Source
r/guns•
stormborn

Need help deciding on my second gun purchase

This spring I bought a Henry lever action .22 as my first gun, and I've been having tons of fun with it. I've also been given a 20ga break action shotgun. I've had the opportunity to handle and shoot a bunch of other guns, and built up quite a list of things to buy, so here's where reddit comes in. I have around $500 of 'fun money' available, and I'm trying to figure out what to get next. Here are some options I've come up with:

  • Saiga 7.62x39 (to be converted to AK at some point)
  • Ruger 22/45
  • 9mm pistol of some description (I like a friend's Glock, as well as the XD and CZ 75 I've handled, among others)
  • SA 'cowboy style' pistol in .357 (either from Uberti/Cimarron or Ruger)
  • Makarov pistol

I like the idea of a .22 pistol due to the low cost of ammunition, but I'd also like to make a "bigger boom" sometimes :) I know I'll probably end up with all of these and more eventually, but what does gunnit recommend I buy next?

Posted Oct 13, 2011, 5:37 PM UTC

423
graknor•

ruger single-six, then blackhawk/vaquero in .357, then a lever rifle in .357

4
TwistedRabbit•

22/45 > 9mm > Saiga > SA revolver > Makarov

I like my .22 pistol. WIth the money you save on ammo for a .22 you can save up for a 9mm and be better practiced w/ handguns from your .22. I put makarov last because i dint like the one i shot at all (it might of well be single shot...)

2
[deleted]•

Can you elaborate on "It of well be single shot"? I have several Makarovs and never have issues.

1
TwistedRabbit•

the one i shot was not very well taken care of and dint cycle ammo. I had to do it myself.

1
[deleted]•

That's just called being poorly maintained -- any weapon will do that.

1
TwistedRabbit•

Yup.

1
wildcat623•

Glock

2
Stubb•

More specifically, a third-generation G17/19 (if they fit) or a S&W M&P 9 mm.

1
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SgtKashim•

At this point, its entirely to personal preference. From my own perspective...

My second purchase (after a Henry .22LR rifle) was a 9mm handgun. I originally had a SW9VE (not recommended for much, unless you have no budget), which I traded up for a CZ75. I love my CZ, but it's not a great carry piece. CCW in my state is Shall-Issue, so that's more of a deal here than there. After that, I added a Mosin rifle, a .22RL revolver, a Mossberg 500 shotgun, a Bersa Thunder 380 for carry, a Walther P22, a Ruger mini-14, and, just Tuesday, a Ruger Security Six in the .357.

I haven't had a chance to fire the .357 yet, but of the other guns I find I shoot the .22s the most. By far. I'm also way way more likely to shoot the revolver than the P22. OTOH, the P22 controls function like the Bersa's, so it's a decent training analogue. .357 ammo is painfully expensive, compared to the other rounds I fire. .38spl is only slightly better. The lever/revolver .22s as a pair are just wonderful. Loads of fun.

If I were you... I'd start with a .22 single action revolver. You seem to like the cowboy stuff. Following that, get a pair (SAA, lever rifle) in the .357. Unless you want something tacticool then...

2
wags_01•

That depends. Do you want something you can carry & conceal, or will this be a range toy? If you just want something fun, you can't go wrong with a .22 pistol.

Personally, I'd go with a 9mm to carry. Try as many as you can. I like my M&P9.

1
stormbornOP•

Should have mentioned that - CCW is difficult in my state, and although I'd like to start carrying at some point, I'm not looking for a carry gun right now. This will be for range/fun use only.

1
wags_01•

Then I'd skip the 9mm and go with either the .22 or a .357 wheel gun. As much as I like my M&P9, it's not as fun as a revolver.

1
baggytheo•

If you can find one, High Standard Sentinel's are great 9-shot .22lr revolvers for the money. If you've got the budget though, a S&W 10-shot .22lr revolver would be about the best wheel gun you can get in .22

1
fuzzwell•

I think you should save your money longer, and spring for an H&K .45 USP.

Just my opinion. but, once you've shot one, you'll never be satisfied with any other .45 (just my opinion of course)

When I was about 22, my boss lined up 10 pistols that were .45's.

1911, Glock, Sig, a bunch that I didn't recognize,

Then he saved the H&K for last.

Shooting it was like night and day from other pistols.

It has a good recoil suppression system, hexagonal barrel, convenient safety switch, good magazine capacity, and is an all-together excellent firearm.

I have three now, and want another.

Also:

Per your list:

* Saiga 7.62x39 (to be converted to AK at some point) **( I have an AK-47 and really like it)**
* Ruger 22/45  **I have a .22  Ruger Mark III and it's nice, but very hard to disassemble.**
* 9mm pistol of some description (I like a friend's Glock, as well as the XD and CZ 75 I've handled, among others) **Glocks are nice guns, and I have a .45 Glock 36 here under my desk.  They're nice reliable guns.** 
* SA 'cowboy style' pistol in .357 (either from Uberti/Cimarron or Ruger)  **I'm not a fan of revolvers, but I have several.  .44 mag Taurus, and some .357's.** 
* Makarov pistol  **I have a .9mm Markarov that is pretty decent, it fires well, and it's easy to conceal.  It's in my jeep, but I think I remember that the Ammo is very specific to this gun, and I remember having a hard time finding it.**
1
bijobini•

I guess it's a matter of taste. The first firearm I shot was a USP. I then shot a 1911 and preferred it over the USP. Anyway, OP should try the pistols before buying, if he can.

1
baggytheo•

http://www.jgsales.com/product_info.php/p/polish-p64-9x18-military-pistols%2C-blued%2C-vg-condition-/products_id/5863?osCsid=5ccce9d1b616bbb6d1ae122899fd98cc

Polish P64 9mm Makarov for $149.99

1
[deleted]•

Get a .22/45. You can shoot on the cheap and it'll help curb the bad habits that come with shooting more powerful weapons.

If you absolutely have to get something more powerful, a Makarov might work but if you have big hands they're a little small. I manage with my Russian Makarov. The ammunition is cheap, too. 9x18 is $11 a box, 9x19 Parabellum is about the same, but you won't spend as much on the pistol itself.

My biggest suggestion is: Don't compromise on a purchase. If it means waiting a few months to have enough for that one with the threaded barrel and picatinny rail, save up for it. Don't go for the base model and regret it down the road.

1
JudgeWhoAllowsStuff•

Mark II or III are better guns. I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend the 22/45.

1
[deleted]•

Only said the 22/45 because he listed it.

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1
NoSheDidntSayThat•

Go to J&G, and you can buy both the Makarov ($150) and Saiga 7.62x39 ($300) for $500

My second choice would be an m&p 9c

1
crackez•

I recommend the Ruger for the SA revolver, but not for the .22. The Blackhawk is a very nice and accurate revolver in my experience.

If you are interested in the 1911 grip angle on the .22, then look at the Browning Buckmark - superior in several ways to the Ruger, mainly natural comfort.

I've been dreaming of the XDm 5.25 myself...

I would get the .22 pistol first... I love my buckmark, and have shot that more than any other gun.

1
tigol_bitties•

I just bought an EAA witness 9mm/.22lr (here) for around $450 after transfer and am loving it so far. I've only gotten to shoot it once since getting it, but the 9mm slide was flawless and the .22lr had only a few issues (likely a break-in issue). I've read things about EAA's customer service being somewhat lacking but apparently they've fixed the few problems the witness's had in the past. If you've shot a CZ-75, this gun should be fairly familiar.

In terms of wanting to shoot cheap but with the possibility of more "boom", this is the cheapest multi-slide option I could find.

1
[deleted]•

Ruger 22/45 is the next one on my list. It seems like the ideal pistol for me and my needs.

1