|
Forum Rules | Firearms Safety | Firearms Photos | Links | Library | Lost Password | Email Changes |
Register | FAQ | Calendar | Search | Today's Posts | Mark Forums Read |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
December 4, 2013, 01:27 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 16, 2011
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Posts: 647
|
Only fools fall in love...
With more handguns than they can afford...
Many of you probably know that I am a college student who works full time and has a toddler at home. Money is very tight, and I have had to pass on several amazing handgun deals in the past. This year, I fell in love 3 times and had my heart broken three times... With handguns I couldn't afford. The first was a magnificent FN made Hi-Power from the 1950's for about $500. That gun fits my hand like it was made for me, I instantly fell i love, but $500 were not entirely forthcoming so... I had to pass. I'll probably never see this beauty or one quite like her again. I also fell in love with the SIG P226 and Ruger Redhawk platforms. I had never fired a 226 until this year, but once I did I just got it... Once again, the price tag drove me away and even more forcefully this time. Then there was a Redhawk. For a 7 1/2 inch barreled, all steel .44 MAG I cannot beleive how well this gun balances for me; and I found the same was true of a 6 inch GP100 too; but the Redhawks' caliber and classic lines really made in the gun for me... Except the whole money thing... Again. So what guns have you had to pass on? And what guns/platforms have you fallen in love with in the last year that you never knew about/used before? |
December 4, 2013, 01:53 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 23, 2013
Location: Alabama
Posts: 2,968
|
yeah, I have a mail order bride on the way in the form of a LWS380....
|
December 4, 2013, 03:02 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 25, 2002
Location: Campbell Ca
Posts: 1,090
|
.44 special snubbie
Hard to find in general and even harder in california. I'm still looking for something on the 2nd hand market like the Rossi 720
|
December 4, 2013, 03:08 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 23, 2013
Location: Alabama
Posts: 2,968
|
you will like the 720! mine sits idle for now until I can make arraignments to get to the range again...
|
December 4, 2013, 03:30 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 30, 2010
Posts: 1,581
|
I've had to force myself to fall out of love with more than half of my collection so I could sell it, so, falling in love with something at this point for me is out of the question.
__________________
Stay Groovy Last edited by Joe_Pike; December 4, 2013 at 07:56 PM. |
December 4, 2013, 03:51 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: August 3, 1999
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 2,991
|
I would comment that decades ago I was like you, passing on great deals and selling guns to get by.
Today though as I approach retirement, the opposite is true. I have guns that decades ago, I would not even have ventured to think about. Like my 44 Automag, the Sig 210's a Registered Magnum. All of these were impossible dreams years, decades ago and yet today I have them all and more. Bide your time, save your money and start a bucket list of guns you really want. I know I have gone through two safe clearings getting rid of guns I thought I wanted only to realize I was being manipulated by dogma and advertising. Now I get what I want, collect what makes me happy (even if it is mostly stuff from before WWII) and I love it.
__________________
10mm and 357sig, the best things to come along since the 38 super! |
December 4, 2013, 04:19 PM | #7 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 12, 2002
Location: The same state as Mordor.
Posts: 5,568
|
Quote:
__________________
"As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. " |
|
December 4, 2013, 07:03 PM | #8 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 12, 2005
Location: North central Ohio
Posts: 7,486
|
Quote:
__________________
ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member |
|
December 4, 2013, 08:02 PM | #9 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 16, 2011
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Posts: 647
|
Quote:
That said. I really want that Hi-Power. I suspect it was forged with my hands in mind... But hey, assuming our salespeople get off their butts and sell about $1,000,000 worth of copiers this month, I will be getting a bonus this Winter which should tick off at least one more box. If you are at all curious, I do have a list of what I want in the future, I have split it into "function" and "fun sections: Function: Have: Rifle: Sport Mauser Defense shotgun: Mossberg 500 .22 Pistol: Ruger MKII Need: Carbine: Colt le6920 Pistol: Glock 19/ SIG P226/ Walther PPQ/ or HK USP (depends on cash available and a head-to-head-to-head-to-head shooting of all four at the same time. Magnum Revolver: Ruger Redhawk, also probably a GP100 later .22 Rifle: Henry H001 OR Ruger 10/22 (Or both) CC Gun: Ruger SP101 or S&W 642 OR maybe a Glock 19 (G19 might fill two spots in the "function" category) Fun guns that I would like and WANT to buy, but are secondary ideas: Springfield 03 Krag-Jorgenson Garand Springfield trapdoor Original Mauser in good condition .357 chambered lever gun .44 Chambered levergun .45-70 chambered levergun A Luger A S&W 29 classic A Ruger Vaquero an HK45 w/ silencer Browning Citori Browning BLR in .30-06 Browning Hi-Power Ruger SR1911 Wilson 1911 CZ-75B/SP-01 A Side-by-side shotgun A Ruger NO.1 with a Mannlicher style stock A 9MM carbine - likely AR style A Kentucky rifle in .50 A blackpower revolver- Probably a Remington 1858 A Sako rifle More??? Basically, these are guns which appeal to me either from having handled them, shot them and/or just knowing about them. I have never fired a blackpowder revolver, for example, but I love history and would love to get my hands on one. Perhaps I am ambitious, and I suspect my list will change and evolve over time, but these are what I want. |
|
December 4, 2013, 08:04 PM | #10 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 16, 2011
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Posts: 647
|
Quote:
Just curious. |
|
December 4, 2013, 08:30 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 4, 2013
Posts: 168
|
I often say that the only gun purchases I regret are the ones I didn't go through with.
About 30 years ago I made up a short list of guns I really wanted. On that list was a full-auto Thompson. A few years later when further registration of full-autos was banned - within the week - I went out and bought my first machine-gun which was a MAC-10 because I couldn't find a Thompson for sale at just that time. A few years after that I did see a registered 1928 Thompson SMG in the original case with all the extras going for (IIRC) $2,500 at a gun show. Even though I did have more than that in savings and could have bought it without any impact to my lifestyle that seemed like just too much money to spend. Today a Thompson like the one I saw would be worth more than $30,000 - probably much more. While I can afford it that amount could impact my future plans so it is not in the cards. If I had bought the TSMG I saw at that gun show not only would I have one of the guns from my list but I would have made a very good investment. As a consolation I have picked up an Auto-Ordnance M1927 semi-auto with drum magazines and have plans to register that as a SBR so I will have a similar gun. These days I always have a mental list of guns I am looking for and when I find one, if the price is close to reasonable, I buy it without a second thought. I have bought many more guns than the ones which were on my original list - some that I didn't expect I would ever be able to afford when I made that list. (Back then AK's were un-heard of and a FAL would have cost me three month's pay.) So my advice would be to make up a fixed list of a few specific guns which are core to your interests. Keep your eye on the market and know prices and values. You might not be able to afford much now but that will not always be the case. |
December 5, 2013, 09:07 AM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 29, 2011
Location: Cape Fear!
Posts: 1,683
|
Funny, I suddenly realize how much discretionary money I don't have since giving up the credit cards!
|
December 5, 2013, 10:20 AM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 16, 2011
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Posts: 647
|
I have never used or been the owner of any credit card. I stick to debit. The only debt I have is from cars and school. It really impacts buying power to only spend what you actually have the cash for; but it is worth it because while I don't make a whole lot I never really worry about money as long as I don't mKe large purchases; such as a $1000 handgun.
I really would like to get into a defensive handgun within the year though. I'm sure I can find a way. Violent crime has gone up recently in my city and I've had people shot just a few blocks from my house. I don't exactly sit around thinking about it, but something more accessible than my mossy 500 locked in the safe would be nice. I think my next priorities are the defensive handgun and then a .22 rifle. After that things open up quite a bit, but I'll never forget the way that SIG or that Hi-Power felt in my hand when firing. A Hi-Power would make a nice self-given graduation present I suppose... |
December 5, 2013, 03:41 PM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 13, 2013
Posts: 134
|
The local Gander Mountain had a S&W 1955 Target model, 45 ACP revolver that was ABSOLUTELY beautiful. It was in near mint condition and is one of those guns that I simply must have some day.
Being a fan of most old Smiths, I fell instantly, completely, head over heels for that gun and determined to make her mine. UNTIL the clerk at Gander took her out of the display case and turned over the price tag. Just like a bad marriage, I couldn't get away from her fast enough. They wanted $2200.00 for that beautiful old gun. For that price I could buy probably 2 "shooter" grade examples of the same gun if I look hard enough. My heart was broke, lol. I'll have one some day, just not THAT one. Papershotshells |
December 5, 2013, 08:06 PM | #15 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 20, 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 953
|
Quote:
Stu |
|
December 5, 2013, 09:21 PM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 13, 2012
Location: SW FL
Posts: 953
|
I know where you can find a used 226 for under $500. If you're interested, I'll give you the site
|
December 5, 2013, 10:12 PM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 13, 2006
Location: western north carolina
Posts: 1,641
|
Funny, I suddenly realize how much discretionary money I don't have since giving up the credit cards!
I have found the exact opposite to be true I know have more to spend on what I want and it just took a couple of years to get over the hump of feeling " I have to have it now"
__________________
Every day Congress is in session we lose a little bit more of our Liberty. |
December 6, 2013, 08:51 AM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 16, 2011
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Posts: 647
|
Kevin:
Is it somewhere that will still have them available after the Christmas season is over? In any case, please PM it to me! Thanks! |
December 6, 2013, 08:54 AM | #19 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 16, 2011
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Posts: 647
|
I never look at Gander Mountain for guns. I was shopping for a Glock 17 a few years back and I found them to be $80 over everybody else who sold handguns in the area... One day I looked in the store and found that was not true of just Glocks, but true of almost all there guns. Why anyone would buy from them remains a mystery to me. Especially when I can drive 10 minutes down the road to Cabelas and get a better price and a better, more helpful shopping experiance.
|
December 6, 2013, 09:22 AM | #20 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 19, 2008
Location: SE PA
Posts: 336
|
I have credit cards, but I use them like debit cards sort of in that I never carry a balance into the next month. Credit cards are a bit safer, but you do need the discipline to keep in your limit. I think that over the 45 or so years that I have had credit cards I have carried a balance into the next month maybe 5 or 6 times at most. I have carried a balance into the third month once.
For all that, I do my drool buying in cash to avoid the temptation. I did get a WWI Model of 1917 S&W .45 revolver, but some idiot had reblued it so I only paid $950. It's still something deserving respect, so it stays in a wooden presentation case that I picked up. I also bought a Model 25-2 with 6 in. barrel - one of the true joys to shoot, cost me $750 (used).
__________________
Moron Lave (send a Congressman through the car wash) |
December 6, 2013, 09:26 AM | #21 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 22, 2013
Location: Virginia
Posts: 110
|
Gander Mountain recently opened up a store near me and I enjoy looking at their used gun inventory. They have a much better selection than anybody else around here, but their prices are way too high. I'll have to be content with window shopping there.
|
December 6, 2013, 11:59 AM | #22 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 16, 2011
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Posts: 647
|
I used to window shop gander mtn, but now a cabelas opened near me. So I Healy go there. Plus my daughter lives to look at the fish and animals.
|
December 6, 2013, 02:58 PM | #23 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 16, 2013
Posts: 128
|
i saw a customized glock from glockworx. a LGS had it for sale. the $949 pricetag made me not buy it
i also saw a colt anaconda .44 mag that was out of my price range so far the only 2 heartaches ive had |
December 6, 2013, 04:09 PM | #24 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 21, 2009
Location: Quadling Country
Posts: 2,780
|
Still waiting on my Wilson Combat Supergrade 1911. I only need 3400 more pounds of pennies.
__________________
Thus a man should endeavor to reach this high place of courage with all his heart, and, so trying, never be backward in war. |
December 6, 2013, 04:15 PM | #25 |
Senior Member
Join Date: August 3, 1999
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 2,991
|
Pre-25? (Model of 1955), yeah they are really nice. Here is 50 shots at 15 yrds offhand.
__________________
10mm and 357sig, the best things to come along since the 38 super! |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|