$600 to spend and nothing I need

Rothdel · January 2, 2018, 03:15 PM

Had a fun experience the other day. I won a $500 gift card to a local sporting goods store that despite being a "big box" store is a stellar place to buy firearms. Sales folks are generally very knowledgeable and if you catch them in a blind spot every one I have ever worked with was up front about not knowing the answer to the question and went to find the answer. All in all a fine place to shop for a gun. Anyway I digress.

So I had a $500 gift card and had some additional 2018 gun money saved up. With no other immediate "needs" and a gift card that was only good for sporting goods I had roughly $700 to spend on a firearm with no guilt trip from the spouse. Oh the joys of winning stuff.

Here is the best part. I was not expecting the windfall so had nothing on my radar in terms of a want. There are lots of guns I like and lots that I would like to own but when I look at my collection there is nothing that I see as an over all gap that I feel compelled to fill.

I can not express how much fun it was to walk into a store with out a clue as to what I was going to purchase and no expectation of success IE if I don't get X gun I will be disappointed.

So that's the question to you...... If you had $700 to spend in anyway you want what would you get?

I ended up picking up a CZ 75 SP01 which was way off my radar. Certainly did not need another 9MM but price was right and left enough that I was able to get some range ammo and an extra mag. All in all pretty happy with my pick up.

aarondhgraham · January 2, 2018, 04:03 PM

Last year I received a $700.00 refund from the IRS,,,
I had always used that money for a new gun.

Again, like you, I had nothing begging for a new home.

I've been to three major gun shows since then,,,
And am always prowling around Gunbroker.

Who would have ever thought that with only 65 guns to my name,,,
I would max out my wants and needs so early.

In a month or so I should receive the next refund to add to the total.

But you are correct about one thing,,,
Walking into a gun show with no worries at all is a good thing.

Aarond

.

FITASC · January 2, 2018, 04:14 PM

I wound up getting a second HK P7 for $600 two weeks before Thanksgiving. Nice plum slide; shoots great.

**Spats McGee** · January 2, 2018, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rothdel

. . . .I ended up picking up a CZ 75 SP01 which was way off my radar. Certainly did not need another 9MM but price was right and left enough that I was able to get some range ammo and an extra mag. All in all pretty happy with my pick up.

While I'm not very knowledgeable about CZs, it sounds like you did well. Congratulations on the win!

JWT · January 2, 2018, 05:51 PM

You certainly made a good choice with the CZ. Very good guns. You won't be disappointed at all.

Hobe Sound, Falcon · January 3, 2018, 06:33 PM

I can recommend one of the Star BM 9mm Pistols sold by Classic Firearms. I got one, made in 1976. Very Solid, no Slide Rattle at all! for a 42 Year old Pistol not bad! I paid the extra 20.00 Dollars for Hand Pick. The finish shows Wear, of course. The Star BM was made from 1972 to 1992. It is not a C&R Pistol. I got a set of new Grips for it off Gun broker, It came with Worn Black Plastic Grips, I got a new set of Brown ones to replace them. Great Pistol.

jimbob86 · January 3, 2018, 07:24 PM

A suppressor .... unsure which one or even which gun I'd want it for......

dakota.potts · January 3, 2018, 07:34 PM

I have the opposite problem... too many purchases I want to make and too few funds!

If I truly had nothing to spend it on, I would consider ammo, joining a nicer range, taking a couple of training courses, upgrading my eye and ear protection, or looking into some nice spotting optics/binoculars (if longer range shooting is your thing).

The SP-01 is a great choice. That is one of the guns I would love to have (eventually) for Steel Challenge/ Practical Shooting type competitions. I love my decockers for carry though, and I get by OK shooting my P-01 instead.

North East Redneck · January 3, 2018, 07:36 PM

I'd buy reloading components or factory produced ammo if the store did not stock powder, primers etc that I needed.

jimbob86 · January 3, 2018, 07:45 PM

Quote:

A suppressor .... unsure which one or even which gun I'd want it for......

.... but I doubt a box store would have those.

Kvon2 · January 4, 2018, 07:43 PM

I'd probably buy lots of ammo and clothing. Big box stores always have the over priced yet often really comfortable outdoors clothes.

Eazyeach · January 4, 2018, 09:01 PM

Ha, I wish I had your "problem". I've got about $3200 worth of guns I'd like to buy this year , but right now my budget is closer to $32

Machineguntony · January 4, 2018, 09:50 PM

These big box stores really have nothing that’s worthwhile. I know this from very personal experience. See if you can cash it out and take the cash.

jimbob86 · January 5, 2018, 11:00 PM

Quote:

These big box stores really have nothing that’s worthwhile.

Cabela's in La Vista had a whole lot of things I wanted today .... they are just overly proud of most of it ...... the dozens of K31's crowding the used racks ..... nice, but not $700 nice.

ms6852 · January 6, 2018, 01:13 AM

If you do not own a chrono, I would recommend the Labradar.

kozak6 · January 6, 2018, 02:39 AM

Reloading setup and supplies, chronograph, ammo.

If you have no interest in ballistics or reloading, buy ammo. Seriously.

What about your family? Any favorite nephews need a 10/22?

hemiram · January 6, 2018, 03:56 AM

If I had some cash right now, I would be looking hard on GB at 4" S&W 28's.

Guilty · January 6, 2018, 11:30 PM

Without a doubt, I'd get a Trijicon RMR RM08G 12.9 MOA Green Triangle. In fact, this is next on my list after I send in a VP9 slide to be milled to accept the Trijicon RMR.

SamNavy · January 7, 2018, 04:53 AM

This advice is too late, but in the future... buy every round of .22lr you can... thank me in late October 2020.

T. O'Heir · January 7, 2018, 03:01 PM

Stop thinking "I need." and think "I want."
"...dozens of K31's..." Wouldn't trust Cabela's for milsurps. Saw(not recently) M1's in the Dundee shop that were way over priced for the condition. Pretty much junkers at $775US.

Capt Rick Hiott · January 7, 2018, 03:10 PM

It would be a nice down payment on a 50BMG
https://serbu.com/products/rn-50

ThomasT · January 7, 2018, 10:22 PM

I would buy a couple of higher quality scopes. I have plenty of rifles and handguns and have about replaced all my budget scopes so some good glass would be at the top of my list.

lefteye · January 8, 2018, 02:54 AM

I agree with ratshooter: better scopes.

Scorch · January 9, 2018, 04:13 AM

Quote:

$600 to spend and nothing I need

Explain to me again how "need" enters into the discussion.

January 2, 2018, 03:15 PM	#1
Rothdel Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2015 Posts: 190	$600 to spend and nothing I need Had a fun experience the other day. I won a $500 gift card to a local sporting goods store that despite being a "big box" store is a stellar place to buy firearms. Sales folks are generally very knowledgeable and if you catch them in a blind spot every one I have ever worked with was up front about not knowing the answer to the question and went to find the answer. All in all a fine place to shop for a gun. Anyway I digress. So I had a $500 gift card and had some additional 2018 gun money saved up. With no other immediate "needs" and a gift card that was only good for sporting goods I had roughly $700 to spend on a firearm with no guilt trip from the spouse. Oh the joys of winning stuff. Here is the best part. I was not expecting the windfall so had nothing on my radar in terms of a want. There are lots of guns I like and lots that I would like to own but when I look at my collection there is nothing that I see as an over all gap that I feel compelled to fill. I can not express how much fun it was to walk into a store with out a clue as to what I was going to purchase and no expectation of success IE if I don't get X gun I will be disappointed. So that's the question to you...... If you had $700 to spend in anyway you want what would you get? I ended up picking up a CZ 75 SP01 which was way off my radar. Certainly did not need another 9MM but price was right and left enough that I was able to get some range ammo and an extra mag. All in all pretty happy with my pick up.

January 2, 2018, 04:03 PM	#2
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	I'm in exactly the same boat as you,,, Last year I received a $700.00 refund from the IRS,,, I had always used that money for a new gun. Again, like you, I had nothing begging for a new home. I've been to three major gun shows since then,,, And am always prowling around Gunbroker. Who would have ever thought that with only 65 guns to my name,,, I would max out my wants and needs so early. In a month or so I should receive the next refund to add to the total. But you are correct about one thing,,, Walking into a gun show with no worries at all is a good thing. Aarond . __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

January 2, 2018, 04:14 PM	#3
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,443	I wound up getting a second HK P7 for $600 two weeks before Thanksgiving. Nice plum slide; shoots great. __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

January 3, 2018, 06:33 PM	#6
Hobe Sound, Falcon Member Join Date: November 12, 2017 Location: Hobe Sound, Fla. Posts: 27	I can recommend one of the Star BM 9mm Pistols sold by Classic Firearms. I got one, made in 1976. Very Solid, no Slide Rattle at all! for a 42 Year old Pistol not bad! I paid the extra 20.00 Dollars for Hand Pick. The finish shows Wear, of course. The Star BM was made from 1972 to 1992. It is not a C&R Pistol. I got a set of new Grips for it off Gun broker, It came with Worn Black Plastic Grips, I got a new set of Brown ones to replace them. Great Pistol. __________________ Honored Nephew of RM2. Robert E. Truitt, C-Division, U.S.S. Indianapolis, CA-35, 30-July, 1945. In loving Memory of CW4. Paul E. Truitt, 22-September, 1929, 23 February, 2018

January 3, 2018, 07:34 PM	#8
dakota.potts Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2013 Location: Keystone Heights, Florida Posts: 3,084	I have the opposite problem... too many purchases I want to make and too few funds! If I truly had nothing to spend it on, I would consider ammo, joining a nicer range, taking a couple of training courses, upgrading my eye and ear protection, or looking into some nice spotting optics/binoculars (if longer range shooting is your thing). The SP-01 is a great choice. That is one of the guns I would love to have (eventually) for Steel Challenge/ Practical Shooting type competitions. I love my decockers for carry though, and I get by OK shooting my P-01 instead. __________________ Certified Gunsmith (On Hiatus) Certified Armorer - H&K and Glock Among Others You can find my writings at my website, pottsprecision.com.

January 2, 2018, 05:51 PM	#5
JWT Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 3,888	You certainly made a good choice with the CZ. Very good guns. You won't be disappointed at all.

January 3, 2018, 07:24 PM	#7
jimbob86 Junior member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 8,722	A suppressor .... unsure which one or even which gun I'd want it for......

January 3, 2018, 07:36 PM	#9
North East Redneck Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2012 Location: Berkshire Hills Posts: 741	I'd buy reloading components or factory produced ammo if the store did not stock powder, primers etc that I needed. __________________ NRA Patron Member SAF Life Member GOAL Member

January 4, 2018, 07:43 PM	#11
Kvon2 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2016 Posts: 757	I'd probably buy lots of ammo and clothing. Big box stores always have the over priced yet often really comfortable outdoors clothes.

January 4, 2018, 09:01 PM	#12
Eazyeach Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2014 Posts: 706	Ha, I wish I had your "problem". I've got about $3200 worth of guns I'd like to buy this year , but right now my budget is closer to $32

January 4, 2018, 09:50 PM	#13
Machineguntony Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 2013 Posts: 1,277	These big box stores really have nothing that’s worthwhile. I know this from very personal experience. See if you can cash it out and take the cash. __________________ Sent from Motorola DynaTac 8000x

January 6, 2018, 01:13 AM	#15
ms6852 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,394	If you do not own a chrono, I would recommend the Labradar. __________________ ONLY TWO DEFINING FORCES HAVE GIVEN UP THEIR LIVES FOR YOU. ONE IS JESUS CHRIST FOR YOUR SOUL AND THE OTHER IS THE AMERICAN SOLDIER FOR YOUR FREEDOM.

January 6, 2018, 02:39 AM	#16
kozak6 Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2005 Location: AZ Posts: 3,113	Reloading setup and supplies, chronograph, ammo. If you have no interest in ballistics or reloading, buy ammo. Seriously. What about your family? Any favorite nephews need a 10/22?

January 6, 2018, 03:56 AM	#17
hemiram Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2005 Location: Toledo, ohio Posts: 762	If I had some cash right now, I would be looking hard on GB at 4" S&W 28's.

January 6, 2018, 11:30 PM	#18
Guilty Member Join Date: November 9, 2012 Posts: 54	Without a doubt, I'd get a Trijicon RMR RM08G 12.9 MOA Green Triangle. In fact, this is next on my list after I send in a VP9 slide to be milled to accept the Trijicon RMR.

January 7, 2018, 04:53 AM	#19
SamNavy Senior Member Join Date: August 28, 2011 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 433	This advice is too late, but in the future... buy every round of .22lr you can... thank me in late October 2020.

January 7, 2018, 03:01 PM	#20
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Stop thinking "I need." and think "I want." "...dozens of K31's..." Wouldn't trust Cabela's for milsurps. Saw(not recently) M1's in the Dundee shop that were way over priced for the condition. Pretty much junkers at $775US. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

January 7, 2018, 03:10 PM	#21
Capt Rick Hiott Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2010 Posts: 376	It would be a nice down payment on a 50BMG https://serbu.com/products/rn-50 __________________ Capt Rick Hiott Charleston,SC

January 7, 2018, 10:22 PM	#22
ThomasT Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 2,753	I would buy a couple of higher quality scopes. I have plenty of rifles and handguns and have about replaced all my budget scopes so some good glass would be at the top of my list.

January 8, 2018, 02:54 AM	#23
lefteye Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2006 Posts: 1,433	I agree with ratshooter: better scopes. __________________ Vietnam Veteran ('69-'70) NRA Life Member RMEF Life Member