Three Revolvers...

ckpj99 said:
First, I shoot the Bersa great, but like any small auto, it has feed problems.
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I take exception with this statement. Not all small autos have feed problems. Your Bersa has feed problems. Perhaps some other small auto's you have seen have had problems, but very far from all of them do.

I have a Keltec P32 that feeds extremely well. I bought it used, did a fluff'n'buff, and have put about 500 rounds through it and it has not had a feed problem yet. Almost everyone I talk to that has this basic design (P-32, P3-AT, and Ruger LCP) has had no problems after a proper fluff'n'buff and the first hundred or so practice rounds. You might want to consider getting something other than a Bersa before you give up on smaller semi's.... Not that I am saying not to switch over to a nice revolver, definitely do if you want, just don't assume because you have a problem everyone else has that problem as well.

Here are my suggestions, mix and match to meet your needs...

1. (Medium size) Ruger Blackhawk .357/.38 convertible to 9mm. Shoots three different cartridges. The 9mm is nice and cheap for practice, yet it can also fire the hottest .357 out there as well, and .38 too if you have some lying around. The only downside for someone not used to it is that it is Single Action Only. However, with the cheap 9mm you can get all the practice you need to get to the point you can fire it very nearly as fast (or maybe faster) as you can a DA/SA.

2. (CC) Ruger SP101 or LCR in .357. I prefer the 3" barrel SP101, but if you need something a tad smaller then you could go with the 2", or even the LCR for something quite a bit smaller.

3. (rifle/shotgun/Muzzle loader) Get a Wizard:

http://www.rossiusa.com/2012catalog/?catalog_page=9

Sure, it is single shot, but you can get barrels for 23 different calibers, from .17hrm to 12ga, including .357 magnum if you go with that caliber in a revolver. If I was limited like you this would be a no-brainer.

4. 44 AMP's Contender idea

5. bipe215's Dan Wesson idea. Buy an existing set though. They are on Gunbroker all the time.

6. Glock 20 (10mm) with .40 S&W and .357 sig conversion barrels.
 
First, I shoot the Bersa great, but like any small auto, it has feed problems
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Get a different small auto.

The Kahr PM9 comes to mind, from personal experience and all.

Second, I'm cross-dominent (right hand, left eye). That means, I have to shoot the shotty left-handed to even get close to being fast, and despite practicing A LOT, I'm just not quick enough with it.
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Trying shooting right for awhile. I am right hand and left eye as well. I shoot everything right hand while using my left eye.
 
With a K frame 38 or 357, I'd and old Colt Cobra or Agent as it can be pocketed with the right grips and you can use the HKS -m10 speedloaders with both.

A good Smith in .44 mag gives you ower plus the option of .44 Special loads.

A 4" K frame .22 makes a good companion for plinking or range work similar to your 38/357

Personally, I'd go with a 6" .357, old Colt Agent, and a Ruger Single six combo.
 
1) I find the maritial "advise" to be utterly disrespectful. I also feel that it casts a poor light on our comunity.

2) I do not know the op's situation but what helped normalize guns in the home were NRA's Women on target (wife and my mom went together and had fun) MY reading of The Cornered Cat (I learned quite a bit), and being able to chat with Vicki Farnam at an urban rifle course where she and her husband John were co instructors. I highly reccomend any of the above.

3) And now to the guns:D If I could only have 3:
-Savage Bolt action (long action) - easily swapable barrels and bolt heads allow you to swap calibers with ease.

-AR-15 - easily swapable uppers allow the user to choose between many calibers that can be useful for defense, hunting, and pure fun

-1911 - not the best, the lightest, the smallest, or the easiest to maintain... But YOU try growing up with a dad who spoke glowingly about that platform and not get unnaturally attached to it!

BUT...

If my wife was still uneasy with guns:
-Savage bolt action 22lr with a quality scope - minimal recoil, maximum fun. Overwhelmingly approachable

-S&W 617 - The only revolver I have worn out the hand on (PROUDLY) - tons of fun, accurate, and with classic lines that don't scream killing machine.

-midframe .357, 3-4" barrel - Classic lines and an absolute kitten with .38 Specials. For concealed carry .38spl +p or light .357Mag.

My wife doesn't shoot with me much, but when she does she shoots a .22lr rifle the most. I spend my time grinning, putting up new targets, loading magazines, and being utterly happy that my wife is enjoying one of my pasttimes with me. Sometimes I even remember to shoot a little.

Best wishes, best luck.

Matt
 
Wife compromise

ckpj99: I too have a compromise in the amount of guns in the house. I exceeded that number last year only because my wife was willing to listen. After being married for long, a husband either learns to compromise (discuss openly one's differences and agrees on a choice) or have angry tension. After 40 years of marriage, the wife is far more important than the number of guns.

As for the guns. my shotgun is a 20 gauge. A lot easier on my 70 yr old arthritic bones. I have a Saiga (based on the AK foundation) that is semi-automatic. It points well, my wife is able to shoot it easily, and it is great for home defense and for plinking.

Our other guns were all purchased with care, as we both researched guns long and hard before choosing. As she was involved in the decision, I had no trouble going beyond the budget or the number of guns.

Fuzzball
 
When my wife asked "do you need so many guns?", I replied, "My exwife didn't think so." The issue never came up again.
 
This really ads a practical twist to the "if you could have only one scenario" it really makes me think. I looooove revolvers they are by far my favorite but I would not spend all 3 options on revolvers. My decision would be caliber and purpose driven.

1. .357 686 3" good for carry, home defense, and fun to shoot!
2. .22lr Buckmark rifle or Ruger 10-22. Fun to shoot, cheap ammo, good small game gun.
3. .3030 or .223 This is a harder decision either my Marlin 3030 lever action or my AR-15. Over all both serve the same purpose both good hunting rifles, good defense, popular ammo, take up to deer size game. If I had to decide probably my 3030 Lever.

If I had to go all 3 revolvers

1. .357 686 3"
2. .22lr model 63
3. maybe the 460xvr just for the caveman grunt factor

I wouldn't consider a shot gun unless you skeet or bird hunt. My shotti sat as a "defense gun" for years and never got used because it wasn't any fun at the range so I finally sold it. My 357 or 3030 is plenty of defense gun for me. I would think it a waste of an option if you really enjoy shooting.

ps. I can relate with your situation. My wife doesn't understand my fascination with guns or why I need more than 1 gun. I also agree with Fuzzball, the wife is way more important than guns will ever be. That being said I explained the difference in my guns and why I wanted another a few months ago and last month my wife out of the blue suggested I get the revolver I have been wanting. If I ever have to make the decision between wife and guns wifey wins love her to much.
 
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You need a gun safe. Only you will know what's in it. Of course
anybody that would agree to a 3 gun rule would probably give
her the combination. Just curious, did she agree to only 3 pair
of shoes or 3 purses?
 
Three guns max...and you chose those???

Your location is not mentioned in your profile, so is there some legal restriction on what guns you may possess?

It seems to me from your post that self-defense is a priority. Therefore, combat grade guns should be the standard. Fortunately, such guns may be used in competition.

1) The unreliable gun has to go immediately. The S&W M10 can serve as your carry gun for now. You should have no trouble carrying it if the barrel is 5" or shorter. A good holster, belt, and speedloader pouch will go a long way toward comfortable carry.

2) If you're going to go with a small or medium framed revolver, you may as well get a gun chambered in 357 Magnum. Go with six powerful shots if you can handle the recoil. The S&W 686 or Ruger GP100 would be just fine. I like the GP100 because installation of night sights is easy and trigger work is simple.

3) Your CCW gun should be as large as you can adequately conceal, not as small as possible. It should be of significant caliber, which means 38 Special or 9x19mm or greater.

4) I recommend that your first two guns be identical so you have a backup in case the first fails.

5) You need a rifle to be dangerous. Handguns are convenient and allow you to control your immediate area. A rifle can reach out hundreds of yards. Look at the AR-15 platform in 5.56x45mm or 300 Blackout, or the AR-10 style guns in 7.62x51mm.

If you can have only one, a heavier caliber is likely the way to go since it has more versatility. Look at Noveske and LaRue rifles. I'd tell you look at Knights Armament, but their guns are extremely expensive to the point of insanity (not that LaRue and Noveske guns are low priced).

A properly configured AK style rifle would also serve you well as a general purpose fighting rifle. I am not talking about a stock rifle made from surplus parts. Get a modern gun with a modern optic and good furniture.

I dislike the FAL, but it may work for you. Rails are available so you can mount modern optics.

The M1A is another good rifle. Some concessions will need to be made if you do not go with a modern stock.

6) You would be well served by a combat grade semi-automatic handgun and combat grade rifle. One combination that I like is the Glock 19, Glock 26 and AR-15. The G26 can be stowed on armor easily, the G19 can go on the belt and the AR-15 is a good primary rifle. Substitute "Glock" with any other major brand known to make quality guns, such as HK, Colt, etc.

7) Your rifle should have a modern optic. They offer significant advantages over iron sights. You still need iron sights and skill in using them, but a modern optic is pretty much mandatory nowadays since the performance improvements are so significant.

8) Training is essential. Attend as many pistol and carbine classes as possible.
 
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This just came to me, if you get a 22, then get her out to the range to shoot it, she might change her mind. Then maybe you can get four.:D
 
Thanks to those of you who share my feelings that relationships are worth more than having a bunch of guns.

I typically like stirring up s#*t with people, which is why I didn't complicate matters with the following information.

I will eventually have a ton of guns. I've already inherited a .22 revolver and a .22 rifle, with one more revolver on the way. I will get my dad's S&W 10mm, not sure of the model, but it's stainless and awesome. I will also have a .410/.22 over-under.

If for some reason I really wanted more than 4 guns, I could probably talk her into it. We've had more than four on occasion, when I make a buy before I make a sale.

Basically, I was interested in opinions about not having a long gun and again, small revolver alternatives, along with finding out what types of things people buy in the revolver category when they're not look for a compact or standard size.

But if I had asked it that way, no one would have responded. :)
 
This just came to me, if you get a 22, then get her out to the range to shoot it, she might change her mind. Then maybe you can get four.
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Bonus, if you can put a can on it! No recoil, and less noise.

Plus, "No properly appointed home should be without a .22."

Ditch the Bersa. An unreliable Carry gun is worse than a paperweight. ..... and 9mm practice ammo costs significantly less than .380..... and is available in Bersa sized guns ....... the DB9 is smaller than that, and reasonably priced..... though if money is no object, there are better guns out there than that.

I see that you will inherit a couple of .22's and a serious pistol (10mm) ..... ....what you lack is a centerfire rifle. That is a necessity. I suggest something in a common caliber - .223, Commie .30, Commie .30 short, or .308 WIN....
 
I absolutely have to have a 22 rifle. My top choice of handgun would be either a Browning Hi Power or a S&W 686. My choice for concealed carry is a S&W 642 or Ruger LCP. Shotgun would be a Browning semi or Remington 1100. I can do without a shotgun if need be. Larger rifle would be my Jaeger 270 or a Marlin 30-30. I can also do without the hunting rifle. I have a SKS I really enjoy shooting, but could do without.
I guess I am thinking how to slim down my arsenal when the time comes so my wife and daughters won't have too. Fortunately, I am not limited to three guns, but I do understand compromise. A man has to try to keep the family happy.
 
3 gun limit.....

One gun must be a .22 rifle for small game hunting.

A second gun must be a defensive handgun. .357 mag with a 4 or 6 inch barrel is about the most versatile gun you can get. 6 inch if you plan to hunt and 4 inch if only for defensive use. Load 38s and full power 357 for a wide range of power levels. Ruger GP100 is the best current production 357. I liked pre lock 686s and a lot of other discontinued models too.

Last gun would be a 12 guage for widest range of load selection.

You really need a 4th gun in terms of a decent 308 bolt action for big game hunting. It would be the one to leave out if you don't plan to hunt big game. Otherwise the handgun gots ta go;)
 
That would be tough. i think I'd have to have one handgun, one shotgun and one rifle. I'd keep the model 10 and go from there.
 
3 guns! OMG this is insanity...

Ruger Blackhawk Bisley 45 Colt or S&W 44mag 4"

SA 1911 Ultra Compact 45 ACP or Dan Wesson CCO 45 ACP

AR type rifle in 243 win or 308 win or a Savage 12 VLP DBM in 243 Win


Basically, a gun collection no matter how small needs a shotgun, a bolt rifle, an AR and a CCW Pistol. You had better tell your wife about this rule...uh...man law!
 
Three would be a tough decision. I'm at a point where I would like to downsize quite a bit, but three would take a lot of thought. Off the top of my head I would start with a real nice S&W model 27, then for carry I would have a pocketable .38 (like the model 36) and then of course a .22lr (S&W model 18). I could probably feel good about that combo.
 
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