Hankerin' for a new piece. Suggestions?

[Smaug]

The theme of my collection is Variety.

Here's some information to help you guide me in this important decision:

• I shoot mostly handguns. There's a local range that accommodates shotgun and rifles and airguns, but it's expensive. ($200 first year, + $10 per visit. $85/year subsequent years)
• I went through an airgun kick the last 6 years or so. Tried field target. I love air rifles more than powderburner rifles now as they can be shot a lot more places and have plenty of power for small game.

My current collection:

RIFLES:

• Marlin 60; 22LR semi-auto rifle, tube fed mag
• Marlin 39M "Mountie"; a nice lever-action 22 rimfire
• Marlin 1894 in 44 Mag; lever action
• Ruger 77/22; 22LR bolt action - very accurate
• Remington 788 in 6 mm Rem. (bolt action) I handload for this, since factory ammo is mostly extinct. Not that accurate.

HANDGUNS:

• 7.5" Ruger Redhawk in 44 Mag
• 3" Ruger SP-101 in 357
• 6-7/8" Ruger Mk. II Target model (tapered bull barrel)
• 2" Ruger LCR in 38 (CCW)
• Sig Sauer P365 in 9 mm (CCW)
• 4" S&W 19 in 357
• 5" Springfield XD-45 Tactical
• 5" Charles Daly Hi Power
• 5" H&R 22 Special (break-top 22 rimfire revolver)

IDEAS SO FAR:

• Beretta CX4 carbine in 9 mm. I figure this would be fun and accurate out to at least 50 yards, and would use cheap ammo.
• Mossberg 500 shotty. I don't have a shotgun and I think with this gun, I could get a bird barrel that would take chokes and try skeet/trap shooting. I guess I would never be competitive with a pump gun, but it would still be fun. I could get this with a short barrel as a home defense option and add a slug barrel later for possible deer hunting? I'm not sure I would end up using it much, though.
• 4" S&W Model 10 for my wife. She likes the 19, but finds it a bit heavy. The skinnier barrel and shorter cylinder of a 10 will help a bit with the weight. She will never miss the ability to shoot 357.
• No more guns for now. Spend the money to get into some steel plate shooting with the XD-45 Tactical
• Cimarron "Man with No Name" Peacemaker in 45 Colt. I've always loved these movies and don't have a single action revolver. I'd have to get dies and such to load for 45 Colt though, as factory ammo is really expensive.
• Try a percussion cap revolver. Are they fun enough to be worth the effort? How do they shoot differently than a metallic cartridge revolver? Are components hard to find?
• Add a 22 WMR handgun to the fold, maybe a Ruger LCRx or Walther WMP or KelTec...

Which idea do you like best?

Other ideas?

 

[theotherwaldo]

I started out with a cap-and-ball revolver - a '58 Remington clone - many years ago and it's still one of my favorites.
The Mossberg 500 is a pretty good choice, too.
My favorite fun gun is a Ruger Super Blackhawk, which i load up or down for different situations.
Most of your collection is similar to mine, although I have a large number of antiques, classics and milsurps.

 

[Frulk]

You mentioned a lot of guns that I currently own. The Mossberg has some great aftermarket support depending on which route you plan to go with it. Lots of OEM barrels out there for different purposes. Doesn’t even begin to address the aftermarket tactical options.

I own a Keltec PMR 30 and really like it. I have no complaints about it except for one. I wish there was a little bit more metal in it. However, one of things I really like about that gun is that it’s very light on the hip so I suppose they offset each other.

You mentioned you have no single actions and if you were going the .45 Colt Way you would opt to reload for it. Here’s a suggestion, get a single seven 327 and reload for it. Way more economical to shoot and quite possibly more fun. Again, I own both and would probably lean towards the 327 FM. Read some of the many threads on this site related to that caliber and you will find nary a negative comment. And if you do it’s the 327 versus some other caliber, usually the 357 or it’s a comment about how expensive ammo for them is. This of course will be a non factor if you reload.

 

[Mars5l]

Cx4 are about as cheap as they have been for awhile now. I think Buds was under $700 recently? If you want just a .22 war handgun you can get a cheap Rough Rider with the Magnum cylinder for way cheaper than anything else

 

[chicharrones]

IDEAS SO FAR:

• Beretta CX4 carbine in 9 mm. I figure this would be fun and accurate out to at least 50 yards, and would use cheap ammo.

I have one. A great blaster that can be used for plinking fun or home defense. I shoot mine indoors and outdoors. Mine wears a red dot and a light.

• 4" S&W Model 10 for my wife. She likes the 19, but finds it a bit heavy. The skinnier barrel and shorter cylinder of a 10 will help a bit with the weight. She will never miss the ability to shoot 357.

If she really wants to shoot with you, this certainly seems to be the top choice.

• Cimarron "Man with No Name" Peacemaker in 45 Colt. I've always loved these movies and don't have a single action revolver. I'd have to get dies and such to load for 45 Colt though, as factory ammo is really expensive.

See next two items.

• Try a percussion cap revolver. Are they fun enough to be worth the effort? How do they shoot differently than a metallic cartridge revolver? Are components hard to find?

I have a Pietta 1860. It's a fun smoke maker and is accurate, but it's definitely not an indoor range gun. I don't like it for public shooting ranges though as it takes too long between cylinder loads and I'd max out at about 5 or 6 cylinders before fouling kept the cylinder from turning. I chose to move on to single action cartridge revolvers.

• Add a 22 WMR handgun to the fold, maybe a Ruger LCRx or Walther WMP or KelTec...

If you get a Ruger Single Six convertible, you could knock out the single action bug and .22 WMR bug in one whack.

My thoughts in blue with some items skipped over.

 

[J-Bar]

You need a superbly accurate .38 Special target revolver. Even if you never compete with it.A pre-1982 S&W Model 14 would be nice. A Model 15/ Combat Masterpiece could work also.

I do not own a 1911. But if you seek handgun variety, how can you not have a 1911? One with panache…an old original, or a Colt Gold Cup, perhaps.

One of my safe queens is a S&W Model 43 Airweight Kit Gun. A .22 that weighs NOTHING! Don’t see them everyday.

 

[Docendo Discimus]

This here:
https://www.henryusa.com/firearms/lever-action-axe-410/

 

[kidneyboy]

No more guns for now. Spend the money to get into some steel plate shooting with the XD-45 Tactical

^^^^^^^
This would be my vote from your list. Plus you can shoot all of your current 22s at steel.
A shotgun is a good idea but not if you call it a shotty
J-Bar 's suggestions are all good. Just sayin.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

No ARs? I was late jumping on the bandwagon too, but I gotta admit now they are fun, accurate, relatively cheap to buy/shoot/build/modify, practical, and fun. Did I mention they are fun?
You could go the suppressed .300 Blackout (Whisper) route and then you just need a little land with a backstop to enjoy outdoors.

Or, back to handguns, how about a 1911?

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

The theme of my collection is Variety.

• Cimarron "Man with No Name" Peacemaker in 45 Colt. I've always loved these movies and don't have a single action revolver. I'd have to get dies and such to load for 45 Colt though, as factory ammo is really expensive.

Other ideas?

You cant go wrong with a 1873 SAA clone. I have a Pietta 1873 in 45 Colt and its easy to shoot with cowboy type loadings. I have a custom Kirkpatrick Leatherworks out of Laredo Texas belt rig for it with a replica U.S. Marshall Oklahoma Territory brass badge pinned on it. Believe it or not, I found that badge in Vancouver Canada of all places!! There was a store that had all kinds of replica old west stuff there, I wish I could find a store like it here... And I do agree with your wanting to reload, as factory ammo at gun shows is stupid money, and no LGS in okc ever has any except for one shop that has a reloading license but they charge 1 buck per round... I posted in the reloading forum that I reloaded 211 rounds for 69c a piece the other day!

 

[jrmiddleton425]

The theme of my collection is Variety.

Here's some information to help you guide me in this important decision:

• I shoot mostly handguns. There's a local range that accommodates shotgun and rifles and airguns, but it's expensive. ($200 first year, + $10 per visit. $85/year subsequent years)
• I went through an airgun kick the last 6 years or so. Tried field target. I love air rifles more than powderburner rifles now as they can be shot a lot more places and have plenty of power for small game.

My current collection:

RIFLES:

• Marlin 60; 22LR semi-auto rifle, tube fed mag
• Marlin 39M "Mountie"; a nice lever-action 22 rimfire
• Marlin 1894 in 44 Mag; lever action
• Ruger 77/22; 22LR bolt action - very accurate
• Remington 788 in 6 mm Rem. (bolt action) I handload for this, since factory ammo is mostly extinct. Not that accurate.

HANDGUNS:

• 7.5" Ruger Redhawk in 44 Mag
• 3" Ruger SP-101 in 357
• 6-7/8" Ruger Mk. II Target model (tapered bull barrel)
• 2" Ruger LCR in 38 (CCW)
• Sig Sauer P365 in 9 mm (CCW)
• 4" S&W 19 in 357
• 5" Springfield XD-45 Tactical
• 5" Charles Daly Hi Power
• 5" H&R 22 Special (break-top 22 rimfire revolver)

IDEAS SO FAR:

• Beretta CX4 carbine in 9 mm. I figure this would be fun and accurate out to at least 50 yards, and would use cheap ammo.
• Mossberg 500 shotty. I don't have a shotgun and I think with this gun, I could get a bird barrel that would take chokes and try skeet/trap shooting. I guess I would never be competitive with a pump gun, but it would still be fun. I could get this with a short barrel as a home defense option and add a slug barrel later for possible deer hunting? I'm not sure I would end up using it much, though.
• 4" S&W Model 10 for my wife. She likes the 19, but finds it a bit heavy. The skinnier barrel and shorter cylinder of a 10 will help a bit with the weight. She will never miss the ability to shoot 357.
• No more guns for now. Spend the money to get into some steel plate shooting with the XD-45 Tactical
• Cimarron "Man with No Name" Peacemaker in 45 Colt. I've always loved these movies and don't have a single action revolver. I'd have to get dies and such to load for 45 Colt though, as factory ammo is really expensive.
• Try a percussion cap revolver. Are they fun enough to be worth the effort? How do they shoot differently than a metallic cartridge revolver? Are components hard to find?
• Add a 22 WMR handgun to the fold, maybe a Ruger LCRx or Walther WMP or KelTec...

Which idea do you like best?

Other ideas?

You are straight up MISSING a .30-06 in that collection.

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

You are straight up MISSING a .30-06 in that collection.

DOH! Ok forget what I said, get with someone who has a CMP membership and get a M1 Garand!

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

DOH! Ok forget what I said, get with someone who has a CMP membership and get a M1 Garand!

I was going to say Garand, but the OP said his rifle shooting opportunities are limited.
But....Garand is NEVER the WRONG answer!

 

[sparkyv]

My suggestion is not on your list, Smaug. You seem to have a hole in your caliber list that can only be best filled with a 10mm!


Nice!

5" Charles Daly Hi Power

Very cool! Too bad yours doesn't shoot accurately. Mine from my teenage years shoots lights out!

Remington 788 in 6 mm Rem. (bolt action) I handload for this, since factory ammo is mostly extinct. Not that accurate.

 

[jmr40]

It appears you don't hunt so I'd go with a precision bolt rifle to shoot at the range. Probably one in 22 to keep costs down. The Tikka T1x would be high on my list. A CZ 457 would be my 2nd choice.

 

[Gus Chiggins]

A black powder rifle!

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

CZ shadow 2

 

[Gus Chiggins]

CZ shadow 2

With the .22 Kadet conversation kit.

 

[Targa]

Autos aren’t exactly my thing but I have to say, a collection without a 1911 in .45acp……well…

 

[NuclearMeltdown]

 

[Smaug]

I started out with a cap-and-ball revolver - a '58 Remington clone - many years ago and it's still one of my favorites.
The Mossberg 500 is a pretty good choice, too.
My favorite fun gun is a Ruger Super Blackhawk, which i load up or down for different situations.
Most of your collection is similar to mine, although I have a large number of antiques, classics and milsurps.

...so which one would you go with, if you were me?

You mentioned a lot of guns that I currently own.

Great minds think alike, apparently, hehehe.

I own a Keltec PMR 30 and really like it. I have no complaints about it except for one. I wish there was a little bit more metal in it. However, one of things I really like about that gun is that it’s very light on the hip so I suppose they offset each other.

I tried one in the store. it was a bit longer in the grip that I thought it should be. The trigger was great, but I left thinking: "$425 for a KelTec? I'm not so sure..." Is yours reliable?

You mentioned you have no single actions and if you were going the .45 Colt Way you would opt to reload for it. Here’s a suggestion, get a single seven 327 and reload for it. Way more economical to shoot and quite possibly more fun. Again, I own both and would probably lean towards the 327 FM. Read some of the many threads on this site related to that caliber and you will find nary a negative comment. And if you do it’s the 327 versus some other caliber, usually the 357 or it’s a comment about how expensive ammo for them is. This of course will be a non factor if you reload.

Good thoughts, but since half this idea is to have The Man with No Name gun, the Single Seven wouldn't scratch that itch. I don't really have any use for a 45 Colt, and the wife would like shooting down-loaded 327. (she likes my powderpuff 357 from my SP-101 and S&W 19) She probably would like the SAO, too. Do they make it in a Bisley grip? I'm not into the plowhandle design.

My thoughts in blue with some items skipped over.

Great input; thanks!

You need a superbly accurate .38 Special target revolver. Even if you never compete with it.A pre-1982 S&W Model 14 would be nice. A Model 15/ Combat Masterpiece could work also.

That's a good idea, but I'm not sure it would do much for me that my Redhawk doesn't already do. I guess it would most likely have a nicer trigger and be lighter, which the wife would appreciate...

I do not own a 1911. But if you seek handgun variety, how can you not have a 1911? One with panache…an old original, or a Colt Gold Cup, perhaps.

This is officially added to the list. I think maybe a brand new Gold Cup, if I get a bonus this coming spring.

You cant go wrong with a 1873 SAA clone. I have a Pietta 1873 in 45 Colt and its easy to shoot with cowboy type loadings. I have a custom Kirkpatrick Leatherworks out of Laredo Texas belt rig for it with a replica U.S. Marshall Oklahoma Territory brass badge pinned on it. Believe it or not, I found that badge in Vancouver Canada of all places!! There was a store that had all kinds of replica old west stuff there, I wish I could find a store like it here... And I do agree with your wanting to reload, as factory ammo at gun shows is stupid money, and no LGS in okc ever has any except for one shop that has a reloading license but they charge 1 buck per round... I posted in the reloading forum that I reloaded 211 rounds for 69c a piece the other day!

I would not shoot very much if I didn't roll my own. I just love it, especially for the revolvers. I don't think my wife would shoot centerfire if I wasn't able to make the powderpuff loads in 357 cases.

You are straight up MISSING a .30-06 in that collection.

I feel pretty "meh" about 30-06. I like 30-30 better, but I remember that having QUITE the kick, the one time I shot one. I don't like rifle kick more than about what my 6 mm puts out. I think 6.5 Creed would be more my speed. Target rifle w/handloads.

View attachment 1106872

Is your experience similar to chicharonnes, that you can only shoot 5-6 cylinders before it's fouled for the day? I feel like they should make clean-burning powder for muzzleloaders these days...

 

[DustyGmt]

Glock

 

[Riomouse911]

I don’t know if the 7-shot Blackhawk .327 came with the Bisley grip, but the Single-Six .32 H&R did, and it is an amazingly fun single action to load for and shoot.



You have some fun guns already, and a bunch of great suggestions above. Good luck with your search!

Stay safe.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

For $200 a Ruger Wrangler SA .22 "Peacemaker" clone is a great bargain (the black ones seem to shoot best for some reason!). It's a ton-of-fun and you can even fan the thing! Same lock design as Ruger Single Six.

Maybe look at the variety of models now offered on the Ruger PC-9 Carbine instead of the Storm; LOTS of ways to outfit it to your liking. We bought a plain-Jane version when they first came out but man, it runs-and-runs as reliably as a 10/22 and can take any/all Glock mags and that's a big plus. It's a 'fun gun' that serves as a step-up home defense weapon after our usual S&W .38s (wife is proficient with these so we start from here).

I've had a Moss 500A in plain 18.5 cylinder bore 'riot gun' configuration for 32 years now; never used it for anything else---doubt I have put 100 shells through it since new. It stands ready w/ a carrier of 3" mag 000 bearshot in case our neighbor's bull becomes a problem. The Mos 500 has been around forever and can be modded to do just about any sort of shotgun chore...but many newer, better options are around near its usual price point; maybe look at some of the very-good M3 clones for not much more money?

No matter what...a new gun is always a good time!

 

[doubleh]

You need a superbly accurate .38 Special target revolver. Even if you never compete with it.A pre-1982 S&W Model 14 would be nice.

I owned one of those but then I bought a Dan Wesson 15-2VH-8. It was enough better in the accuracy department I traded the 14 for a Model 19 with all the target accessories. I sort of wish I had kept the 14 now as I don't own a 38 special anything. Finding any of the three in these parts now is about like finding a hen's tooth. We have a gunshow here the middle of the month and I am going browsing for a rare jewel although I don't really expect to find one.

In answer for the OP: Cimmaron Man With No name In a heartbeat. I really like the Ruger Old Army shown but I didn't see it on the wish list.