Recommendations on my next purchase

[pigpen66m]

My sig p229 is in a holding pattern. I can't start the paperwork until the 30th and I'm already looking for my next purchase. Either pistol or wheel gun. Leaning towards a 357 mag for a wheel gun and a 1911 for a pistol.

[Turbinator]

Generally speaking, what platforms do you have covered already? Shotgun? AR? AK? .22lr?

Turby

[pigpen66m]

Generally speaking, what platforms do you have covered already? Shotgun? AR? AK? .22lr?

Turby

Everything but the AK is covered. my AR's are in .556 and .308

[bigbearbear]

I was a Reed's Indoor Range today and rented a S&W 686 357mag, it has a 6" barrel. First, the sticker shock: $49.99 for a box of 50 rounds of 357mag. At almost $1.00 a shot, it is pretty expensive.

2nd, be sure you're ok with the double action pull. It is very different from the SA pull on a semiautomatic. The 686 shoots very smoothly but still, the trigger gets some getting used to. After a box of 50 rounds my wrist felt a little tired.

You can cock the gun for SA trigger pull if you wish though.

3rd, the blast. The 357mag gives off a pretty spectacular blast when you shoot it. People definitely took notice when I was blasting away with the box of 357mag, the flame coming out of the barrel looks nice. If you want a picture of yourself shooting a pistol, use a .357mag on a revolver and a fast shooting DSLR camera. It'll look very cool.

4th, the weight. The S&W 686 is heavy compared to the polymer Beretta PX4 Storm which I also rented today (and I also bought one after renting it). It felt pretty nicely balanced but if you shoot it for a long time you'll definitely feel it. I rent 2 of the S&W today actually, a .22 and a .357mag. Both were pretty heavy. Shot a box each and wrist felt a little tired. The polymer Beretta PX4 Storm which I rented last felt like it weighted nothing and it felt like I could pull the trigger whole day without fatigue.

[pigpen66m]

I was a Reed's Indoor Range today and rented a S&W 686 357mag, it has a 6" barrel. First, the sticker shock: $49.99 for a box of 50 rounds of 357mag. At almost $1.00 a shot, it is pretty expensive.

2nd, be sure you're ok with the double action pull. It is very different from the SA pull on a semiautomatic. The 686 shoots very smoothly but still, the trigger gets some getting used to. After a box of 50 rounds my wrist felt a little tired.

You can cock the gun for SA trigger pull if you wish though.

3rd, the blast. The 357mag gives off a pretty spectacular blast when you shoot it. People definitely took notice when I was blasting away with the box of 357mag, the flame coming out of the barrel looks nice. If you want a picture of yourself shooting a pistol, use a .357mag on a revolver and a fast shooting DSLR camera. It'll look very cool.

4th, the weight. The S&W 686 is heavy compared to the polymer Beretta PX4 Storm which I also rented today (and I also bought one after renting it). It felt pretty nicely balanced but if you shoot it for a long time you'll definitely feel it. I rent 2 of the S&W today actually, a .22 and a .357mag. Both were pretty heavy. Shot a box each and wrist felt a little tired. The polymer Beretta PX4 Storm which I rented last felt like it weighted nothing and it felt like I could pull the trigger whole day without fatigue.

I own a S&W 29 with a 4" barrel and a Ruger Superredhawk .454 Casull so the weight is not an issue. Unfortunately I own several large caliber firearms so I'm familiar with the ammo prices. Anywhere from $1.30-2.50 for my .50ae and .454Casull about $1.00 for the .44mag. I'm a little old school I only have one polymer gun S&W M&P22 not a big fan of polymer.

[pigpen66m]

Wheel guns and 1911's are an easy recommendation to any collection.

For a wheel gun, I will highly recommend a 686 SSR. Yes it has the lock and yes it does not have a firing pin on the hammer. But it has the sweetest DA pull of any revolver I have owned and tried. It also has a good balance so felt recoil on .357 mag full loads is manageable. And .38 spl full loads are very tame.

For 1911's, wow, where do I start? Because there are so many, I would like you to be specific on what you are looking for. But for starters, try renting a Kimber Custom II and a Springfield Loaded. Those should give you a good idea of how they feel.

Besides wheel guns and 1911's, try looking into single action semi autos like a CZ Tactical Sport. It is great for many applications and is commonly found in competitions.

For long guns, a bolt action in 30-06 is nice. M&P 15-22 to pair up with your AR's is also a good training partner.

I will check back on this thread later to see if I can be of further help once I hear of the OP's specific needs/asks.

I was looking at the Kimber Custom II. I own two bolt guns older models a Ruger m77 in 30-06 and a Browning BBR in .270 love shooting both of them?

[pigpen66m]

Kimber Custom II is the base model - black fixed sights, no front strap checkering, single side safety, no mag well, rubber grips. Although all of those "missing" qualities can be added later on, you will end up paying more for such mods vs getting a higher end one with such bells and whistles.

It is definitely your approach that will determine which gun you will eventually get. Do you need the higher end one now or are you comfortable getting the base model to get yourself accustomed to the platform?

If I may recommend, try finding a rental first and shoot it. Do you feel that the sights are inadequate for your needs? How about the lack of front strap checkering? Etc., etc. And then assess. Alternatively, you can get a used one and feel how you really like it. If you don't like it, you may be able to re-sell for the same price or slightly less. If you do, then mission accomplished. You can then decide if you want to upgrade or not.

It is important to note that 1911's feel different when you handle them. Springfields tend to be on the heavier side, Sigs tend to be on the bulkier side, Kimbers tend to be sleeker and lighter. These are all relatively speaking of course. It's what fits you that matters the most.

Good luck!

Last time I fired a 1911 was in boot camp back in 84. I know I shouldn't of waited this long for my first 1911. As far as price as long as it's not in the nighthawk range I'm ok.

[pigpen66m]

The only thing that would be a deal breaker for me is a rail. I don't mind them just not on a 1911.

[SonofWWIIDI]

Don't know much about wheel guns, the only one I have is a ruger single six.

As for 1911:

Kimber custom carry II (.45)
Springfield armory EMP (9mm)
These are the favorites of my 1911 collection.

I have friends with various brands of 1911's in lots of different models, and these two brands seem to me to stand out as quality guns. Both have a 3" barrel. And the EMP is a bit pricey, but both are great shooters and I have not had any problems with them. They both eat any brand of ammo (although I only shoot brass cases) and do it reliably.

IBKH (in before Kimber haters).

[pigpen66m]

Don't know much about wheel guns, the only one I have is a ruger single six.

As for 1911:

Kimber custom carry II (.45)
Springfield armory EMP (9mm)
These are the favorites of my 1911 collection.

I have friends with various brands of 1911's in lots of different models, and these two brands seem to me to stand out as quality guns. Both have a 3" barrel. And the EMP is a bit pricey, but both are great shooters and I have not had any problems with them. They both eat any brand of ammo (although I only shoot brass cases) and do it reliably.


IBKH (in before Kimber haters).

I'd be looking for a full size 1911 in .45acp

[SonofWWIIDI]

I'd be looking for a full size 1911 in .45acp

Kimber and Springfield both have a number of models in the full size .45. And I'm sure the colt is quite nice too!

[pigpen66m]

Hmm... A Nighthawk is around $3K so below that is quite a bit of selection. Your range includes, among others:

Les Baer (Custom Carry, Premier II, TRS, to name a few)
Dan Wesson (Valor, PM7, CBOB to name a few)
Springfield Armory (TRP, Loaded, Range Officer, Mil-spec to name a few)
Kimber (Gold Combat, Gold Match, Team Match, Raptor, TLE, Super Match to name a few)
Colt Series 70 (MKIV, Gold Cup Match to name a few)

Of the models I mentioned above, I prefer (note: my preference) the Raptor (Kimber Stainless Raptor II to be specific) although I am curious about the Kimber Super Match model. I just haven't seen nor shot one. But based on my experience with the Raptor, I kind of know what to expect.

Man, I am getting excited here When are we going gun shopping?

I'd have to check out the Rapture. It'll be a while before I go shopping, I can't even start dros on my sig before the 30th so I have to wait 30 days from there, it gives me time to do some research/range time with some 1911s.

[trigger945]

I'd have to check out the Rapture Raptor.

Fixed it for ya

It'll be a while before I go shopping, I can't even start dros on my sig before the 30th so I have to wait 30 days from there, it gives me time to do some research/range time with some 1911s.

Great idea! That is really the way to go. Good luck!

[pigpen66m]

Fixed it for ya



Great idea! That is really the way to go. Good luck!

Thanks, the MSRP on the raptor starts at $1295 and just under $1400 for the Gold match. So I can probably find the raptor closer to $1000 range. That's if I can find one in stock.

[CelticMonster]

Get the big brother, Ruger Redhawk .44 Magnum.