My weekend gun-buying bonanza

rock_jock

New member
I thought I would let you folks know what I ended up getting this past weekend after several posts asking for advice on new gun purchases. First, let me explain that I had posted several inquiries about 1911's, and specifically about the Kimber line. I had convinced myself that an Ultra Elite would be the perfect compliment to my small, but cherished collection. I've never owned, or shot a 1911, but always thought they were pieces of art.

Anyway, Saturday my wife and I drove a couple of hours across Texas to see some friends and stopped by Champion Arms in College Station, which I had found advertised on the Internet (BTW, this is a very well stocked store with excellent service and great prices). I made a beeline to the 45s, handled the UE, and was very impressed by its look. But, being the first 1911 I had ever picked up, I found the daunting array of buttons, knobs, levers, safeties, etc. a little much, as well as the price tag, which was close to $900. I was a little at a loss, since I had my heart set on a 1911, but did not really care for the feel and did not have a backup choice. The salesman could see the disappointment in my face, and after hearing that I already owned a Glock 17, suggested I consider a Glock 23 (.40 version, with slightly smaller barrel and frame than the 17). This gun I really liked, especially the fact that it was more concealable than the 17, and with a better defensive load. So, I gave a thumbs up to the 23 with night sights.

That was just the start.

Since I had planned on spending around $1000 on a gun, and now had a few hundred left, I asked if the salesman could suggest a good .22lr semi-auto (previous posts had mentioned the Ruger 22/45s and Browning Buckmark). He told me to wait while he went in the back and returned with a Sig Hammerli Trailside, which I had read raving reviews about on other posts. That was an easy decision based on the great feel and Sig name, so add gun #2 to the list.

Finally, I asked if they had any AR-15s in stock, with the intention of just handling one (I had for some time thought about getting one some day, but certainly not this year, or probably not even next). I even assured my wife that I just wanted a look (in retrospect I now understand her skepticism). Anyway, to make a long story short, the gun he showed me was beautiful, with a detachable handle and 20" barrel, and was listed at a great price. When I realized that it was a Bushmaster, which I've read is one of the better brands, I was sold - tally gun #3.

My wife and I took them out to a range this mrning, and had a ball. All the guns were great, and I was tickled pink about how they performed. Needless to say, my gun-buying days are over for quite awhile, but that one day buying spree will give me memories to last for years.

I hope everyone enjoyed this post, and has at least momentarily lived vicariously through my experiences. Thanks for your contributions on my research, and I'd be happy to answer any questions I my new additions.

rock
 
Sounds like you had a great time!! Don't you think we should all do this more often? I do!
I do have one question... How do you go out and spend all of that money with the wife along???? I mostly come home with a large bag and my wife asks.." what did ya buy?"
I look her straight in the eyes and tell her the truth... "Christmas Gifts!!" ... as loose .45 ammo falls to the floor. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME!!! :D HOPE YOU LOVE YOUR NEW "TOYS"!!!
CJB
" want MORE gun control? use BOTH hands! "
 
I have been on a buying splurge in the last week also. Bought a Kimber Compact Aluminum Wednesday. Friday, I had my dealer order me a S&W m696 44 Spl - and also verbally committed to a new Bushmaster Bullpup m17S (will pick it up tomorrow).

This 1 gun a month law is going to break me or put me in divorce court, probably both! :D


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BKs Pistol Pages
 
Rock, you had a day those of us stuck in the state of the PRK can only dream of. I can only buy one handgun a month, no Bushmasters, and couldn't take any of them to the range for at least 10 days! You're a lucky man with a good wife.
 
Wow a glock, a sig and a bushmaster. Great purchases. Start reloading if you already aren't and watch your shooting skills and accuracy improve greatly.

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The Seattle SharpShooter
 
Wow . . . must be nice. :) If I could afford a Glock, OR a Trailside, OR an AR-15, I'd be tickled pink. You must be a pretty happy man! And your wife is obviously a lady of fine taste and great tolerance. :)

However, I'm curious--what was wrong with the 1911? Did you learn to shoot on Glocks or Sigs or some other fairly simple manual of arms? And how come $900 was too much, if you planned on spending $1000? Is that just too high for the Ultra Elite? I don't know much about the higher-end 1911's, just been looking at the basic versions. I'm trying to think what I want to save up for next. I'll have a Glock 17 as soon as it's delivered :rolleyes: so I'm not so sure anymore that I want a 1911 for my next firearm. An AR-15 sounds good though . . . anyway, just curious. Have fun!
 
The first handgun I ever fired, and subsequently owned, was my Glock 17. I have always enjoyed the simplicity and feel of the Glock. The 1911 just felt strange, what with the multiple safeties and the finely checkered grips. And the trigger is quite a bit different. I didn't know what to expect when I considered purchasing a 1911, but now my curiosity is satisfied. I guess had my first gun been a 1911, I would prefer these and shy away from the Glock. Perhaps someday I will add a 1911, but not for the foreseeable future. The 23 felt really good in my hand. Also, when I compared costs and realized I could buy TWO very good guns for the price of ONE 1911, I was sold (so to speak).
 
Your comments were most interesting. It does seem to make a difference in what you learn with first. It is kind of like cars and the car you learned to drive first. With no real basis of comparison, I thought the sun rose and set with a 1960 VW convertable, until I drove something else. Now before all you Glock fans get your tails in afterburner, cool your jets, for I own and shoot Glocks all the time. My next purchase will be a G36, if it ever comes out. I am not caling a Glock a 1960 VW. I just wished you had shot the ultra elite and had a chance to carry it in a nice IWB for a while. I've owned one or two cars that I bought because I liked the way they drove. I have owned a few that I bought for their looks. And I've owned one or two that were both beautiful and drove better then anything else I could afford. I put the UE in the later category. Just holding the Ultra Elite is like sitting in a Porsche without driving it. It must be carried and shot to be appreciated. Now you own two nice very nice pistols and an AR and I congratulate you on your good fortune, but I got news for you, it will always be in the back of your mind, just like that girl that...well never mind. ;) Enjoy and remember, never look back. Time and tide wait for no man.
 
I wish I could do that, but being a poor engineering student limits my funds to whatever I can scrape up in the summer. I was wondering, if I am not being too pushy, what did you pay for the Sig and how accurate is it. I am looking at replacing my Ruger Mark 2 standard with something that is quite accurate. If you rave about the price and the groups, I might be eating Kraft Dinner for the next year.

P.S. We need personals ads on here so more of us can find such understanding wives as yours (".... must be understanding to impulse firearm purchases.").
 
About 6 months ago, I bought a Wilson Sentinel. It was my dream carry piece. I read and read and read and asked a ton of questions about it due to its high price.

I carried it around and loved it. The fit, finish and the way it fired was outstanding.

Two months later, I went to my favorite gun shop and saw a Kimber Ultra Elite. I thought to myself, damn I have the Wilson as a carry piece already. Why spend another grand on another compact 1911? I just stood there and shook my head.

I bought the Kimber and a used Colt Gold Cup. How did I justify it? I didn't, I just wanted it :D

Two weeks later, I bought a Kimber Super Match. Again, there was no reason I needed another 1911! Still, who really cares if I needed it or not? I wanted it and that's all that mattered. hehe
 
Hey, I say go for it. I didn't mean to sound like some kind of reverse snob, just jealous. And you guys might as well enjoy the money you have now, because in a few months now Big Bubba will be out of office and the economy will nosedive . . . ..
:D
 
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