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First timer question

7887 Views 22 Replies 15 Participants Last post by  1911 mike, 
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I a first time buyer of a pistol but have shot some in the past. I'm looking for something user friendly, On the cheaper side on ammo, can take a beating. I live in Texas and want to carry it as a consealed hand gun, it's going to be mostly used just messing around at our ranches, no competitions. I want something that if it gets dusty, dirty, muddy on trails in south Texas then it will still shoot. Something thats really easy to clean. Something with readily available parts, ammo, & accessories. I'm not biased on revolvers or simi-autos, but want something to withstand what I use it for. amount of ammo it holds is somewhat of a factor but will be overrided by durability, meaning if a 9mm holds 15 and a revolver holds 6 but te revolver is better for my needs then i'll get the revolver. I just need some guidence here, point me in the right direction. I'm about 6'-3" 200lbs if that matters

Thanks,
Travis
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wwb
bigt2317 said:
........ On the cheaper side on ammo, can take a beating......... want to carry it as a consealed hand gun....... I want something that if it gets dusty, dirty, muddy on trails in south Texas then it will still shoot. Something thats really easy to clean.....
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To meet all the above requirements, I'd first recommend a 3" Ruger Sp-101 in .357 Mag.... you can shoot cheap & mild .38 Special for plinking, yet the SP will digest the biggest, baddest .357 Mag loads around without a whimper.

Edit..... If it weren't for the CCW requirement, I'd make it a 4" Stainless GP-100

Another possibility is the Officer's model 1911 in .45 ACP. If it weren't for the concealed carry requirement, I'd recommend the Government (full-size) Model 1911.
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A
^ ditto on what wwb said
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what price range is good for those guns? Would searching pawn shops be good or do i need to stay away from them?

Thanks again,
Travis
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wwb
A new Sp-101 ought to be around $400 - a stainless GP100 about $450.

A stainless 1911 Officer or Gov't model ought to be about $700 new.

Used prices are darn near as high as new. Once in a while you'll find a deal, but take along somebody who knows what to check on a used handgun - otherwise, you may find an unpleasant reason why it's a steal.
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Just a side note, I have owned four Ruger SP101s and three were used. They all cost under $350 except the NIB .32 H&R magnum which cost about $400. Buy used and save.
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hey guys I'm back and STILL have not bought a pistol. I'm back in the hunt and found this. I have a buddy with a Tangfolio Witness 1911 10mm w/ about 300 round through it and he wants $250 for it, good deal? I have another friend who's a cop and he wants to sell his Bursa Thunder .38 for $175-$200. Are either of these good deals? Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Travis
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wwb
Poor to mediocre quality on both.....

The best bang for the buck in a 1911 is the Springfield Armory GI model - about $500. Others to consider are the Colt 1991 (1911 series 80) for about $700 new or the entry-level Kimber for about $800

If you're going to buy a revolver, the only two makes I'd consider are Ruger or Smith & Wesson. Some guys will also recommend a Taurus, but their quality is very inconsistent. I've seen too many bad ones to even consider them.

Life is too short (and too important) to own crappy guns.
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BigT,
First of all, welcome to the forum. This is a place with a very good reputation for experience and knowledge in my opinion.

I agree with wwb and his assessments and would add a couple if I may.

First, I would not even consider the 10MM in any configuration if you want to shoot a lot and if you want to enjoy all the shooting you get to do. It is a very uncomfortable round to shoot for noise and recoil and even more so is the shock to your wallet every time you need to buy ammo. No deal would be good enough to get me to buy the 10 and it will not get any better as it is a dying cartridge. As for the Bersa, I think wwb was being generous with his evaluation.

Before you buy anything, and here I am giving thought to your size, you probably have pretty good sized mitts. This will make a big difference to you and your shooting comfort. Not that you cant adjust, but get it right the first time and you will be much happier in the end and a lot better off financially.

Go to a range that has rentals and try as many of the better quality guns as you can. For revolvers look at both the Gp100 and the SP100 by Ruger and if they have them, try the older model 66 or 19 in S&W in 2 or 3 inch or even 4inch for that matter. But I would stay away from any of the S&W guns made during the British reign.
You may also want to try the XD series of guns from Springfield Armory and of course the Glocks. Also the guns mentioned in the 1911 series of firearms.
The bottom line is to try these before you put money down and if you do not have a range close by with rentals, then go to one of the bigger gun stores with a good selection of guns and try them for grip size for your hands. This will or very well could make a big difference to you as it does for most people.
There is simply no substitute for actually feeling them in your hand to make certain the grip is comfortable to you.

I help fit a lot of people every day at my range and what I am telling you and what the others have said is sound advice only if you use it.

Good luck and I hope this helps as well.

UncleFudd
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it's going to be mostly used just messing around at our ranches, no competitions. I want something that if it gets dusty, dirty, muddy on trails in south Texas then it will still shoot. Something thats really easy to clean. Something with readily available parts, ammo, & accessories. I'm not biased on revolvers or simi-autos, but want something to withstand what I use it for. amount of ammo it holds is somewhat of a factor but will be overrided by durability,
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You just described an AK.

But in Pistol form the closest I can come to in your analogy is a shooter grade S&W Model 10
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What are you guys owning guns for? Out of my curiosity...
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TMats
What are you guys owning guns for? Out of my curiosity...
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I don't understand the question
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Re: re: First timer question

bigt2317 said:
what price range is good for those guns? Would searching pawn shops be good or do i need to stay away from them?

Thanks again,
Travis
Click to expand...
no offence to you but i would find a better way to get used guns. I have heard stories of people screwing up guns and it was not visible and they got money for them from the pawn shop. you arefree to do what you want just my perspective.
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Rev.
bigt2317 said:
I a first time buyer of a pistol but have shot some in the past. I'm looking for something user friendly, On the cheaper side on ammo, can take a beating. I live in Texas and want to carry it as a consealed hand gun, it's going to be mostly used just messing around at our ranches, no competitions. I want something that if it gets dusty, dirty, muddy on trails in south Texas then it will still shoot. Something thats really easy to clean. Something with readily available parts, ammo, & accessories. I'm not biased on revolvers or simi-autos, but want something to withstand what I use it for. amount of ammo it holds is somewhat of a factor but will be overrided by durability, meaning if a 9mm holds 15 and a revolver holds 6 but te revolver is better for my needs then i'll get the revolver. I just need some guidence here, point me in the right direction. I'm about 6'-3" 200lbs if that matters

Thanks,
Travis
Click to expand...
Travis from reading your requirements and situations you described a Glock 19. 15 rounds of 9mm in a mid sized gun that will take a liking and keep on ticking. The price of a used one will be about 350 to 400.
I hope this helps.
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I agree with most that was said, but I'll name Rev.

9mm Ammo is cheaper than .40, and considerably cheaper than .45 ACP. I think the Glock 19 is a perfect choice.

You're dillema with auto vs revolver is one many have. Only reason I, personally, would EVER favor a revolver over an auto is unmatched reliability. You'd really have to fuck up the pistol for it not to fire.

But I think the glock 19 is a good choice. Its very easy to strip and clean...ammo is relatively inexpensive. And you can load it up with plenty of goodies. Main reason I like it though is reliability. I mean a revolver will be more reliable simply because of mechanics...but I would be shocked if you ever had any problems with a Glock.

But yeah...definitely go to a range that rents gun and shoot some .357, 9mm, .40, 45. Forget .38 and smaller. 1911 may be a bad choice if you want it for CCW.

Go with the Glock :-D
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Re: re: First timer question

TMats said:
What are you guys owning guns for? Out of my curiosity...
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I don't understand the question
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Heck, me either... Why, indeed...... :roll:
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Re: re: First timer question

mnhunter said:
bigt2317 said:
what price range is good for those guns? Would searching pawn shops be good or do i need to stay away from them?

Thanks again,
Travis
Click to expand...
no offence to you but i would find a better way to get used guns. I have heard stories of people screwing up guns and it was not visible and they got money for them from the pawn shop. you arefree to do what you want just my perspective.
Click to expand...
I'd go to the local gun shop, most have used weapons, and a gunsmith on site. My local store has a lot to pick from, and they are not opposed to giving you their advice, based on what you want the gun for, carry, home protections, whatever..
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The Rev hit the nail on the head.....GLOCK all the way...
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If you want a high capacity easy to care for, good quality and affordable pistol look for a Ruger P series (Ruger p89 through P95) in your local pawn/gun shops. Most will be 9mm, a ton were purchased and carried by police over the past ten years. If you want better I'd go with a S&W M&P it is so much more than a Glock. If you want the best it's a 1911 and Kimber does a fine job of making the 1911 everthing it should be.

Most of all find what fits your budget, your hand and your skill level.

Enjoy your pistol, let us know that you purchase.
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Re: re: First timer question

bigt2317 said:
hey guys I'm back and STILL have not bought a pistol. I'm back in the hunt and found this. I have a buddy with a Tangfolio Witness 1911 10mm w/ about 300 round through it and he wants $250 for it, good deal? I have another friend who's a cop and he wants to sell his Bursa Thunder .38 for $175-$200. Are either of these good deals? Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Travis
Click to expand...
I wouldn't buy either, wonder why a cop would have a Thunder. He should know this is a dump gun at best.
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