OK, who else is buying?

[appal_jack]

(MODS: This post is intended as a serious discussion of how proposed legislation might influence DU members' choices about purchasing gun-related items, and more broadly, how such proposed legislation might influence the public's perception about and reaction to possible looming bans. I therefore request that it be allowed to proceed in "Guns" and not be deleted or moved to "Outdoor Life.")

DU:

Given all the talk of possible upcoming gun control speeches by Obama, plus the magazine ban proposed by McCarthy et al, plus media pundits like Lawrence O' Donnel calling for even more restrictive gun, magazine, and ammunition regulation:

I think it appropriate that we DU'ers here in the Gungeon discuss what sorts of firearms, magazines, and ammunition we are buying, and why.

I'll go first:

I realize (given the balance of Congress, etc.) that no ban of any of the above items is immediately imminent, but I think it a reasonable concern that the media hype and talk of gun control could easily lead to price inflation and panic-induced shortages. Plus, some prices have dipped lower than I have seen in the past five years or so.

Therefore, I just ordered two crates of Yugoslavian 7.62x39 ammunition. I had been wanting a crate of this ammo for quite a while, for target use or long-term storage. They presently cost approximately half of what they had back in 2008-2009, so I feel like I got a good deal. Given the corrosive primers in these rounds, I will have to clean more carefully when I eventually do shoot them. But their primers and packing also mean that I can confidently store them in my basement until the time I want to teach my grand-kids shooting (I don't even have kids yet). Plus, with all the talk of Peak Oil, dollar deflation, etc. I doubt that ammunition will stay this cheap for long, even absent any legislation-induced 'panic.' Did Rachel Maddow's and Lo Do's broadcasts influence me to purchase two crates instead of one? Probably.

If money were no object, I would buy other items, but that's it for me for now (I am spending my limited discretionary income, and not skipping a mortgage payment or anything; I would advise others to be similarly sensible).

Gun-owners: What are you buying, and why? Does the talk of possible new gun control measures influence how you choose to spend your money right now?

Anti-2A folks: Offer your thoughts here too on what you think is appropriate vs. foolish purchasing. But please do be respectful.

-app

[lumberjack_jeff]

1. My purchasing decisions are based on what I need and want.

Not "get it while you still can".

Gun sellers know how to appeal to more than one kind of fear.

I think I might buy a rifle someday but I have no immediate plans. I have what I think I need.

[appal_jack]

4. Excellent.

I agree that one does better purchasing according to needs, rather than some hypothetical inflation or limited availability. And I also agree that there are plenty of unscrupulous dealers out there who might use fear to sharpen their sales pitches. In such situations, the policy of 'Caveat emptor' applies all the more so.

In the case (er, cases) of the ammunition I describe above, I already own a rifle that uses this round, and it has always been my goal to own a sufficient quantity of ammunition for it to get better at target-shooting, plus have some to teach others shooting, etc. If I had any thought that ammunition would get cheaper and more available in the next few years, I might have delayed this particular purchase. But it was a purchase I 'needed' (to keep the rifle useful for me for the next few decades, and then perhaps pass it to a future son or daughter) at some point regardless.

-app

[lumberjack_jeff]

6. Given how infrequently I shoot, a box of 9mm ruger and 12ga birdshot will last me a long time.

:hi:

[GreenStormCloud]

24. None, right now.

I am about to spend $2,000 for dental work, after the insurance. I have to get bottom dentures.

[Callisto32]

40. Yikes.

Hope they fit! Poorly fitting dentures are something I wouldn't wish on anybody! I don't wear them myself (25 y.o.) but have watched a couple of relatives battle bad dentures.

[benEzra]

34. If Congress looked poised to outlaw future purchase of what you previously decided

was in your "need and want" category, would you go ahead and make the purchase, or acquiesce to the banners and choose never to own them?

Given that the bills in question target the most popular civilian firearms in the United States, they are on a whole lot of people's "need and want" list, including mine. And it is no longer just some Brady Campaign lobbyist or media talking hairpiece who is talking about bans, unfortunately.

[X_Digger]

2. I may accelerate some purchases I had been thinking about, but not by much.

I'll probably buy a few more standard capacity magazines for my handguns (Springfield XD-40 subcompact - 12+1 and XDM-45 - 13+1).

If Rep McCarthy's bill makes it out of committee (which I doubt), I'll definitely divert my discretionary funds to mags.

[appal_jack]

18. Nice, accurate, phrasing.

The more of us who use the phrase "standard capacity magazines for handguns," the better.

-app

[Statistical]

37. +1 one. I ordered a couple spares.

Like you, if the bill looks like it will pass I will buy everyone I can. I figure a $2K to $10K investment might be useful. After AWB the price of new STANDARD CAPACITY mags went up about 200% (sometimes more). I would definately buy in bulk across popular model lines but I am just wondering how much to buy.

[littlewolf]

3. just bought 4 17 round mags for my glock

currentlyhave 2 ... mag springs go bad ...
want to get them now ...
24 bucks each ...

[appal_jack]

11. sounds reasonable.

You paid a fair price (iirc) for a wear-item that you know you will need at some point or other. Sounds reasonable and sensible to me.

-app

[guitar man]

5. Got a new Ruger 10-22 for christmas

Going to try to pick up a couple 25 or 30 rd mags for it. Was going to buy them anyway, hope I can find some.

[appal_jack]

10. Good luck.

I can't imagine that .22 lr magazines would disappear just yet, but since I don't own a 10-22, I can't comment intelligently on the supply or demand there.

Enjoy!

-app

[guitar man]

13. As popular as 10-22s are

I'm betting I'll find a couple. I bet pistol mags are going faster than anything right now.

I love my 10-22, it just runs out of ammo too quick when plinking with the stock 10 rd mag

[guitar man]

36. Just got back

From a local gun shop, picked up a couple Butler Creek steel lips 25 rd magazines. Not very many customers in the store and it didn't look like there had been a run on mags yet.

[aikoaiko]

7. I bought 10 Polish Tantal 30 rd mags. for $13 each.

Why not?

[appal_jack]

9. Word.

I don't own anything in 5.45x39, but 10 years from now, I think that this time will be viewed as the golden age of AK-74-family rifle/ammunition availability and pricing.

Hope you enjoy them!

-app

[RSillsbee]

8. Still looking at a CZ compact

Definitely some more magazines for my 75B and my S&W 6906. Kinda liking the new short barreled Mini 14s (doubt very seriously the CFO will OK that one though)

And of course ammunition

[appal_jack]

19. Very interested in the CZ pistols

The CZ 75-B pistols seem like the ideal, classic, all-around handgun to me. I intend to learn more about them soon. A stainless Limited Edition 75B would be on my purchase list if money was no object.

-app

[RSillsbee]

25. My 75 B is my number one carry gun

well, well made guns all around

[Hangingon]

35. Have had a CZ-75b for 5 years.

Great pistol.

[Euromutt]

12. Nothing in that category for me, but maybe for the missus

I have all the guns I want right now, but I was looking to get into turkey hunting this year, which will require a new barrel and appropriate ammunition for the pump-action shotgun I already have.

However, I've been wanting to get my wife her own handgun for some time, and I'm think a Glock 19, a SIG P229 or the new XD(M) Compact would be good choices. As I say, it's not a new decision, just one I'd maybe like to hurry along a little.

[appal_jack]

15. All well-reputed.

The Glock 19, SIG P229, and Springfield XD(M) Compact all have good reputations, and all would be affected by the McCarthy proposal, etc. Good luck making the choice (preferably in conjunction with your wife - how the guns feel in her hand and when carrying are probably the most important distinguishing factors here).

More importantly though (in relation to the policy theme here) is that you are choosing to accelerate a purchase due to possible legislation. My question is will those who are proposing new bans get the 'message from the marketplace?' My own local FFL has told me of an uptick in sales of both 'assault weapons' (the term is a misnomer, but I'm using it here as convenient shorthand) and double-stack magazine-using handguns. Clearly, the threat of impending public policy changes relating to these guns is influencing the public's buying decisions.

-app

[Atypical Liberal]

14. Me

For Christmas my priority was getting all the things I needed to get started reloading. Ammunition has become too expensive for me to be able to shoot very often, with a box of 50 .45 ACP cartridges running about $25. I've started buying wheel weights from the local tire stores, and I have started casting my own bullets. I can now reload a box of 50 .45 ACP cartridges for about $5 - savings of $20 per box.

I'd like to buy some more 7.62x39. I bought a case of 1000 for $90 a while ago. Last weekend I saw 1000 for $250. A bit rich for me.

[appal_jack]

17. $90 was a darn good deal.

Haven't seen $0.09 per round in a long time. My cost from AIM was more like $0.19 per round (including shipping), but I get plenty of stripper clips and two cool wooden crates as part of the deal...

-app

PS - Good luck with the reloading project. A shift to reloading could be another unintended outcome of 'feel good' ammunition legislation (especially micro-stamping, which, alas, Rachel Maddow has been touting).

[Atypical Liberal]

29. It was around 1998, I think.

I bought my SAR-1 during the AWB because of the AWB. I bought 1000 rounds of ammo to go with it at the time.

[beevul]

16. Not I.

Though I might get the firedragon barrel and some .357 sig dies, and finally convert my model 96 from .40 S&W to .357 sig. Been thinking it over for a few years now.

And some JHP .357 sig slugs to reload. Plus a few thousand primers.

Means I'll have to abandon my old reloading database, but what the heck.

.357 sig is noticably cheaper to reload than .40S&W.


Though I have been looking at .308 and 30.06 rifles for a few years. I don't really NEED one, as I don't hunt, but I've always wanted to get involved with long range target shooting - 1200 yards and up.

I live out in the middle of nowhere, where such things can be done without bothering or endangering anyone.

[appal_jack]

20. Wow.

Just wow.

:hi:

-app

On edit: I am clearly left speechless, but it sounds to me like you know what you are doing, and have a long-term strategy to avoid any vicissitudes on the legislative and/or marketplace fronts.

[beevul]

23. Where I'm at, its really necessary.

We do grocery shopping in 2 month trips, because the trip is long, time consuming and expensive. Fill the pantry and the freezers every couple months. Same goes for primers, JHP bullets to reload with, etc. I have about 6000 once fired brass to work with that I picked up a few years back for almost nothing. Before it got really expensive. Bought a brass tumbler and media at midwayusa when they were on sale a few years ago, and a whole box of reloading stuff...a press, dies, a few bottles of unique pistol powder, books, measuring tools, powder scale...for 10 dollars at a yardsale from someone who had divorced her husband.

Of course, I will have to get the sig brass, if i go down that road, but if you buy enough, its a one time expense more or less, as having to buy more in 2 to 5 years makes it negligable.


I know what I'm doing somewhat - enough to do it safely - but I'm no expert. I wish I had more than a single stage press, but its reliable and serves me well, even if its slow.

I just know about the .357 sig conversion, through a friend on some old beretta forums, plus the fact that the rounds use the same mags:



The .357 sig uses a necked down case, that is essentially a .40S&W case.

Barrel swap, a little feedramp polish, and the beretta shoots the sig round reliably.

An added bonus, is that while in a beretta model 96 the rear part of the cartridge over the feedramp is unsupported and bulges after a few reloads, the sig round is a lighter projectile, and may translate into more reloads before the bulge happens.

I'm a machinist by trade, and though I'm in a different line of work now days, the knowledge helps with reloading and amature gunsmithing.

Doing thing this way, while a pain, does insure some stability marketwise, like you say.

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[appal_jack]

22. Your guess is as good as mine...

If you get rich from selling Orbital-mind-control-laser-proof-headgear (tm) and Rotary-wing-gun-grabber-assault-vehicle-stealth-coatings (tm), I will offer you my heartiest congratulations!

:hi:

But if you use either of my trademarks, I'll want my cut. It's only reasonable and sensible, dontchaknow?

;)

-app

On-edit: On the other hand, if Chris Rock's $5,000 per round proposal (which I have seen endorsed here at DU!) passes, then a lot of us here in the Gungeon will be billionaires.

[oneshooter]

26. My ammo store is fairly full.

4000 rds of Greek M2 ball

30 battle pacs of Greek 308 Ball

2500 rds of handloaded 308 for my Nat Match Garand

4 spam cans of 7.62X54, Polish Light Ball 440rds per

8-10000 rds of assorted 22rf

Will need to pick up powder and primers, FMJ 30 cal bullets and 63gr 22 calFMJ ( 1-2000 ea)

Have 20lb of Goex Black on hand, will order 25lb more for stock.

Got a list made up for anything else.

Oneshooter
Armed and Livin in Texas

[benEzra]

27. I have for many years wanted a Springfield XD 9mm or Glock 17/34.

If a ban looks like it's going to make it out of committee, I will have to go ahead and decide which one I want, and purchase a lifetime supply of standard factory magazines for it. That totally sucks, of course, but considering that the prohibitionists have declared their intent to ban the future purchase or transfer of standard magazines for most full-size 9mm's, it would at that point be a "get them now or put up with unspeakably stupid restrictions for the rest of your life" situation.

I'd also pick up a few magazines for my competition/HD carbine, since those are consumable and I shoot it quite a bit.

[shadowrider]

28. I want a Springfield XD .40. Sweet gun. n/t

[RSillsbee]

30. I want to like the XDs

but every time I get a chance at buying one I end up getting a CZ

[benEzra]

43. LOL (n/t)

[benEzra]

42. Hmmm, there's now a third horse in the match race...Smith & Wesson.

I have been hearing good things about the Smith & Wesson M&P9, and I see they have a longslide variant with a 5" barrel and 17+1 capacity, and it looks to be available with a manual safety (a bit of an anachronism but one which I prefer). I think my ideal configuration would be the 5" barrel, manual safety, no mag disconnect, and the Novak/Trijicon sights...now checking to see if that configuration is possible.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson/upload/other/ProductPR/MP9L.pdf

[X_Digger]

44. XD-40 SC is my EDC

Never leave home without it.

[DonP]

31. Just picked up a Henry Golden Boy in .22...

... but that was a rifle I'd been looking at for a year or so and finally found one for $50 under normal at a gun show last week.

As far as "stocking up" probably not. If I find a great price on .223 I might pick up maybe another 1000 rounds, just to save a few bucks, but now that I reload I have a lot more flexibility and can roll my own.

Of course I'd still like to pick up a Camp Carbine, in .45 and/or 9mm. But that's a long term search on the used rack or at shows that gives me an excuse to nose around. The only other gun I've been thinking about is a compact .45, Wart Hog or one of the other Micro .45s. Nothing I really want to run out and grab before it's gone.

[guitar man]

32. Ok

Now I'm jealous. I love my new 10-22 but I have a real thing for lever action rifles and have been eyeing a Golden Boy .22 for a while.

Congrats!

[DonP]

33. They shoot .22 Short, Long or Long Rifle or any combination

That's about as cheap as you're gonna get. I can shoot the shorts in my damn basement with a bullet trap if I wanted to.

I know the blued ones are cheaper, but it's just so damn cute, and they shoot really well. I test drove a friends and at 50 yards+ the Marbles buckhorn sight was great, even with my crappy old eyes.

I may add a tang peep to it, but heck, it's just a .22 so no need to get too fancy with it. The all US Made was a part of the choice as well.

[guitar man]

38. Yeah

The ability to shoot shorts is why I want one too. The only way to shoot them in my Ruger would be to manually load the chamber one at a time , not much fun at all :(

[littlewolf]

39. my Long term want list is -

Ruger KLCR357 Model5450
yeah - will never shoot a 357 round out of it ... not as light and as short a bbl as it has
but I like the heavier gun ... is it easy conceal and can put a light enuff round in it
*CinC house will like it ...

Would also like to get a S & W Model 18 in .22 4" I feel this is a good starter pistol
for CinC house ... and after she gets used to it ... move up to the .38/.357 Ruger ...

Long guns I like the SR-22 from Ruger
and also would like to get either a .556 or the 6.8
I like Ruger because of the piston system rather then blow-back ....

*CinC House -AKA Wife :D

I know I like Ruger :D

[old mark]

47. How do you like Henrys? Been looking at then, but never jumped...nt

[DonP]

52. Beautifully made, nicely fitted and all made in the USA

I don't know that I ever thought I'd like a gun made in Bayonne NJ, but it shoots better than it has any right to. Nice semi Buckhorn Marble style sights, very smooth action. The wood is really nice and I opted for the Brass receiver, just for the looks, but the Blued steel shoots as well I'm sure. I've been thinking about it for a year or two now and finally ran into one at a gun show for a really good price. The FFL is a local cop that does gun shows and isn't that far from my house.

I can use .22 shorts for back yard, or even basement plinking. Longs or LR for a little more distance. No groove for a scope, but you can add a tang peep sight if you really want to.

The danger is ... I picked it up at another show the following week (1 day waiting period mandatory in Illinois) because I was out of town all week on business. At the show it was hard not to buy anything else, so I settled for some ammo and a "Ball Board" for my Muzzle loaders.

[Callisto32]

41. I may pick up a couple of P-mags.

I'm not one of those (you need 100 mags per rifle) guys, but I only have 9 AR mags. The ones I have are split between G.I. and P-mags, and the polymer ones seem far more suited for long-term durability.

I am sure the people that don't understand that magazines don't last forever find that number shocking!

Other than that, I am deciding whether or not I want to sink money into an Aimpoint or more ammo. I have already mastered the irons, as they say, and am wanting to play with the glass.

Neither of these purchases are really driven by current hype, though, other than maybe accelerating my schedule a bit.

[Hoopla Phil]

48. I've been wanting some P and E Mags for a while now. I'll be at

the fun show tomarrow and see what the prices are like. If reasonable I may pick some up.

[Callisto32]

50. On occasion, they get down to the 10-12 dollar range here:

http://dsgarms.com/

Also, why Emags? I have played with both, and I really don't see a need for Emags if you are running U.S. spec AR's. I guess what I am trying to say is "what kind of neat stuff do you have that you need Emags?"

[Hoopla Phil]

53. Well, didn't see any under $15.00.

No really neat stuff for the E mags. Just wanted something different. Did find a good deal on some contract AR mags for $8.00 each. Got a dozen for a couple of future builds - still have several receivers in the safe from a group buy last year.

[YllwFvr]

45. Im lucky

A week before the Arizona deal, well before the talk of mag limits, I picked up a 75 round drum for my ak. Then for fun I had to take a pic of it on the Draco ak pistol. Looking to get a spam can of 7.62 now.

[old mark]

46. I bought a handgun about 2 weeks ago, and it had absolutely nothing to do

with any current events or fear of any type of ban. I bought one of these:
http://www.rossiusa.com/product-details.cfm?id=139&category=1&toggle=rv&breadcrumbseries=R357

No magazine, holds 6 rounds. I have a large S&W .357 magnum (a Highway Patrolman made int he late 1960's) and I wanted a smaller revolver for easier carry. I think I will replace some of my smaller handguns with this one. It is very well made and pretty heavy for its size-26 ozs. - which I prefer when shooting a magnum or hot .38 Spls which is what I carry in it. I really like revolvers, have owned many over the last 45 years, and I have not had several Rossis before and was very happy with them...and they are very affordable.
Hope this answers the OP.

mark

[GreenStormCloud]

51. I would want the hammer shrouded or bobbed.

When drawing from concealment the hammer spur can catch on clothing.

[timo]

49. I just splurged

got a deal on a imi model 45 uzi, two receivers one 45 one 9mm 4 barrels and 2 mags each....I already own a 9mm suppressor but now I will buy one for the 45 barrel as well, 2 of the mags are 45's and man new ones are EXPENSIVE!!!