Thinking about getting 2 pistols....what to get?

H

Homebrewer

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Being mainly into rifles, I've only have a .22 LR Browning Buck Mark pistol and a S&W .357 Magnum SS revolver. But, I'm thinking about getting 2 pistols to expand my collection.

I know I want a decent 1911 in .45 ACP, possibly CZ DW, Ruger, Colt, etc. I shot one years ago a liked it.

For the second one, I'm thinking a 9 mm or .40 S&W, possibly a CZ, Glock, Sig?

I'm not a big fan of plastic and prefer stainless steel.

Living in NJ limits me to 15 round mags and since concealed carry is virtually impossible, I figure full size pistols are in order. They will be used for target shooting and fun. I reload so ammo costs aren't too much of a concern.
 
I would add a Springfield Armory to the 1911 list to check out and maybe a Canik and Beretta to the 9mm and .40 list.
 
I lived in NJ until early last year, and went through the same sort of thought process when I began an interest in handguns some years ago.

I would recommend considering pistols that can change their configurations while remaining the same serialized firearm so as to avoid needing purchase permits again and again. If you have plans for licensed carry outside of NJ where legal, there are good choices that will carry well but also take larger mags that provide full size capability.

FWIW, given your stated preferences, I would go 1911 and CZ in 9mm. Both have 22lr converstions available and customization options are abundant. If you decide to go plastic like Glock, you could get a 23 in 40, and the parts are readily available to convert to 9mm (barrel, mags, ejector, etc). It would meet the 15 round limit in 9mm as well, maximizing your mag capacity

Good luck
 
I'll start backwards, for the 9mm or .40 I'd go CZ or SIG.

I love my CZ 75B, 10-20K rounds (I stopped counting about 10 years ago at 10K, I doubt I've more than doubled it but I have done a lot of shooting with it, so it's probably at the mid-to-upper range of that estimate) and have very few hiccups in it (it has had under 10, and I think it may be fewer than 5 failures in the 15 or so years I've had it). It is reliable, accurate, comfortable, and good looking. It fits my hand like it was made for it and I am more accurate with it than nearly any of my other guns (my 1911 is similar).

Though, I am a fan of the mid-sized, traditional "compact" guns (i.e. smaller service sized guns), so if I were you I'd consider the CZ 75 Compact. I recently bought a CZ P01 (alloy version of the Compact with an accessory rail). They also make a steel version.

The original 9mm 75B had a 15 round mag though they now come with 16 round mags. Pro Mags still makes a 15 round mag for it, and Mac Gar used to and you can probably still find sellers with some in stock. The Compact has a 14 round mag in 9mm.

For SIG, I am a huge fan of the "compact" P229 over the full-sized P226. The one I had was 100% reliable, accurate, and just a fun and comfortable gun with a ton of "pride of ownership" factor. I had mine in .40S&W which I think is the perfect caliber for that gun.

For the 1911, you have a good list of companies. If my budget was a little smaller I'd go Ruger, if it was big enough I'd go with the Colt. DW is a great choice, but personally I want either a Colt or a Springfield Armory for my next 1911.
 
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I'd buy one and shoot it a while to see what I wanted different before getting the second. Unless you anticipate more repressive laws than even the rest of the country will get.
 
Jim,

In NJ, we have to apply for pistol permits for each one. They can take anywhere from 30 days to months to get depending on the local PD. So, it makes sense to apply for more than one permit at a time.
 
Your first thoughts seemed to have turned toward the 1911 in 45.

So you might consider 1911s for both .45 and 9 mm. Their commonality in handling and many parts simplifies taking care of them.

Nearly all the major 1911 makers offer models in either caliber and the 9 mm models seem to be selling quite well.

And with the single stack mags, you are basically at 7 to 10 rounds for each pistol.

But variety is also considered the spice of life and the previous suggestions are also excellent.
 
Homebrewer: said:
Living in NJ limits me to 15 round mags and since concealed carry is virtually impossible, I figure full size pistols are in order. They will be used for target shooting and fun. I reload so ammo costs aren't too much of a concern.
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I'd look at a S&W "E" Series 1911 and a Sig P226 9mm with 15rd. mags
 
Homebrewer,
I'd agree with chaim on a 9mm CZ 75B and a 1911 in 45 (mine's a ATI 5"). I've got both and love them both. The CZ is the newer Omega Convertible. All of the sellers online I found sold the gun with 16 rd mags. I'm also in NJ, so I was able to persuade the seller to keep the 2 mags in lieu of shipping and found 2 new 15 rounders. Don't forget the 90 day permits can easily be extended for another 90 days. For the cost, I'd get the max 3 just in case you decide 2 pistols are not enough.:D
 
My first thoughts are more pragmatic, go to what your budget is for each pistol. With a budget then you can start making choices from what fits in your budget.

Secondly, what are you going to do with the pistols. Usage may greatly affect your choice primarily because of capacity.

Will you strictly use factory ammo or do you have access to handloads? Access to handloads may also affect your budget for shooting. Which may help you decide on which caliber to choose first. It may even open up to something different.

So to avoid just getting suggestions based on everyone else's personal favorites, lets look at your wants and needs first and go from there.

Yes I know you stated most of this, I was just stating how my thought process works on the subject. And, didn't want to avoid what you said.
 
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Lots of good advice here. Specific pistols I favor: Wilson Beretta 92G Brigadier, CZ75 SP-01 Shadow Target ll (or, CZ75 Tactical Sport, the best value CZ offers; IMO), any STI or DW 1911 in 9mm (my favorite is the STI Target Master). For less money, a great 1911 is the Springfield Range Officer in 9mm.

I favor 9mm for a couple of reasons. One is less recoil, another is the price of ammo. Performance with modern ammo is close to the same between .45 ACP and 9mm. I shoot a minimum of 11,000 rounds of 9mm annually, some years more than 25,000 rounds. Cost becomes a big factor.

Triggers are items that are important. All of the guns I mention have exceptional triggers. The Springfield got to be that way via $50 worth of gunsmith work.
 
Any reason you don't have a Beretta 92FS on you 9 mm list? It isn't all stainless, but other guns on your list aren't all stainless, either, and at least it isn't plastic. ;) Kind of a modern-day classic with good looks and real nice handling, accuracy, and reliability.
 
For the second one, I'm thinking a 9 mm or .40 S&W, possibly a CZ, Glock, Sig?

I'm not a big fan of plastic and prefer stainless steel.
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Yet you have Glock on your list??

For metal frame pistols I have strong preference for SIG though CZ is decent too. Beretta 92../M9 is a proven pistol if it fits you well and I will probably buy one for myself some day.

SIGs are on the pricey side new for metal frame models but lots of nice used and CPO (Certified Pre Owned) usually available. SIG P229s .40 are going for around $500 these days in nice condition due to .40 falling out of favor.
 
I'll be the first to admit there is probably many many right answers to your question. But, some or a few will make more sense to you.

Ok here's my 2 cents worth without the budgeting info.

After reading and rereading your first post. I'm sensing it the the 1911 format that won you over not necessarily the 45 acp caliber. That being said you should research the ballistics of the 38 super. Both it's performance and reliability in the 1911 are fantastic. Cost of factory ammunition is parallel to 45. Since you handload you can economize the cost to shoot. I would think you could find components that could be used for both the 38 super and your 357. Handloads for the 38 super can also come close to matching the 357's.

My personal preferences for a SS 1911 would be either a Sig or a Kimber. I like their stock triggers and find their prices reasonable for what you get.

If you go this route it will leave you wide open on which caliber and pistol to buy next.
 
The best advice was already mentioned with what fits best in your hands, that is where you and your pistol interact. For me I love 1911's. I have a Ruger SR1911 and a Kimber right now. I love the feel of my Ruger but shoot my Kimber better. For me the price is worth the quality. I had to do a little polishing to my Ruger before it was 100 percent. But that is personal preference.

I have an Springfield XD9 and love that thing. I don't bother even looking at other 9mm. As for the 40, I have one but found it was just a way to pay more to shoot the same basic round. (Before someone jumps on that statement, my point is for what I use it for a 9mm will work just fine with not costing near as much.)

Figure out what you like and what is available in your area. Just remember bigger and fancier are not always better. If you cannot easily control or carry the gun then it doesn't matter how cool it is. In the end a kill shot is only a kill shot if you can hit your target.

~my 2 cents
 
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