Scenario: $2,500 to spend on a 'set' of handguns, covering all bases

J

jersey_emt

New member
Here is an interesting, and realistic, scenario. You have a total of $2,500 to spend on a set of new handguns that cover the 3 main uses:

1. Home defense
2. Concealed carry
3. Recreation (range use, plinking, etc.)

I would choose the following:

Springfield 'Loaded' 1911 in .45 ACP: $800
Glock 26: $500
S&W 686 Plus (7-round .357 Magnum/.38 Special, 4" barrel): $700
Ruger 22/45 (5.5" barrel): $350

Total: $2,350

The 1911 would serve in the home defense role. The Glock 26 would serve as a concealed carry pistol. The S&W 686 and the Ruger 22/45 would be the 'recreational' guns. I think these 4 handguns are a good sampling of what's out there.

What would you choose, and why?
 
A 38 snub for carry
A 357 for HD
A .22 revolver for plinking

All pre lock S&W - might have enough. keeps handling the same, CC ammo the same as HD ammo if necessary
 
I would choose:

1. Springfield loaded for home defense
2. Kahr PM9 for concealed carry
3. S&W 642 snubby for concealed carry
4. Ruger Security Six .357 Magnum (38 special) for home defense and range

Major
 
2500 gun set

glock 20 w night sights, tac light, 3.5lb trigger 2 extra mags 800 hd
glock 19 w night sighs 575 ccw
glock 17L 3.5lb trigger 625 range
used s&w 586 500 range



and no change

wait a minute, thats my night table
 
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Well, I wouldn't buy a handgun specifically for HD, so that would be a shotgun. For the other two, a Glock for carry and a Dan Wesson or Fusion for fun/range/hunting.

I'd spend the other 6 or 800 on reloading supplies. That's one big pile of ammo.
 
Glock 26
Glock 17 or 34
Although not a handgun, also a kel tec sub 2000.

Buy a few extra mags, and ammo.

Since all guns take the same ammo and mag, you have more redundancy.
 
Springfield Loaded 1911 A1 in .45 ACP HD $600 (I just picked one up at that price today)
Ruger Bisley Hunter in .44 Magnum food $625

I know I have some left over, but I'll need at least one box of ammo for each, and at today's prices.....
 
A 38 snub for carry
A 357 for HD
A .22 revolver for plinking
Click to expand...

If you took that list and shopped somewhat carefully but still buying decent stuff, you'd still have money for a serious hunting revolver along the lines of the SuperRedhawk or one of the Hunter variant SuperBlackhawks.
 
a glock 19 for all 3 categories and spend the rest on quality holsters, ammo and training.
Click to expand...

the most boring, but the best answer out of all thus far in my opinion..but I'd think about possibly getting two G19's or a G19 and a G17/34
 
I'll use the prices from Bud's Gun Shop...

Home Defense: Mossberg 500 20", 7+1 = $296

Concealed Carry: Springfield XD40 Subcompact = $462

Plinking: Walther P22 all weather stainless = $315

Plinking: Ruger 10/22 = $247



Those are the guns I currently own. My next 2 purchases are going to be...

Range Gun/Winter Concealed Carry: Springfield XDM9 black = $549

Woods Gun: Ruger GP100 stainless steel = $500

Total: $2,369


I bought the XD40 subcompact as my first gun when I didn't know what I was doing, but fortunately I managed to get a pretty good gun looking back. I wanted a gun that would allow me to conceal carry so that's why I went with the subcompact. I then bought the Mossberg for home defense because shotguns are much easier to shoot accurately as well as more powerful. The 22's were bought because 22's are both cheap and fun to shoot, as well as good guns to have when taking beginners to the range.

I want the XDM because I have wanted a full size gun for a while and I really like the XD series. I am going for a 9mm as it is going to be more for enjoying at the range than anything and 9's are cheaper to shoot. I feel a 40 will put someone down quicker in a defense situation, but with quality ammo in +P or +P+ you don't lose much with the 9 even in that situation and the barrel length of the XDM will make it much easier to shoot than the subcompact. I will probably conceal carry it some in the winter when the clothing allows me to carry such a big gun and I am a skinny guy so it is easy enough for me to hide a gun well with a little baggy clothing. I have gone back and forth on getting a 40 or a 9, but have about made up my mind to get the 9.

I want the Ruger GP100 because I just really want a .357, but it will also serve as a gun to take into the woods for hiking and camping which I like to do. People are more of a worry anyway in the woods, but as far as animals the toughest thing to take down that I would see living in Georgia is a black bear, and a .357 with some good Buffalo Bore loads will do the job if I do my part.



I
 
pistols

What about hunting?
The same pistol that I carry would do for HD. Either a Springfield 1911 ($600) or a BHP ($800). Probably the 1911.
That's one (and two).
Range use -target shooting, competition - used High Standard Victor/Supermatic/etc. or S&W model 41.(Abt $750-1000)
Hunting - a Ruger Blackhawk .44 mag. ($600)
About $2200. The rest would be for reloading components and .22 ammo.
Pete
 
I would choose the following:

Springfield 'Loaded' 1911 in .45 ACP: $800
Glock 26: $500
S&W 686 Plus (7-round .357 Magnum/.38 Special, 4" barrel): $700
Ruger 22/45 (5.5" barrel): $350
Click to expand...

That's pretty close to what I have now:

S&W1911 Gov't size in .45acp <Home defense>

Glock 26 w/ night sights <Carry>

S&W 686 6" <Hunting>

Heritage Rough Rider .22lr/.22mag <plinking>

If I had to start over with $2,500:

-I would keep the 686 for hunting $400 (that's what I paid for it a couple of months ago)

-Ruger 22/45 <plinking/target> $300

-Colt New Agent .45acp <carry> $750

-Plane Jane Colt Gov't in .45acp $800

total: $2,250

That would leave me just enough to install a set of Novak night sights on the Colt...
 
1: Springfield Armory XD45
2: Glock 33
3. Springfield Armory Lightweight Loaded Bi-Tone and a Kimber .22 LR conversion; CZ 75B SA

I might be just a smidge over budget. And no revolvers I guess.
 
1 & 2. Glock 19 ($625 with Warren 2 dot sights)
3. CZ 75B SA w/ Kadet conversion and budget at least $200 for an action job

I shoot both guns the same at 7 yards but the G19 opens up a little more at 15 yards. Might have something to do with the trigger. I just ordered a comp hammer, single action trigger, and thin grips for the CZ and total came out to be $200 shipped.

I also have a S&W 642 in a Mika holster but it's more of a BUG.
 
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Let's see:

Range gun / Home Defense - .40 S&W Sig X-Five, the $1500 version.

Carry pistol - Used Glock 19

I've got $500 or so left over - EAA Witness 10mm
 
.40 caliber 1911 rechambered to 10mm. Did it for less than $1,000.

Serves well as a carry weapon, home defense weapon, and casting my own bullets I can download plinkers for about 5 cents a round.
 
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