Which firearm should I buy ?

[blue tiger]

I'm almost as avid a gun enthusiast as a MC enthusiast. I will now ask the hivemind for their input (could be dangerous but here it goes). After I finish getting my rim fixed and pay off the CC for the new Suomy Spec1r extreme I am getting a new firearm. I have it narrowed down to these choices.

Glock 20  Full size 10mm goodness in the reliable Glock package. I already have the G29 (subcompact 10mm) and it's a hoot. About 525 bucks

Kimber Eclipse II 10mm  Yes I like 10mm. It has ballistics similar to the .41 magnum. I reload so the expense of ammo is less of a concern. I already have a few hundred empty cases to start with. The ballistic's are for the real 10mm loads and not the neutered FBI loads. Close to a grand.

Polish Tantal or other 5.45 cal. AK. I love AK's and the 5.45 ammo is some of the only cheap centerfire rifle ammo available these days. Prefer a fixed stock but would take a side folder if that's all I could find. Should be able to find one for 500-750 bucks.

An Israeli Golani Galil in 5.56   I would dearly love one in .308 but they are hard to find and very expensive. The 5.56 models can be had for about 850. They are a heavy Israeli version of the AK with a few improvements and let's face it...the IDF are badasses.They also have 35 round mags.

CETME  Spanish made version of the G3/HK91. A friend of mine has one and really wants me to get one for some reason. I'm not super keen on the idea but it is a pretty OK firearm. They are .308 cal. and can be picked up for about 800 bucks.

The last pistol I bought was  the G29. It's my bike riding pistol. . After we saw a few crack deals going down on the inner city parts of the trail system we ride on (suburbs to the city center) my wife quit laughing at me for packing heat. An attempted break in at our house really got her to support the gun habit.

[factorPlayer]

You'd probably get a knowledgeable answer on a gun board. 

[rgramjet]

Youll get some great replies here as well.

If you like the 10mm, have you looked at the Colt Delta Elite?  Theres also a sweet Dan Wesson worth looking into. 

That 29 is a nice little hand cannon! 

[ducatiz]

Here is my take on each of your choices:

Glock 20 -- if you already have the compact version, why get the full size? 

Kimber Eclipse II --  if you are looking for a 1911 style, this is one of the better makes.  the 10mm makes the grip MUCH longer tho, so you lose the traditional ergos of the grip (not by much, but it would throw me off, having shot 1911s for ages)

Polish Tantal or other 5.45 cal. AK. -- i think you are wrong about 5.45 being cheap, moreover the magazines are far more expensive.  I would stick to the 7.62x39 AKs.  My spot check on ammo prices shows milsurp 5.45 going for $179 per 1000 rounds but new production 7.62 for $199 per 1000.  I always choose new production if i can find it.  Combloc milsurp is iffy (although the newer stuff might be better quality overall)

An Israeli Golani Galil in 5.56   the 5.56 version you're talking about is a remake, I believe.  They used R4 parts kits (demils) with a new barrel and a new receiver with Israeli markings and the left-side safety. They are not bad, but a real Galili rifle will run you around 2500-3000 -- the IMI manufactured ones.  They have a copycat stock as well made from plastic instead of aluminum.  My price on those remakes is $700.

CETME  Spanish made version of the G3/HK91.  Don't.  There is nothing wrong with the CETME, but ALL of the models sold here are parts kits remakes by Century.  Google "angry beavers" and CETME and you'll see what the general public think of them.  Actually, google "angry beavers" and any make of rifle and you'll get the picture. 

Now, if you can find a CETME built by ARS, THAT is a good gun, but he only made a few dozen and they run around 2500. 

If you REALLY want a pistol, why not get something completely differnet.  Plenty of 10mm around if you like that so much.  Springfield's Omega 10 was an awesome gun -- a linkless 1911 in 10mm.  Very popular for a while.

Rifle-wise, I am a big fan of the AK's, but prefer them in 7.62.  Galilis are nice, but heavier (as they used a milled receiver just like the Valmet).  if you like the Galils, you can find Valmet M76 and M72s for less money than the Galils, but magazines are hard to find (you can convert Galil magazines with a dremel, some smiths know how to do it, it is a no brainer).  I have a couple of Valmets and find them much better overall than the Galilis I fielded (although, the former were commercial samples and the latter were mil issue...)

If you like the CETME, shop around and get a G3.  More money, but you'll be happier and the mags are cheaper.  Or a FAL.  Same round, mags are dirt cheap and much easier to get parts for.

[Smiling End]

I saw a neat revolver this weekend.  The Taurus Judge.  It's chambered for .45 long colt or .410 shotgun shells.

[ducatiz]

I saw a neat revolver this weekend.  The Taurus Judge.  It's chambered for .45 long colt or .410 shotgun shells.

it's a copy of the BFR

I've seen those too, and I am not impressed honestly.  45 LC is a weak cartridge.  has about half the power of 45 ACP.

a 410 revolver is a great idea, except that the cylinder has to be at least 2.5 " long !! because of the length of the shells.  great, but makes the revolver a big pain.

BFR:


Judge:

[Smiling End]

I had never heard of the BFR.  It does seem like a pain but I think there's something cool about having a pistol that you can say fires shotgun shells.

I'll never get one just because I'd never be able to shoot it using the .410 shells.  No ranges around me allow shotguns unless they're firing slugs or unless you're shooting at clay pigeons. 

[ducatiz]

I had never heard of the BFR.  It does seem like a pain but I think there's something cool about having a pistol that you can say fires shotgun shells.

I'll never get one just because I'd never be able to shoot it using the .410 shells.  No ranges around me allow shotguns unless they're firing slugs or unless you're shooting at clay pigeons. 

use the 410 slugs..  which are about half as powerful as a 44 magnum.. same projectile tho...

[junior varsity]

i like Kimbers - just be wary that it might not run perfect out of the box.  After a bunch of rounds and the deletion of the ambi safety, my Kimber is my favorite gun. Runs perfectly now.

So that's a neat idea.

[trenner]

I'm almost as avid a gun enthusiast as a MC enthusiast.
[...]
Glock 20 

I've got more guns than bikes, but maybe number is not the correct measure.  Perhaps by weight?

I had a G20 when they were first released.  Loved it.

I switched to the .40 S&W Glocks, a bit tentatively at first.  They're not the same cannon that the 10mm is, and there's plenty of spirited debate about the relative merits of the 10mm and the .40 S&W.  But the subcompact .40 (the G27) is a damn impressive combo of small size and punch.  Very very easy to carry.

I can't comment specifically about the other firearms that you list, except to say that:

1) You ought to have and enjoy at least one each of a handgun, a scoped rifle, a tactical rifle, and a shotgun.
2) For a true hand cannon, try to find one of these (sadly discontinued) beauties in .308.  Holy crap are they accurate!  http://www.kitsune.addr.com/Firearms/Single-Shot-Pistols/Magnum_Lone_Eagle.htm
3) Everyone needs a rimfire or two.  I've been thinking off and on about adding a .17 HMR to my stable.

[Manny]

+1 on having more guns than bikes. 

The Glocks drown me in a large bucket of ennui. 

I'm also a fan of the 10mm, so the Kimber sounds like a good choice to me. I've had several Kimbers and loved every one.

I would avoid the Delta Elite. Any one you get will have had it's best years used by someone else. I found that mine was getting beaten up in the frame stops, etc.

+1 on the rimfire. .22s are just great for an afternoon of plinking and hanging out.

If you want something new and fun, you could build a customized tactical rifle or a good clocktower gun....

[ducatiz]

If you want something new and fun, you could build a customized tactical rifle or a good clocktower gun....

ouch...

[Manny]

ouch...

 

Not suggesting that he's never had something like that. Just saying that building a custom gun could be fun.

[DoubleEagle]

I'd like to have one of the 50 cal. sniper rifles I saw on Ultimate Weapons on TV.

[Got Duc]

Thompson Center encore 30/30

with red dot of course.