I recently came into possession of a small gun collection, have really enjoyed shooting them. Part of the collection was a .32 Colt revolver, while nice, I’m look to add a larger caliber. I’m still a n00b on the gun scene and want to make sure I’ve got my facts straight.
I’ve just about talked myself into a .40 semi-automatic, slightly bigger than a 9mm (right?) but not getting into hand-cannon land. I’m really fond of the S&W SW 99 for some reason. A friend of mine says he can get me a Glock 22 (used, older) for $400, although I’m not sure what I think about a hammerless gun. Does anyone have other suggestions? There will be a gun show here a week from Saturday (Apr 2) so that’s the timeline I’m looking at.
While we’re talking guns, couple of other things. I inherited 2 rimfire .22s, a revolver (that takes shorts) and a rifle. The revover is junk, I think. Someone dry-fired the hell out of it apparently and the cylinder was mashed in so far I had to file 3 off the holes out just to get rounds in them. Even though now it spins freely even when loaded, after the first shot the deformed shell seems to keep the cylinder from spinning. This appears to be a very low value gun, I wonder if it’s worth it to take to a gunsmith or not.
Also, the hammer on the rifle seems to have a 9:1 success rate of striking the base well enough to fire which is incredibly frustrating. Again, not a very “nice” gun, not sure if the best choice would be to put it away and get a new one or take it to somebody.
I am NOT a fan of S&W semi-autos! (they are a revolver company), I carry a .40 (Beretta 96 Brigadier) and I am a huge fan of the .40 round (basically it’s a 10mm “short”).
That price you were quoted for a used Glock isn’t too far off from what a new one costs. Couple pointers:
Try to handle as many pistols as possible before buying. Fire as many different ones as you can, especially if there is a rental range near you. Not every gun fits every shooter. Glocks are fine guns, but every one of them points excessively high for me due to the angle of the grip. That was a major reason that I instead purchased an HK USP when I decided to add a polymer framed .40 to my collection. Find one that fits you and is in your price range.
Gunshows are a good place to go look, but not a good place to buy a present-production piece, especially if you are new to all this. Go to the show. Look at the guns. Handle them with permission, and get business cards from dealers in your area. If you get screwed buying from a “gunshow gypsy” you’ll have very little recourse.
The revolver and rifle you described might be fixable. If money is no object, then certainly so. Take them to a gunsmith and find out what the problem(s) are. Slow hammer fall can be caused by years of congealed lubricant and dirt and often results in the kind of erratic ignition you described in the rifle. It may need only a can of spray solvent to be made right. The pistol has some issues. If it will cost more to fix than you want to spend, I suggest you have it sealed in a block of acrylic casting resin and use it as a really kick-ass paper weight.
The .22 short revolver is probably junk. I don’t think that I’ve ever seen a .22 short revolver that wasn’t. I wouldn’t fire it given the problems that you described.
The .32 Colt sounds awesome. I assume is a double action in 32 S&W? I have a real fondness for older guns. I just bought a non upgraded Old Model Ruger Super Single Six.
I’m not a fan of the .40S&W cartridge due to increased case head seperation danger. But since it’s a popular police calibre, there are lots of models out there. The best guns in my opinion are the ones that the owner likes the look and feel of. Try handling a few in gunshops if possible before deciding on a model.
The .22 rifle misfire might just be a ammo problem. Have you tried other ammo?
I advise you try examples of both guns first. The Glock and S&W 99 (actually a Walther P99) have different trigger systems which gives each a very different personality from the other. Glocks are wildly popular and probably one of the most common police guns in the US but just not my cup of tea.
I suggest you also get a quality .22 pistol as a companion so you can afford to practice as much as it takes to become a competent shooter, thousands of rounds not hundreds.
