Advice for purchasing a pistol

[Pradyumna]

Hi Brothers ... My brother is planning to purchase a pistol to bring it into India on TR rules. As he has not got an Indian arms licence yet, most probably the Customs will confiscate the weapon till he gets one licence. My question is how much demurrage/storing charges will be charged for the delay in getting the licence ?
My second question is which pistol he should buy ? He has zeroed on Walther ppk, Beretta 84FS, CZ 83 in .32 cal. I am not so experienced to advise my brother.
Definitely I expect my Gun Gurus to guide me in the right path. Please advise if any other pistol will be a better option.
Pradyumna

[xl_target]

Your brother might have different priorities but if it was me, my first choice would be the CZ in .32. The Beretta 84, while also a very nice gun, is a .380 ACP pistol and ammo might not always be available. I have heard of so many problems with the current S&W produced PPK that I wouldn't trust my life to one.
The original PPK (8+1 rounds) was famous for slide bite. The current S&W produced ones are a little better as they have been modified some. I really don't know what the allure of the PPK is. Ian Fleming was not a gun guy. He could have outfitted the Commander with a weapon with a little more caliber and a little more magazine capacity.

If the choice was between the Beretta 81/82 or the CZ, then it would be a tougher decision.

The CZ 83 in .32 is an accurate, extremely reliable, well built handgun with a proven track record and decent magazine capacity (15 + 1 rounds in .32 ACP).

[dr.jayakumar]

friend,
if you are in india go for .32 pistol only .
i have heard of anyone owning beretta84fs and cz83 in india.
i am surprised,can you post pics.
regards

[Pradyumna]

Thank you Mr. XL-Target for your valuable advice as usual. My brother stays in USA & he will be coming back to India after one year.Actually he wants to purchage two pistols , one for himself & another for Bhabi. In Indian scenario it must be in .32 ACP no doubt . Neither me nor my brother have any idea regarding the dependability, usuability or versability of any hand gun. That's the reason for seeking advice. He has not yet decided & is waiting for the advice.
Dr. Saab... I was not aware that Beretta 84 comes in .380 acp. Hence it is discarded. Now remains the CZ 83 & Beretta 81. As per advice of Mr. XL-Target Walther ppk is also doubtful. Please mention any other option in .32
Thanks.
Pradyumna

[PRITAM PATEL]

In Indian scenario it must be in .32 ACP no doubt .
Pradyumna

not necessarily it must be .32 Auto or 7.65 Cal,
one can own any cal. weapon that is not PB ( prohibited Bore) ....plz check forum for PB Cal its a long list you can easily get idea

PPL advises .32 Cal due to easy availability of Ammo.

For self defense and batter stopping power I would not recommend .32 Cal, if some one getting weapon from USA and going to have the same for his /her life time.

For Revolver I would suggest .357 Cal, Lots of decent handguns are available in US market,( Ammo also available in INDIA at some what higher prices)

For Pistol I would suggest .380 or 9 mm short,(Ammo is available at slightly hire price than imported .32 Cal)

Individual is allowed to import max no.of 50 Cartridges of NPB bore in his/her baggage, if your brother will be going abroad after claiming TR he can get ammo with him in his baggage.

In this case I suggest .40 Cal weapon (pistol)

finally if you still chose to go for .32 ACP, or .32 S&W long (revolver)

I dont think colt or S&W are mafg. .32 cal revolvers as of now

Pistols PPK or PP are available both in .32 or 380 Acp

Sig Sauer also makes good .32 ACP pistols

As others mentioned Barreta 84 and CZ are defiantly good weapon (I doubt about their brand new production in .32 ACP cal )

hope this helps

regards
pritam Patel

P.S. weapon must be registered with your brother 's name for minimum of one year before he can claim with his TR, and he will not able to sell or transfer that weapon for his life time

[Vineet]

For Revolver I would suggest .357 Cal, Lots of decent handguns are available in US market,( Ammo also available in INDIA at some what higher prices)

Individual is allowed to import max no.of 50 Cartridges of NPB bore in his/her baggage, if your brother will be going abroad after claiming TR he can get ammo with him in his baggage.

In this case I suggest .40 Cal weapon (pistol)

Another caliber of which ammo is easily available in India is 7.62x25. I have never seen its shortage, atleast in Punjab. Although pistol availability may be an issue.

[xl_target]

friend,
if you are in india go for .32 pistol only .
i have heard of anyone owning beretta84fs and cz83 in india.
i am surprised,can you post pics.
regards

Dr Sahib,

Here are links to the CZ83:
http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-83/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CZ_82

Links to the Beretta 84 (Cheetah)
http://www.berettausa.com/products/84fs-cheetah/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beretta_Cheetah


As far as the choices mentioned by Pritam, please note that Pradyumna specifically mentioned his choices between those three handguns. Pritam is correct though, that .32 ACP would not be anyone's first choice. The problem is that a handgun is useless without readily available ammo. Can you be guaranteed a supply of ammo other than .32?

As for getting a regular supply of ammo in some of the alternate calibers like .40 S&W, all I can say is "Good Luck". As for being able to import 50 cartridges, you do realize that in reality 50 cartridges is not even a decent afternoon's practice. Whatever gun you buy, make sure that you get plenty of shooting in while you are in the US. Once you get back to India, the pitiful ammo quota will not allow you to shoot much.

[Pradyumna]

Thank you very much brothers for the advice. All the alternatives are correct in deciding the calibre.But still .32 acp is acceptable in India due to easy availability of ammos. My local dealer has never stocked any other calibre except .32 & .22. He is of the opinion that there are very few pistols of those calibres in Odisha. Anyway thanks a lot brothers.
Pradyumna

[shooterz]

To Pradyumna,

I don't have knowledge of all your laws in India, but I do know handguns. XL-Target is right about the Smith $ Wesson produced ppk. They are not so good, and were known for slide bite. I would also go for the cz83. I had a cz82 in 9mm makarov, and it was a good gun. I also read that you have access to 7.62x25 ammo. I am a big fan of the Tokarev, and if your brother is here in USA; he can buy one. Here is a link to a company I have used many times. http://www.jgsales.com/index.php?osCsid ... b186a38ab6 he can use a local transfer dealer to make the purchase. With shipping and transfer, he would get it for under $300 USD. I think the prices you pay in India are somewhat out of line. If I did the math right, the IOF 32 revolver is $1100 USD. I can by 2 Glocks for that here in US. Good luck sir, Troy