Thinking bout handgunning 6k budget

What might be helpful is to take a portion of your budget and use it to visit ranges that rent handguns either here or in the U.S. Putting a box or two through a specific pistol is very good way to decide if you'd like to own it.
 
I would go a classic for the 1911, Colt Government or National Match (45 nach) they tend to be target pistols so no 147gr ball unless you ramp up the spring - That will see of $1000-1200 2nd hand
A Pardini GT9 - very tasty - budget about $3k all in new (v hard to find 2nd hand) I would go 5" barrel
For the third - a nice fun and classy 22 - Can't beat the Hammerli X-esse - if you lean towards target - 6" barrel or just go with the shorter barrel. You have to buy new - so budget $1000

There - you have about $800 left (assuming the budget is is Capex we can assume ammo / range fees etc are Opex) - you said eyes were a bit screwed - buy a nice pair of shooting glasses and a clip on iris - can look goofy - and maybe your shooting buddies will take the micky... but essential for focusing on the front sight.

The outlier is the 22 - but it is a winner. I would not drop more than $1200 on a 45 - law of diminishing returns (they are an old design - classic but old - I know howls of protest - but you drive a modern car and keep the Model T in the garage for a sunny day) and the Pardini - a classy pistol.

Please PM me if you have questions as to why I recommend those - (and BTW apart from the colt, they are very hard to find 'on the range' or your buddies collection or range rentals )
 
For a $6k budget, I would contact the folks at Freedom Ventures in Halifax and arrange to go there to take a look at some of the offerings from STI and/or Tanfoglio in person. (Although they don't have a traditional storefront according to their website, I'm sure that your budget would get you an in person consultation.)

Once you see the products in person, and ask them any questions that you have, you will be able to make an informed decision about what is best for you. The best that any of us can do is to tell you variations of "if I had $6k, I'd go for ___________."
 
I could give my 2 cents on what to spend your money on (so east spending others cash) but it really comes down to personal preference.

The only useful advice I can give (as others here already have) is handle as many as possible before making a final decision. Narrow it down to what features you're most interested in, and see what fits your hands the best.

Post some pics when you figure it out. Safe shooting!
 
With 6K fack STI and go SV infinity 1911
Oh wait you might lack the budget for the nice model, 6K will grant you a basic SV infinity pistol
 
I have 3 STIs and the cheapest one used was still over $2k. New ones, especially custom, will drive the price well over $6k each. I also have a Norinco that cost me $330 all in! It is accurate and now fairly smooth after the trigger work, but certainly not as refined as the STIs. Don't call them chaff till you try one. One thing to consider is you can not take Chinese firearms into the USA if you are travelling.

You have to decide what you want. It may take you some time to find what is right for you. I am still looking for the right gun for me, but after 10s of thousands of rounds, I have a pretty good idea of what I don't like when I pick one up and fire it. You should like how it feels in your hands right from the start, even if it means having different grips to try, before you buy it. This may be hard to do, but having shooting friends can help. Do you want or need a narrow frame (single stack)? How does the trigger feel or sit on your finger? Do you need/want a DA trigger or do you only want a SA trigger? Next, the sights have to work for you. Older eyed shooters know what I mean. In other words, what sights are available if needed.

You have got the best advice already, try to fire the guns before you buy one. This is easy to do in the USA, but not so easy to do in Canada depending where you live. However, you would be surprised to know how many gun nuts with many different pistols are probably close by you; you just have to find them.
 
At your level of budget an higher end STI, Dan Wesson or even a Les Baer for a 1911. You won't go wrong with any of those.

For a 9mm I've never shot a Sig P210 but they sure do get some glowing reviews. That aside when I started out I shot all the 9's available at the local rental range. The one that rose to the top of all of them was the CZ Shadow. The Shadow was a tuned up IPSC gun. But it showed me what it COULD be with a little work even if it does not come that way out of the box. Fit in the hand and feel of the trigger was nigh on heavenly. I felt much the same about a CZ Tactical Sport single action that I got to try a little later. The crisp short travel single action trigger was the cherry on top where the tuned Shadow was "only" the strawberry sundae.

And I'll also echo a few others in saying that if you don't include a revolver then you are missing out on a whole other side of handgunning.
 
Sig 226 9mm , Beretta 92fs inox 9 mm upgrade both guide rods short trigger pull kits etc
1911 Well that is where its wide open so many choices with the money you have budgeted id say a nice wilson combat
or the like many custom 1911 available
safe shooting
 
Hmmm, $6K, why only three ?? I would go for the "Must" have, which you will probably end anyway, but would not go for highest price,...

- $1200 : a 1911, I suggest the SR1911 (all 1911 should be .45acp), it will do the same as any $2000+ 1911...
- $1200 : CZ Shadow (9mm)
- $1000 : Beretta 92fs (9mm)
- $800 : Uberti conversion "Man with no name", .38 Revolver, NICE piece to have :)
- $750 : Ruger Mark III bull barrell, .22, all black, nice to introduce anyone and cheap ammoo
- $1000 : Glock 17 or 19 (9mm) if you want a polymere gun
- $1000 : S&W 686p (7 rounds) revolver, .357 magnum
 
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I would go to your local range and see who you could buy a few box's of ammo for to try a few guns.

Also go to a gun store and handle as many as you can!!
 
Rangerz521 said:
Hello

Thinking about entering the handgun world...would like to purchase three guns for a total of about 6k...one should be a 1911...very open on other suggestions...I think I would like to stay 9mil and maybe a 45... thoughts are welcome.

I wont shoot competition but I expect all my guns to send bullets where I am....also Im in my 50's so super fine sights arenot a good idea.

Thanks
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Pick a quality brand you like and spend the rest on ammo and training.
 
Curious if any one knows of ranges that rent high end-guns (not talking a DE or 500S&W). I'd make a special visit. Same with going to ranges to try out stuff. I just don't see much variety, at least where I shoot or have shot. And, unless you live close to one of the handful of gun stores in Canada that carry a lot of restricteds, most stores are pretty limited too. Anyway, I've only been able to find what I like through buying and selling (granted, there is stuff I knew had to have regardless of holding and shooting). Sometimes I think it would be neat to organize some range days in various places where members can get together and try out each others kit.
 
gdawg said:
Sometimes I think it would be neat to organize some range days in various places where members can get together and try out each others kit.
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Yesssss..... but I notice you don't show your location in your profile...... :(

I think this idea deserves a new thread.

Rob!
 
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