Indian pricing of Ruger/ S&W handguns

[kamathsj]

Hello to all on this wonderful message board. Great site with lots of useful info! I am a firm believer in RBKA and that each citizen should be able to defend himself in times of trouble.

I am currently in Michigan, USA, where I reside and work as a software engineer. I have been hooked on to shooting for the last few years and am a regular at the local shooting range. However as my assignment comes to an end and other family issues have me thinking of heading back to the Motherland for good.

I am from Bangalore and will probably be settling there or in Mangalore. I am interested in getting a gun license. My main question would be - how much would a S&W or Ruger .22 or .32 Caliber cost me? Are these available at all in India?

Also what are the CCW laws (if any at all) in India?

I have lots of questions, but for a start would like to get these answered!

Hope to have some replies!!

Cheers

Sunny

***Thread topic edited to a more relevant one - moderator***

[Prabhath]

Kamath,

Refer to a few older posts on the forum. They carry all the information about licensing and stuff. As far as the availability of S&W and Ruger pistols and revolvers go, they are available in the market out here. The condition will vary. The prices will definitely shock you. One advice, please don't compare the prices of the S&Ws and Rugers with the prices of the same in the US. You will be shocked. All the best.

[TenX]

Welcome to IFG Kamath...
I feel that S&W are more available than Ruger in India... and more so in the northern part.. However, since they do change hands and move all over India, it is a bit difficult to say.
I agree by what Prabath has mentioned about the shocking price.. it is indeed so
There are far too many topics on this board discussing various aspects of 'ifs' and 'buts' about owing a gun in India... Prefer you drill down the list

[kamathsj]

Wow!

Thanks all for the reply. I know the price is gonna be shocking - but that's the way it is I guess. I was looking for a ballpark figure - roughly about how much can someone shell out for a used or new S&W.

If and Buts about owning a gun is always there - but am all for it. More than defense, i think it acts as a great deterrent.

Hope someone can give me an approximate figure on the S&W

Cheers

Sunny

[mundaire]

I would strongly suggest you consider bringing back a handgun using your TR when you return. More details on importing a gun on TR can be had through some of the posts in the legal eagle forum here. You would also find information on your query regarding the licensing process through a couple of threads in the same forum.

While you are at it, also take the time to read the thread on PB/ NPB calibres as this would help avoid the pitfall of unknowingly purchasing a PB calibre gun in USA and bringing it back only to realise that it's impossible to get a license for the same...

The pricing of .22 / .32 Rugers/ S&W's would depend on: model, condition, revolver or semi-auto, magazine capacity, the sellers perception of how much you can afford to pay and lastly where you purchase it from (prices vary across states/ cities). But you should be looking at forking out anything between INR 1.5 Lacs to INR 4.5 Lacs or so. Some (fairly ordinary in any other market except for India) handguns have even been known to have sold for INR 7 Lacs or more...

Hence my suggestion of availing the opportunity afforded by the TR route...

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[kamathsj]

Thanks for the suggestion. But am not eligible for TR. So that settles it for me.


The amounts mentioned sound ridiculous! Hard to believe. I looked at some of the sweetest Walther .22 Pistols today - brand new - under 500$. I could live with an IOF .32 pistol - I only intend to use it for target practice.

Also is it more difficult to get a license, if you live in a city, than in rural areas?

Cheers

[badshah0522]

I could live with an IOF .32 pistol - I only intend to use it for target practice.Cheers

never even think for using it for target shooting.

[kamathsj]

LOL - thats the reason to tell the family and local PD.

[TenX]

The IOF guns are surely not for target practice... and .32 round prices here, are close to heaven
If you want to get into target practice seriously, you will need something like a .22 Hammerli with a customized grip, specifically made for target sports.
Something like in: http://www.rocosystem.com/hammerlicompetitonpistols/

Check out the different grips in the pics in the above link. This is pretty much required for serious target shooting. Apart from that .22 ammo is damn better than .32 - both in pricing and availability...

Next, it is best to enrol in your state rifle association to help getting a license. The norms between rural and urban permits vary, but everything is pretty dependent on your filing for the permit and the officer(s) who review it. There are quite a few rural license holders in Bangalore, so I dont think that is the primary concern. If it happens, it happens

Still.. nothing like if you could have got one of these babies on your way back.. sadly you are not eligible for TR

[TenX]

One more thing... if you keep your lobby open in the US, you can always have a matching grip sent to you after you come back here and decide on a gun...

[kamathsj]

Cool. How good is the IOF .22 ? Any decent .22 pistols in the market?

my family has a lot of land outside of mangalore- thats the reason I ask about the rural/urban side of things!

Cheers

[TenX]

IOF .22 pistols are discussed here:
http://indiansforguns.com/viewtopic.php?t=86

There are other .22s available in the market, but this supply is never rigid.. sometimes a lot are available at good prices, and sometimes there are few at high prices. The ideal way would be to have a price ceiling and keep looking until you get something in good condition...

[kamathsj]

cool. i will keep that in mind, .22 is not bad for a lil self defense. besides u dont want to hurt the other fella... just want to scare him any way.

[mundaire]

cool. i will keep that in mind, .22 is not bad for a lil self defense.

.22 LR is marginal at best as far as any self defence application is concerned. If this is the calibre you end up choosing, then do keep in mind the following:

- Preferably load the gun with .22 high velocity/ hyper velocity rounds (these are all imported and are not always available, needless to say they cost a lot more than the usual Indian made .22 LR ammo) for self defence application to maximise the power output.

- NOT ALL handguns are capable of handling high/ hyper velocity ammo safely. This capability bears no relation to their price in Indis, for example the INR 7 lac pistol I mentioned above was a Walther PPK/S in .22 cal and that gun is not designed to handle this ammo.

- The IOF .22 cal revolver is NOT recommended for use with EVEN regular .22 LR ammo and the manual specifically states that one must use ONLY low velocity ammo in this revolver.

besides u dont want to hurt the other fella... just want to scare him any way.

You have many misconceptions as to the application of firearms in self defence situations is concerned

I would suggest that you read up a bit on using guns for self-defence prior to getting a gun... it may just save your life!

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[james]

Mundaire , As you rightly explained about PPK/S regarding handling high velocity ammo, IS the story same with Walther pp .22lr as they are much easily avaliable in Indian market. What could be the best pocket pistol in .22lr in Indian that can act as self defence pistol , as ammo is cheap and firing is not loud , sufficent firing is possible . James....