If you have $1500 to spend on a "defense" pistol

[jekla]

what would you buy?

want to find out whats the best $1500 pistol for TFL members. :)

[fyrestarter]

Easy, two Glock 19's and four Hi-cap mags.

:)

Or, failing that, I'll take a Colt Commander with a Meltdown treatment by Clark Custom Guns:

http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/images/md45.jpg

I'll take mine with bone grips, please...

[PATH]

Well I have had my eye on the new Kimbers. Why torture myself? That ain't gonna happen any time soon! :(

[croyance]

Home defense? Carry gun?

A Kimber or Springfield 1911, a used HiPower. Quality magazines for both. Already have the holsters, belt, and magazine carriers for both. May have enough for a Mak or two, depending on model of Kimber bought.

Or I could get 3-4 CZ-75B's and some magazines. Stash the extras in useful places.

[Hal]

I figure if I'm in it for $1500, then I'm willing to go higher but stay under $2000.

The Ed Brown Kobra lists for $1895.

[IanS]

Two SIGs (P226, P228, or P220ST) or two Glocks (9mm or .40). Stick Nightsights on them, lots of mags, and lots of ammo.

But if I HAD to buy 1 handgun for $1500 + I'd probably consider:

Colt Gunsite or Special Combat

SA Professional

(If I lived outside of CA that is :mad: )

So the H&K P7/M8 or Colt NRM M1991A1 with some customizations for me realistically. That'd still be cool with me. Anyone got $1500? :D

[MrAcheson]

A BHP with new grips, hicap mags, and good gunleather. Maybe a bersa .380 with a spare mag and good leather for warm weather. Use the rest of the money for ammo and training.

[BigG]

Colt Enhanced Gold Cup, leather, and a couple cases of ammo. :cool:

[JoeHatley]

This S&W 952, and enough left over for 3 cases of ammo. Which is exactly what I did, a couple of weeks ago.

http://www.iowatelecom.net/~hatley/952_r.jpg

Great shooter...

Joe

[lee n. field]

Ruger .45, extra mags, decent holster, and attendance at LFI 1.

[FirstFreedom]

We talkin home defense or CCW?

If CCW, then:

1. New: Kimber CDP II Compact, with some $ left over
2. Used: Wilson CQB Compact

If home defense:

1. New: HK USP Expert, .45 acp/Super, or a CZ 75BD in .40S&W, with lots of $$ left over (but I'd spend my left over $$ on hookers instead of extra mags & ammo....JK :) ).

2. Used: Same I guess

Damn I wish those S&W jokers would actually repudiate the agreement instead of just giving lip service, so that I could get a Performance Center 952, and a 610 revo. :(

[Handy]

A P7M8 and 2000 rounds of practice ammo.

[JohnK]

$500-600 gun, $100(ish) on a top notch holster, a class at Thunder Ranch, and a lot of ammo with what's left over.

An accurate, reliable, comfortable $500 gun will protect you just as well as an accurate, reliable, comfortable $1,500 gun but the extra money on training and accessories could make the difference if you actually need to use it. Plus attending a training class at a top school will give you memories for life.

[Brian Williams]

Whatever I could find in an original U.S. GI, barring that a S&W 13 around $400 and lots of ammo

[Tommy Vercetti]

$1500 dollars for one gun..I'd get one of those really nice Kimbers :)

[Rinspeed]

This kind of easy for me as I just bought a Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special.

Jeff

[topspin]

A $600.00 GLOCK 30 and stick the rest of the money in my Mutual Fund. :)

[Jiml3]

A Sig P229 in 40 S&W and a CZ 75 BD PCR as backup. Whatever is left over for ammo and some holsters.

Jiml3

[natedog]

MKIII Hi-Power w/ extended safety, trigger job, and night sights. ($900)

Milt Sparks Versa-Max ($100)

Milt Sparks belt ($150)

Spend the rest on ammo and magazines.

[Arc Angel]

I figure if I'm in it for $1500, then I'm willing to go higher but stay under $2000. The Ed Brown Kobra lists for $1895.

There ya go! ;)

A P7M8 and 2000 rounds of practice ammo.

Almost! How about an H&K P7M13 and 3 high caps? :cool:

[LAK]

By jingo; if I had upward of $1500 to spend on a pistol I'd go hunting for a SIG 210 - or I'd cheat and spend it on another rifle.

[tomgow29]

If it is a home defense pistol it would be:

Springfield Mil-Spec Operator
M-3 Light
1/2 dozen Wilson 47d's
Lots and Lots of Practice Ammo

For CCW
Colt Lightweigh Commander
Kramer Belt Slide
Dehorn & Night Sights
1/2 Dozen Wilson 47d's
Lots and Lots of Practice Ammo

WATCH YOUR SIX
Tom

[Boats]

CZ-85B and a drive to Thunder Ranch for a week long course. :)

[Rob96]

NRM Colt 1991A1 or a Glock 19, plus accessories. If I had to spend it all on just one gun, I would go either with the Wilson CQB or the Brown Executive or Les Baer .

[readyfire]

Id buy 2 SA milspec 1911s and use the rest for leather and any creature comforts.

[GeneL74]

If I had $1500 to blow on a new pistol, it would definitely be THIS (http://www.rockriverarms.com/item-detail.cfm?ID=PS2200&storeid=1&image=pec.gif) (5" model).

[DiN BLiX]

.50 calibar desert eagle. if i could own only ONE gun that would be it.

[Hotbarrel]

For that money I'd get a pair of CZ-97B's -one blue-chromed, one black, four extra mags for each and spend the rest on ammo and range time.

[roscoe]

CZ-75 (9mm) for range/home defense, CZ Raami (9mm) for concealed carry, a Security Six in .357 for killing rhino/bear/sasquatch while walking in the woods, $200 in ammo and $400 for training. You would have every angle covered, as far as I am concerned.

I am a 9mm fan (you could also go .40 with the CZ pistols), but I also think that .357 is the most versatile round out there.

[postal1911]

KIMBER GOLD COMBAT
all that and a bag of chips

[Spirex288]

I'd buy a nice 1911 with that kind of money. I've owned a Thunder Ranch Special and it's quite a bargain at that price (<$1700). Wouldn't hessitate to buy another one for a defensive pistol.

[prowler]

Any Les Baer with 1.5" @ 50 yards should do it for me.

[trapshooter]

BTDT. :D

1991A1 Frankengun. It was a fun project. Still need to upgrade the sights, so I'll be over the price point specified. Heck, I already am. ;)

In the end, I'm no more or less confident in a pricey gun than I am in a reliable El Cheapo that shoots well. (Translated, a solid old S&W revolver). :cool:

OTOH, 'personalization' is half the fun. I don't think I'd drop this kind of money on someone else's version of what I should have. But then, if it was cool enough with the right stuff..... :D

[Tamara]

If somebody handed me $1500 and said: "You must spend this on a 'defense' pistol...", I'd call Caspian and get a frame & slide and season to taste.

[trapshooter]

Tamara,

What you said reminded me of why I bought the Colt. I didn't intend to use it except as a 'lower' for a Mech Tech CCU. Then I was sitting around the house one day with a Brownells catalog.... ;)

Had I known, I probably would have started off your way. :rolleyes:

[cratz2]

Hrmm... Probably still have a CZ PCR or P-01. Along with a Cadet conversion and a super crap load of ammo.

Or the gun, ammo and a couple defensive shooting courses. ;)

[sabalo]

Any Les Baer 1911 in that price range.

[JohnKSa]

Lots of mags and lots of ammo with the remaining thousand dollars...

[Labuyo]

$1500 is too much money for a single stack, IMO. ;)
Or maybe just get a known, reliable production gun (i.e. Glock, USP, CZ, Ruger, BHP...etc) and spend the rest on ammo and/or get an AK47 clone along with it. But hey, its your money! spend it as you see fit! :)

[horge]

If you have $1500 to spend on a "defense" pistol

http://mabma.thereeftank.com/postpics/cz75auto.jpg


:)
horge

[Gewehr98]

Ie, Caspian frame and slide, Kart barrel, and other select bits of quality manufacture. Which is exactly what I did for my CCW pistol, seen here with parkerizing worn from daily holster carry:

http://mauser98.com/caspianbootfighter.jpg

[T.Stahl]

Uh, $1500? That equals EU1240. So let's sum it up:

Glock17L: 665.-
five highcaps (17-19): 88.-
four highercaps (31-33): 128.-
Bubits stock: 76.-
Agrip: 20.-
adj. Mepros: 165.-
-----------------------
Total: EU1142.-

That leaves EU98 for ammo to fill the magazines. :D

[LiveWire]

Any Les Baer with 1.5" @ 50 yards should do it for me.prowler: you won't get this kind of precision out of a Baer for a mere $1500. More like 3" @ 50. A 1.5" gun is a cutom job by Les Baer's own account. You're looking more at $2000, and probably more. :)

For the money in question, I'd buy a good base 1911 (Colt, Springfield, Kimber) and do all the mods myself.

[Labuyo]

Horge,
can you brighten up that pic, pls! Is that a compensator on that CZ? :)

[goalie]

A glock 17, a Comp-Tac C-TAC IWB holster, a Blade-Tec kydex OWB holster, 3 Blade-tec mag pouches, a Wilderness belt and 8,000 round of Blazer ammo delivered from Natchez. :)

[jercamp45]

Like the idea for a Commander's trip to Clark for a Meltdown!
Like the idea of one stop shopping at Caspian for a truely personal 1911 built to my tastes!!
Like the idea of using the money for a his and her adventure to Thunder Ranch(Oregon) for a week of training.
But, still waiting for the 15 'c' notes!
Jercamp45

[horge]

Labuyo, yes, that was a compensator (compensated barrel) :)
No full-auto Beretta's available here, hence the CZ75 Selekt Auto.
Don't come too cheap, though, hehe...

[Labuyo]

Thanks! I knew there's somethin' more to it than just the comp! :)

[horge]

:)
Here's a webpage with a better view and descrip of the CZ 75 Selekt :)

http://www.securityarms.com/20010315/galleryfiles/1600/1645.htm

BTW, nice handle, 'labuyo'.
:)

[claude783]

OK, $15,00, lets see, probably a couple of S&W 686"s . The 357 is pretty versital.

The rest of the money on holster, ammo,etc.

[Black Majik]

If I was given $1500 to spend on a defensive pistol (not plural), I'd go for a Colt Government.

I'd tell the person that gave me the 1500 that it cost that much and use the extra money on lots of ammo and defensive pistol courses.

Gotta learn to shoot straight somewhere.

[strambo]

Springfield GI Milspec ~$425
Ted Yost 1* package $795 http://www.yost-bonitz.com/photos/1asterisk/
+ front strap serrations $125
+ lower/flare ejection port $55
= $1400 that leaves $100 for a Brommeland Def-Con holster and one more magazine. I already have components for loadin' ammo :)

[GroovedG19]

HK USP Tactical.Replace adjustable sights with NightSights.A gang of standard cap mags.And a couple cases of various popular JHP's(dots, sabers, rangers, etc.) :cool:

[tpdtom]

You know , there are so many folks here with different answers , and they are mostly good ones . I couldn't argue with the guys who said to buy a basic 1911 from a quality manufacturer like SA or Kimber or Colt and spend the rest on ammo and a great belt and holster plus training . That's a fabulous plan :) ! I also couldn't argue with an H&K USP .45 or a Sig or a Glock . But I suspect that you have $1500 that you are willing to spend and really want to know what the forum members think is the best gun for that amount of money . That's a tough one ! But the figure $1500 rings a bell with me . I spent $1425 on my Les Baer Concept VII and I also read A. Johnston's review of his Les Baer Thunder Ranch on another forum. AFTER 22,000 ROUNDS he had 4 failures I believe , and being a true disciple of Clint's he now only uses American Eagle FMJ 230 gr ammo and ONLY Wilson 7 round mags . The theory is that Browning designed the 1911 for hardball ammo and that is enough in the .45 platform to stop a threat . You are minimizing things that can go wrong with that and the most reliable mags in the industry .

I can't say that the Thunder Ranch is the BEST gun for $1500 , or that you can even get one for quite that (you might have to kick in $100) . There are others in that same price range that are arguably as good , but none better with as many carefully thought out features . Go to www.gunsamerica.com and look under Les Baer pistols to see . A guy could make lots of worse choices...Tom

[prowler]

Les Baer is one of the best choice, I got one last year from Les Baer at the Shot Show in Vegas, It is a Premeir II Super Tac with Baer coat, 2.5# triger job night sight and 1.5" at 50 yards still in the box did not fire yet because I love to use my TGO 1 and the Wilson Protectot first, one of these day I will take my Les Baer to try it out.

[Chui]

One choice:

Kimber TLE II, Galco Royal Gyard IWB holster, five Wilson 47D magazines and lots of trips to Walmart.

Another choice:

Springfield TRP and ammo (I already have abovementioned gear).

Another choice:

H&K P2000, Galco IWB holster, five additional mags and lots of trips to Walmart.

And another:

SIG P226, several 15 rd magazines, IWB holster and lots of trips to Walmart.


Take your pick.

[Michael_2112]

I might as well go with what I'm already planning to purchase:

S&W 642 $320
CT LG-305 $200

Hmmmmm... ok, still only at: $520

We can add a great home defense option as well.

Remington 870 Marine $470

Still plenty of money left over for practice, ammo, and holsters.

If $1500 for just one pistol? I'm not really sure as to which specifically it would be...but it would be a 1911!



Sounds good to me,
Mike

[Rusty S]

Buy ten Makarovs. Stash them around. Wear one.

[OF]

I don't know how much the going price is, but I'd put the $1500 towards a Hilton Yam 10-8 (http://signaturegrade.com/sg/10-8.html).

http://signaturegrade.com/sg/images/thumbs/10-8fullviewmd.jpg

- Gabe

[rifle59]

Les Baer: Premier or TRS. Accurate/no extra tuning needed/very reliable :D

[Marko Kloos]

If I had a $1,500 budget for a carry piece, I'd track down a nice Colt Delta Elite and hand it to my gunsmith to imbue it.

[JNewell]

Two reliable $700 pistols, one to shoot like crazy for training and the other to carry after confirming that it will shoot your carry ammo reliably. Spend the change on training, ammo and/or mags.

[glock.40cal]

a 4" kimber stainless,novak low mount night sites,4 wilson combat mags,and a kramer strong side holster strapless :D