Gun Guys: Where to buy a used handgun, and what to look for? - Page 5

Az911 · 12-02-2006, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rick Lee
I've never heard of GAP ammo and I'm sure I've shot .45 ACP through someone's Glock at some time. Matt, if you buy .45 in bulk, it usually works out to around $10 per box of 50 rounds in 230 gr. FMJ. I buy from Georgia Arms and they have free shipping on orders of $500 or more. Under that and the shipping gets expensive. Also, a lot of bulk sellers come to guns shows, which is how I got my latest batch. If you do your own reloading, you can cut your costs WAY down, but it's time consuming. I think I'll start reloading again when I have kids and can make them work my assembly line.

I'm sure you did not shoot .45GAP in a .45ACP gun as it would not fit. The .45ACP has a larger case.

GAP on the left

onewhippedpuppy · 12-02-2006, 05:27 PM

Those 1911s are tempting, I need to go shoot one. Are they really that special, or do you partially pay for what it is?

I can't understand the reasoning behind it, but Glocks are offered in both the .45 ACP and the .45 GAP. What I shot today was a Glock with .45 ACP.

fastpat · 12-02-2006, 05:41 PM

The .45 ACP head spaces on the case mouth, so tha GAP wouldn't head space correctly, most likely it'd go to far into the chamber to fire, but if it did fire, you wouldn't like the result of that.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

No, I didn't shoot in GAP in an ACP, but vice versa.

Matt, check out my super nice blackened stainless Springfield 1911. Photo doesn't do it justice at all.

onewhippedpuppy · 12-02-2006, 06:42 PM

Some people seem to think that the 1911 is pretty much the gold standard for handguns, from a shooting standpoint. True? Is it that great to shoot? Granted, it is a damn good looking gun.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

The newer 1911's are a lot better than the older ones, since the newer ones tend to have all the stuff done right out of the box that the older ones needed done by a gunsmith afterwards. But they're not for everyone and carrying one cocked and locked definitely is not for everyone. My 1911's are not carry guns, but may become such after I do some more practice with them. I wore my SIG P220 on my belt for a 100 mile motorcycle ride today and it felt fine. I always worry about wiping off the thumb safety on a cocked and locked 1911, though I know it almost never happens.

Groesbeck Hurricane · 12-02-2006, 06:55 PM

PLEASE REMEMBER: KEEP YOU SEMI VERY CLEAN!!! they do not like to get dirty...

FWIW on the 1911, the Colt 1911 is very good, I don't like the very basic Springfield Armory clones but their higher level models are fairly nice. I've just seen three very, very nasty Stars. But you can get those for about $150.00. Astras seem to be somewhat popular in that range down here...

If the Glock felt nice to you, go with it! It is a very respectable gun. .45ACP is much cheaper than the GAP round, easier to locate.

I still question the wisdom of the semi versus revolver. Something like the Colt Trooper in .357 is rather inexpensive (~$400.00) and is a very fine weapon. It has less recoil and is more ergonomic. People just don't find them as sexy until you hear the cylinder turn. That is what scares people!!

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I know Glocks have their fans, but I just don't see how it's a good first handgun for someone. Not being able to see the hammer has always bothered me. And the trigger pulls seems like guesswork. I know they are super reliable and take abuse very well. If you plan to carry it, you can't just throw it in your coat pocket like you can (but shouldn't) with other guns. The only external safety on a Glock is that tiny trigger tab, which needs to be covered by a holster to be truly safe. Once in a while, depending on which jacket I have on, I just throw my P239 in a pocket.

onewhippedpuppy · 12-02-2006, 07:19 PM

I did like shooting the Glock, but considering my limited experience with guns I'm trying to solicit as much advice as I can. Plus, there's so damn many choices. Right now my faves are a Glock 21, used Sig P220, or a used 1911.

fastpat · 12-02-2006, 07:48 PM

My ParaOrdnance P12 with full CST-II package from Cylinder & Slide, extras include Dlask trigger and Novak sights.

The magazine is partially out of position in the photo.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Pat, is that a stock finish? I had my P-12 done in two-tone NP3 and Roguard. Still, no matter what I did to it, I couldn't shoot it as well as I could my P220.

Matt, just get what you like and buy the others later. You'll never run out of guns to want and buy.

onewhippedpuppy · 12-02-2006, 08:12 PM

Yeah, I'm probably overthinking this. First gun, but probably not my last. As an almost engineer, I'm a big dork for precision engineered and manufactured products. Plus, it's fun to shoot holes in little targets.

Pat, I can't say I know anything about it, but that is a pretty gun.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

If you're into precision engineering, get the SIG - it's simple and precise. 1911's are great too and there's something to be said for a gun whose design has remained largely unchanged for the last 95 yrs. or so. But they grow on trees and there are just sooooo many versions to choose from. Everyone gets a 1911 eventually. I've bought two in the last three mos.

targa911S · 12-02-2006, 08:41 PM

I think the Colt 1911 is the 911S of the .45 world. Here is mine. Made in 1917 it still shoots holes in holes.

fastpat · 12-02-2006, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rick Lee
Pat, is that a stock finish? I had my P-12 done in two-tone NP3 and Roguard. Still, no matter what I did to it, I couldn't shoot it as well as I could my P220.

Matt, just get what you like and buy the others later. You'll never run out of guns to want and buy.

The frame is stock, I don't remember if C & S matted the top of the slide or not, it is matt finish though. That's a stainless steel gun, not a coating.

One difference in ParaOrd's is the feed ramp is an integral part of the barrel instead of the frame. That's actually an improvement, since the fresh round strikes a smooth, uninterupted surface as it moves to the chamber.

Thanks for the compliment, OWP.

fastpat · 12-02-2006, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by targa911S
I think the Colt 1911 is the 911S of the .45 world. Here is mine. Made in 1917 it still shoots holes in holes.

Hmmm, that's actually a 1911 and not a 1911A1, fairly rare.

targa911S · 12-02-2006, 08:54 PM

That is correct. It's the real deal. It was reblued badly when I found it so I put some money into it to get it right again. Too bad somebody messed with it before I found it or it would be worth a couple grand. I feel I did it no harm as it was already molested.

bigchillcar · bigchillcar's Garage

rick, your catalog company has the beretta 92f, but not in black..it comes in blue matte. anyone prefer blue matte for a finish to black?

onewhippedpuppy · 12-03-2006, 05:46 AM

Ordnance Outsellers has a Beretta 92FS in black for $499, SS for $575.
http://www.ordnanceoutsellers.com/index.htm

bigchillcar · bigchillcar's Garage

thanks for the link, matt. can anyone explain the diff's between the 92f and 92fs?

do these online gun sellers charge you for shipping..and any idea on how they take to deliver? are they required to do some form of background check and who pays for that if anyone?
ryan