DISCLAIMER: I am not unlike another. I have my desires and prefrerences. I am far from an expert but not a novice. I have made mistakes and learned.
Buying a gun is not hard. Go to any GOOD gun store and start salivating. It is like buying a car. Go too a dealer and they got a bunch.
I have bought guns on a whim, my FM 5.7x28 is an example. Went looking for one thing an found it. In some ways I regret the purchase, I then had to wait til I could round up some more money and start my original search over. On the other hand, I sure do like shooting it. It is a fine plinker and I don't have plans for selling it.
I bought a German PPK because of the beauty. It is original blue and not fired. It will stay that way and I love the way it looks.
Most of the time I have a plan.
I found myself reading a lot about the 9x23 a number of years ago. I was intrigued by the hype, the caliber and balistics. I determined I wanted one. There was a problem though. They were hard too locate. I could have one built but the fund$$$$ were not there. I studied the situation for a long time. Then one day I made a call too Dave at Dawson percision. He is an avid IDPA participant.
I asked him about what he understood about the 9x23 and he said he owned one and shot competition with his. Mine was not about competion. I asked him about taking a 9MM STI Trojan and punching it out. He said he would talk too Dawson and call me back. Turns out that just a minor part here and there and some adjustment would make it very do able plus the reaming. That is how I came about the 9x23.
I wanted a BBQ gun. I looked and studied, contacted craftsmen, gunsmiths and was making plans for a pretty expensive showdown on the BBQ circuit. The thing was, I was just buying a show gun if it was not reliable.
HUMMMMM, more $$$$$$'s.
I am lucky and unlucky to have a very good gunstore here in Houston callled Collectors Firearms. If you want it they got it or can find it, from WWII collectables too the OLD WEST. They are a pricey gun shop----BUTTTT, they got it.
I had seen an engraved 70 series Colt with real Ivory grips in there for a while. I went back and, in the same spot on the back right of the Island, there it was. It was XXXXXX$$$$$$$'s. No deal today check me agin in a year or two was the reply. I asked if I was allowed too cuss him while I payed. He said sure, any name I wanted too use.
Now I had already checked with a gunsmith of local reputation, Vandenberg, about the need to customize the gun if I bought it. I took it too him, I had made a deal that I could get my money back if It could not be worked on without doing damage to the engraving. Vandenberg assured me That he could lower and flare it plus checker the front strap witout noticable changes to the engraving.
That is how I came about the BBQ gun.
Ever weapon I own, not the ones inherited or the whimsical purchase, have a purpose.
The light weight wheel gun under the matress, and sometimes, in the pocket have a purpose and a reason to want the the weapon.
My Sigs were purchased under the same criteria.They work and they fit the desire.
Sharonanne went thru this thinking some bit ago and my thinking follows her's, if not for the same purpose, the same end results.
My new lighweight Commander was the same type of project.
I have purchased several, when I was younger, a Colt Mustang is a constant reminder, that were mistakes---OH, WELL.
Don't ask us what YOU want. Think about the purpose. Ask about a specific. Research it. You will like it a lot better and, if you don't, then you have learned.
Just how I do it.
Blessings
