A year or two ago, I bought a 459 police trade in. I liked it so much that a week later I bought a 5906. I then decided that I want to collect 2nd and 3rd generation S&W semi-autos, preferably 3rd generation and if I happen onto a good deal for a 1st generation, I might jump on that too. Gun collecting is an expensive hobby. Most of my guns are rifles, so I hadn't bought anymore S&W pistols since those first two, until now.
A few months ago, I decided that I wanted to get my CHL. I only had about $350 and wanted something smaller and lighter than my 459 and 5906. I couldn't find a compact 3rd, or 2nd generation S&W for that price so I bought a Taurus PT111 for $329. I liked that gun except for one thing. On my S&W guns, on the safety lever, up is fire and down is safe. On the Taurus, it's the other way around. It's backwards on the Taurus. For muscle memory, this was a little confusing for my thumb. I was having to actually look at the pistol to see if it was on safe or fire. That would not be good in a self defense situation. I want my guns to have similar controls. I wanted a compacted S&W 3rd generation semi-auto. I also had a Kel-Tec P11, I like that it was so small and light weight and no safety, but the trigger pull is too heavy and it's not very accurate.
I have also been interested in older marlin lever actions, pre-cross bolt safety guns. There was a gun show this weekend and I really wanted to get rid of that Taurus, so I thought that it would be a fair trade (Taurus for Marlin), if I found an older Marlin in Exellent condition. There were two at the show and the guy was asking $550 for each. That was way too much. So, I decided to look for 3rd generation S&W semi-autos. I got to the last table and was getting ready to leave, when I saw a Cheif's Special 9mm in "like new in box" condition. Price tage, $595. He said that he would give me $550 for the Taurus & Kel-Tec, which IMOH is a fair price. I didn't have the $45 more that he wanted, so I gave him some 7.62x39 ammo.
I am so happy that I was able to find an excellent addition to my collection. I thought these Chief's Specials were a little rare to find. Why do they seem to cost more than most 3rd generations? Is it because there is a trend in smaller guns for concealed carry, or is it because they didn't make as many of them? Or am I wrong and they cost just as much as any other 3rd generation?
I don't know what I should add to my collection next.
A few months ago, I decided that I wanted to get my CHL. I only had about $350 and wanted something smaller and lighter than my 459 and 5906. I couldn't find a compact 3rd, or 2nd generation S&W for that price so I bought a Taurus PT111 for $329. I liked that gun except for one thing. On my S&W guns, on the safety lever, up is fire and down is safe. On the Taurus, it's the other way around. It's backwards on the Taurus. For muscle memory, this was a little confusing for my thumb. I was having to actually look at the pistol to see if it was on safe or fire. That would not be good in a self defense situation. I want my guns to have similar controls. I wanted a compacted S&W 3rd generation semi-auto. I also had a Kel-Tec P11, I like that it was so small and light weight and no safety, but the trigger pull is too heavy and it's not very accurate.
I have also been interested in older marlin lever actions, pre-cross bolt safety guns. There was a gun show this weekend and I really wanted to get rid of that Taurus, so I thought that it would be a fair trade (Taurus for Marlin), if I found an older Marlin in Exellent condition. There were two at the show and the guy was asking $550 for each. That was way too much. So, I decided to look for 3rd generation S&W semi-autos. I got to the last table and was getting ready to leave, when I saw a Cheif's Special 9mm in "like new in box" condition. Price tage, $595. He said that he would give me $550 for the Taurus & Kel-Tec, which IMOH is a fair price. I didn't have the $45 more that he wanted, so I gave him some 7.62x39 ammo.
I am so happy that I was able to find an excellent addition to my collection. I thought these Chief's Specials were a little rare to find. Why do they seem to cost more than most 3rd generations? Is it because there is a trend in smaller guns for concealed carry, or is it because they didn't make as many of them? Or am I wrong and they cost just as much as any other 3rd generation?
I don't know what I should add to my collection next.
