A friend of mine is a former sheriff and one day at his house I noticed two places where he had a pistol stuffed away. Obviously one in his truck, but also one in each other car, one on his motorcycle and a couple in his garage.
He bought them dirt cheap when he found them, then just put them in various places. I thought it was an interesting idea, but there are certain risks of course. His angle was he wasn't concerned about losing a cheap gun. But while he may have got them at bargain basement prices, none of the guns were "cheap". One was a Browning Hi Power that someone let rust, but mechanically it was still in perfect condition. There was a Series 70 1911 with the same story. And a 3rd gen stainless S&W 9mm (690x).
I got to thinking, what would be a cheap used gun that I wouldn't mind sitting around somewhere. The more I thought about it, a brand new S&W Sigma is about the price of most any used decent handgun, and Sigma's are actually very reliable pistols.
Too bad LE trade in S&W revolvers aren't around any more...
I would never trust my life to a damned Sigma. I had one of the later versions and the trigger pull was so heavy that it was downright dangerous. I've heard others say the same thing.
LE trade in revolvers are still around if you go to gunshows. They have been supplanted to a great extent, by LE trade in semi-autos.
The question is very dependent on what somebody considers "cheap". You would be hard-put to get a Colt like that for much less than $600 around here. Glocks can be had for around $400. So if $400 is the bar, why not several Glocks.
They sell some of those Sig's for around $300, brand new too.
Most of the guns cheaper than that, like a Kel Tec POS, I wouldn't trust the life of myself or my family to. I don't care how "uber" they are.
I would never trust my life to a damned Sigma. I had one of the later versions and the trigger pull was so heavy that it was downright dangerous. I've heard others say the same thing.
LE trade in revolvers are still around if you go to gunshows. They have been supplanted to a great extent, by LE trade in semi-autos.
The question is very dependent on what somebody considers "cheap". You would be hard-put to get a Colt like that for much less than $600 around here. Glocks can be had for around $400. So if $400 is the bar, why not several Glocks.
They sell some of those Sig's for around $300, brand new too.
Most of the guns cheaper than that, like a Kel Tec POS, I wouldn't trust the life of myself or my family to. I don't care how "uber" they are.
I was part of a group that put 10k rounds through a Sigma when they wen to the "E" series Sigma's, they're reliable pistols. It's what I recommend to people who are on a very tight budget. I'd say in a pinch I could deal with a bad trigger. But in a pinch I'd rather have a reliable gun than a good trigger.
As for LE revolvers. Last time I was at a gun show the cheapest S&W model 10 was $359.00 and my buddy bought that one up. Every other one was $100.00 more. That's not cheap.
I would never trust my life to a damned Sigma. I had one of the later versions and the trigger pull was so heavy that it was downright dangerous. I've heard others say the same thing.
^^^THIS!!!^^^. Might as well buy a friggin Hi-Point
I noticed CDNN has some brand new Walther PPX M1 9mm's with 2 HiCap 16rd mags and a holster for $279.00. Don't know that much about them, but they have got to be more reliable than a damn Sigma.
Notice they also have NIB Ruger SR-9 or SR-40 on sale for $369. I bought my Mom a Ruger SR9 for home protection several years ago, and shot it extensively before I gave it to her to ensure reliability. It works great and has a pretty good trigger, too.
I love S&W Revolvers, but wouldn't recommend a Sigma to anyone ! You couldn't give me one!
Saw some LE trade in revolvers, S&W model 15 and model 10, 4 inch for around 350.00 at a recent gun show. Some nicer than others, all tight. They are still available.
I have an old Charter .38 2" that fits the bill. Powerful enough to take care of 90% of the needs, but cheap enough that I couldn't muster a tear at losing it.
Contrary to popular assumptions and universal thrashings, the butt-ugly buggers are durable, dependable, and even accurate. I wouldn't throw one away if I had one - but probably wouldn't cry either if I lost one.
A hideaway gun should be as good as your everyday carry gun. You may ask it to save your life someday.. I have many stashed away around the house. I always have one within reach. They range from sig 380. To revolvers to 1911s A python in the kitchen cabinet and an anaconda by the front door with a flashlight. Kids are grown and gone. Would never do this with kids around..
I traded for a EAA Windicator .357 snubby a few days ago. The pistol is German built, all steel and accurate. They could have spent five more minutes smoothing some edges on the hammer and trigger though. These things retail for under $300. I'm in this about $200 NIB and real happy with it.
My choice over the years was some Colt Police Positives in 38 special, that had been used by LE in Brazil. Think I paid $79 each for 5 of them. The were pretty wore out and looked awful, but they still went bang reliably. Then the price on them went way up and I sold all but the best two of them.
Now I have a Ruger P95 stashed in my pickup and an old Charter Arms bulldog in my car. I think I have a total of about $220 invested for both of them. Either should discourage a carjacker and won't be any great loss if I get broke into.
If I leave something about the house or my truck for immediate use, it is a first line gun regardless of the cost or value. To me a throw away gun is a reliable gun that I don�t use and just have not gotten around to selling or trading, or I couldn�t get enough out of it to justify selling it. It is a gun I would give to a relative or friend if they needed a gun, but the type of person who isn�t going to cherish it like an heirloom even if I gave them a collector piece. Right now I can think of a Kel Tec P11 that has been 100% reliable, a Beretta Nano and an AK47 that I got really cheap a long time ago.
Glocks (and similar polymer framed autos) make good throw away guns. They won't rust in a vehicle. They work. They're not "cheap" but relatively inexpensive and I'm not going to cry if one gets lost or stolen.
A friend of mine is a former sheriff and one day at his house I noticed two places where he had a pistol stuffed away. Obviously one in his truck, but also one in each other car, one on his motorcycle and a couple in his garage.
He bought them dirt cheap when he found them, then just put them in various places. I thought it was an interesting idea, but there are certain risks of course. His angle was he wasn't concerned about losing a cheap gun. But while he may have got them at bargain basement prices, none of the guns were "cheap". One was a Browning Hi Power that someone let rust, but mechanically it was still in perfect condition. There was a Series 70 1911 with the same story. And a 3rd gen stainless S&W 9mm (690x).
I got to thinking, what would be a cheap used gun that I wouldn't mind sitting around somewhere. The more I thought about it, a brand new S&W Sigma is about the price of most any used decent handgun, and Sigma's are actually very reliable pistols.
Too bad LE trade in S&W revolvers aren't around any more...
Any thoughts from the group??
Seems to me that you mean "hide away" not "throw away"
And yes, "throw away" (in my mind) means the SN is dremeled off and you can pitch it any time.
Not something I'd plan for on a internet forum... Laughin'...
Travis
That is a "throw down" gun, which is an extremely bad idea. Lots of ink has been spilled pointing that out as well as refuting other bad advice such as dragging the bad guy inside after shooting him.
LE trade-in S&W semiautos such as 6906's, etc, are still around in goodly numbers and moderately priced. I've got a couple of 6906's I picked up for $200 apiece a few years ago, gave 'em to my son and my daughter. Reliable, accurate pistols.
Yeah, I'm not thinking about a throw-down gun at all, at all... more like a gun that I can leave in my truck and not be too upset if someone breaks in and steals it.
That is a "throw down" gun, which is an extremely bad idea. Lots of ink has been spilled pointing that out as well as refuting other bad advice such as dragging the bad guy inside after shooting him.
Seems to me that you mean "hide away" not "throw away"
Yeah that's probably a better descriptor. But my friends idea was they were "throw away" in case they got stolen.
This concept isn't really something for me, I live in a suburb. It's a very rural suburb but it's a suburb nonetheless. I don't want guns in my car, and I have kids with friends, so I don't want them laying around the house or garage. Plus, I'd probably forget about one and sent it off the the dump or Goodwill a few years later.
LE trade-in S&W semiautos such as 6906's, etc, are still around in goodly numbers and moderately priced. I've got a couple of 6906's I picked up for $200 apiece a few years ago, gave 'em to my son and my daughter. Reliable, accurate pistols.
Those are damn good guns, but I have't seen any under $379.00 for a couple of years. Still, at $379 that's a whole lot of pistol for the price...good luck trying to wear one of those out.
Just a couple years back there were a buttload of surplus, well worn Tanfoglio CZ75 clones on gunbroker in the low $200 range, maybe even some at the $190 level. I thought about grabbing a half dozen and putting them away for a rainy day, but dithered and you know the rest of the story.
chlinstructor You may be on to something. I have a son who has one of Hi-Point 45 that he uses for just plinking. He doesn't carry it but says it is very accurate and has never failed to fire no matter what he feeds it & it has many thousands of round through it. It would be a good one for the car or night stand. They are rated for plus P ammo. cheers NC
Every one be sure to get your share of turkey tomorrow. Happy thanks giving every one, take time to think of what you can be thankful for. NC
Lets say someone had a gun that he bought many years ago from a Viet Nam vet who he met in a bar in another state. The fellow who was the original owner would be a pilot who never made it back. That gun, if it existed , would be untraceable. Might be handy to have something like that
LE trade-in S&W semiautos such as 6906's, etc, are still around in goodly numbers and moderately priced. I've got a couple of 6906's I picked up for $200 apiece a few years ago, gave 'em to my son and my daughter. Reliable, accurate pistols.
Those are damn good guns, but I have't seen any under $379.00 for a couple of years. Still, at $379 that's a whole lot of pistol for the price...good luck trying to wear one of those out.
It's hard to get better guns than those 3rd Generation Smiths. Keep an eye out and whether it's a 5906, or 6906, or 4006 you name it they are good guns and can be found on occasion at very good prices. Even at a superior price I'd be disappointed to loose my 6906. I wouldn't have the same emotional connection to a S&W SD9 or 40 for $349 or less brand new. Or the Ruger SR9-E for about the same price is a superior deal. Both are about as reliable as the 3rd generation Smiths. I'd use any of them for the use you are referring to.
I keep a Taurus 9mm Millenium Pro as my truck gun. It has been 100% reliable thus far, and shoots ok for what it is. It's not my cup of tea, but if a crackhead breaks into my truck, I'm not out much.
Lets say someone had a gun that he bought many years ago from a Viet Nam vet he met in a bar in another state. The fellow who was the originlal owner would be a pilot who never made it back. That gun, if it existed , would be untraceable. Might be handy to have something like that
Agreed. And that is what I thought Mr. Gibson was going to start a thread about. Untraceable (to you) toss away guns.
Every dad/husband should have one such piece, IMO.
, would be untraceable.