New Handgun

S

Shann

Joined
Sep 2, 2004
Messages
5,250
So I want to buy a new handgun. I was thinking about getting something like the Springfield XDm but I was wondering if there was something that might have more I don't know "value" is probably not the right word. But I mean something that might nice to pass down to the kid someday.

I'm probably not saying it right, but like a polymer .22 shoots just as well or better than a vintage Colt Woodsman, but its not the same. I'm not looking for an investment, maybe just something that 20 years from now, I'll look at and say "they don't make them like that anymore" but at the same time something with "glock like" reliability and features like high capacity magazines and double action\safe action.
 
Sig 226 Elite seems to fit.

P226-elite-st-detail-L.jpg
 
In no particular order: H&K P7, Colt 1903/08, Browning High Power w/tangent sight, SIG P210. They don't make 'em like that any more, now! I know the Browning is the only 'hi cap' of the bunch, but they're all classics.

Future classics? Glock 17. I suspect it'll be awhile before anything else comes along that will be a future classic.
 
VA27...I admire your style...I shot a P210 once.... its $400 slide stop was the price of my competition 1911 at the time...

Shann...there is a wheel gun out there, that I perceive as the best fighting 35caliber revolver period... I've mentioned it several times on this and other forums, and the comment is typically blown off as just another 4 inch Ruger/ Smith revolver suggestion... to me it is a whole lot more than a typical 38/357... it was designed by gun fighters....it has an exceptional feel, akin to the "chi" that knife people refer to.... and it is a great fit for its intended job... powerful accurate cartridge ... it is a little shorter with a 3inch bull barrel but points extremely well, intermediate K frame, and it has a round butt that gives it better concealment and excellent shootability... find a dealer and actually handle a 3inch (not 4) S&W Model 13 (blue) or Model 65 (stainless)


if you hunt, something in .44/.454 by Hamilton Bowen

for a 1911, one of the TRP models by Springfield Armory
 
+1 on the 3" K-frame. I carried a M10 4"HB (rechambered to .357, on the recommendation of my assistant chief) for a lot of miles. Still have it. I purchased it when we went to the 'new fangled' stainless 65. Also have a look at a Ruger Speed Six. I know a lot of you are recoiling in horror, but I consider the Speed Six a classic revolver.
 
Good suggestions. I'm leaning towards an autoloader, because I have several nice wheelguns. I do want a S&W revolver one of these days, but so far I've had Colt and Ruger.
 
possibly a Glock 17L (longslide) before the USPSA Production Class shooters buy them up like the Cowboy Action Shooters did to the Win M97's
 
Shann-- I strongly think you should consider the CZ 75 line of semi-autos. They are every bit as reliable as a Glock or Sig (if anyone doesn't believe me check out the Firing Line gun forums), and they are made every bit as good as a Sig-- old world quality.

I have the CZ P-01 9mm. That is the compact version of the 75 line. It has a 14 rd mag, firing pin safety, and a groovy decocker on it. It is all steel and metal alloy-- no polymer. It is probably the most ergonomic pistol you can fit in your paw.

They are not as inexpensive as they used to be, because people found out about them, but they are still less expensive than Sig, and maybe even Glock. It has a mean rounds between failure (MRBF) rate of 2,142! (7 stoppages in 15,000 rds torture test) http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-p01/

I have some custom made grips on mine, it looks a lot like this:

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.czgrips.us/images/RickV%2520P-01.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.czgrips.us/customer%27s_pics.htm&usg=__mW84Pd2uwXyncW9LiffvggsY_vE=&h=675&w=900&sz=67&hl=en&start=42&zoom=1&tbnid=lE2mO8M_BtL2mM:&tbnh=107&tbnw=138&ei=ma2fTf2kLtTogQeh1vHaBQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dcz%2Bp-01%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D526%26tbm%3Disch0%2C7980%2C798&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=263&vpy=225&dur=15221&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=108&ty=62&oei=jK2fTcbuIo220QH--OSZBQ&page=3&ndsp=23&ved=1t:429,r:16,s:42&biw=1280&bih=526
 
HK P7 if you can find one. I really love shooting the one I have and it has done nothing but appreciate in price. I could sell it for twice what I payed for it. Really great gun
 
Les Snyder said:
VA27...I admire your style...I shot a P210 once.... its $400 slide stop was the price of my competition 1911 at the time...

Shann...there is a wheel gun out there, that I perceive as the best fighting 35caliber revolver period... I've mentioned it several times on this and other forums, and the comment is typically blown off as just another 4 inch Ruger/ Smith revolver suggestion... to me it is a whole lot more than a typical 38/357... it was designed by gun fighters....it has an exceptional feel, akin to the "chi" that knife people refer to.... and it is a great fit for its intended job... powerful accurate cartridge ... it is a little shorter with a 3inch bull barrel but points extremely well, intermediate K frame, and it has a round butt that gives it better concealment and excellent shootability... find a dealer and actually handle a 3inch (not 4) S&W Model 13 (blue) or Model 65 (stainless)


if you hunt, something in .44/.454 by Hamilton Bowen

for a 1911, one of the TRP models by Springfield Armory
Click to expand...

This is the best and truest post here!

A 3 inch K frame is the nicest shooting handgun there is. I've had one for decades now, and there has been a lot of guns that have come and gone, but the S&W stayed. I simply have not come across another handgun that is as nice a all around gun, let alone a sheer pleasure to shoot. Now in my senior citizen years, I've got rid of most of my excess stuff, including guns, to my kids and grandkids. But the guns I kept were S&W revolvers.

Carl.
 
I had a model 65, but it was a 4" gun. Heavy as a boat anchor! Not a fun carry gun at all.
I would say a sig 228 or 229. As a tool the glock is unbeatable, but t doesn't have much cachet.

Plus polymer won't age as well as alloy :).
 
If you don't already have a 1911, that would be first on my list. I do, as well as a S&W and Ruger wheelguns, so a CZ is first on my list! Good advice in this thread!
 
Shann said:
something with "glock like" reliability and features
Click to expand...

Revolvers and 1911's are great but don't really fit your requirements, especially regarding capacity.

HK and Sig have been mentioned.

Check out a Walther P99. I carry one every day. Polymer, 15 round capacity (in 9mm), and very good ergonomics. I trust its reliability as much as I would a Glock, and I feel it has a certain "refinement" or "class" or something that a Glock lacks.
 
Shann said:
I'm not looking for an investment, maybe just something that 20 years from now, I'll look at and say "they don't make them like that anymore" but at the same time something with "glock like" reliability and features like high capacity magazines and double action\safe action.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you just described one of the CZ-75 DA/SA models. I have an SP-01 and it is a great gun to shoot and have fun with, although I would choose a non-railed one for CCW.
 
If you want something that will be an heirloom, many have suggested some that are worthy.

Browning Hi Power

HK P7 series (M8, M13, PSP)

Colt 1911

CZ-75 variant (I think these are still great deals)

Sig P series

HK USP (now we're getting into plastic, but they should hold up)

All of these will serve you well in a defense or range role as well as hold their value for you heirs.
 
How much are you looking to spend? Based on your parameters, here's what I would look at in these general price ranges (for previously owned firearms). If you want new new (not just new to you) you'll probably pay at least 50% more.

$500ish - Sig 228, 226, 229
$1000ish - Browning Hi Power
$2000ish - HK P7M13, STI 2011

YMMV
 
+1 on the HK USP. I've owned the SS and regular model .45's since the mid 1990's. Ultra dependable, well made, and I have 10, 12, and 20 round mags for mine. CDNN has a bunch of HK models at great prices. Revolver? My SW 623-3 uses the same ammo as the HKs. Keeps things simple.
 
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