Buying a pistol you have not shot.....HELP

M

Mntneer357

New member
Ladies and Gents:
I am looking into the possibility of picking up a new Ruger KP-97 .45. But I have not had a chance to shoot it and probably won't get to shoot it beforehand. They are kind of rare in my area. It feels great in my hand and I like the sights. But is buying a gun you have not shot a wise thing to do?
Added to which, I once owned a .45 and after a year I sold it. I bought a Para-Ord P-13 and I couldn't hit ANYTHING with it..at all. Maybe the grip wasn't right for my hand, maybe the bore axis was too high for me. I don't know...but I sold it and have not touched another .45 since then. (I bought a Ruger KP-141 .357 Mag to replace it and I am very, very accurate with this pistol.)
What should I do? Do I take a "leap of faith" and pick up the new Ruger .45? Or do I wait and search out an opportunity to shoot it first? Please give me some words of wisdome. The P-97 is a great gun....I think
Sincerely,
Mntneer357

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"Spray and pray isn't the object here. One shot, one kill...no excuses."
 
I hate to say this but dont do it. Find a way to shoot one first. Especially if it is a style you are used to like polymer if you previously only shot all steel guns. Why? If you dont like the Ruger, the place you bought probably won't take it back. Then you are stuck with a gun you don't like.

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Shop Smart! Shop S-Mart**** That's right I'm a gear whore and proud of it***

[This message has been edited by cobraman (edited September 27, 2000).]
 
I have fired both, and I must say I would compare the Ruger more to my HK USP .45 than my old Para P13. The accuracy on the Ruger was better than the Para and it was much much more reliable and less expensive.
 
Incidentally, is there anyone who lives in the Columbia, SC metro area who:
A. Owns a Ruger P-97?
B. Might be willing to meet at Shooters Choice and allow me to sort of test fire their pistol?

Just curious...
-Mntneer357


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"Spray and pray isn't the object here. One shot, one kill...no excuses."
 
Hi, guys,

In my area at least, anyone who insists on trying out a gun before buying it won't be buying many guns. Very few dealers will let a customer take a gun out and try it, nor will the law allow them to do so. (And of course the liability problems would make a trial lawyer jump for joy!)

Even when a shop has an associated range, the dealer will not often let a potential customer make a used gun out of a new gun and then walk out without buying.

Talking to others is good, but there is really no way to know if a gun will fit your hand and work right for you. Borrowing a similar gun is best, but to some extent, it's still a crapshoot.

Jim
 
Hmm, the overwhelming majority of my firearms have been purchased without me ever trying the models beforehand. I've only been burnt twice (a couple AMTs) but the rest have worked as expected. My method has been to thoroughly research the item being scrutinized. (The bad thing about the AMTs was that all of the gun rags gave it basically thumbs ups. This was, of course, before the internet. There is now a myriad of unbiased opinions that you can use to help you make your mind up all right here in TFL (and other forums).)

It's not as absolute as actually trying out a gun to get the real feel of it but it works for me.

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- Ron V.
 
Mntneer357:
I did buy the KP97 without shooting one when they first became available. The advantage I had was that I already owned one of the KP95's since it first came out, too. Didn't think it was much of a risk. Wouldn't part with either of them.

Although I've never measured the grips on either gun, if "feels" that the single-stack KP97 is just a bit thinner than the double-stack KP95. Not enough difference to make it any easier in "installing" Hogue HandAll grips.

--
Mike
 
Well I bought a Sig P229 sight unseen, best thing I've ever done.

But I would have never done it if I didn't rent one at the local range. I'd never buy a gun unless I've at least rented that model at my local gun range.

-bamf
 
Go for it! That's part of the fun in buying a new gun, so you can learn all about it brand new (or at least new to you if buying used :)). It's no fun knowing everything about the gun and then getting it.
 
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