Thinking about getting a new semi auto, any sugestions?

[VTHokiesDuckHunter]

Got this one $375 LNIB on GunBroker. It was from an individual who had had it in his safe for years. Came with box, all papers, 3 factory magazines. It was not a PD trade in gun.

These deals are out there. Also there are some good ones from time to time in the classifieds thread of this forum.

 

[k5lwq]

Man that's a great deal, nice gun. Not finding anything yet but the hunt is on. lol

 

[k5lwq]

For what you have described and with large hands a 5946 sounds perfect. If carrying it concealed was an issue, then perhaps a 5943 (alloy frame), but I do like the all steel guns. Once you have one you will probably want more anyway, so perhaps it doesn't matter exactly which model you get.

Since this is a first for you, I have a suggestion....pay extra to get a nicer one and not one of the many police trade ins out there. Or at least try to get a really clean police trade in. There is nothing wrong with most of them and many don't look too bad, but if I were in your position I would want a really clean gun.

For me personally, I would look for one of the later round trigger guard guns. I think they look better (but that's entirely personal) and it can be a bit easier to find holsters for them.

If looking for a more recent polymer gun then I gather the S&W M&P series are nice. I just happen to like the older metal guns.

Found NIB 5946 on gunbroker for over $800, sounds high to me. What do you think?

 

[vista461]

Does sound high to me as DAO guns aren't in as high of demand as TDA guns.

 

[k5lwq]

I don't think I want to go much over $500.00. So anyone wanting to sell a 5946 or 5906 in good shape, let me know. lol

 

[ET.]

Thanks guys for the info, going to check Gunbroker right now. One of the issues I had with the Glock was how bad the plastic warped.

OK, I need help here. When you say that the plastic warped on the Glock, exactly where was the warping occurring? I own Glocks, Taurus's, S&W's etc. and they are all polymer guns. I don't think I've ever had a gun warp. Am I missing something here?

 

[k5lwq]

OK, I need help here. When you say that the plastic warped on the Glock, exactly where was the warping occurring? I own Glocks, Taurus's, S&W's etc. and they are all polymer guns. I don't think I've ever had a gun warp. Am I missing something here?

It was warped all along the slide. It was a Gen 3 Glock 22. I looked at several new ones that looked good and tight, this one the plastic bowed in and out and no longer matched up to the slide. I liked the gun but could not get past that. It was my first auto and it showed me a bad habit I had from shooting revolvers all my life. The first shot out I learned not to cross my thumb over my shooting hand anymore! lol

 

[Swabby]

K5, just a side note. If you get one of the square trigger guard models, you may have a slightly tougher time finding the type of holster you like. The square trigger guards were on the ealier 3rd Gen models and most of the holsters listed these days are for the round trigger guards. There was a post just last week on the subject. You should check it out. Having said that, I think the square trigger guards are the cooler looking of the two. And, that has to count for something, right?

 

[k5lwq]

Thanks, good food for thought. And you are right, looks count for something, just don't want my wife to find that out, she might just leave!

 

[10ring]

Found NIB 5946 on gunbroker for over $800, sounds high to me. What do you think?

Way too high. Prices are inching up and supply is dwindling, but I think $400-$500 is a good price, $600 if you are in love with a really pristine specimen, but no way would I go near that price range.

I was surprised by the price so I just went and looked. I think the seller is placing a high price on the gun because the gun box says it is an nypd order or something. he is looking for a collector to put a high value on it.

Don't get to excited about a "new" gun. You know how it is, the first time you put a round downrange it isn't new anymore. A really nice used gun for about half the price of that one is where I would be looking.

 

[k5lwq]

I agree 10ring, I saw that and thought maybe this is not such a good idea after all. Like I said, I can't justify much over $500 for this project.

 

[10ring]

A little bit of patience and you will get there...should be no problem finding a nice 5946 for under $500.00.

Put a WTB ad in the want to buy classifieds and see if that helps. Also keep an eye on the guns for sale ads here.

In the meantime there are some ugly rumors about Obama wanting to do something with gun control. Don't know that he would succeed, but if you have decided on a 5946, might want to keep an eye out for some full capacity mags at a good price. Meg-Gar mags also work well if you can't get a good deal on S&W mags.

 

[VTHokiesDuckHunter]

Quote:
Originally Posted by k5lwq
Found NIB 5946 on gunbroker for over $800, sounds high to me. What do you think?

Way too high. Prices are inching up and supply is dwindling, but I think $400-$500 is a good price, $600 if you are in love with a really pristine specimen, but no way would I go near that price range.

I was surprised by the price so I just went and looked. I think the seller is placing a high price on the gun because the gun box says it is an nypd order or something. he is looking for a collector to put a high value on it.

Don't get to excited about a "new" gun. You know how it is, the first time you put a round downrange it isn't new anymore. A really nice used gun for about half the price of that one is where I would be looking.

Definitely WAY too high. You should be able to find one LNIB for under $500, and NIB for $500-$600.

You can sometimes find Shorty 40's for $800-$1000. $800 is way too much in the way of market price for a 5946/5906. (although when you really think about it, this would be a good and fair price if they were being manufactured today-look at MSRP's for the current Sig lines that are similar to a 5906)

It's your call on the DA/SA or DAO trigger. I personally like the DA/SA much better for range work and SD. And I switch back and forth between semi auto pistols and revolvers with no problem. Some of us feel that DAO is a choice that is forced on LEO's more than it is neccessitated for range use/SD.

Finally- having both square trigger guard (STG) and round models I can confirm it's a little more difficult to find holster for STG models - but not that difficult. I use a Galco model that works great.

Speaking of holsters, Tim Thurner of TT Gunleather is making me an IWB model now for a 3rd gen compact. I'll post photos when it arrives!

 

[k5lwq]

Sounds great, heading out now LGS to see what the might have. Thanks for the advice.

 

[k5lwq]

Thanks so much everyone for the input and advice! We spent all day today looking for a 5906 or a 5946 and had no luck. But thru the process we looked at a lot of different guns and talked to lots of folks. We were looking at a Beretta 92fs when a guy walked up and said buy that gun it is awesome. After telling him what we wanted to do with it I told him that we really wanted a 5906 and he said I have one. So we followed him out and he showed us the 5906 and his Beretta. He said they both are great guns but he preferred the Beretta for various reasons. Well after holding both guns the Beretta seemed to fit my hands and more important my sons hands much better. Since the ultimate goal in all this is to do this with my son I let him decide. He liked the Beretta so we went to Academy and bought a new one. I really wanted to get a Smith as they are the only guns I have ever been real happy with but I have never owned a Beretta. Time will tell I guess. Thanks again guys for the help, I have learned a lot in a few days that is for sure. K5

 

[blujax01]

The Beretta is a solid choice. Congratulations.

 

[VTHokiesDuckHunter]

That was a very great choice OP. I like the Beretta's a lot and they are solid, reliable guns.

I currently dont own a 92FS but would buy another one in a heartbeat. I had a Beretta Silver Pigeon Over/Under sotgun for many years that is one of my favorites- it's a solid company.

it's of course easy to find a new Beretta 92 as you did. This now gives you the luxury of savinig up for your next gun, and as you already have one very nice pistol, you can take your time looking for the S&W.

I'd keep looking on the classifieds on this forum, and create a serach engine on GunBroker and Guns America. There are also services like Arsmlist and gunlistings.org where you can often find some good local deals and buy FTF.

 

[andyo5]

Thanks guys for the info, going to check Gunbroker right now. One of the issues I had with the Glock was how bad the plastic warped.

Warped? Are you talking about the visible gap between the slide and the frame? If so, that is a design feature of the gun, not a warp.

 

[k5lwq]

Thanks guys, my thoughts exactly. Might even keep an eye out for a 4506 as well.

 

[k5lwq]

Warped? Are you talking about the visible gap between the slide and the frame? If so, that is a design feature of the gun, not a warp.

Nope it was where the gap is though, it waved in and out looking down the frame, much more gap than other Glocks I had seen. It was a police trade in and maybe that had something to do with it.