If only I didn't live in the "People's Republic of California", I would have a lot more choices.
<rant>
I am sure this will surprise some of you, but getting a hand gun is much more difficult than just making sure it doesn't hold more than 10 rounds. It has to be on a special "safe list"
that manufacturers have to jump through hoops to not only get on, but stay on. (multiple drop tests, etc.) I think the list of firearms that have dropped off the list is longer than those on the list. So for example, the 13+1 XDs are obviously out, but I also cannot buy a bicolor 10+1 XD.
Black, yes. (although they are in short supply currenty so there are no deals) Olive, yes. Desert, yes. However the bicolor one is deemed "unsafe" so I may not buy it.
On the other hand, somehow all single action revolvers are magically safe so long as they are not snub nosed ones, so, I could buy almost any single action revolver I choose.
Also magically, the Rock Island 1911s are unsafe while the Charles Daly 1911s are safe. Pay not attention that until recently, they were both made by the same company.
I would love only pay a $15 transfer fee, however the state charges $25 themselves. Also for the paperwork, most dealers will charge a flat $135, or 10% of the cost of the gun to complete the transfer. Lukily, I have a couple REALLY cheap shops near me that ONLY charge $50 to $60. In addition, starting July 1st, I cannot buy a firearm from out of state FFL, unless they register themselves with the CA state DOJ, AND electronically verify that the FFL they are shipping to is registered AND they recive a written authorization to ship that particular gun.
As you can imagine, many dealers are either no longer selling to CA or will add fees to cover the hassle. Which is part of my incentive for buying now as opposed to waiting for more $$.
I know, its my fault for living here and I accept that. If firearms were the most important thing to me, I'd move for sure. Just please don't tell me I voted for it as some firearm dealers post, because I didn't.
No one did. I didn't even vote for the jokers that write and pass these laws, but I know others in my state did and I am stuck with the results of mob mentality voting. At least we have the Govornator to right these wrongs...oh wait the going got tough and he did a 180 and joined the rest of them.:banghead:
</rant>
Anyway, a 625 would be cool, but finding a used one with a 5" barrel that is "safe" and cheep is problematic and I can't afford the new ones. Although, I have heard very good things about them and I would rather have a double action than a single for ease of loading. I might be tempted to go with say 45 LC (still a 45 which is my main goal) if I had to, but I don't see many DA revlovers in my price range that are target guns as opposed to defense guns. Most of them aren't safe either.
Currently I am leaning towards the Blackhawk. Sort of 2 guns in one. Even though in my price range, it is still a great gun, and it is magically safe, what more could you ask?