Graduation gun... what to choose?

[throttletony]

Hi all. I'm finishing a PhD and my bro offered to buy me a gun. Assuming $1500 limit. I'm wanting a handgun.
I own a GP100 MC, CZ 75 shadow, and a Shield. These cover all my "needs." So, now it's to the "wants"

Considering a 1911 (springfield loaded)
Or, a s&w 625 6-shot 45 acp
Those are my top 2, others to consider are:
- a s&w 627 8-shot 357 / R8/TRR8
- Or, a 44 mag like 629 or Ruger redhawk/SRH
- Or, a CZ shadow 2
- Or, a CZ 97
- Or FNX 45 Tac

Right now i only shoot/reload 9mm, 38 spl, and 357mag in handguns. I'm not opposed to reloading 45acp or 44mag if i get into a new caliber.

Any input welcome! !

So, just looking for owners/users and their praise of any of these.
I don't shoot competitively, but wanna dabble in IDPA, Steel matches, bowling pins, etc on a local level.

Any limitations/divisions/events that I can't do with some of these??? (Usually there's a spot for almost any gun)

 

[throttletony]

Also, if you cant tell from the options listed, I'm kind of a convert to revolvers and want to get more. But... I also know that any good collection needs a 1911, right??
(No glocks on the list)

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

What a great brother! Congratulations to you.

I bought one of these a couple 2-3 years ago and am quite fond of it.

Smith and Wesson 1911SC E .45ACP 8rd 4.25 inch SCD Black

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Another of what you carry, lots of mags and ammo.

 

[VERT]

1911 or Revolver are both great choices!!!!

My choice would be one of the Smith & Wesson Pro Series or Performance Center guns. They have both 1911s and revolvers.

$1500 will get you into a Dan Wesson 1911.

 

[VERT]

Another of what you carry, lots of mags and ammo.

I disagree. Finishing school requires something special.

My anniversary gun getting all cleaned up along with the Walther my wife bought me when I finished grad school. The 1911 is my highest round count gun but never carried. The P99 is a safe queen and the first new handgun I ever owned.

 

[hog slayer]

Get your PC revolver. I've been bitten by the big and understand the difficulty stepping away. I think I'd get the 625. If the 69 (or any other 44 mag) came with a full under lug on a 4" barrel I'd be drooling over it.

 

[VERT]

Get your PC revolver. I've been bitten by the big and understand the difficulty stepping away. I think I'd get the 625. If the 69 (or any other 44 mag) came with a full under lug on a 4" barrel I'd be drooling over it.

625 in .45 acp and the 627 in .357 are both freaking awesome! They would be great choices.

or a 1911.

 

[Hopper]

What a great brother! Congratulations to you.

I bought one of these a couple 2-3 years ago and am quite fond of it.

Smith and Wesson 1911SC E .45ACP 8rd 4.25 inch SCD Black

TT, I think you know I'm a wheel gun fanatic. But of the choices you listed, I see 45 ACP as a recurring theme. I'm with GFGT on this one. Absolutely love mine, and I think the bi-tone version is drop-dead gorgeous.

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And BTW, a HUGE congratulations to you on a fantastic accomplishment, well done!!

 

[VERT]

TT, I think you know I'm a wheel gun fanatic. But of the choices you listed, I see 45 ACP as a recurring theme. I'm with GFGT on this one. Absolutely love mine, and I think the bi-tone version is drop-dead gorgeous.!

Go Performance Center if you like the slide cuts. I thought they were cool but never really warmed up to them on a carry gun. This particular gun got carried quite a bit until the lightweight .45 was just to much for my girlie hands. I ended up trading it for a 1911 in 9mm. Pretty gun though and a good shooter.

 

[Nsw550]

CZ TSO!

 

[Bigtanker]

Desert Eagle. /thread.

 

[throttletony]

Desert Eagle. /thread.

lol, I was actually considering it for a minute there...
in .44mag it'd be a fun gun.

I was also thinking about something like a Colt Delta Elite in 10mm...
but the practical side of me is leaning towards .45 or .357

 

[throttletony]

wow... there's a LOT of love for the S&W 1911s on here. I'm actually a bit surprised by it. I guess I was expecting mostly COLT, SA, and maybe some Sig, S&W, and Ruger (Not including the higher dollar options)

 

[wtburnette]

Another vote for a Dan Wesson 1911. For that price, you could get a Heritage or Specialist. Either would be fantastic.

 

[spqr]

I do not own a CZ or FNX; however, I do have several 1911's, a 325, R8, TRR8, 329, and a Ruger Redhawk. Since I love wheel guns, my first choice would be the R8/TRR8...8 rounds of 357 goodness that you already load. Having said that...the 45 ACP is also a wonderful choice, however, I prefer the 1911 (I rarely shoot my 325 when could shoot the 327!)...I have a Springfield Operator which I like very much but I've heard good things about the Dan Wessons mentioned above. Lastly, if you really want a 44 mag, I find that the Redhawk is a much more solid and durable gun than the Smith 44s (even if it is less cool than the 329...the 329 is a handful to shoot with full power 44 mag loads!). Gun gifts are the best! When my son turned 21, he received an 870, a Sig P220, an AR, and a safe to put them all in...I hope he continues the tradition.

 

[VERT]

wow... there's a LOT of love for the S&W 1911s on here. I'm actually a bit surprised by it. I guess I was expecting mostly COLT, SA, and maybe some Sig, S&W, and Ruger (Not including the higher dollar options)

Springfield is dead to a lot of people on here after their IL stunt. I have never owned a Colt but for a graduation gun that would be a solid choice as well. In the $800-$1200 price range I think the Smith & Wesson Pro Series or E Series guns are the way to go. The Performance Center stuff looks nice but IMO is overpriced for the value they bring. But if you like the way they look it is a heirloom gun and appropriate. Dan Wesson 1911 seems to be the horse to ride in that $1200-$1600 range but I have never owned one. I was really eye balling a guardian until I stumbled into something that else and went a different route.

The matte finish on the Smith Pro Series 1911 and revolvers is just about perfect if you want any engraving done such as your graduation date and school. 1911 and revolvers in general are also perfect for having custom stocks engraved. In my mind a graduation gun is a reminder of a significant event in your life. My personal gun, which is also my Game gun has my wedding date, and birth dates of both my children on the slide.

 

[88E30M50]

You would never regret adding a Dan Wesson to your collection. For $1500, you have lots of options, but a Heritage or RZ 10 would be a nice start. Add a high end set of grips and you'd have an heirloom gun. Sig makes a nice 1911 too.

 

[throttletony]

Thanks for the info.
Still taking suggestions.
I'm leaning towards 1911 (i want it to be a shooter and an heirloom piece)

 

[Dddrees]

As a brand new owner of my first 1911 (Dan Wesson) I would highly recommend a Dan Wesson.