Some people claim that an average (HK USP) barrel will only last for about 5000 rounds. Others say that they last for 20k+ rounds. Depends on the ammo, really, the harder the ammo you shoot, the quicker your barrel will wear. Plus, if you load your ammo hotter, it will wear things quicker. Unless you're at the range daily or fighting a zombie war, you shouldn't have to change barrels.

 

Those damn zombies!

I'll go with the .357 still

 

I just bought a P229R in .40 with a .357 sig barrel. I should have it tomorrow or Saturday. I'll put some pics up.

 

I've always been a Sig fan. Please do put some pics up. My dad carries a Sig as his duty gun and it's a very nice roscoe. He carries a 226 and that thing is a tack driver. It's capable of bullseye at 100 yds. and I'm definitely considering getting one for a concealed carry. I'm also considering the new P250. It looks like a very nice pistol and I like the fact that everything is modular so you can switch calibers, grips, etc.

 

Go to gunauctions.com Its kinda like ebay but for guns and they have decent prices

 

^ Thanks bra. I've also been looking at the Mossberg JIC shotgun. Since it's a shotgun you can't really "carry" it though.

edit: I went there and it appeared to be one of those annoying ad sites that comes up when you type an address in wrong.

 

Try www.gunbroker.com. My uncle used to sell on that site before he died.

 

If you want a pump action shotgun, I'd recommend the Remington 870 over the Mossberg 500 JIC. The quality is better IMO.
http://www.remington.com/products/fi...ess_7-shot.asp
And although I didn't choose the one w/ the pistol grip or folding stock, I still like it.
Also very easy to take apart and clean.

 

Are there any distinct advantages of a pistol grip over a stock?

 

On the 870, you can buy the one w/ the stock, and buy the pistol grip seperately. There are so many interchangeable options - barrels for all purposes, stocks, folding stocks, speed-feed stocks that hold 4 extra shells, magazine extensions, fore ends w/ pistol grip, black synthetic or camo, not to mention add-ons like a mounted tactical flashlight with pressure switch and side saddle to hold extra ammo, scopes, etc. I'm sure the Mossberg 500 has many of the same options available as well. Just a little difference in quality and what your preference is.

To answer you ? - maneuverability, but if your shooting high brass (which I'm sure you will be for that purpose) 00 Buckshot, #2, #4, etc then the stock is worth it. Hell, I've shot #8 low brass target loads with my shotgun down by my side, and that's no big deal. But an 18" barrel w/ high brass is gonna have a hell of a lot more recoil into just your hand.