What to buy - a new gun or more ammo?

R

rock_jock

New member
This is tough one. I'm attending the Houston gun show this weekend - they're supposed to have over 2000 tables - and I'll have around $400 to spend. What should I buy? Here are the possibilities:

1. New gun - of course this tops the list, but I can't decide which. I would like a good 1911, but this is obviously not enough for a good quality one. The other thing I would like is a good quality sub-compact. I've been carrying a G23 I bought a few months ago, but for shorts and T-shirt it is still too big, so I carry my Sigma 380, which is very small but very inaccurate.

2. New holster and a lot of new ammo. After all, I've got to practice with the guns I already have.

3. A reloading setup. I haven't even really considered stating to reload, but with all the guns I've been buying this is probably a logical step at some point.

Help me out!
 
Get a new gun. First, sell the Sigma 380, and scrape enough money to get yourself a quality 1911. You won't regret it. Ammo is definitely important, but you are very close to being able to buy a new gun--so do it.

My .02.
 
If you have some empty brass already and are ready to start reloading now, I'd go with the reloading setup and components. If you aren't ready to delve into the black magic world of reloading then I'd choose the ammo and holster. I have trouble now deciding which firearms to take to the range so unless I came across a firearm that I was praying would drop from the sky to my hands every night(and those would cost me far more than $400) then I'd empty my pockets at a gunshow on ammo. You can never have enough....Dan in GA
 
Go with the reloading equipment.The money you can save will buy more guns in the future.

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beemerb
We have a criminal jury system which is superior to any in the world;
and its efficiency is only marred by the difficulty of finding twelve men
every day who don't know anything and can't read.
-Mark Twain
 
I don't know how many guns you have, but being a new reloader, I'd say get the reloading stuff. And when you do, get GOOD stuff, not the Lee Slo 1000! :) boy, did I get burnt on that! Anyway, get the reloading stuff and you'll find that reloading is almost as much fun as shooting!
 
I'll toss in my hat for the reloading gear as well. Ammo is really cheap right now, while reloading components (not hardware) are pricey (relatively speaking of course). This is cause and effect, as market demands ultimately determine price. People are buying a lot of ammo right now, and rightly so. :mad: The market is flooded and prices are great. How long will this last...? Anybody's guess. With this and the long term in mind however, I advise buying a quality yet versitile progressive setup, such as a Dillon RL550B or RCBS Pro 2000. Heavy $$$ investment but one you will never regret. If your time is valuable to you, than this is the only way to go. Besides saving you money per round (you won't really save any money if your like me because you'll just shoot more :D) you'll be experiencing the other half of shooting that is fantastic... reloading! Like the old saying goes... give a man a box of shells and a gun...amuse him for an hour. Give him a quality reloading setup and a gun...amuse him for a lifetime!

Remember what the doormouse said...feed your gun! :cool:

I know where my money's going right now, and it rhymes with components!

Happy trails,
SM

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"When evil wins in the world, it is only by the default of the good. That is why one man of reason and moral stature is more important actually and potentially, than a million fools". -Ayn Rand
 
$400 to spend? Get yourself a CZ. With that much you can buy any CZ (with the exception of the .45 cal CZ-97) and walk out with as sweet a shooting nail driver as there is in the place.

The CZ75B should run you less than $350 with a couple of hi-caps. You get all the fun of being able to carry cocked and locked, it's full size, and it can carve out a grrreat big hole in the center of the X Ring when you put 15 shots on top of one another.

When in doubt over whether or not to buy a gun or ________________ (fill in the blank), ALWAYS BUY THE GUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You can thank me later.

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Take the long way home...
 
I'm leaning towards the reloader now, but it will take a great deal of self control on my part to pass up a gun this weekend. I need strength.
 
rock_jock, although a new gun is always welcome, and we never have enough ammo, I'd lean toward the reloading equipment. Stock up for the long haul. I'm just paranoid enough to believe that ammo could be attacked at any moment.

In addition, to reload your own affords you a look at shooting that most people don't see. Get into it and enjoy the satisfaction, but patience is necessary.
 
Gun. No doubt about it. Reloading equipment and components have remained pretty consistant in price over the last year. Ammo prices have dropped back to pre-Y2K levels.

Gun now, feed it later.

Prices on guns locally have risen 20 to 30% in the last year. If your area hasn't been hit, it just hasn't been hit yet by increased prices. You can poo-poo me all you want about it, but the fact remains, a Beratta 92 sold for $550.00 a year ago. I can't find one on a local dealers shelf for under $650.00 today. A Remington 870 sold for $269.00 last year when I bought one, today they are priced at $299.00. A year ago, a Dillon 550B sold locally for $325.00. The price is exactly the same today. Increased shipping charges and a hedge against the pending lawsuits, coupled with a decreasing number of dealers is adding up to big increases on the price of guns.
 
I started reloading about a year ago and let me tell you, my shooting skills have improved about 400 percent. Its amazing how much better you become with that much more practice. Reloading becomes just as much a part of your hobby as shooting and gun collecting. Good luck with whatever you do.

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Rod Black
 
Given the overwhelming logic displayed in the pro- ammo and reloading posts,let us know which gun you buy.I've never gotten a rush buying ammo.

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"Until that time,Eustus,until that time."-from Soldier In The Rain
 
If you are going to the show at the Astro Hall, you can rule out ammo since they don't sell it at this show. My vote would go for reloading equipment, just make sure you leave me something to get cause thats what I'll be looking for.
 
Rock_Jock,

I hate to disagree with the majority of posters, but I'd opt for another handgun. My rationale is simple: it's just possible that within the next few years the government will impose stringent regulation re handgun purchase, ownership, registration, and so forth. It's unlikely, however, that similarly strict rules will be imposed on the procurement of ammunition or reloading equipment/supplies. Therefore, I'd opt for the handgun.

Not knowing the sidearms you have, it's difficult to make recommendations. However, in the $400 range Glocks (new and fine used condition are available), as are Ruger GP-100s (if you prefer a revolver) and 97s (in .45 ACP), as well as the Maks, CZs and others mentioned earlier in this thread.

One final unsolicited suggestion: if you can find an excellent quality, full-sized, used 1911A1 .45 ACP at the show, it might be the most fun -- and there is certainly a lot that can be done to upgrade a $400 1911A1, while you are enjoying it.
 
These are all good suggestions. I still can't decide. Logic tells me to get a reloader, but a friend I'm going with is planning on picking up a new Ruger (he likes the S&Ws better but hates their sellout) so I may be tempted to add to my collection. Probably the only thing that would make me buy is a really good quality 1911 (I don't have one yet) or an older style AK-47. Choices, choices, life is tough.

I will let everyone know what I decide.
 
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