new 2 pistols & revolvers
- Thread starter Kota270
- Start date
Then it's gonna get expensive! Especially if you shoot a lot.
I'm not trying to sway you off your choices but wouldn't 9mm be the natural progression here?
I've always like 1911's so that's my picks, for what it's worth
. Then again, you have a pistol and revolvers are a ton of fun. Sorry, I'm not helping...
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Between the .357 and .45 I would go with the .357. The ability to shoot .38 Special means cheap practice (.38 is almost on par with 9mm) and you don't spray cases all over the place, so if/when you do get into reloading you have all your brass kicking around in good condition. .45 is quite a bit pricier and my 1911 likes to chuck it's brass like crazy, and I'm not a huge fan of chasing my brass around after every few mags to make sure no one else picks mine up!
If you enjoy shooting semi's and shooting them fast then you will need more mags and lots of ammo. If you don't reload it's going to get expensive especially .45 (or anything starting with .4x for that matter)
A .357mag revolver is a great way to shoot something different with the option of either .38/.357
Look for a used Ruger on the EE. They're priced decently and can be had in both stainless or blued.
If you really want to go semi...get a 9mm. Once you start shooting center fire your .22lr will see less action and you will probably want to sell it. When you do get the .45
A .357mag revolver is a great way to shoot something different with the option of either .38/.357
Look for a used Ruger on the EE. They're priced decently and can be had in both stainless or blued.
If you really want to go semi...get a 9mm. Once you start shooting center fire your .22lr will see less action and you will probably want to sell it. When you do get the .45
Personally, I disagree.
Always have a .22, it's a great tool for going back to the fundementals. Plus, you can shoot for days without breaking the bank. It's probably the most fun you can have with a pistol.
Bigger ain't ALWAYS better
.P.S. Yes, I'm selling mine but there's always another one in the safe.
A Ruger GP100 is a nice .38S/.357Mag Dual Action revolver in stainless. If you start with the .357M than you can shoot .38 Special but if you get a .38S you can't shoot .357 Mag. rounds. If you don't mind the single action a Ruger Blackhawk is good and it is available as a Convertable that will allow you to shoot 9mm as well as .38/.357Mag. basically the same cost but allows the 9mm round as well. What not to like?
As far as a 1911 style I would recommend going .45ACP just because that is the round the 1911 was designed for. I like my pistols in steel and the 1911 is a beauty to look at, eye candy. The weight and feel in my hand is like gun #### to me! STI makes a good lower priced 1911 but the new Ruger is stainless and when available would be worth looking at as well.
Good luck with your choice.
JimmieA.
As far as a 1911 style I would recommend going .45ACP just because that is the round the 1911 was designed for. I like my pistols in steel and the 1911 is a beauty to look at, eye candy. The weight and feel in my hand is like gun #### to me! STI makes a good lower priced 1911 but the new Ruger is stainless and when available would be worth looking at as well.
Good luck with your choice.
JimmieA.
So you already realise you will get the other one eventually. Flip a coin, or choose the .357Magnum revolver first for the reason already mentioned by others, use can use cheaper .38Special ammo to help save faster for the 1911.
easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
Simple answer...357 Magnum revolver first. For training purposes, the DA pull of a revolver will teach you much about handgun shooting, my experience only...but what do I know. Of course, shoot .38 spl rounds only...forget full load .357 Mag while you are still learning to shoot. While I love my S&Ws, get a Ruger GP100 6 inch barrel preferably in stainless steel. Best all round revolver for my money, bar none.
In my experience, a .22 handgun is a lot of fun and for shooting basics, it is definitely a great teaching aid. But after a few thousand rounds, it will not teach you anything that dry firing won't. I sold my .22 semi and traded my .22 revolver and not missed them one bit. I don't compete anymore (hope to get back to it) but even when I did...I never shot my .22 handguns to practice for IPSC/Bianchi type competitions.
About reloading...unless you are made of cash, you are going to miss half your life if you don't. You cannot afford to not reload, my friend. IMO, after the 357, your next purchase should be a reloader.
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From your criteria, I'd also vote for the Ruger GP100 in ss, great value for the money, great practice with the double action trigger, ability to shoot .38 and .357, no brass to chase down....I love mine, my favorite pistol to practice with I believe, and I have 4 Sig autos in the safe to go with it (1911 SS carry, P220 Equinox .45ACP, P226R in 9mm, Mosquito .22LR). I usually go to the range with a couple of the Sigs, but always with the Ruger. Buy it, save for the 1911, then get a good one.
If you know which model and brand you want then get whichever nice one shows up first.
But if you want to shoot a lot I'd suggest that your next batch of fun money goes towards a reloading setup before you buy the "other" gun. Even .38Spl isn't all that cheap to shoot compared to 9mm. It's cheaper than .45acp but still enough more than 9 that it's worth looking at reloading pretty darn soon.
But if you want to shoot a lot I'd suggest that your next batch of fun money goes towards a reloading setup before you buy the "other" gun. Even .38Spl isn't all that cheap to shoot compared to 9mm. It's cheaper than .45acp but still enough more than 9 that it's worth looking at reloading pretty darn soon.
Sounds like a 9mm Spartan would be the perfect choice if you want to go 1911 style. Don't overlook the SAM 9mm's available in the 500$ range if you want to spend a little less. A ruger GP100 is excellent value for the money if you decide to go the revolver route.
Needless to say, get a 357 mag revolver first, you can use it to shoot 38spl, 38+p and 357mag, reload for these cal is next to nothing. A good used 357mag, namely S&W 686 or Ruger Gp-100 will give you a life time enjoyment.
Trigun
Trigun
Thanks for all the great tips!! I'm going to start reloading after I make this purchase(some time this fall 2012). But I think I'm going to go with a revolver, I love the way the gp 100 ss feels and have shot similar revolvers. As for a 45cal. I'll keep my eyes open. 
But when that time comes, it will be a 45cal vs 9mm for me and who knows what will happen then. I will post pics of my new toy later. Thanks!
But when that time comes, it will be a 45cal vs 9mm for me and who knows what will happen then. I will post pics of my new toy later. Thanks!
- Location
- SW Ontario
For what it's worth, after many years of long gun only shooting I got into handguns a couple of years ago. My order of purchase was S&W 22A, S&W M&P 9mm, and S&W 686 .357. The .22 is a hoot to shoot as you know, and cheap to run. The 9mm is a nice caliber to start shooting center-fire with because of relatively low recoil, relative economy for ammo, and if you decide to take up any action shooting sports it's great for that too. Although I'm not a hard core competitor, I dabble in IDPA and the M&P is great for that. The 686 I bought because I have always thought I would like a revolver, and I am right in love with it now. You will definetly want to start reloading once you get into the center-fires.
