I am blowing money on guns like a moron. Have been for decades. After Newtown I pared it down to a Hk45c for quite a while but I got back into the habit of buying guns and playing again (my Wilson CQB being the gun that started me back down the money burning path!)
So…the PLAN is to sell off all my guns but one. I don’t want to hear how this is a stupid idea because I know it is! I just want to get back to basics and focus on one gun.
Here are the candidates…
Wilson CQB Elite. Amazing gun. Easiest gun I have ever had to shoot well. Heavy and requires some effort to carry/conceal. If I was going to step out into a duel I would want this gun.
HKP7M8. Awesome, easy gun to shoot well and safe. Very easy to conceal and carry. Out of production and expensive as hell to replace and only used guns are available.
HK45c. A real beast. G19 sized with 9 rounds of 230 grain goodness in the gun. More difficult to shoot fast than the Wilson. Could probably shoot this gun forever without killing it. Easy to suppress, and 100 percent reliable. If I was going to wake up in the next Mad Max movie I would want this gun.
HK VP9. Around 1000 rounds down the pipe. Probably the fastest gun I own. So far 1000 percent reliable with no hints of future trouble (1911/Glock ejection “rainbow”). Great trigger, holds lots of bullets. Boring, but nice.
I am never getting rid of my J-frame so down worry about that. My J-frame is basically like my wallet or keys. Not something I necessarily enjoy, but I will never be without it.
Again, give me your opinion on which one to focus on. I don’t need any lectures on why you wouldn’t do this.
That’s not an easy call at all - as much as it’s not the one I’d personally choose, the simple fact is that finding a P7M8 as good as yours is going to be challenging at any budget, whereas the latest HK offerings can be re-acquired, and Wilson is still turning out pistols at that same quality level - something to consider.
You know I’ve got the same problem, and a few times more pistols. I don’t bitch about it, I embrace it.
But if you have to get rid of some of those nice H&Ks feel free to send them up here, would love to give my P7M8 a brother. If I was still living in georgia would come pick it up in person.
Honestly, of the four pistols there, the one I would be hardest pressed to sell would likely be the P7M8 because they don’t make them any more and it is only going to go up in value, and I truly love the little bastards. That said, I can justify all four in my mind for various objectives and desires, but if I were selling any of them I would sell the H&K 45 first. That said, from a practical standpoint keep the two 9mms.
That said, you’d be breaking a lot of people’s hearts here if you sold off the Wilson Combat before breaking it good and well.
That’s a tough call.
The first one I’d sell is the HK45c, easily replaceable, low capacity, etc.
Next, I’d sell the VP9, I’d actually sell this pretty quickly as the market is hot in these regarding resell value. This too is extremely replaceable in the future.
Now, the 1911 and the P7…
Between these 2, I’d part with the 1911, while it sounds like an awesome piece, these will be being made for a long time to come… While the P7 will be more and more valuable, and harder to replace with every passing month…
In a world of active shooters and other multiple threats, if I could only have a single handgun it would be a high-cap (no single stacks with less than 10 rounds would even get considered), and a caliber that’s super available and as affordable as.possible. For me that would be a G19. Off your list, the VP9 hands down.
I agree. While the other ones may be hard to replace or sell for sentimental reasons, you’re effectively choosing to have one pistol for all tasks. It’s no different than a newbie asking a similar question, to which everybody always answers the same - a 9mm polymer pistol from any number of manufacturers. VP9 fits the bill perfectly, aside from lack of data about it’s performance over time. But many people would take HK’s reputation and probably be comfortable with that.
Now that I’ve solved your problem and saved you untold amounts of money in the long run, about my discount on that Wilson…
Keeping the pistols you own now is not costing you any money, I hope.
I’d get a couple more month’s worth of shooting and data on the VP9, and then sell the 45c and the P7M8.
You will hate life down the road if you sell that Wilson.
ETA: Unless you sell it to Sam, of course. Then he will be a true gentleman, and send you pictures of him shooting it at the range, so you will feel content about its new home.
Off your list, another vote for the VP9 hands down, and then if it ever happens in the future, get a VP9 compact, which would be a little better suited for carry. IMHO, a hi-cap 9mm shooting a good JHP is all you need in a defensive pistol caliber. As its been said before, and even though it has just been released, IMHO, the VP9 shines in its " out of the box factor "compared to similar offerings ( overall less issues and upgrades needed). That being said, I still really like my Gen 4 Glock 17’s and 19 set up with some Vicker’s parts and a little trigger work. I also hear that the current S&W M&P
9mm pistols have much better triggers and accuracy than ones from maybe 6 months to a year ago. The Glock and M&P 9’s have a two round edge in mag capacity and IMO are slightly
softer shooting than the VP9.
I would keep the VP9 for sure, and I would sell the 45c for sure. Although I think you could get a good chunk of change for the wilson, I would have a hard time parting with that. You could sell one (in my opinion the 45c) this month, and see how it goes? Then take some time to consider the next one on the chopping block.
If you MUST get down to one, I would go with the HK 45C.
Here’s why:
P7 will become harder to get parts for in event of failure.
HK VP7 relatively new and unproven. Parts not yet widely available. I don’t even know where I can find a recoil spring for mine.
Also, I am not convinced these will live up to USP / P30 durability. I bought one and some aspects of the design seem (yes “seems” as I know even the suggestion will raise hackles among the faithful) cheaper or more fragile (ala slide release system, take down lever, and I can see light through polymer of fingergrooves of mag well on mine). Proves nothing, but by same token we have not established this is P30 equivalent yet either.
Wilson brings better resale than HK45C, which is likely more bombproof and less likely to require repair. Easy pick to me if I had to go with one. Recently went through similar drill and a S&W 27 5", HK P7M8, Colt Python, and others were among casualties. No regrets and easier log trail with mostly Glocks (herd growing again though).
You have to figure if any of these guns are costing you just to own them. I’m working on narrowing down my primary carry/training/competition gun to one specific model. With that said, I bought a Springfield Armory TRP earlier this year. It’s my BBQ/occasional range gun, but it’s mostly a heirloom piece. I’ll pass it onto my kids, and it will always stay in the family. I’ve always wanted a 1911, just because, so I won’t sell it. Period. I think you would regret selling the Wilson. Sure, you can get another. But you said that it is the finest shooting handgun that you own, and the most capable in your hands. That is a pretty solid endorsement right there. Plus, I can tell that it has a good deal of sentimental value (based on your thread).
I would probably sell the HK45C. Does it make sense to have it along with your VP9/P7M8? Don’t you also have a G19? I would probably sell that too.
Keep the WC, P7M8 and VP9. Sell the 45C, buy 10,000 rounds of 9mm and 8 more HKP30 mags and run the VP9 exclusively. Stick the other guns in the safe, and shoot them on occasion. If you are seriously considering selling your WC, I am highly interested
But if you REALLY have to sell them all, keep the VP9.
If the plan is to get back to the basics of shooting and self defense shooting in particular, there is only one answer- Keep the VP9
-9mm is cheaper to shoot than the 45 ACP
-It holds more rounds than the 1911, HK45s or P7
-Trigger is good enough to spoil you
-Mags are available
-P7 is a good handgun, but if it breaks, replacement parts are difficult to get. You said yourself, it’s out of production. I’ve also heard knowledgeable owners speak of certain critical parts being somewhat fragile. The P7 is cool, but quirky and the gas chamber needs to be kept clean of carbon fouling
However, there are good reasons to exercise self discipline and focus your training on the VP9, not spending crazy money on the other pistols while keeping them.
I cannot give any good empirical reasons to keep the 1911 other than it’s a damn fine weapon. Sentiment gives no advantage in a gunfight. But, it is ingrained in my DNA as an American and if I had to go out to last gunfight, I want a 1911 in my fist. Those who know, understand what I mean.
The P7 is a good, quality handgun but being out of production with no support or spares, makes a poor choice for a primary self defense pistol. Keep it as a collector’s piece as there is a good chance it will increase in value.
I don’t know much about the HK45c so you’re on your own with this one.
But if your goal is to focus on a single handgun for self defense and training, the VP9 is the clear choice
I voted to keep the HKP7M8, simply because of its rarity, AND since you stated you will keep the J-Frame, I assume you have the CCW covered, so that is obviously very important to you. You stated you wanted to focus on one gun, but focus on what?
AND No lectures, but when you decide you want another one one again, the one that would be the hardest to replace is the HKP7M8!
