While chatting with a friend the other day, it dawned on me that I haven't had a new acquisition in over three months. This is the longest in quite a long time that I've gone without buying a new gun. Obviously, now that I've started thinking about it, I've got "the itch" pretty bad... And, let's not forget, Buy A Gun Day is a little over a month away.
You know where this is going, right???Well, I've got a hunk 'a' change burning a hole in my pocket. I've got both Buy A Gun Day and my birthday next month. So there will be a new acquisition in the foreseeable future. The big question, though, is what? Some of the possibilities are:
- S&W Model 442 Heller Edition
- Ruger LCR
These two choices have the distinct advantage of being chambered in .38 Special. I'll be 38 next month... The LCR isn't on the MA Approved Roster {SPIT}, so it's actually out...
I've heard really good things about this gun WRT weight and thickness. Since it's a single stack, it's quite thin and easy to carry. The biggest problem IMHO is that right now only the 9mm version is available in MA, and if I'm going to be limited to under 10 rounds, it might as well be .40 S&W...
It's long beyond time for me to pony up for Ruger's legendary 10/22. Even though I have like 8 .22LR rifles already, three of which are semi-automatic, I don't have the iconic 10/22. Magazines are cheap and plentiful, and I bet I could find a couple of 30 rounders somewhere for fun...
I've already posted about my lust for this gun, as well as my love for the 1911 in general. I only have Government models, and the little Smith would be a neat addition to the armory. Problem is the same as the LCR, though - not on "the list"...
Since they're not quite as popular as their AR/AK counterparts, the Mini-14/30s haven't been as affected by the rising "assault weapon" prices. Might be a good time to pick up a back-up rifle to the Bushmaster before even these start getting ridiculous.
The Rack Grade Inlands and Underwoods are in my price range. I've already got a bunch of magazines that I know are pre-ban (since I owned them in September 1994!). M1 Carbine ammo is less expensive than 5.56mm and about even with 7.62X39mm.
- Ruger Mark II/III
- Smith & Wesson 22A
Basically, I'm looking for another .22LR semi-automatic pistol to use in helping new shooters. The 422 is a good gun, but it's rather finicky; I'd prefer something that will function reliably with moderate .22 ammo. It would be something with iron sights; the Ruger Mark III "Hunter" with the fluted heavy barrel is a sweet looking choice...
Field Grade M1 Garands are in my price range, and Service Grades aren't too far off. Garand clips are less expensive than spare magazines (and you can buy ammo from CMP already on clips!). Plus everyone should own "the greatest battle implement ever devised".
That's the short list for right now. I'm sure there's a couple dozen options I haven't even thought of but can't live without. What else could/should I be considering?
That is all.
19 comments:
Man, we're in the same boat. I was on a gun-buying hiatus for several months, and it hurt! Broke the drought with the Bersa .380 (PS - cheaper than the PPS and just as nice), just bought a 10/22 International for the wife on gunbroker, and sold my old Rem597 in order to put funds towards a new 10/22 for myself.
And somewhere along the line I need to find the money for a 22/45 pistol...
Zercool,
Bersa's not on the "Approved Firearms Roster" {spit}, so it's right out. Besides, it's a metal-framed .380 - heavier and with less punch than the polymer 9mm.
I lurves my G30, but it's going to be a hard gun to conceal in the summer time (as I've opined, it's a brick, but a brick that dispenses 10+1 rounds of .45 ACP justice). I'm looking for something a step up from a pocket gun for summer carry.
Since I've got the flame-throwing S&W 360PD in the very manly .357 Magnum caliber (that will fit quite handily in a pocket), I'd have to have something in a chambering at least starting with a 4...
Ugh. NY's gun laws are draconian and complicated, but at least we don't have The List (spit).
I had to balance need against desire with the Bersa... I *wanted* the Kahr PM9 or the Ruger LCP. I *needed* a more reasonable carry gun. Since the Kahr was over my budget for now, and the Ruger was unavailable ... well. :)
Step up from a pocket gun for summer carry ... on The Hated List ... good luck with that!
I'm even considering a Keltec in .32 for a summertime pocket gun when hiding the Bersa is too much effort. I'll be looking forward to seeing what you end up with!
I've never heard anyone say they regret buying their M1 Carbine.
Besides, dead Nazis! What's not to like. Maybe even dead Nazi Zombies!
;-)
Oh curse you - I had forgotten about B.A.G. day.... but I am heading off to a large gun auction next week :)
I don't know what my next acquisition is, but I am sick of buying spare magazines. Guess that means it will be a bolt gun, or belt fed :)
zercool,
I *own* a P3AT (get that over the P32, SRSLY), and I'll recommend the LCP over it. I've shot Bruce's LCP, and the differences are more than worth the extra $50 in price. Plus Ruger's right in CT should it need work...
Ted,
The M1 carbine is an extremely attractive option right now. In fact, the only thing stopping me is that I currently own two already. Now, one's got a cracked receiver, and the other is a Universal that needs a new stock, so it's not as cut-and-dried; it's just that I've got so many other guns on the "gottahaveit" list...
Garand, OTOH... ESpecially with .30-06 available from CMP as well - and clipped up, to boot!
Wally,
Hey, we all have to do our part to make Baby Vulcan smile.
Belt fed is good... :)
I *own* a P3AT (get that over the P32, SRSLY), and I'll recommend the LCP over it.
Duly noted, and appreciated!
Having *one* caliber for carry guns would be nice, too ... even though I do enjoy adding another box of random stuff to the closet now and then. Heck, I bought a partial box of .300WSSM for $5 simply because it was a good price and intrigued me. I don't have a rifle in that caliber, nor do I expect I'll ever buy one - I'm a blast wussy, and anything that says "Magnum" without "Rimfire" scares me. :-D
I'm sure as money allows I'll be adding more bizarre items to the safe(s) ... I'd like a Jetfire .25 ... a Bobcat .22 ... one of the Taurus .17HMR revolvers would be sweetness.
Rifles, to me, are about practicality, and function. Handguns? That's where I find the oddball a lot more interesting. My dealer has a couple of 1895 Nagants in the display that I keep pondering. I may only shoot a couple cylinders and then clean it and make it a wall hanger, but they're NEAT guns.
Just used my buddy's Mk III Hunter last month. The fiber optic sights are a joy to my eyes. May not be a consideration for your young 38 year old eyes but I loved them. Typical Ruger accuracy and reliability. Would have bought one that weekend but I've already 3 semi .22s pistols.
Jay, do you have any single action revolvers at all? If you don't, Ruger has just brought the Vaquero Bisley back, it comes with faux ivory grips and just looks gooood! Another good 'un is the Vaquero Montado, which is sort of a cowboy snubby.
It will take Ruger months to get LCR's out to the public, even if they were legal in MA. Then there's the possibility of recall...
As for the M1 Carbines you own, you can buy a replacement here and use the rest of the money you saved to buy a Garand.
Okay, where do we check all of the above?
I think the Garand, although a fully functioning M1 Carbine would be nice too.
I did't know that the LCR was MA Compliant.
Playing following JayG, I've started to save up for a EBR because like the flu, that bug hit me out of nowhere.
Which will finish off my acquisitions for 2009, or at least a good chunk of it.
In honor of upcoming BAG day, here's the ultimate shopping spot. A little something for everyone's dreams. Mint 2-digit M1 carbines, Garand s/n 0000000, singer and north american 1911s, a dardick semi automatic revolver with triangular bullets, CIA dear gun, acres of lugers, buckets of colts and all sorts of shiny wheelguns of the boom persuasion.
Notice there are 4 pages of listings.
http://www.jamesdjulia.com/auctions/div_catalog_264.asp?pageREQ=1
I am going to the auction and treating it as a vacation. Pretty much a Do-it-yourself museum.
zercool,
The P3AT's a fine gun, it's just that the LCP is that much better. I've shot both, and the LCP is more accurate by a significant measure. Plus it's got a slide-lock, which is handy for showing clear.
I'm the exact opposite - for me, pistols are 90% business, 10% fun whereas rifles are the reverse. That's why it took me so long to get an AR-15 platform.
Stretch,
Thanks for the plug. I'm leaning towards a Ruger, breakdown be damned; although it's really a case of "OOH! Look what's in the case" for this group - it'll depend on what the gun store has on the shelf...
Bob,
Actually, I've divested of my single action revolvers. I've had a Ruger Single Six (with extra .22 Mag cylinder) and a Super Blackhawk .44 Magnum that I just never shot because I had double action S&W counterparts (models 17 and 629 respectively).
At some point, I would love to get a Vaquero or Blackhawk in .357 Magnum with the 9mm conversion cylinder, but at this point it's so far down the list that I'd have to get a GREAT deal to consider.
As for the replacement stock, it's not quite that simple - the M1 in question is a Universal, which isn't quite a USGI fit. I've thought about buying a plastic stock and doing some fitting; alternately I believe Numrich has a Universal stock for sale for around $50 or so.
I'd really rather have a USGI carbine - since they're verifiably pre-ban (considering that they stopped manufacture LONG before 9/94), I can use the telescoping stock currently on the Underwood and have a nice little compact carbine.
The Saj,
Hey, if you're offering to buy me one of each I won't say no... ;)
TOTWTYTR,
I'm conjecturing on the LCR given that Ruger has certified most, if not all, of their wheelgun line. Since the LCR is a DAO revolver, I'd wager it's got the requisite heavy trigger.
Good luck on the EBR front. I gave up when I saw WASR-10s selling for between $700 and $800. It's bad enough coming from the gun shops; what was disheartening to see was the gouging in certain local areas (I'm sure you know what I mean; e-mail if you need/want clarification).
Wally, I'm not even going to follow that link, because it will send me into a frenzy of want not seen since I first saw the specs on the new Dodge Charger... ;)
Jay, follow the link and enjoy the ride. Everything rare and obscure, nothing could be considered commonplace. "Want" is such a fleeting sensation. Seeing the next item will make you forget about the previous.
Besides, what would you really do with Annie Oakley's shotgun case ? A belt fed HK21E (.308) with a 9" barrel ? A colt 1902 with a 6" barrel ? Personally, I'd do more droolin than shootin....
But to the point, an M1 carbine would be fun. Maybe take the BAG fund and portion it up into the "fix a bunch of guns" fund? More bang for the buck but less satisfying than a new acquisition.
Jay, I remembered you mentioning a Glock 17 being on "the list" some time ago; did I miss the publicity shot of that acquisition, or are you having second thoughts?
I know where some pre-ban mags could be found for it... (whistling)
DJ
DJ,
The G17's still on the list, it's just that right now, there's many ahead of it.
If I were to pick up another high capacity 9mm, I think I'd opt for either a Beretta 92FS (which was in the running against the Sig 226 last year when I was in the market for a new 9mm) or a Browning Hi-Power before I picked up the Glock.
And I think the Hi-Power would get the edge simply for the JMB connection... :)
GET THE GARAND WHILE YOU CAN.
At the rate people are ordering them from the CMP, it may take you 6 months to get it!
Hard to go wrong if you can find a decently priced M1 Carbine.
Get the Garand while you can! Is there an echo in here?
Buy a service grade, do the little tricks to help it live up to it's potential- Mine with the CMP Greek surplus will do 2" at 100. Go here for tips - http://www.garanddata.com/owbase/default.asp?p=FrontPage
Post a Comment