Just save for a P-210... But there is an option.
The French gun, if you can even find ammo, is going to be a problem, as you'll probably never find parts.
The P-210 is still in production, parts are available, it shoots standard 9mm, and is phenominally accurate no matter what ammo you use. Its easy to strip and clean and nearly indestructible.
I got mine for $1300, NIB, early last year, but it was made in 1978! It came with a proof target showing a 1 1/2" group at 55 meters.
The ONLY downsides of the P-210 are crappy sights (and no after-market sights available, except perhaps Novak)and the European magazine release. The factory Target sights aren't a lot better, and they sell for $250. Factory mags sell for about $80 -- and no hicaps exist.
Your next best alternative would be to find one of the used SIG M49s, a military versions of the P-210, available, used for about half the 210 price. (The Danes and some other country used them in their military and police forces.)
These are the same design, but have many miles on them. (And one version, I don't remember which, may have had an alloy frame.) Even then, these will be far superior guns to the French pistol you mention.
For more about SIG P-210s (and M49s), visit
http://www.easterncannon.com Michael, the guy who runs this site has several M49s (and several P-210s.)
[This message has been edited by Walt Sherrill (edited October 02, 2000).]
