Where are my Gun Owners?

[tifosi77]

Sorta surprised there isn't any activity in this thread in light of what happened in New York today.

[Shyster]

I’d like for this thread to stay as a discussion of the non-political aspects of gun ownership, so I’ve been hesitant to post anything political in here in order to avoid any merger of this discussion with the PDT. Also, other than , I don’t really have all that much more to say on the subject of stupid legislation like NY is passing. It won’t reduce crime, it won’t stop mass shootings, it won’t do anything other than turn perfectly law-abiding people into criminals (as precedent from other states indicates that most New Yorkers will not comply with the law’s bans and restrictions). I’m weary of the whole topic.

[mac5155]

I want to buy a 1911... I wanna splurge so bad and get the sig Sauer spartan, but with a wedding coming up that's probably a no go. So, any 1911 recommendations for under 600,new or used?

[Shyster]

I’m not a 1911 guy, but maybe one of the Armscor / Rock Island Armory guns? I think they’re supposed to be decently well made and retail for less than $500. Taurus also makes a 1911, I think; it may be in that price range.

I owned one 1911 in my life, a Colt Officers Model, and it’s the only gun I’ve ever sold. I couldn’t hit a darn thing with that gun. I traded it in on a SIG.

[mac5155]

Maybe I should shoot one first. I really want a full frame pistol, and love the look of the 1911. Maybe an SR9 or Springfield XDM would be a better option.

[DelPen]

The Philippine 1911 from ATI and Armscor (Citadel, rock Island armory, armscor) have a great fit but basic finish. But they are rock solid and built to military specs. They run under $500 if you look around online. Para used to be cheap to buy but they creeped up after freedom group bought them and I am going to say quality has possibly dropped like every other company they bought. Try to find a Sig Tac Pac. The accessories included are worth it even at close to $900.

Remington makes a nice 1911 around $625. I'd avoid Taurus since some parts aren't interchangeable with most 1911's.

[DelPen]

Maybe I should shoot one first. I really want a full frame pistol, and love the look of the 1911. Maybe an SR9 or Springfield XDM would be a better option.

Try the S&W M&P series. Nice thing is they all have pretty much the same dimensions from the .22 to the .45 so if you have a .22 and a 9, .40 or .45 it can help training.

[tifosi77]

If you're going to get a 1911, I'd also recommend a Ruger 22/45. The grip has the same angle and shape as a 1911, but it's chambered in .22 rimfire. Father-in-law has one that we shot recently, and it's a ton of fun for practice and plinking.

[Shyster]

If you're going to get a 1911, I'd also recommend a Ruger 22/45. The grip has the same angle and shape as a 1911, but it's chambered in .22 rimfire. Father-in-law has one that we shot recently, and it's a ton of fun for practice and plinking.

I have an older Mark II version of the 22/45, and I’m sure it has more rounds through it than any other gun I own. I’m sure the round count is in the tens of thousands. I think it was the second handgun I bought. I’m not sure it’s still the case for the Mark III versions, but one advantage of my 22/45 over my buddies’ Mark IIs is that the barrel assembly is way easier to take off the polymer 22/45 frame than a steel frame. My one friend carries a rubber hammer in his range bag just to whack those two pieces of his Mark II apart for cleaning, but mine separate easily.

I’d love to buy one of the new 22/45 Lites, but I must admit that its threaded barrel gives me pause, as under many of the proposals out there that would make it some sort of prohibited assault weapon. I hate having thoughts like that.

[mac5155]

Really don't want a 22... If I'm gonna drop 500 on a 22 I might as well get a AR style 22.

[DelPen]

If you're going to get a 1911, I'd also recommend a Ruger 22/45. The grip has the same angle and shape as a 1911, but it's chambered in .22 rimfire. Father-in-law has one that we shot recently, and it's a ton of fun for practice and plinking.

Any reason not to just go with one of the dozen 1911's chambered in 22 LR instead for a little less money? The 22/45 is the gold standard of 22 LR pistols but I woulnd't compare them to a 1911 just because the grib might be similar.

[tifosi77]

You can get a 22/45 for $300. Just relating my (limited) experience. YMMV.

[Digitalgypsy66]

Does ammo price factor into a weapon purchase? Or does it depend on how you intend to use the pistol/rifle/shotgun?

[Shyster]

The 22/45 is cheaper than the Mark III, and the blued ones are particularly inexpensive. Or at least they were; they may have skyrocketed in price like everything else.

One can never have too many .22 pistols. I have six of them, and I can think of probably another half dozen I’d like to buy.

[mac5155]

Does ammo price factor into a weapon purchase? Or does it depend on how you intend to use the pistol/rifle/shotgun?

Yes and no. i.e. I wanted an AR sine 2 years ago.. bad. But, at 60 cents + a round, and I know how tight I am with $, I put it off. Now I wish I didnt. That being said, between 40, 9mm, and 45, the prices are all very similar.

[DelPen]

General costs for a box of 50 rounds at Walmart:

22LR: $3
9mm: $16
.380: $18
.40: $18
.45: $22

Hunting rifle rounds all run about $20 for a box of 20, .223 and 7.62 run about half that. Price differences can be attributed to the size of the round. Put a 9mm next to a .45 ACP and its a big difference in materials used. Not to up to speed on ammo for revolvers but it runs close to the same for similar calibers. For me, .40 is a good balance between price and not being so popular that it's never really hard to find some even in a shortage.

[mac5155]

Yeah, my handgun is a .40 caliber and I hunt with a .308, which is about a buck a round. However, I've bought 40 rounds for that gun in the last 3 years and still have about 16 left. I don't shoot it for fun, just to sight it in and hunt with it. I've shot maybe 30 rounds through it since I've owned it.

[mac5155]

I should add, I have Winchester bonded 180 grain hollow points in my handgun, and they run almost $25 for a box of 20.

[Shyster]

Cost of ammunition might affect how much I shoot a gun, but probably not whether I’m going to buy it or not. If I want to fire a lot of rounds, well, that’s why I own six .22s pistols and two more .22 rifles.

[Idoit40fans]

Excuse my ignorance, but what is the purpose of owning 6 pistols of the same caliber?

[tifosi77]

Variety.

[Shyster]

Excuse my ignorance, but what is the purpose of owning 6 pistols of the same caliber?

Good question. I would point out that I don’t own six of the same gun; they’re all different models. My reasons include:

1. Variety is the spice of life. Those six guns comprise semi-auto pistols, double-action revolvers, and a single-action revolver. They’re different sizes, shapes, and action types. Some have short barrels; some have long barrels. Some are relatively new; some were made in the 1950s. Each is different.

2. They are relatively inexpensive to buy and cheap and fun to shoot.

3. Owning multiple guns allows me to take non-gun-owning friends to the range, and they can all shoot at the same time without waiting.

4. They permit me to specialize. For example, one of my.22 rifles is scoped for precision shooting, the other has open sights for more general plinking.

5. I enjoy collecting and owning them.

6. Because I can.

It’s sort of the same reason that a (very, very wealthy) car guy like Jay Leno owns something like 100 cars even though you can’t drive more than one at a time.

[DropEmJayBird]

but.... why does he need so many cars, can't we have sensible car ownership?

Anyway - I've shot before with some friends, but I don't know all that much in technical terms. I want to get a simple shotgun for home that my wife could handle. I'm thinking a 20 gauge shotgun would be something she'd have no problem with. From there we can get into some hand guns, but I'd figure I'd get this out of the way firsts, any suggestions? I mean when you start paying higher dollars - what exactly are you getting from a features standpoint. Weight? Something else?

[mac5155]

I'd go with a composite mossberg 500 with a pistol grip. 12 gauge is my preference. The composite will be light enough for her to handle and the pistol grip on it makes it easier to hold.

[DelPen]

20 gauge mossberg 500 or Remington 870 with reduced recoil buckshot. And what mac5155 said as far as stock and grip. Sometimes you can get a set with an 18" barrell for home defense and a 24-28" barrell that should have removable choke tubes if you ever want to hunt.

Magpul makes a great stock for the Remington 870. Wish they would hurry up and do one for Mossberg.