Help deciding pistol

Newbie here, at least to bullseye shooting. I was recently intoduced to the sport, and am having a tough time deciding on equipment.

Rules are: 50 yard, single hand, minimum .32 caliber, 10 shots, 10 minutes. Optics are allowed.

I am currently using my Beretta PX-4, 9mm- standard size (4" barrel). I do not have acces to a Ransom Rest, but I know that it is not the "right tool for the job".

As I said, I am having a tough time deciding on what to purchase. Two of my friends shoot revolvers (a S&W 686 and the other is a S&W K-14). Would you guys (and girls) recommend that I get a new revolver? A new 1911? A used "set up" 1911? A new Custom 1911 is out of budget. 

Thoughts?

Thanks for any info. I have been enjoying reading the forum.

Nothing wrong with the revolvers, if looking for a 1911 .45 you can grab a Springfield Range Officer, dealer price is around $719...  More or less if you shop around.

Just to be clear, there's no sustained fire component? 

Dave

Correct, there is no sustained fire.

Find a Ruger Bisley in .357 mag. Without a doubt one of the most accurate wheel guns ever made. I would shoot mine all the time if there was no sustained fire. I would use 38 special WC or 110gr XTP but it would work great for your course of fire. I am not talking about the vaquero version but the target model. Or get the Range Officer so you can move on from SF only..  They are findable    https://www.gunbroker.com/item/796488916

This model..

Most people shoot semi autos. Revolvers are fine but some have a little difficulty thumbing the hammer in rapid fire. It's also more to think about. Almost any semi auto 22 will be accurate enough. The Rugers are a good buy then a trigger job helps. If you buy a 1911 you'll have to eventually get it worked unless you spring for a Rock River or a Les Baer. It can be an expensive sport to get into unless you take it a step at a time just to be sure it's something you'll stick with.

With no rapid fire, thumbing the hammer should not be an issue. The Rock River/ Les Baer are out of budget new, but maybe used. .22 does not meet the min. Caliber for 50 yards. Probably great for practice.

That is an interesting looking revolver! I have never seen that. Thank you for the lead.

The Ruger Bisley is a heavy gun. I recommend hefting one first. Len is big dude; makes the Bodley look like a J frame lol
Jon

If it is sttprictly 50 yards and slow fire.  I might be more inclined to get a Thompson Center Contender in 357.

How about a good Colt OMM 38 spcl.   My best SF work ever was with one.  Iron sights too.

Heck Jon, that one is light. I Think it was around 42oz. The Super Blackhawk weighs a tad more. I'm only showing the Super picture so OP can see how you would mount optics.

I second a Colt Officers Model Match in 38 special, 4th or 5th issue. Easy to load for (148 wadcutters), accurate (1:14 barrel). Get Andrew to make a set of grips, Weaver made a no drill mount for optics, #08603, I believe.

You could probably get the whole thing for under $700. Would leave you some money to have someone work on the trigger if needed. If you can find a good Colt revolver smith...

Dave

Sorry, just can’t get behind the styling of the Thompson. Looks like an exceptionally accurate gun.

The Colt looks really nice, but pricing is all over the board. Gunbroker has one listed for over $4,000, but many others way less. I have never bought a used gun before, and am a little cautious as there is no known history.

Did a little homework on the Springfield RO target elite. Looks pretty good, $788 seems to be a good price. Safe bet?

Kinda liked the idea of the .38 special with WC and light loads. Can something similar be done with the .45 ACP and still have the pistol cycle reliably?

Thanks for everyone’s input.

The.RO is an excellent choice. Nothing wrong with a good used one either.. if you reload you can simply change the recoil spring and load some pretty light loads thay will cycle fine.
 If you get one simply post here that you need some load data. You get all you want

K-38 with international match grips??

The K-38 is very nice looking!

The Colt (on Gunbroker at least) appears to be $899-$999 for one. There is even a really beaten up one for more the $1,000...Can a reasonably nice one be had for $700? On this forum? I can wait to see what comes up on the forum for sale.

All of the revolvers look good, but it is a crap shoot as to condition and price. Are there any new Target models that would be recommended.

Thanks,
Joe

I purchased my Colt OMM for $650.00 on Gunbroker. The trigger already had some work done, really really nice. At some point I need to lengthen the hand, but that's my only complaint. Just gotta be patient. They will come up for a reasonable price.

Dave

Look for an old PPC custom revolver.  Many of these were really sweet shooters.  Tom (user teg2658) had a few for sale last year, don’t know if they sold or not.  You could PM him and ask.

Did I miss something here? We are talking bullseye/precision pistol where the course of fire is 20 rounds of slow fire at 50 yds. Then National match consisting of 10 rounds each of slow, timed and rapid fire where the timed and rapid is shot at 25 yds. Then 20 rounds of timed and after that 20 rounds rapid fire. Timed shot with 20 seconds for 5 rounds and rapid at 10 seconds for 5 rounds.

Just slow fire 50 yard, 10 shots, 10 min.

Just find a m14, or better yet, a M-25-2.

These and something called a "TOZ" are what Wikapedia says are the most popular for ISU centerfire pistol.  The interweb is never wrong.  I already have a 686+ but if I didn't I would be looking hard at the Ruger "Match....something."  It looks like it even has a nice trigger out of the box.

• Hämmerli SP20
  
  
• Pardini HP
  
  
• Morini CM32M
  
  
• Walther GSP
  
  
• Benelli MP-90 and Benelli MP-95
  
  

Similar to the 1890’s S&W #3 in .38-44 and .32-44