New user here. Been lurking for a little and figured I'd join. I do have a problem that I need some advice with. Due to the economy my wife and I have had to cut back and budget our finances. Long story short, I have $50 a month for a budget line entitled 'GUNS'. That means: ammo, range fees, saving for a new gun, cleaning supplies and so forth. I do want a carry pistol other than my full size 1911, but I don't want to save all the money and never go shooting. Any suggestions and advice would be helpful.
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What to do?
- Thread starter Paulonius
- Start date
Cuban_Homer
New member
I'm kind of in the same spot as you. I put away about $45 bucks a week for "guns". Sometimes I need that for something else. So far I only have $160 saved. I want a Springfield XD .40 and it costs $588.
It will take me a while before I can get it but it will be worth it to know I can pay for it in cash. You'll be happy you were patient and saved instead of putting it on a credit card. Your not alone, there is more people like you, who can only spare "X" amount of money. Just keep at it.
It will take me a while before I can get it but it will be worth it to know I can pay for it in cash. You'll be happy you were patient and saved instead of putting it on a credit card. Your not alone, there is more people like you, who can only spare "X" amount of money. Just keep at it.
lay-away....
put the gun you want on layaway, if the terms are friendly, ie; you have more then 30days to pay it off. that way $50 one month can go to the gun, the next month the $50 can go to the other goodies.
of course you can do that without layaway if needed. i took a big pay cut when i became a fulltime LEO from my welding job, so i'm in the same pinch. so that's how i get to shoot, buy guns. it's slowed me down, but that's ok.
put the gun you want on layaway, if the terms are friendly, ie; you have more then 30days to pay it off. that way $50 one month can go to the gun, the next month the $50 can go to the other goodies.
of course you can do that without layaway if needed. i took a big pay cut when i became a fulltime LEO from my welding job, so i'm in the same pinch. so that's how i get to shoot, buy guns. it's slowed me down, but that's ok.
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David Armstrong
Moderator
Can you trade the 1911 for something that will be friendlier for carry purposes?
Hellbilly5000
New member
If your full time leo then you should be able to use the dept. range at no cost, thats one cost cut out there.
If your full time leo then you should be able to use the dept. range at no cost, thats one cost cut out there.
lmao...we don't have a range, nor issued guns, which means no issued ammo. it's on our dime.
yeah, there are ranges around that i can use at no cost, be it other pd's or DOC, but it's still on my dime.
gotta love small town police work!
Hellbilly5000
New member
Paulionus it is always easyer to beg for forgiveness then to ask your wife for permission
Atticus Thraxx
New member
Paul here's a couple of ideas. First, if your not already reloading now is the time to start. Per unit price of .10-.12 cents a round for .45 when you reload is a significant cost savings over .35-.50 cents a round retail. Right there you in a lot better shape.
Some ranges if you get established and folks get to knowing you will often take advantage of volunteers. If you can work out a deal for some work around the range for some shooting time it's probably worth it. Plus lots of free brass!
Cleaning supplies bought in bulk offer some savings as well. A 4oz bottle of Hoppes #9 can go for $3-$4. A 32 oz bottle of #9 can be found between $19-$22. Again, the per unit pricing.
Some ranges if you get established and folks get to knowing you will often take advantage of volunteers. If you can work out a deal for some work around the range for some shooting time it's probably worth it. Plus lots of free brass!
Cleaning supplies bought in bulk offer some savings as well. A 4oz bottle of Hoppes #9 can go for $3-$4. A 32 oz bottle of #9 can be found between $19-$22. Again, the per unit pricing.
chris in va
New member
First, if your not already reloading now is the time to start.
Except he has a $50/month budget. How is he going to get the loader, scale, caliper, die set, powder, bullets and primers with that?
Thanks guys. I appreciate the input. Just to clarify my situation, I am not LEO and don't have the tools for reloading. My 1911 is my baby. I'd rather find a good way to carry it than trade it in. Is there a good, reliable and cheap handgun that is suitable? Also, how much per month would you save vs. spend on ammo, etc.
azredhawk44
Moderator
$50 a month doesn't leave you much for options.
Find a way to make that more. That's not enough to maintain proficiency with the 1 gun you have right now. That will buy you about 100 rounds a month, leaving nothing for range fees or targets for 1 trip a month.
Forget about buying another gun on that budget. Keep proficiency as best as you can and learn to carry the one gun you have.
Were I hard-wired into your situation...
Month 1: Single stage Lee press... probably the "Reloader" model. Cheap, and .45acp doesn't provide much friction at all. About $30. And a box of ammo to shoot once at the range if I could swing it.
Month 2: Lee carbide pistol dies. About $40. And a box of ammo to shoot once at the range if I could swing it.
Month 3: Lee auto-disk powder measure. About $35. Again, 1 box of ammo if I could swing it.
Month 4: Lee Auto-prime II. About $20. Another box of ammo for range time.
Month 5: 500 bullets from Mastercast Bullets. About $50 after shipping.
Month 6: A couple 100ct cartons of primers (~$3 each), and a pound of an efficient powder like Titegroup ($20). Time to start reloading your ammo instead. That pound of Titegroup will last for about 1500 rounds. You've already got brass, right? Been saving it, I hope.
Month 7: A brick of primers (1000 of them, about $30). Now all you have to worry about are range fees and getting more bullets when you shoot that first 500.
And so on...
Find a way to make that more. That's not enough to maintain proficiency with the 1 gun you have right now. That will buy you about 100 rounds a month, leaving nothing for range fees or targets for 1 trip a month.
Forget about buying another gun on that budget. Keep proficiency as best as you can and learn to carry the one gun you have.
Were I hard-wired into your situation...
Month 1: Single stage Lee press... probably the "Reloader" model. Cheap, and .45acp doesn't provide much friction at all. About $30. And a box of ammo to shoot once at the range if I could swing it.
Month 2: Lee carbide pistol dies. About $40. And a box of ammo to shoot once at the range if I could swing it.
Month 3: Lee auto-disk powder measure. About $35. Again, 1 box of ammo if I could swing it.
Month 4: Lee Auto-prime II. About $20. Another box of ammo for range time.
Month 5: 500 bullets from Mastercast Bullets. About $50 after shipping.
Month 6: A couple 100ct cartons of primers (~$3 each), and a pound of an efficient powder like Titegroup ($20). Time to start reloading your ammo instead. That pound of Titegroup will last for about 1500 rounds. You've already got brass, right? Been saving it, I hope.
Month 7: A brick of primers (1000 of them, about $30). Now all you have to worry about are range fees and getting more bullets when you shoot that first 500.
And so on...
az,
thanks for the reply. I own 4 guns. Only one pistol. I don't consider myself to be an inexperienced shooter. But I am just now getting my carry permit, hence the question about getting a good carry pistol. I am 5'10'' and 155lbs. I haven't found a good way to carry my 1911. If you know one please fill me in. I will look into reloading though, definitely looks cheaper in the long run. Money might loosen up a little, but not for a while.
thanks for the reply. I own 4 guns. Only one pistol. I don't consider myself to be an inexperienced shooter. But I am just now getting my carry permit, hence the question about getting a good carry pistol. I am 5'10'' and 155lbs. I haven't found a good way to carry my 1911. If you know one please fill me in. I will look into reloading though, definitely looks cheaper in the long run. Money might loosen up a little, but not for a while.
remshooter
New member
For a carry gun I recommend the KelTec P-11. It's small, light and carries 11 rounds of 9mm.
I think you could pick one up for around 3 bills.
Just keep saving your drink money till you can afford whatever you want.
I think you could pick one up for around 3 bills.
Just keep saving your drink money till you can afford whatever you want.
azredhawk44
Moderator
Paulonius:
I'm a bit taller than you, but the same type of lanky, I'd bet. 6'3" and 190 pounds.
I carry a Colt Commander 4.25" 1911 strong-side inner waist band in an ITP (in the pants) style holster, or on my belt using a Fobus paddle holster. Uncle Mike's sells a basic ITP holster inexpensively, and Fobus' paddle lineup isn't bad on price either.
I can use the same holster rigs to carry my Sig GSR 5" 1911, but I'd much rather carry the Colt since it is much lighter (28 ounces instead of about 42 ounces).
Carrying a gun is all about the belt you use. JC Penny's and Kohl's don't have good belts. You need a 2-layer bullhide quality belt to carry a 40+ ounce handgun like the 1911. They tend to cost around $60 nowadays. One of the more popular makers is The Beltman.
I'm a bit taller than you, but the same type of lanky, I'd bet. 6'3" and 190 pounds.
I carry a Colt Commander 4.25" 1911 strong-side inner waist band in an ITP (in the pants) style holster, or on my belt using a Fobus paddle holster. Uncle Mike's sells a basic ITP holster inexpensively, and Fobus' paddle lineup isn't bad on price either.
I can use the same holster rigs to carry my Sig GSR 5" 1911, but I'd much rather carry the Colt since it is much lighter (28 ounces instead of about 42 ounces).
Carrying a gun is all about the belt you use. JC Penny's and Kohl's don't have good belts. You need a 2-layer bullhide quality belt to carry a 40+ ounce handgun like the 1911. They tend to cost around $60 nowadays. One of the more popular makers is The Beltman.