Posted on 03/24/2010 6:44:03 PM PDT by 1rudeboy
I plan on more time at the range this summer. I'd prefer to do so with reduced ammunition costs (I'm a large caliber guy). I know nothing of any caliber smaller than .40cal. I assume that something of the .38 types, or a .357mag might be cheaper, yes?
So here's the deal, here are my required specs:
semi-automaticI just want to have some fun burning-through a lot of ammo. Are there some smaller calibers I should consider? I don't want to plink with a .22--I'm not an interior designer.
9mm, .38, 8mm, .32, .357mag (or something I don't know about)
magazine capacity not important
concealed-carry suitability not important (I live in Illinois)
I thought Walther made a semi-automatic in .38(something), but I cannot find it anymore.
M1911A1 in .45 ACP. You can get a Rock Island Armory model for about $400. Mine is smooth, has never had a jam or misfeed and I have put hundreds of rounds through it. Will flat out kill someone and is easy to carry every day. Simple maintenance, easy cleaning, plenty of aftermarket stuff if you’re into that sort of thing.
If you want cheap and fun with a 2 foot fireball get a CZ 52.
Ammo is cheap 1260 rds for $138
Dude, I said I’m trying to save money on ammo. There’s a damn recession going-on. (And I have a few hundreds to spend now before Obama’s 16,000 come after them).
I love that weapon.
And you can still get a box of 50 rds for under $25.
Why semi auto if you incluce .38/.357? That is a wheel gun, and a damn good choice. Use .38 target loads of full boat .357. A 4” gun is good, a 6” maybe more accurate but more cumbersome to carry.
Auto jammers have their place, don’t diss the lowly wheel gun.
Can those be bought new?
cheapest ammo in the world (besides 22 rimfire) is 9mm luger(parabellum). well, maybe 9mm makarov is cheaper, but I consider that an oddball cartridge.
walther makes all kinds of 9mm handguns. this one is my favorite:
http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg86-e.htm
I swear, I thought Walther made a semi-auto in .38 - - I might be hallucinating.
.22 long rifle
If you just want a gun for plinking, but not a .22, a .38 special or 9mm are probably your best bets. Cheap ammo.
I just figured that, like most people who buy something just for plinking, you’d rather just spend the money up front and have the one all-purpose handgun, rather than buying another later.
Also, consider reloading.
No. They are all surplus. Tokarevs are the same caliber. I think those can still be found as new surplus.
If you are looking to purchase a personal defense weapon, I still prefer the .45. I have a Glock 37 and a Springfield 1911. You can pick up 1,000 rounds of 45 ACP from Cabelas for a reasonable price depending on the vendor.
All in my own humble opinion, of course.
Cheap ammo, low cost and reliable firearm, and not caring about size? Get a Smith and Wesson Sigma 9VE (yes, they are VERY reliable since the E version, about 10 years ago), and 9mm is cheap and plentiful. Figure $250 for the firearm (typically $299 with a $50 rebate right now), and $25/100 rounds for factory new ammo, $17/100 rounds of reloads.
You saw .380. Much different from a .38 special.
Really can't beat a .357 S&W for versatility and ease of operation. Look at a few.
And can those be bought new? I don’t mean to be a stick-in-the-mud, but I’m don’t trust my ability to recognize the difference between a suitable, or abused, weapon.
I wouldn’t count on target shooting with a .380. I can’t hit a damn house with mine.
I also have an HnK USP45 that shoots like a dream, ammo's a bit more expensive though.
People who know, shoot HnK.
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