Hello all,

I am new to handguns and know nothing, I am getting my handgun licence and have decided at this stage I would like a 10mm. I do not think I can afford a colt so a glock is the gun I am looking at. Are the glocks reliable??

How expensive are components for the 10mm and are they easy to come by ??

How much dearer are the colts in this calibre (10mm)

Hey PC,

Pecos covered most of it, I'd just like to add to the pile one minute detail: recoil.

We used to have a fellow at the range who shot hot loaded 10mm, it's got some crack to it. If you'r comfortable with a bit of recoil from a handgun, then this may not be a problem. Otherwise, you might want to ease your way into it.

On second thought, I have a better idea: get yourself a nice Mk XIX Desert Eagle in 50 AE. One you master that thing's recoil, everything else will seem so much more pleasant to shoot ....plus you may even bear the distinction of being the first one on your block to own a handgun that big, strictly coolsville

I don't normaly jump in like this but Pecos has missed the point somewhere. I have three different 10mm's, S&W 1006, EAA Witness, and Glock 29. I love all of them. They may or may not - be your "cup of tea". If you are used to 9mm grip sizes, they may be too big for you to comfortably use (same size as the .45). The 10mm is the most powerfull automatic pistol round found in a 'regular' sized pistol. If that's what your are looking for/or need, go for it. Reloading components (the cases) may be hard to come by, rarer than some other calibers. Reloading, if you can find the cases, is no harder than any other caliber (the cases, by the way, are larger than 9mm or .38 special, easier to manipulate than the 9mm/.38, and use the same dies as the .40S&W. See if you can shoot someone else's 10mm with full power loads before you buy.

I have made a couple of ph calls this morning and the 10mm is not an easy round to get stuff for in Australia.

I have pretty much decided that I want a .45 auto and a .44 magnum revolver. I would love a desert eagle in .44 but they are very expensive here

I am interested in the Ruger .44 mag revolvers as they seem to be well priced and rugged. I want a .44 mag as I have dies and already have a marlin lever in this caliber.

The shops here in Australia have started pointing me towards a pra-ordanance in .45.

Keep the advice coming

regards PC

PC,

Buy a 1911 45 Auto and get a drop in kit from Clark for the 460 Rawland. Now you have a very "normal" semi-auto with the killing power close to a 44 Magnum. Good luck and have fun. Cheers. Ming

Forgot to mention that Tanfoglio also makes a semi-auto in 10 mm. Smith and Wesson has a 10 mm revolver. Good luck. Cheers. Ming

by PC,


I have pretty much decided that I want a .45 auto and a .44 magnum revolver.
I am interested in the Ruger .44 mag revolvers as they seem to be well priced and rugged. I want a .44 mag as I have dies and already have a marlin lever in this caliber.
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What's a good choice. A 45 ACP but in 1911 frame, can be customized as you want with money as you have

My 45 ACP 1911 custom is one of my most accurate gun. Regarding your choice for a .44 Mag, great choice.

I think you'll have fun and goo time with both guns, very different but great accuracy

Thanks gents,

I am going to buy a .44 mag ruger revolver first.
Only now I have to decide between 7 1/2" & 9 1/2" barrel.

Get the 7 1/2" barrel. Any advantage you might gain from a longer barrel will be lost in balance and just all around awkwardness with the gun. Even a 7" barrel can be a little awkward in a holster. A 9" would be down right obnoxious most of the time and I don't think you will shoot any better with a 9. IMHO

Hi PC,

I agree with Peco45, but the 9 1/2" is a little bit more accurate than 7 1/2".

Have a 7 1/2" barrel more easy to carry to hunt than a 9 1/2".

Struck a problem,

In Australia you can own a handgun if you shoot once a month at the range and go in a comp once a month, however the range that is near me does not have a competition that utilises big bore handguns .44 mag etc. One of the club members said you could not own a handgun caliber that was not used in one of the club comps.

I will have to check if this is right.

If it is I would be restricted to getting myself a .45 auto.

PC:

I don't know what they cost down there, but if you are going to buy a 1911 type .45 I recommend in the strongest terms that you consider a Kimber. All of their models deliver more value for the money than any of the rest, and like all 1911 clones can be upgraded as money becomes available. However, if you buy one of their higher end models there won't be any upgrading to do. No BS, for about $1000 US you have to spend at least $2000 on a custom/semi-custom to get the same quality and features. Think about it, and no, I don't have anything to do with the Kimber Co. Just a satisfied customer.

OK, I'm uncomfortable with this whole thread.

Dude hasn't shot pistol, and nobody says "buy a nice .22 and take it from there"? I'll say it- buy a nice .22 and shoot it for 3 to 6 months, then see where you want to go.

Dude is in Australia, and nobody says "buy a Contender"? I'll say it- look in to a Contender. Then you can have a .22, .357 maximum, .44 mag, .45/70 and 7-30 Waters all on one license.

And, if you can only have one or two guns, I would say make 'em the best. For competition, get a great .45 that can group 2" at 50 yards. If you miss, you KNOW it's YOU. So, get to know a custom pistolsmith, and have them make something special. It is NOT going to cost you $2,000 unles you really want it to. But it could be the last .45 you'll ever need to have.

Just my opinions- but a serious pistolero just has to have a .22

Pete

Stinkypete:

I sure would like to know where you are going to get a custom .45 with all the standard custom features that will consistently shoot 2 inch groups at 50 yards for under $2000, Clark's which is known for reasonably priced quality work, charges about $1500 for their bullseye package and only guarantees 3 inches. They usually do better, but a consistent 2 incher is a pretty rare beast.

Your point is well taken about the .22 and I have made it in other places. I think they have a quantity problem down under, meaning 2 pistols may be hard to justify to the controlling agencies.

I know this is a minority opinion, and I own several, but the TC is not a real pistol in my mind, it is just a short rifle that is just about as much trouble to carry around.

stinkeypete,

Some people thinks than a .22 is the best first gun. YES and NOT, I know a little bit PC, he like powerful rifles (he got a .585 Nyati) and handguns too. I advice him in private e-mail the best caliber to start to shoot is a .45 ACP. Low recoil and great accuracy, I think he'll be very boring in a short time with a .22 even a Walther GSP.

I can tell you that because I love big bore handgun like PC and I have shot few tmes a Walther GSP in .22. This was great but I can't never purchase a gun mike that. But I agree with you it's accurate too.

I respect your opinion, I think PC will purchase a .45 ACP, he'll be vey happy with this.

Well, Rock River makes a nice gun--

http://www.rockriverarms.com/standard_match.htm

It's $1,150 US, plus $100 accurizing add-on guarantees you 1 1/2" group at 50 yards. I'd want to see the target, but these are nice. I shoot a Springfield NM customized by Leutenegger, myself.

I agree that .45 acp is an excellent caliber. For another $150, they'll cut a support ramp- not that I would want the +P loads, but big boom guys might.

pete

I am entitled to use the club guns until I can purchase my own, and they have selection of .22's and .38 special revolvers.

I could purchase a .357 magnum revolver and that would also shoot .38 special which would satisfy there criteria. What are the Ruger .357 revolvers like.

I would definitely like a .45 auto and a revolver, if I can't own a .44 mag then I may need to settle for a .357 that shoots .38 as well.

PC,
Get a .357 6". you can shoot the .38 reloads for $10 for 50. .357 magnum 125gn ammo is $25 per 50. (Factory loads)

Mate, Note about glocks too, they void warranty if used with hand loaded ammo. (a portion of the cartridge is not supported in the chamber above the feed ramp) and cases can bulge.

For conditions down here, I strongly suggest the .357.

Get a colt Python or S&W 686.
BTW will down your way soon. A mate has a .357 colt python 6" for sale. good nick and very reasonable $$$$.
email me southern_x@hotmail.com if your interested.

Gatogordo,

You can get a Les Baer 1911 Premier II for around $1850. This 45 ACP pistol is guaranteed to shoot 1.5 in groups at 50 yards out of the box. You do not need to spend $2500 plus to get a competition pistol. Have fun. Cheers. Ming

PC,

the large frame tanfoglio Witness can be converted among 10mm, 45ACP and 38 super, and it will shoot lead bullets all day. The small frame isn't really physically smaller, just made for a smaller magazine, and converts between 9x19, 9x21, 41AE, and 40 S&W. Both convert to 22LR. Here in the states, they are generally under $300US new, depending on options.

They are an inexpensive (and ergonomically better, IMO) alternative to a Glock. And not as picky about ammo.

In the US, we import through EAA, whose customer service has left a bad taste with some. I don't know who imports them there, but you may be able to get some of their better models; they are not uncommon in the euro race gun crowds.

PC- I happen to have two Ruger Vaqueros in .357 Magnum. One is with the Bisley grip 5 1/2" barrel and , the other is with the regular grip, 4 5/8" barrel. I prefer the shorter barrel.

Had a smith redo the springs and action- nice for a cowboy gun. Very strong, and simple. Compare to a Python, the Ruger seems rather crude, like an antique cowboy gun. Which is exactly why I love 'em. Fun plinkers.

.357 doesn't get the awe that the big bores do, but you can not find a more versatile or practical caliber, in my opinion. It's most simple to reload for, bullets are plentyful everywhere, and it will take deer sized game, if you can do your end of the job and pass up marginal shots.

A used Python- that's a classy pistol that will hold it's value if you ever decide to trade it. I expect whoever is selling it will regret its loss, eventually.

Pete
(but I do love my FA Casull...)

StinkyPete:

I wasn't even aware or Rock River Arms, they seem to make a good product at a very good price. I am somewhat leary of their 1 1/2 inch guarantee but for $100 more if they can come close it is a great deal. My idea of a 1 1/2 inch gun at 50 yards is take the ammo it likes, put it in a Ransom rest and fire, say, five 5 shot groups. If they average 1 1/2 inches then it is indeed a 1 1/2 inch gun. I've never seen one in a 1911 type .45, but I'm sure they are out there.

Seems you are never too old to learn something new. Thanks for the link.

Ming:

I'm not going into details, but if Les Baer's guarantee is no better than his ability to do what he says then I don't want any of his pistols. Been there, done that, don't want anymore.

I have found out that if I join another organisation I can shoot the big bore handguns that I am interested in, it just means a little more driving. But I can get big bore handguns, it is going to take a while though up to 6 months before I can purchase.

But I have made my mind up at this minute; The first two handguns I will buy are;

1. Ruger Super Red Hawk .44 magnum
2. Para-Ordanance P-14 .45 (Stainless)

The other I would wish to own would be the Ruger .480 or .454 Cassul at this stage.

If you are going to get an SRH in 454, then you should do so instead of the SRH in 44 mag, all else being equal. That is assuming funds are limited.

A nice load of Unique and you can create a very mild round, and you can shoot from 185gr to 350+gr bullets.

But if the 44 to match your rifle is what you are set on, then skip the 454 later and get the 480.

Aww, whatta I know? Get them all!

ScottB,

You're right and I can agree with you. But I don't like very much mild loads out these guns. I don't tell : "you must load full loads each time", but I withdraw one or 2 grains of max loads to have a good load.

It is just to shoot on paper target, but love to feel power of my guns.

PC,
1. Ruger Super Red Hawk .44 magnum
2. Para-Ordanance P-14 .45 (Stainless)
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Great choice for both. Have a good time and fun with these guns.

Thanks for the help folks,

it takes a while to get you HG licence in OZ so it will be a few months before I can purchase these guns.

Any ways I stil have some long arm bills to pay first