The 220 is also a favorite of Squantos, who actually knows a thing or two about guns.
Posted on 09/08/2013 2:59:43 PM PDT by sauropod
Hello all,
I need some advice on purchasing a handgun. I live in the People’s Republic of MD and the new gun control laws are about to take effect (Oct 1st).
I am in the market for a .45. I was looking at cheaper than dirt at several models and would appreciate any hints you can give regarding a purchase.
Have you dealt with buying guns from cheaper than dirt? Do you have a better source/way to do this?
What is the proper procedure for completing this purchase from an on-line retailer?
I would also like recommendations for handguns in the $500 class. Will consider going to $700 if there is a really good reason to do so.
This purchase is for home defense.
Have you looked recently? Every place I go to now has plenty of ammo.
I REALLY like my .45 XDS, but as of this weekend, it has to go back to the company for a recall, something about possible accidental discharge when chamberring a round and/or double firing. Mine works perfectly and is not all that bad for kicking out the SPEER flying ashtrays I shoot. The capacity of 5+1, double action only, but only ALMOST as reliable as a double action revolver. The slide must be racked, chamberred round ejected, the trigger pulled again if it does not go “bang!”.
It has replaced my daily carry Colt 45 due to it's excellent performance, and higher capacity.
DO handle one! I have the same hand condition you do, and the XDM fits me like a glove...
I’m sure there are anecdotal stories about misfires with any type of firearm.
Misfires could occur with cheap banana republic ammo, your brother in laws hot reloads or especially with guns that haven’t been cleaned in awhile.
New defensive ammo and a clean gun go a long way to curing those issues.
And lack of training or poor holding - limp wristing also contributes to jams.
If you have large frame revolver .357, could go with lighter smaller frame .38 special/.357magnum for versatility to carry, and both would shoot same ammo .38 special which is cheaper for plinking/training. The air-lites and airweights will sting your hand though.
For SHTF situation could get .22 semi auto AR and AK copies with extended mags for no recoil and high volume of firepower for reasonable pricing, otherwise regular AR, AK but costly. If illegal gun restrictions/edicts banning capacity or whatever naughty tool in a state, best to ignore and live free.
Coming in late to the thread, I’ll add my voice to those recommending a personal feel of the weapon, preferably test firing too, before purchasing. There are as many grips as there are posters - each an individual, eh?
My chosen caliber is .40 rather than .45, so my experience is in those, something like five or six different ones by now. Do try the Beretta PX4 Storms (polymer) as mentioned by several FReepers already. The pistols come in full, medium, compact & subcompact now, and even a carbine CX4 whose magazine insert may by changed to share the same mags as either the PX4s or the traditional-bodied 92s (9mm) and 96s (.40). Only I am not sure Beretta has produced or still produces all of those in .45, as not even the .40 was available in subcompact for a while. In the meantime I had to settle for a Taurus Millineum.
If you think you may expand your collection - once I started, they were like potato chips (LOL) - you may want to keep that sort of pairing in mind.
KelTec also makes a line of folding carbines that can be matched to fit calibers/magaines of other manufacturers, including Glocks. I like the concept for transport/portability but prefer Beretta for reliability.
Not wanting to repeat stuff you’ve already read here... I can’t pan Glock for reliability or durability, but I don’t like them for myself. Boxy grips, no frame safety, and I’m a control freak with my thumb on the hammer.
I love love love that even the tiniest of my guns (now that the Taurus is gone) may be manually decocked under my deliberate control. For this reason I’m not a big fan either of the beavertail backstrap safety - former Marine passing up on the traditional 1911 pattern gun with no regrets here.
In pistol, I’m a fan of the easy, minimalist takedown of Beretta, Glock & Taurus. Little tho I like Glocks in and of themselves, they deserve praise on that front.
Revolvers, I love modern S&W, Taurus & Ruger for smooth triggers and out-of-box accuracy.
If you choose a small handgun as your only weapon, understand that it’s unfair to compare that shooting experience against firing fullsize guns. Even my favorite gun dealers agree that nobody shoots the babies for fun. Those are just homework, LOL.
That said... YMMV!
Happy shopping, FRiend.
Thanks for the input!
I have a friend that is selling a Sig Sauer 220 .45 - I’m looking at it tomorrow. Also purchasing a AK “lower”. I’ve been told about someone that likes to build them as a hobby.
Cheers, ‘Pod.
The 220 is also a favorite of Squantos, who actually knows a thing or two about guns.
P220 is a great rig. But ......(drum roll please) Sig now has the P227 in a staggered mag of 10 +1 with 14 round magazines coming in next few months.
Now that said ..... get a glock 31 and call it a day. 125gr Speer Gold Dot Hollow Points. They go through schools......:o)
Sigs or Glocks.... love em for CHL / CCW daily carry.
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