Please Help Me to Choose a Pistol

[tingriman]

I am presently in South Africa-a first time buyer, I want to import a NP bore pistol. I have a choice to pick from Glock (17: 9 mm/ 19: 9mm/23: .40), Walther PPK (7.65-mag. cap is low), Vektor (made in S.A) and Beretta (81 FS: 7.65mm or 84 FS: 9mm short). I am not sure if Glock 17/19 and Breretta 9 mm short are NPB in India. The primary objective is self defense, the concelement requirement is high and high Mag. capacity is preferred- atleast 12 rds. Please help me to select from the above mentioned make or may please suggest any other make that is best suited for my purpose and is real value for money. May also suggest keeping in view the availability of ammunition in India and how much ammunition and how many mag. should I buy? Thanks for your advice.

[badshah0522]

Tingrimannn first of all obtain the import permit then later think to choose a pistol.

[Risala]

Tman,
Imports of all fire arms have been banned since 1986,the only way you can import one is if you are elegible for a TR (Transfer of Residence).If you are then you should have owned that particular fire arm
for atleast one year before utilising the TR.

You can off course buy the Beretta 81 series here,will cost you a fortune though

[mundaire]

tingriman,

The PB classification is chambering specific - please see the legal sub-section of the "knowledge base" here for information on prohibited bores, arms license applications, import process etc. As to your specific question 9mm parabellum is PB, while 9mm short/ .380 is in the NPB category.

Ammo for .380/ 9mm short can be procured here (imported ammo only), but it is certain to be expensive and not widely available. Not heard of .40 cal ammo being available here, so am not entirely sure if you will be able to procure any locally in India.

If you are looking at valuations here as a consideration, then a semi-auto chambered in .32 calibre with a high capacity magazine would command the highest premium in the local market here. Beretta and Walther PPK command excellent premiums in the local market.

I personally would tend towards a a Sig closely followed by a Glock in .380/ 9mm short.

Buy at least 3 spare magazines (if not more). There is no limit on the no. of magazines you can keep or on the capacity of the magazine. If possible also buy a spare follower and spring for each of your magazines. Other useful spares to keep handy would be the striker pin, the extractor and a complete set of springs.

I would suggest sticking with magazines with an all steel construction.

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[tingriman]

Thank you sanjay, I m serving in one of our diplomatic missions abroad

[tingriman]

tingriman,

The PB classification is chambering specific - please see the legal sub-section of the "knowledge base" here for information on prohibited bores, arms license applications, import process etc. As to your specific question 9mm parabellum is PB, while 9mm short/ .380 is in the NPB category.

Ammo for .380/ 9mm short can be procured here (imported ammo only), but it is certain to be expensive and not widely available. Not heard of .40 cal ammo being available here, so am not entirely sure if you will be able to procure any locally in India.

If you are looking at valuations here as a consideration, then a semi-auto chambered in .32 calibre with a high capacity magazine would command the highest premium in the local market here. Beretta and Walther PPK command excellent premiums in the local market.

I personally would tend towards a a Sig closely followed by a Glock in .380/ 9mm short.

Buy at least 3 spare magazines (if not more). There is no limit on the no. of magazines you can keep or on the capacity of the magazine. If possible also buy a spare follower and spring for each of your magazines. Other useful spares to keep handy would be the striker pin, the extractor and a complete set of springs.

I would suggest sticking with magazines with an all steel construction.

Cheers!
Abhijeet

Thank you abhijeet for detailed information. I went through the knowledge base section, it is really very cool. You made it clear that .40 ammu. is hard to find in India thus 9mm short or 7.65 is the remaining choice. What about Glock 19. I could not figure out if it is NPB as the website only says 9 cross 19. Thanks Again

kumar

[amk]

9x19 is banned. Get the glock in 9mm short (.380); I think they have one model.

AMK

[Risala]

In the Indian context and if valuations are a consideration then have a close look at the Beretta 84 Cheetah in .380 or the 81 in .32 ACP with the double stack mag config.

http://products.berettausa.com/frame_ta ... el=Cheetah

This $ 750 hand gun goes for around 16 L in our neck of the woods

HTH

[HSharief]

Kumar, Please also consider a revolver in maybe .357/.38Spl. Being that support maybe an issue when you are in India and a semi-auto maybe hard to service for both parts and good gunsmiths compared to a revolver. Maybe a revolver will be a better option. Also, in my view a revolver is much easier/simpler to operate in self-defence (stress) situations. It is also much more unlikely to fail you due to mechanical or operator error.

My 2 cents.

[tingriman]

In the context of India, the ammunition of which calibire (NPB, handguns) is the best, cheapest, popular and ealiy available in the market? I shall be thankful for sharing your valuable experience.

[mundaire]

Threads merged - request you not to start random new threads on existing topics. Start a new thread if there is a new topic to be discussed.

In the context of India, the ammunition of which calibire (NPB, handguns) is the best, cheapest, popular and ealiy available in the market? I shall be thankful for sharing your valuable experience.

Handgun calibres for which ammunition is manufactured in India for sale to civilians are - .22 LR, .32 S&W Long and .32 ACP.

IOFB also manufactures ammo for .38 S&W and 9mm parabellum (9x19), but this is NOT offered for sale in the civilian market besides these are both PB calibres and licenses for them are not easy to come by.

Obviously locally manufactured ammo is more widely available and is also cheaper to buy - although I would strongly suggest using it only for practice and not self-defence! The quality leaves a lot to be desired and in a self-defence situation you don't want to take chances with a sub-standard product!

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[amk]

Kumar, Please also consider a revolver in maybe .357/.38Spl. Being that support maybe an issue when you are in India and a semi-auto maybe hard to service for both parts and good gunsmiths compared to a revolver. Maybe a revolver will be a better option. Also, in my view a revolver is much easier/simpler to operate in self-defence (stress) situations. It is also much more unlikely to fail you due to mechanical or operator error.

My 2 cents.

Since you said pistol in your topic I don't think you're open to a revolver as your choice? If you are then I too would suggest you speak to dealers close to your place in India and check the availability of ammo, if not a problem then I'd look at a .357 magnum revolver closely as my personal choice.

Bear in mind, 357 ammo is going to be very expensive. I've heard Rs 600/- a cartridge.

AMK

[penpusher]

IOF .38S&W ammo. is sold to civilians

[amk]

.38 S&W is sold to civilians where? Do dealers stock them regularly? Can these be chambered in 357 revolvers? Isn't there a long and short version in .38 too?

AMK

[tingriman]

What of the following has maximum valuation in indian markets and which is the best among the four

1. Glock 25 (.380, 15 rds in mag, Blow Back System, couldnot qualify for usa markets also considered the weekest of all Glocks)
2. Beretta 84 FS (9 mm short)
3. Beretta 81 FS (7.65, 12 rds in mag0
4. CZ 83 (7.65, 15 rds in mag, nice)