Gun shopping: Where can I get the BEST DEALS on handguns?

[CoffeeNut]

What is a generally accepted view regarding Taurus? I know nothing about this brand...

Their semi-autos could run great and have 0 issues or you could get a lemon that will never work right whereas the revolvers are pretty solid. You won't find many people out there who recommend Taurus as a daily driver due to the issues and general brand bashing online. I personally haven't had an issue yet with the two I own and I do carry both on occasion.

[Blindref757]

I am new to gun purchases. Everything I ever had since I was a kid was given to me, and now, that I acquired a CHL, I find myself needing a few smaller handguns for different types of attire. I believe that my XDm 4.5" is the best handgun there is, but I do need to get a couple of smaller guns for my wife and myself. Hence, the search for good deals.

I would appreciate, if anyone could recommend a good store in San Antonio/Austin/New Braunfels/San Marcos area or a trusted website link.

Thank you.

If you are looking for a smaller gun.

http://www.gunsandammo.com/2013/08/12/t ... ewsletters" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ATDM]

I am new to gun purchases. Everything I ever had since I was a kid was given to me, and now, that I acquired a CHL, I find myself needing a few smaller handguns for different types of attire. I believe that my XDm 4.5" is the best handgun there is, but I do need to get a couple of smaller guns for my wife and myself. Hence, the search for good deals.

I would appreciate, if anyone could recommend a good store in San Antonio/Austin/New Braunfels/San Marcos area or a trusted website link.

Thank you.

If you are looking for a smaller gun.

http://www.gunsandammo.com/2013/08/12/t ... ewsletters" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks. I've been eyeing this gun for a couple of months now, and the article made the decision for me. I am getting this gun. I've looked online and can't seem to find a shop that sells it in my area (I prefer not to buy it online). Do you know of a gun shop that sells it in the San Antonio area?

Thanks

[drjoker]

New and not a member of Glock SSF: Academy's
New and member of Glock SSF: GT Distributors (Austin, 1 hour drive, not sure if in San Antonio)
Used: your local gun show.

Online is horrible because you have to pay shipping and FFL fees, Any savings evaporate after you pay these fees.

[Cedar Park Dad]

I am new to gun purchases. Everything I ever had since I was a kid was given to me, and now, that I acquired a CHL, I find myself needing a few smaller handguns for different types of attire. I believe that my XDm 4.5" is the best handgun there is, but I do need to get a couple of smaller guns for my wife and myself. Hence, the search for good deals.

I would appreciate, if anyone could recommend a good store in San Antonio/Austin/New Braunfels/San Marcos area or a trusted website link.

Thank you.

I will second that Academy has an excellent variety of general inexpensive firearms.

Questions to ask yourself:
1. Do you want a manual safety, no safety or like a grip safety?

2. DA only, SA only, or DA/SA?

3. Will there be others potentially shooting this pistol (spouse). Is this a carry only or are you looking for a bedside pistol as well?

[MotherBear]

What is Bud's online address?

Thanks

It's budsgunshop.com. My husband likes them, but I tend to prefer to do business face-to-face when I can so they're not necessarily my first choice for that reason.

[ATDM]

I am new to gun purchases. Everything I ever had since I was a kid was given to me, and now, that I acquired a CHL, I find myself needing a few smaller handguns for different types of attire. I believe that my XDm 4.5" is the best handgun there is, but I do need to get a couple of smaller guns for my wife and myself. Hence, the search for good deals.

I would appreciate, if anyone could recommend a good store in San Antonio/Austin/New Braunfels/San Marcos area or a trusted website link.

Thank you.

I will second that Academy has an excellent variety of general inexpensive firearms.

Questions to ask yourself:
1. Do you want a manual safety, no safety or like a grip safety?

2. DA only, SA only, or DA/SA?

3. Will there be others potentially shooting this pistol (spouse). Is this a carry only or are you looking for a bedside pistol as well?

It's going to be another gun for carry. I normally carry a full size XDm, but for the summer I want to find something smaller. And I think I have decided to go with the Springfield XDs subcompact 9 mm.

[steveincowtown]

The best resource for me has been:

http://www.slickguns.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have bought firearms from a variety of dealers that are linked to this site. As long as I can use a credit card for the purchase, I don't really care who they are or where are they are located. With the protections your credit card company provide the risk to you, the risk is negligible.

I have never been able to beat a deal that I located from this site EXCEPT for my XD9 which I purchased from a dealer at the FW Gun show. The only reason I knew it was a good deal at the show is due to my research on the website above.

[Cedar Park Dad]

I am new to gun purchases. Everything I ever had since I was a kid was given to me, and now, that I acquired a CHL, I find myself needing a few smaller handguns for different types of attire. I believe that my XDm 4.5" is the best handgun there is, but I do need to get a couple of smaller guns for my wife and myself. Hence, the search for good deals.

I would appreciate, if anyone could recommend a good store in San Antonio/Austin/New Braunfels/San Marcos area or a trusted website link.

Thank you.

I will second that Academy has an excellent variety of general inexpensive firearms.

Questions to ask yourself:
1. Do you want a manual safety, no safety or like a grip safety?

2. DA only, SA only, or DA/SA?

3. Will there be others potentially shooting this pistol (spouse). Is this a carry only or are you looking for a bedside pistol as well?

It's going to be another gun for carry. I normally carry a full size XDm, but for the summer I want to find something smaller. And I think I have decided to go with the Springfield XDs subcompact 9 mm.

Excellent. I have a full size M&P and an M&Pc for just the same reason. I've found muscle memory really translates between the two.
Doesn't Springfield now have an XDM compact? I'd go with that if possible as its more "americanized" and similar to your biggie XDM.
Here we go. I love the small magazine in the piece and a larger magazine as your backup or for a bedroom piece.

Sorry if this is what you're already referring to:
http://www.the-m-factor.com/html/specs_1.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Pete92FS]

You asked about Taurus - I've only had one (PT145) and it was the biggest piece of junk I've owned for a firearm.

Now I strictly have SIGS - P226 MK25 (full size), P250SC (subcompact) and a SIG Mosquito for plinking. Never a problem with any of them.

[RogueUSMC]

You can get these for under $300...everyone I have talked to that has them say they are good little guns...

http://www.sccy.com/cpx2tt.html

[MechAg94]

I have never had a Taurus. It was always the "discount" brand IMO. If I am going to spend $500, I want the best I can get and buy it only once. Going for cheap has never worked out for me with guns.
I know a couple people who have bought a Tuarus gun. Neither had significant problems, but neither was especially happy with the gun in the long run. A lot of people buy them though.

If you want to stick with a compact 45 ACP, the Springfield XDS is a very good pistol. The recoil is a lot milder than one would expect.

For 9mm, the XDS and the S&W M&P Shield are out there. I saw the Shield at a store yesterday for $450 so it might be cheaper. You can also look at smaller guns like the Glock 19 and CZ 75 P01 which are small, but not tiny. The FN pistols are also compact guns that I have not heard anything bad about.

[Blindref757]

I am new to gun purchases. Everything I ever had since I was a kid was given to me, and now, that I acquired a CHL, I find myself needing a few smaller handguns for different types of attire. I believe that my XDm 4.5" is the best handgun there is, but I do need to get a couple of smaller guns for my wife and myself. Hence, the search for good deals.

I would appreciate, if anyone could recommend a good store in San Antonio/Austin/New Braunfels/San Marcos area or a trusted website link.

Thank you.

If you are looking for a smaller gun.

http://www.gunsandammo.com/2013/08/12/t ... ewsletters" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks. I've been eyeing this gun for a couple of months now, and the article made the decision for me. I am getting this gun. I've looked online and can't seem to find a shop that sells it in my area (I prefer not to buy it online). Do you know of a gun shop that sells it in the San Antonio area?

Thanks

Academy is getting a few of these...you just have to catch them when they have one. Anything under $550 is a good deal right now. The link I posted to Champion in College Station has them for $510, but you'd have ffl or gas money to get it there.

[ATDM]

I am new to gun purchases. Everything I ever had since I was a kid was given to me, and now, that I acquired a CHL, I find myself needing a few smaller handguns for different types of attire. I believe that my XDm 4.5" is the best handgun there is, but I do need to get a couple of smaller guns for my wife and myself. Hence, the search for good deals.

I would appreciate, if anyone could recommend a good store in San Antonio/Austin/New Braunfels/San Marcos area or a trusted website link.

Thank you.

If you are looking for a smaller gun.

http://www.gunsandammo.com/2013/08/12/t ... ewsletters" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks. I've been eyeing this gun for a couple of months now, and the article made the decision for me. I am getting this gun. I've looked online and can't seem to find a shop that sells it in my area (I prefer not to buy it online). Do you know of a gun shop that sells it in the San Antonio area?


Thanks

Academy is getting a few of these...you just have to catch them when they have one. Anything under $550 is a good deal right now. The link I posted to Champion in College Station has them for $510, but you'd have ffl or gas money to get it there.

Thanks. Just bought a new XDs for $519... Love it.

[The Annoyed Man]

I'm not familiar with that area, but if you're looking for smallish pocketable guns and you already own and like an XD(M), I'd take a hard look at the XDS pistols. I have an XD(M) Compact 3.8" .45, and it is my favorite "large frame" carry gun. I really like my XDS. On the less expensive side, take a good look at Kahr pistols, particularly the PM9/CM9 and the CW9.....as well as the PM45 and CW45. But I'm betting that if you really like you're XD(M), you'll be charmed to pieces by its baby brother, the XDS.


http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php

I think you are right about the Springfield compacts. The more I look into it, the more I realize I want a compact XDm. My second choice would be Beretta Nano 9mm (I will probably end up getting them both). I don't really want to try to skimp on the quality of the gun. If I do get a good deal on these, it would be great, but I don't want to buy a cheaply made gun. I want to make sure I get reliable weapons for my family's protection and defense. Although I do wish Springfield had an even smaller weapon (something a little more compact and flat, maybe a .25 caliber).

Thanks for the advice. Any other recommendations for a small size reliable brand handgun?

Beretta Nano:

• Caliber: 9mm
  Overall Length: 5.63”
  Overall Height: 4.17”
  Overall Width: .90”
  Barrel Length: 3.07”
  Sight Radius: 4.92”
  Sights: 3-Dot Low Profile
  Frame: Chassis Stainless Steel Insert
  Grip Frame: Technopolymer
  Slide Material: 4140
  Slide Finish: Pronox
  Capacity: 6 plus 1 Rounds
  Weight Unloaded: 19.97 Oz. or .566 kg (including empty magazine)
  Weight w/o mag: 18.27 Oz. or .518 kg

Springfield XDS (not the XD(M) Compact):

• Length: 6.3"
  Height: 4.4"
  Grip Width: .9"
  Barrel: 3.3" Steel, Melonite©, Fully Supported Ramp
  Slide: Forged Steel
  Frame: Polymer
  Sights: Fiber Optic Front and Dovetail Rear (steel)
  Trigger Pull: 5.5 to 7.7 lbs
  Magazines: 2 Flush Fitting Stainless Steel
  
  Caliber: .45ACP
  Capacity: 5 + 1rds
  7 + 1 W/X-Tension™ Sold Separately
  (USPAT.7191556)
  Weight: 21.5 oz W/Flush Fitting Mag
  
  Caliber: 9MM
  Capacity: 7 + 1rds
  9 + 1 W/X-Tension™ Sold Separately
  (USPAT.7191556)
  Weight: 23 oz W/Flush Fitting Mag

Let's unpack that:

1. The Nano weighs 3.03 oz less than the XDS-9, but it carries 1 less round—6+1 to the XDS-9's 7+1.
2. The XDS-9 is 3/4" longer and 1/4" taller than the Nano, and they are the same width. The differences are negligible.
3. The XDS-9's barrel is .23" longer than the Nano's. Again, the differences are negligible.
4. The Nano extended magazine carries 8 rounds. The XDS-9 extended magazine carries 9 rounds.
5. The Nano's magazine release can be reversed for left-handers. The XDS-9's mag release is ambidextrous (you can still run the gun with an injured hand).
6. The Nano has no safety mechanism other than what is built into the trigger. The XDS-9 has both the trigger safety AND a grip safety.
7. The XDS has the same 5.5-7.7 lb trigger as your XD(M). The Nano trigger is described as "long."
8. The Nano lacks a slide lock, so it cannot be locked back with the magazine removed. The XDS-9 locks back just like any other XD/XD(M) series pistol.
9. The Nano comes out of the box with 3 dot sights. The XDS-9 comes out of the box with low profile sights with a fiberoptic front sight, and a set of red AND green fiberoptic inserts in the attaché case. (Yes, it comes in a nice attaché case, just like your XD(M), with all the accessories.)
10. The Nano has a non-standard dovetail for the front sight, being cut inline with the barrel. The front sight slides into place from the front of the slide. This means that you are restricted to front sights designed specifically to fit that dovetail. Lower market volume means higher prices, and less diversity of choices. The XDS-9 comes with standardized dovetails front and rear.
11. The Nano's takedown is different from the XDS-9's takedown, which is just like the takedown on the XD(M) with which you are already familiar.

That's just comparing the two 9m pistols. If you go for the XDS in .45 ACP, you get a gun that is an ounce and a half lighter than the 9mm XDS, and 1.5 oz heavier than the Nano......and with just 1 round less than the Nano......including if you factor in the extended magazines for both pistols. 9mm has the advantage over .45 when you can carry about 50% more cartridges in the magazine. When the difference is 1 round, I tend to think that the advantage goes to the .45......but that's just me. If you want the extra capacity AND a 9mm, the XDS-9 is better than the Nano in that regard.

The only downside I can see to the XDS-9 (or the .45) when compared to the Nano is price. The Nano runs about $100 less anywhere you look. None of this is to say that the Nano is a bad gun. It is not. Beretta's reputation for building good guns is fairly earned. But when I compare the two, I see a clear advantage to the XDS pistols over the Nano, particularly in some important areas like capacity, slide stop (or lack thereof), ambidexterity (I am personally left-handed), sight design/availability, and MOST importantly, familiarity in the manual of arms with the XD(M) pistol which you already own and carry. That last one is huge. It's like if you carried 1911s, you want to find pistols in that same pattern so that your muscle memory and hand/eye coordination would be unified across all of your pistols. Well, the various sizes and configurations of the XD/XD(M)/XDS line makes that entirely possible across a broad spectrum of configurations and sizes. That is a precious commodity in personal defense weaponry.

ATDM, you've stated in another thread that you are a physician. I'm not foolish enough to think that this makes you stinkin' rich, but I would assume that it provides you with enough income that a difference in buy-in price of $100 is not enough to dissuade you from choosing a pistol that might be better for your personal situation. It's like when I used to sell motorcycle helmets....."you only get one brain in life, why would you want to skimp and buy the cheaper one with the lower impact ratings?" When you amortize that price difference out over the lifetime of the pistol and your confidence in carrying it, that $100 is pretty small potatoes. I would urge you to take that into consideration in making your decision.

Have fun with it, and good luck. I'm sure you'll make the right choice for you.