ghoffman wrote:
I have the Springfield Armory 45 and really love it. I also have a Ruger P90DC and have shot SIG P220 45 a lot. I like the SA the best especially since I have an Insight Tek gear X2L laser/flashlight on it:

bogus wrote:
I like the Sig .357. Nice piece.

Can't go wrong with H&K or Glock, either.

Matatk wrote:
I recommend shooting a few before you make a decision. There are many gun ranges where you can rent a variety of guns and see what you like.

A few questions - why are you set on a .40? Have you considered a 9mm? A 9 mm is much cheaper to shoot than a .40 if you put a lot of rounds through it. You'll notice the .40 is the same frame size as a 9 mm. If you can carry a larger frame, I'd go for a .45. In my opinion it shoots better than a .40 because the balance is better for all the pistols I've shot.

The XD is a nice gun. So are the glocks. You might prefer the XD because you can get it with an external safety (w/the kids around, etc). If you will consider a 9mm, the new ruger is nice, beretta 92 is a great gun. Although HKs are great guns, they are out of your price range.

PM me if you want to talk more.

Matthew

BillH wrote:
The Springfields are nice.

I went the inexpensive route. A 9mm, may be a waste of time but it's much better than my Ruger 22 for home protection.
I figure that I can put 6 to 8 hollowpoint rounds into an intruder and they'll at least stop to think about it.

For the range, Wallyworld has the Winchester 100 valuepack for under $20.

I bought a Smith 9mm Sigma, new, for $280.
I did take it apart and moded the trigger pull, polished the mechanicals.
Is it like a $600 Smith, Glock? Nope. But I can put 6 rounds in a 6 inch circle in 5 seconds.
For my gun budget, it was a great value.

red_johnny wrote:
Quote:

ghoffman wrote:
I have the Springfield Armory 45 and really love it. I also have a Ruger P90DC and have shot SIG P220 45 a lot. I like the SA the best especially since I have an Insight Tek gear X2L laser/flashlight on it:

I also feel that the 9mm is a waste of time. I want something with stopping power and I can get that with a .40 or .45
I am starting to lean toward the .45 as I go through my searches. I know that ammo is more expensive the higher caliber you go. I like the idea of going to a range and firring several weapons. My buddy has a glock 22 in .40 so I will be able to fire that. ghoffman, I like what you said about the SA and the flashlight, laser combo. I defiantly what a laser at least on what ever pistol I get but it does have to be concealable. All in all it is going to serve 2 purposes, caring concealed and firring at the range. I am also looking at getting a riffle but I want something different that wont break the bank. It will be for target shooting only right now and I was thinking getting a heavy barrel and a healthy scope.

red_johnny wrote:
Guess I should have thought the 9mm comment out more. When compaired to the higher caliber its more of a waste of time but it does suit differant needs. Personal defence with hallow points is pretty effective. You can stop someone with one or two hallow points. Plus you can usually hold quite a bit in the mag as well. The SA that I posted a pic of can hold 13 in the mag and 1 in the chamber. Thats pretty darn impressive!

ghoffman wrote:
The Insight laser/flashlight is so small, it is intended for concealed carry. It weighs a couple of ounces and is tiny.

biggrizzly wrote:
One day I will refill my arsenal again, but for now these two have been the tools of choice for me.

Matatk wrote:
In regard to the tac light and concealed carry, that's a negative. I don't know anyone that carries concealed with a tac light on it. It's too bulky. That defeats the purpose of concealed carry. On top of that, good luck finding holsters to accommodate a tac light. There are certain holsters for the smaller pistols, like kel-tecs and lcps that will hold a light, but pretty much non-existant with a large frame firearm. Holsters get pretty bulky once you add lights in there. You'd be better off to carry a small flashlight in your back pocket, and it'd be more useful, too. I've used lasers, and they are a neat toy, but more of a gimmick. Not necessary.

Matthew

Matatk wrote:
[
Beretta 92 (very impressed with the balance of this gun, great shooter)
Ruger Mark III (for targets and trigger control practice)
Any 1911 (always wanted one)
New Ruger 9mm (haven't shot one yet, but heard it's a good shooter, good price. I'd give up my baby glock 26 9mm for this one)
Pump shotgun (remington or mossberg - home defense)

Matthew

Matatk wrote:
I've used lasers, and they are a neat toy, but more of a gimmick. Not necessary.

Matthew

biggrizzly wrote:
Quote:

Matatk wrote:
I've used lasers, and they are a neat toy, but more of a gimmick. Not necessary.

Matthew

If you have used anything other than Crimson Trace I can understand your statement. But the Crimson Trace items (and a few others) are high quality and work as intended. I have tried a few of the Micky Mouse units that screw on to a rail under the barrel of the gun, and I agree that they are junk. However the Crimson Trace grips seem to work pretty well. They are not meant to be bulls eye pistol match sights, but a quick acquisition of the target under limited conditions. Perfect for someone with less that perfect shot control and or high stress situation.

Matatk wrote:
Quote:

biggrizzly wrote:
One day I will refill my arsenal again, but for now these two have been the tools of choice for me.

I've got a few on my list that if I ever came across a great deal I'd have to pick em up:

Beretta 92 (very impressed with the balance of this gun, great shooter)
Ruger Mark III (for targets and trigger control practice)
Any 1911 (always wanted one)
New Ruger 9mm (haven't shot one yet, but heard it's a good shooter, good price. I'd give up my baby glock 26 9mm for this one)
Pump shotgun (remington or mossberg - home defense)

Matthew

ghoffman wrote:
Insight supplies the US Army, and USMC and USAF, etc. Crimnson trace does not.

red_johnny wrote:
I plan on going to a range very soon and there is a indoor one here locally that I am going to try out. They let you rent what ever gun they have available so I figure I will spend about 100 bucks firing several weapons. I hope to get that done in the next week or two.

Matatk wrote:
Don -

How is it shooting with the PACT? I've never used one.

Matthew

flyboy wrote:
The new SIG Sauer P250 looks interesting. The removable lock module lets the user choose from 5 different grip frame sizes and 4 calibers. Polymer frame, D.A.O. Sug. ret. $749. It's not a carry gun, but I love my CZ75 decocker. You've ruled out a wheel gun?

Matatk wrote:


Sorry, I was not clear when I said ruger 9mm. I meant the brand new ruger sr9. It's their version of a polyframe semiauto.
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/SR9/Specifications.html#

Matthew

ghoffman wrote:
Anyone into precision rifles here? That is more my speed...

red_johnny wrote:
I was looking at the bolt action. I am not set on them though. I think I am going to set my budget at about 1400 to include the scope. I also dont mind buying used so I feel I should be able to find a deal out there.

ghoffman wrote:
The biggest question is what do you want to do with it? I have a 17HM2, (converted Ruger 10-22), 22's of various sorts, a 222 Rem, a 223 (DPMS heavy barrel AR-15) a 22-250 (custom Rem 40-X) 7mmSTW, 300 Winmag. In 1999 I went to a Benchrest school in upstate NY and used a Borden/Nesika Bay action, with a Hart barrel in 6mm PPC and shot 100 yard groups (in inches, center to center of the widest holes, 5 shot groups) of .192, .195, .205, .209 (which had me 3rd out of 130 going into the 5th and final match of the day)., then I choked and shot a horrible .405 which dropped me into like 13th or so. The funny thing is 4/10th's of an inch group size at 100 yards is great for most varmint rifles, and awesome for any hunting rifle, but .405 is totally atrocious for Bench Rest Competition rifles. The point here is, what do you want it to do? The famous gunsmith P.O. Ackley was quoted as saying "only accurate rifles are interesting" and that is pretty much my attitude as well.

ghoffman wrote:
If you want a semi auto get an AR-15 type rifle. The AK's and SKS are horribly inaccurate. The AR's are available now from Remington (among many others) in 223, 7mm-08, 308 and are very accurate and have a camo finish and the picatinny rail for scope mounts.