Since I don't have unlimited income, my next purchase will probably be the last for several months, at least. I'm having a heck of a time deciding which to purchase. I don't hunt, so it mostly for shooting at the range or home defense if required. Everything I have today, a couple pistols and a couple of rifles, are chambered to the .22LR round. Other than those and my Remington 870 Express Tactical, that's all I have.

 

I have these listed in the order of my highest desired first, down to my least desired, but still very desired to be in my collection. As you can see, I'm across the board with what I have listed, from .22LR to .45ACP, from pistols to rifles. I've had this list for weeks now and every time I re-think it, the order changes. I like the idea of not introducing another type of round into the mix, meaning get the 617 for now and stick with the .22LR round. I shoot quite a bit and the cost of the .22LR is next to nothing. That being said, I've loved this SR9 from the 1st day I've read about it. Obviously, my choices will probably change after seeing and handling each of these, but based on what I've read and heard, this is my list (for now).

 

 

 

 

Ruger SR9

 

 

 

 

Smith and Wesson 617

 

 

 

 

Ruger 77/357

 

 

 

 

Ruger SR1911

 

 

 

 

Smith and Wesson 686

686. Most versitile gun there, you can shoot anything from super light wadcutters for ultimate accuracy and training, or crank it up to .357 mag and blow shi!t up. Plus, its a S&W, the best quality out there. Its something that will outlast you and your kids. The rugers, well, the 1911 isnt proven (yet), the SR9 has mixed reviews last time I checked, and the 77/357 is good but meh. Seems like a random odd choice given the other guns you are considering. If I was set on a rifle in .38/357 i'de go with a lever action because you arent going to be doing 800 yard shooting with it, so may as well have fun with a lever. The 617 is also a great choice (since its S&W & awesome) but .22 may get boring for you. As I said, you can download the 686 to damn near .22 recoil levels but you cant upload .22 to .357 mag spec.

 

Also, for the revolvers if you are doing just target shooting, go for a 6" barrel. Longer sight radius = more accurate. Plus they are heavier which means less recoil.

Buy the gun you love, not the gun you think you should have.

 

You are covered for home defense with your shotgun. You are covered with plinking with your .22 pistols. Buy something you love because you want it and you'll never regret it. If you love the SR9, buy it.

Just noticed that you listed them from most to least wanted, whoops. The SR9c will feel less refined than any of the other choices since its a plastic-fantastic. Not to say its a piece of trash, but a solid 1911 or revolver will feel and shoot much nicer. But as was previously said, get what you really want not what you think you should have....

the other question would be ... if you going to be carrying when you leave new jersey... you can buy the Ruger: Good for CCW and HD...

 

Also the Ruger 1911 is pretty good gun for the price...

 

think about it..

1911

Buy the gun you love, not the gun you think you should have.

 

This!

 

 

Just noticed that you listed them from most to least wanted, whoops. The SR9c will feel less refined than any of the other choices since its a plastic-fantastic. Not to say its a piece of trash, but a solid 1911 or revolver will feel and shoot much nicer. But as was previously said, get what you really want not what you think you should have....

 

Yes

 

1911

 

 

Absolutely.

Also may want to take a look at the STI 9mm 1911 pistols. Good quality, cheaper to shoot than .45 or even a .357. If you go for the 686, go for the 6" tube and follow it up with a lever action .357 rifle...great combo and easy on the wallet to shoot with .38 specials!

Ruger GP100

My thoughts would be for versatility Defensive Pistol 22 Rifle Shotgun Defensive Rifle Get what you want, but to be versatile. I would suggest that you avoid another 22 for now and get a defensive handgun. If I was choosing, it would be a good 9mm semi-automatic, next, and the SR9 would fit that bill nicely. I would also look into an FNH FNP-9 USG if one was available.

 

However, as others have suggested, S&W 686 or a Ruger GP-100, stainless with a 4" barrel (or a Ruger SP101 with a 3" barrel with an aftermarket (longer) grip) would work very nicely and be fun to shoot, etc.. A good .357 should be standard in everyone's "battery" and it will work nicely as a good defensive handgun for you, not to mention it will last a lifetime, and if TSHTF ammo should not be too scarce, either, and you can practice with .38s that are cheaper and have less recoil. And, being that it is a revolver, It will also handle just about anything in terms of ammo and would be less ammo-sensitive. If you are ever planning on carrying, then I would consider the 3" barrel versions. A used revolver in nice shape would probably be just fine, and if you decided to sell it, you wouldn't lose as much on resale. I am particularly fond of the older Ruger Speed Six, especially one with a 3" barrel, but the sights are more upgradable on the newer Ruger models.

 

The Ruger SR9 is an awesome choice, by the way, and they seem to be going up in value. If you go that route, I would opt to get a 2011 one and I would not get the compact. Find out on the Ruger site when clicking on the owner's manual when the 2011 serial numbers start... I want a Ruger SR9, myself, and preferably the OD green one, but the fact that I cannot get 15-round magazines for it bothers me. If you go that route, you may be able to get a dealer to pin the pair of mags that come with it for you and set them to 15 rounds each. Then you can pickup a couple of 10-rounders for practice at the range. A Ruger P95 is also a nice choice with its hammer and 15-round magazines, although it is a little bigger than the SR9.

 

The Ruger 77/.357 would not be my first choice. It is nice, and I wouldn't mind having one if I could get a used one at a great price, but .357 Ammo isn't cheap, and the ballistics of a real rifle caliber would probably be better. Why not a .308 bolt-action if you don't mind the cost of the gun and/or ammo? I second the lever action if you are set on a .357.

 

Additionally, I would skip the .1911, for now, as ammo is expensive and the SR1911 does not appear to be in stock, anywhere. And, if I really wanted a 1911, I might consider a 9mm version, such as a STI Spartan 9mm as Smokin suggested.

Also may want to take a look at the STI 9mm 1911 pistols. Good quality, cheaper to shoot than .45 or even a .357. If you go for the 686, go for the 6" tube and follow it up with a lever action .357 rifle...great combo and easy on the wallet to shoot with .38 specials!

 

I think the 4" barrel is more versatile, but there is a place for both in a battery.

I have an SR9. If you'd like to shoot it, I'll be at Range 14 this Saturday in the afternoon. You're more than welcome to stop by and shoot it. Send me a PM if you want to.

Thanks to everyone for all the great comments, suggestions and offers. I really do appreciate it. I still haven't decided what I want to do as of yet, but your input will certainly help. I like the idea of having someone out-of-state pinning a couple 17-rounders down to 15-rounds. That would certainly lean me even more towards the SR9, although from what I've read, it doesn't take much convincing to get an SR9.

357 Magnum. Nuff said.

 

 

That's the 686, right?

That's the 686, right?

 

Yes she is. Put a nice set of Hogue grips or Pachmayr boot grips and call it a day.

Perfect!!!

357 Magnum. Nuff said.

 

 

 

Now that is a thing of beauty........

357 Magnum. Nuff said.

 

 

 

I think I always shed a tear of joy whenever I see a pic of one of these.

That's the 686, right?

 

It's the 686 Plus, 7 shot version. It is all kinds of fun to shoot.

 

Because of the fun and cool factor of the Revolvers that I just recently discovered I went out and bought the S&W 642 yesterday. I will be picking it up Tuesday. I am now trying to decide what autoloader to sell so I can add another revolver. Im thinking a S&W 63 will be next.

I actually shot the 686 at Hagues, using both .38 special and .357 mag rounds. I think the one they had was a longer barrel. I prefer the 4" inch barrel. I was not very good at shooting it, but I think pratice would fix that. Having shot not much more than the .22LR, then going to the .357 magnum is certainly an awakening.

...Having shot not much more than the .22LR, then going to the .357 magnum is certainly an awakening.

 

Thats the beauty of them though, you dont have to shoot .357 magnum out of it. Shoot some 148 grain HBWCs which recoil barely more than .22.... and they punch perfect holes and are accurate out to 50 yards

 

 

Thanks. I knew you could use the .38 specials, but just recently heard of "wadcutters".

No prob!

 

if you would like to try some HBWCs out of my K38 m14-13 you are more than welcome to in Bridgewater. And with these light loads, a 686 will last a few hundred thousand rounds...more than any polymer gun. not hating on the plastic fantastics, but they cant last as long

Thanks for the offer. I did like that 686 when I shot it with both .38 special and .357. It's also why I'm considering the 617, even though it's .22LR and I have a couple of those already. I really like the .22LR round, but I thinking I should have one higher caliber handgun. I really, really, really love the looks of that SR9 too. Decisions, decisions.

I have a 686 P. It's sweet! I had second thoughts, but one trip to the range erased all doubt.

 

That said, to second everyone else, get what makes your heart beat faster. Rugers are an American icon.

I vote for for the 686. Buy an last dash before the lock in 4" to be the most versatile. Find a 3" CS-1 686 and they'll have to pry it from your cold, dead hands. Affordable to run .38Spl through for practicing the trigger - the more you pull a Smith, the smoother it gets!

I vote for for the 686. Buy an last dash before the lock in 4" to be the most versatile. Find a 3" CS-1 686 and they'll have to pry it from your cold, dead hands. Affordable to run .38Spl through for practicing the trigger - the more you pull a Smith, the smoother it gets!

 

 

Nascar - just noticed we're neighbors! I live a stone's throw from Hague's, but you won't find me in there with those prices! Used to be a member under the original owner, but now everything is full retail plus markup. Anyway, should you want to try out larger caliber handguns...

Nascar - just noticed we're neighbors! I live a stone's throw from Hague's, but you won't find me in there with those prices! Used to be a member under the original owner, but now everything is full retail plus markup. Anyway, should you want to try out larger caliber handguns...

 

Yea, they are pricey for what you're getting I think. It's the closest place to me that allows for rifle/shotguns. Not sure I'll renew my membership or not. Seems like everytime I look, their membership prices go up. As far as their guns prices, they are very expensive as far as I'm concerned. Even the 10% member discount doesn't bring the price down to other vendors.

Yea, they are pricey for what you're getting I think. It's the closest place to me that allows for rifle/shotguns. Not sure I'll renew my membership or not. Seems like everytime I look, their membership prices go up. As far as their guns prices, they are very expensive as far as I'm concerned. Even the 10% member discount doesn't bring the price down to other vendors.

 

Ain't that the truth! I've never seen the level of greed as that. Most of all the old members there under the original owner went down to Bob's in Glassboro. Too bad that's generally a zoo for those of us shooting around employment hours!

 

Are you looking strictly indoor range? If not, Squared Circle isn't far from us and a membership run will come up early in the year and you can shoot pistol/rifle/shotgun, within their rules. Delran not awful far, but your shotgun is limited to trap or some extra use of the patterning set. I've got family down in Pittsgrove and got my lifetime back at USANA after twisting Skip's arm a bit, and been thinking about joining Quinton, but questioning their membership process, as a lot of fellas I've shot with over the years (and who were alienated by Skip's sell-out to Harborsite) belong there.