First C&R Handgun Ideas?

[Rapture]

Welp, after 5 years of procrastination, my C&R finally arrived in the mail today (yay! The process was fast.) Looking to purchase my first C&R handgun for paper punching. I typically blast .45, .40 and .357. Looking for something in perhaps 9 or a larger caliber. Would like a caliber with cheap and available ammo for plinking purposes.

What do you guys recommend/prefer that you really enjoy shooting? I have been doing a little research, but there is quite a bit to chose from. Ideas/recommendations are appreciated. Thanks!

 

[rseymorejr]

I like my P-1.
There are some goods Toks available now too, and they are also fun to shoot. You should probably also look at a P-64.

 

[ofofhy]

What's your price range? That's going to be a big factor.

Star B? Astra 600?

Revolver?

 

[Rapture]

Not to keen on revolvers, prefer semi. Price range up to 400 or so...

 

[ken792]

FN Hi Power, Ballester Molina, or Colt Sistema.

 

[Melnic]

9mm:
Post War Cold war era P1 (essentially a newer mfg Nazi Germany P38). Southern Ohio Gun.
Another option is the recently discussed Star B from J&G

I have both, my Star B has a better lighter trigger but the P1 just feels more solid and I got spare mags for $20 each at a gun show vs. nearly $40 for a Star B.

Other calibers:
I don't have anything C&R 45 but people can comment about their Sistimas

 

[ofofhy]

Not to keen on revolvers, prefer semi. Price range up to 400 or so...

Star B in 9x19 is in that range.

 

[StantonCree]

Ruger vaquero/ blackhawk

 

[Rapture]

Thanks for the suggestions...

 

[K31]

AIM just advertised two good looking Tok lookalikes. AIM is particularly C&R friendly. Even to Md!

http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=F3TTCROM

http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=F3PTOK

 

[Alphabrew]

CZ82 or P64 is a good first. Can't go wrong with a Tok either. Mags aren't an issue for P64 and Tok (as far as >10 rounds).

 

[Brychan]

Tok
P64
CZ82
Mak
P1
P38
Star B
Vz (Cz) 50

 

[why2kmax]

Of the ones Ive fired and own in no paticular order:

Tok
CZ82
P1/P38

Have to think FN Hipower and colt sistema have to be high on the list

 

[Machodoc]

Given all of the factors that you've laid out, it sounds like a Star B or a P1 best meets your budget, ammo availability, etc.

The other guns are all great (esp. the Rom Tok and CZ82), but those two don't meet the readily available and cheap ammo criteria.

Ballester and Sistema are also excellent guns, but doubt you'll find something for $400 that's not trashed.

P64 is a good small gun, but you don't hear about people saying they are fun to shoot for a day at the range.

 

[MacGuns]

I have both the Star B and the P1. Both are great C&R options for 9mm and both are great range guns.

A couple of people I know have the P1 and they find that their trigger has a noticeable vibration when you fire the gun. They say that after a box of ammo your trigger finger starts to hurt. I don't have that problem on mine but that is the only negative thing I have heard about the gun. I'm not sure if anyone else has experienced that.

 

[sxs]

Tok
P64
p38 (probably somewhat more than $400)
P1

I'm contemplating a Star 9mm myself

The Tok is especially fun to shoot. Big fireball and boom....not too bad of recoil. The super cheap surplus is drying up, but I've recently purchased S&B ammo for $16 and change plus a buck-fifty or so a box shipping for several boxes.

 

[budman93]

Ruger vaquero/ blackhawk

There are no C&R vaqueros and blackhawks are hard to find for 400 or less. I know ken792 did it but I've been looking for a while and haven't been able to find one yet.

 

[ken792]

There are no C&R vaqueros and blackhawks are hard to find for 400 or less. I know ken792 did it but I've been looking for a while and haven't been able to find one yet.

Yeah, I don't know how I pulled that off. I was sure that someone would top my bid, but it didn't happen.

Blackhawks are the cheapest C&R .357's though, so not many other options in that caliber, unless you want to pay more for a Colt or S&W.

 

[budman93]

Yeah, I don't know how I pulled that off. I was sure that someone would top my bid, but it didn't happen.

Blackhawks are the cheapest C&R .357's though, so not many other options in that caliber, unless you want to pay more for a Colt or S&W.

True, there are still some good deals compared to other .357's...but I want one for $380 too!

 

[Mark75H]

FN Hi Power, Ballester Molina, or Colt Sistema.

I'd love to find a C&R Hi Power for $400 or less, but it seems like they are always in the $600 range