and we all come to Glock sooner or later.

We all want something different, but there is no room for a "trailer queen" in my gun safe.

Get a 9mm Glock, holster and 4 mags, Then we'll shoot a 3 gun or IPSC. (muscle memory)

Hey fawndog, I have fired the different models of Glock pistols and never did have a good feel to the weapons that you obviously get. For me, I just wouldn't purchase one. I used Sig and HKs while active duty and really like the handling characteristics of those weapons better.

BB if you haven't rented any guns yet consider the Springfield Armorys XD line for a tryout. I have the XD in .40 and really like it, also the Sig 226 in 9 is comfortable to shoot and ammo is not costly. Enjoy what ever you choose, and "Keep em in the ten ring"

 

[budbandit]

Thanks! I have heard others recommend the XD as well.

I recently shot a Glock .45 and found it to be technically excellent and a decent shooter but rather ugly - a piece which worked OK for me but did not touch my soul.

Hey fawndog, I have fired the different models of Glock pistols and never did have a good feel to the weapons that you obviously get. For me, I just wouldn't purchase one. I used Sig and HKs while active duty and really like the handling characteristics of those weapons better.

BB if you haven't rented any guns yet consider the Springfield Armorys XD line for a tryout. I have the XD in .40 and really like it, also the Sig 226 in 9 is comfortable to shoot and ammo is not costly. Enjoy what ever you choose, and "Keep em in the ten ring"

 

[Whodat]

You're right about Glocks being ugly . But boy do they work. I put about 400 rounds through my Glock 19 today without a single missfire. It's not the most comfortable gun for me but it goes bang every time I pull the trigger. I want to look at the Walther P99 or the CZ P01 for my next gun.

 

[Eisernkreuz]

I vote Kimber 1911 Pro Carry II .45ACP. Man oh man that's a sweet gun Beretta 92FS is also awesome and $11 buys 100rds of Winchester 9mm at Walmart I can appreciate our military's decision with the M1911 and the M9..they're both solid weapons. Me likey. Now I gotta go sell drugs to be able to afford one..

 

[Eisernkreuz]

I want to look at the Walther P99 or the CZ P01 for my next gun.

I don't know about the CZ from first-hand experience, but I got to try out a P99 today, and the trigger felt kinda odd, but it fit my hand well and the sights were easy to use. I wasn't too accurate with it, probably just my rookieness

I've heard raves about the CZ P01 on my gun forum

 

[KIDRR]

Yep, I thought Glocks were ugly for years and would never think about buying one. Now thats the gun I take everywhere with me.

Can't agree with Webber on the Beretta though, I had a 96 for a year or so and hated it.

 

[zefflyn]

I don't know about the CZ from first-hand experience, but I got to try out a P99 today, and the trigger felt kinda odd, but it fit my hand well and the sights were easy to use. I wasn't too accurate with it, probably just my rookieness

I rented a P99 a couple months ago, and although it's been a dream gun for me for several reasons - it looks cool and feels great in my hands and I like its technical features - the trigger didn't fit my finger. My finger would slip down to the very bottom, and the forward edge really irritated my finger. Maybe it would be solved by installing the larger backstrap, though. It's a great gun.

Originally posted by KIDRR
Can't agree with Webber on the Beretta though, I had a 96 for a year or so and hated it.

I really liked my 96. It shot great, and was comfy to shoot, and never had a problem. I sold it because I wound up needing a match-grade .22 more than I needed a service sidearm.