Is two better than one?

[priv8ter]

Okay, this is a post that has no right answer, just opinions, so here goes:

Finally, I have reached the point where I can afford to buy a new gun and not feel bad about it. While I could have bought one in the past year, it always seemed like there was something my wife or 6-month old daughter needed more(Silly me, being responsible to my family duties).

Since I have a full size H&K and a 20ga autoloader, I am feeling pretty secure on the homefront. I am looking at something that conceals a little easier than my H&K.

So, here is my quandry: Would those of you out there rather get a single $500-600 gun(Baby Glock of Caliber X) or 2 less expensive pistols(in my case, probably a Mak and a P-11 or P-32?

I know the saying is you get what you pay for, but I have never heard any complaints on here about the reliability of Mak's or Kel-tecs(and while some people don't like Glocks, I have no problem trusting one).

Okay now, let's fight it out!

 

[isaidme]

quality not quantity

 

[beemerb]

Does your wife shoot?????If you buy one gun and carry it is your wife comfortable with the shotgun as a home defense gun?You don't need to buy a 600.00$ gun to get a good firearm.Maks-ballister molina's-used smiths-new taruses's and so on.Is just a thought.
Bob

 

[Rival]

G26 or G27... Mak is good (I really like it) but Glock worth the extra money. Two cheaper guns will not make you feel happier than one worthy gun. You are not going to be using two of them at the same time anyway.

 

[cmsgt]

suggest revolver

With your budget and responsiblities, I'd suggest expanding your arsenal to include a revolver. I have 2 guns on my permit (and a bunch in the safe), and I like having one semi-auto and one revolver. For me next yr, it'll be my Sig P239 in 40 and my Colt Detective Special in 38.
I know magazines these days are built stronger, but I've seen weakened springs that result in failure to feed. I don't think this applies to Glocks -- I can hardly load to the rated max in their mags.
A deputy friend with a Sig P220 rotates his magazines every month -- lets 2 lie unloaded for the month.
Many problems that can occur with a semi-auto do not with a revolver, just pull the trigger again. Get a couple of speed loaders or Bianchi speed strips and practice.
Easy to conceal and very reliable: S&W j frames, Ruger SP101; I particularly like the S&W model 38 with serrated hammer and my S&W 640-1 with no external hammer.

 

[rugerfreak]

Get the Glock---the others you mentioned come up--well "lacking" in comparison.

Got a new G27 recently and couldn't be more pleased. Good gun.

 

[sm]

Get what fits you,in a caliber and platform that is reliable allowing consistent hits. If if be a used gun fine,if for instance money left over get good ammo, belt holster...etc for CCW.

Get quality is true, but , if for instance you chose a revo used mechnaically sound with wear at a price that allows money for a 2nd gun for the wife--why not? I know a couple that chose used Model 10's for instance. These two guns Not as pretty as their friends guns, but they practice a lot, share ammo, and have progressed very well within a budget. my .02

 

[ruger357]

G26.

 

[10-Ring]

For a carry gun, for simplicity's sake, I would stick w/ a similar caliber to you house gun...in this case, 40 S&W. If you're looking for something smaller than your USP 40, how about a pre-owned (used ), USPc 40? or if you gotta go diff't, the Glock 27.

 

[dairycreek]

The situation you describe............

is pretty common for most married men. Always seems to be more month left than money. However, over time that should get better and better. With that as context the "quality vs. quantity" issue is of some concern here. I would suggest that quality plus patience over time is a pretty good formula to follow. As to the options you outlined in your post I would opt for the baby Glock in your caliber of choice. Second choice would be a Makorov. I have no personal experience with Kel-Tec so I cannot comment on it one way or another. Good shooting

 

[PATH]

I agree with isaidme. Go for quality rather than quantity. IMHO!

 

[HSMITH]

Try a pair of Springfield XDs or a Springfield XD and a Walther P99. Should be able to do either combo for about $700 and have TWO nice pistols.

 

[Kahr carrier]

G-26

 

[Blackhawk]

So, here is my quandry: Would those of you out there rather get a single $500-600 gun... or 2 less expensive pistols...?

Which is like saying "I have $500-600 I have to spend, and I want guns."

 

[okeydoke]

Dump the HK, and with the extra $500

get both a $400 used Kahr compact steel framed 9mm for practice, and a 6", 16 oz, Kahr PM 9mm compact for carry. Then you don't have to worry about beating up or dirtying up your carry gun. Put 20 rds a month thru the carry gun, clean it once or twice a year. If the practice gun malfuntions now and then, cause you only clean it once every 2-3000 rds, just use the occasion to practice your malcunction-clearing drills. If it breaks a part or a mag craps out now and then, so what? It's just the practice-gun. Get the PM in .40 short and weak, if you like, but the 90 gr +P jhp from Cor Bon, in the 9mm, is the better bet for defense.

The Mak's load is too feeble to rely upon, and the gun is too big and heavy for pocket carry. The Keltec P11 is a double stack mag, and thus, a bit too much of a bulge in a front pants pocket. Also, it's polymer lower frame is PINNED onto the alloy upper frame. Not exactly a comforting thing, long term shooterwise, you know? Beautiful Winchester 9x19 ball ammo is $12 per 100 pack, at Walmart, to include sales tax.

 

[priv8ter]

Dump the H&K?!?!?!?!?!?

Actually, the thought of dropping the H&K has gone through my mind before. I just, well, it's the first handgun I ever bought, and it pre-dates my wife by quite a bit. Call me a sentimental fool.

As for the Kahr's...did I mention that I rented a Kahr 9mm once, and HATED it. Didn't like the feel one little bit, so they are not currently on my list of wanted guns.

I did decide though, that if I go the two-cheap gun route, and one of the guns is a Mak, the other will not be chambered in 9mm Luger...I don't need my wife(or I) confused over which 9mm round goes in which gun.

If only there were a few more hours in the week, I could work even more OT and buy MORE toys.

 

[okeydoke]

u needn't worry about that, because

the 9x18 rd is of larger diameter than the 9x19 rd. However, if I thought that my wife couldn't tell the diff, I'd not only not be married to her, I wouldn't be anywhere around her.

 

[SkunkApe]

If the Makarov suits your needs (size, action, caliber, etc.) you shouldn't consider yourself sacrificing quality for price. My Bulgarian Makarov is very well-made, accurate, and has been absolutely 100% functional. I'd put it up against ANY autoloader in a reliability contest. And 9X18 ammunition is available for as little as $105 per 1000 rounds.

Coincidently, I also own a P-32. I'm not sure if I can recommend that model to you.

Once again, if the Mak suits your requirements, buy it and spend the extra cash on something else; perhaps extra ammo for practice, a good holster, training classes, or a used revolver.

Good luck.

 

[New_comer]

I'm also in the same situation as you


Kept shifting between a competition/beater gun in 1911 or so, and a carry piece.


I was hoping that the HS2000 sub-compact was available at the last gunshow (not! ), though I've already decided that the Bersa Thunder 380 would be just fine for me.


So at the next show, I hope to have enough motivation to quit stalling and start buying

 

[firestar]

For that kind of money, you get more the more you pay. Anything over $1000 and your really not buying anything you can't get for less.

I would much rather have a Glock or a Kahr for $400-600, than a Kel-Tec and a Mak for same amount.

BTW, I think the Maks are getting a little pricy. When they were $100, I think they were a deal but now they are $150 and up and I think there are better guns for the $.

For example, a used S&W 36, Ruger Speed-Security-Service Six, Bersa .380, etc.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

I say get a Beretta Compact -- I have two! Reliable, easy to maintain, accurate, low recoil, just the right size, beautiful to use, etc, etc, etc... REASONABLE PRICE!

 

[telewinz]

Get quality and quantity

Get a Kel-Tec P-11 and a P32, then you will have the best of both worlds. No compromise involved!