Why can't I decide?/Which gun?

B

BfloBill

New member
Not long ago I decided to start squirreling away some money for a new carry gun that I hope to get by this spring or summer.
My first thought was to replace the S&W model 36 that I wish I never got rid of.
But, I also like Glocks and figured a G-27 would give me more firepower without adding much size.
Then I read a post that made a good point about 9 mm being much cheaper to shoot and thought maybe G-26.
Then a friend said the mid size Glocks are not much bigger (which I knew because I used to own a G-23) and after looking at some Glocks I noticed that if I was willing to step up to a mid sized Glock I might as well get the G-30 because, hey I always wanted a .45!
Then I got an Ed Brown catalog in the mail and said, (not that it would be an Ed Brown $$$) if I was willing to carry 5 shots of .38 maybe I don't need the capacity of a Glock, 8 rounds of .45 in a 1911 would be enough, and if I always wanted a .45 why not a 1911?
What I need is 5 or 6 more guns!! Not 1.
I don't want to start a war between revolver lovers, Glock supporters, and 1911 nuts (I used nuts for the 1911 because i think you may outnumber the others!) But, what the hell do I do!!!

I want a gun I will keep forever, enjoy shooting, and be reliable for carry.
 
"I want a gun I will keep forever, enjoy shooting, and be reliable for carry."
I bought a ruger sp101 for this purpose. I am a revolver guy. I knew this but yet I still bought a box load of semiauto's because my older brother said they were better. The auto's didn't suck, they just wern't better. Now I have a box load of guns. Did you marry the first girl you met? Don't marry the first gun either! Or the second or third. Until congress gives further notice, you can have all the guns you want. Get the gun that will serve the best purpose NOW. Get the others later. The great thing about your favorite gun is that it doesn't become disfunctional if you play with a less favorite gun. (compare to girls) I didn't know that the ruger was my favorite until I had it for a long while. Now my box of guns gets smaller. Every time one of my sons says "hey pop, let me see that gun" I never see that gun again! Slowly it dawned on me that I will never loan the sp101 out, I dont miss the others much. If I hadn't had several others I could of taken the ruger for granted and worse yet possibly been foolish enough to let it get away.
 
I think a snubnose revolver would fit the bill nicely. That Smith model 36 sounds nice. I prefer the 637. Its a really nice shooter and very easy to carry.

A 1911 would be nice but in my opinion carrying one everyday might get old.
 
I carry a full size 1911a1 daily and have for years I also have my dads 1911a1. I have tried others but nothing feels the same and for me it is just right.
 
One thing I did notice about the OP is that the weights kept getting heavier and heavier. When I have to carry unconventionally (coat pocket and such), weight becomes an issue. Just something else to factor in, besides that, get them all.
 
There's a lot to be said for light weight carry guns. The j frame Smith's, even in stainless like a 640, are not too heavy. The 640's are easy to shoot with full load .357 too.

If you don't mind the recoil, the 340's are remarkably light and easy to carry.
 
I own a few guns and out of all the guns I own I carry 3 different ones depending on what I am wearing I carry one or two of these three.

A full size S&W 1911 .45 ACP
A S&W 8 shot .357 revolver
A 3 inch Colt 1911 .45 ACP

Some people feel carrying guns with a different manual of arms can be confusing in a stressful situation and for some people that may be true but I am comfortable carrying different types guns.

If you can afford a few guns you can choose a gun that is easy to conceal when the weather is warm and you aren't wearing much clothing, and in warm weather more clothing makes it easy to conceal a larger gun.

DSC00901.jpg


DSC01005.jpg


A few years ago I used to carry this D/A S&W .45 ACP semi auto in my winter coat pocket
DSC00714.jpg
 
A good 1911 is the way to go, imo. If you can afford it, the Dan Wesson Vbob is a really nice carry gun. I've heard it called a poor man's Ed Brown, but poor men really can't afford a $1500 pistol, either. Springfield makes a good, affordable 1911. Just figure out what size you want. I like a 3" for EDC. Scored my stainless Ultra for $600 and its been a great firearm.
 
I'd say buy a nice S&W revolver and a 1911 and forget the plastic. I bought a couple of plastic things before I realized that I'd rather have metal and wood. A Model 36 would be great way to go. Or you could get the stainless steel version: a Model 60 that you could shoot .357 Magnums in also.

Thickness matters for carry. Glocks are blocks. I know a lot of people carry them but if you can carry a block you can carry a 1911 easier.

BTW, I freely admit to being a 1911 nut (when I'm not [prob. more often] being a revolver nut).
 
You probably want to figure out how you want to carry it. I have a Para ops 1911 and a S&W 637 that I carry iwb. The para is a bit thinner than the cylinder of the 637 and is actually more comfortable for me. The 637 is a lot lighter so I was thinking of trying a owb holster to get it out of my hip. Everybody's different (read everyBODY's) and I might have more hip than some. You are faced with a decision that plagues us all, lol.
 
Comparisons

You'll never find one handgun that does it all and satisfies you forever. It is human nature to compare one thing with another, and constantly wonder if you can find something better. I think this is especially true with guns.

If you have two guns you will compare them in your mind, considering the strong features of one against the other, and asking which is best. If you have three guns you'll do the same thing, only the comparison becomes more complex. It just continues with more than three.

I have about 40 handguns and I still play these mental games. It never ends. Today I like a 1911 best. Last week it was a Sig. And so on...
 
You'll never find one handgun that does it all and satisfies you forever. It is human nature to compare one thing with another, and constantly wonder if you can find something better. I think this is especially true with guns.

If you have two guns you will compare them in your mind, considering the strong features of one against the other, and asking which is best. If you have three guns you'll do the same thing, only the comparison becomes more complex. It just continues with more than three.

I have about 40 handguns and I still play these mental games. It never ends. Today I like a 1911 best. Last week it was a Sig. And so on...
Click to expand...

This. I couldn't have said it better.
 
It's going to be a little while before I'm ready to buy, so I'm going to keep looking around for some used deals. If the right deal pops up it will make my decision for me, I honestly think I would be happy with any of them. I just had to come to terms with the fact I was trying to cover too many bases with one purchase.
 
I'll "vote" with the "Get a 1911 and a .38/.357" folks. I don't have too many handguns but the one's that I carry the most are the S&W model 638 Airweight and one of my 1911's. They just seem to be the most.....and I'm searching for the words here...versatile/practicle/applicable/carry-able of my weapons. I guess this would fall under the, If you could only have TWO handguns, What would they be? links.
 
Go to the gun stores and handle them all. Maybe you've already done it, but do it again. Buy the one that you think feels the nicest in your hand. Most all of us are going to name our personal favorites. Which in the long run might turn out not to be yours.

With the hope of not adding to your confusion, I'll tell you what my favorite carry gun is. The Kahr PM9, for me it has replaced the S&W j-frames I used to carry as BUGs and primary. They are great little guns, light, compact, accurate, powerful and reliable. They look small and carry small, but when you take a sight picture they feel almost like a full size handgun. They are we'll worth consideration during your search.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top