CC weapon and gear on a shoe string budget

[HighVelocity]

I had this idea some time ago that I wanted to put together a solid, reliable ccw rig on a shoestring budget. Of course only well made, reputable makers equipment would be acceptable.
The caliber had to me mainstream and ammo had to be cheap and easy to find.

I set out to find "a deal" on a gun and it didn't take long. I've never owned a Taurus product but I've heard good things about the Millennium Pro line and that's what I got.

1) Used Taurus PT 145 $200

2) 50 rounds of Winchester Ranger 230gr +P $20.00

3) Wilderness Tactical 5 stitch belt (gun show) $35.00

4) Galco leather mag holder (ebay) $10.00

5) Donner Gunleather open top holster (ebay) $35

* tax, shipping etc. included in listed prices where applicable and all prices are rounded up to the nearest dollar.

TOTAL $300.00

This actually surprised me. I thought I'd be in at least $500 for a rig I'd bet my life on. Yet I ended up with an accurate, 100% reliable 10 shot compact 45 w/2 mags, good belt, ammo and leather for substantially less and I didn't even have to look hard for the deals.

For anyone that has doubts about the Taurus I'll admit that I had doubts too but I spent the last week abusing it to the best of my ability, feeding it the hottest and dirtiest ammo I could find and never cleaning it.
500 rounds and not one single malfunction! For the money, even new it's under $300, you cannot beat this thing with a stick.



There you have it. Anybody could put this together with a little patience. I actually got the belt first, not the gun. Total time from idea to complete rig about 3 weeks. :D

[gigag04]

wow thats really impressive actually.

I bet you could make $50 per rig if you just put together setups like that for people.

Laziness on others' parts can bring you some decent cash.

[JLaw]

Looks like a good setup there, you got your entire rig for less than I paid for my CCW, good job!

Hey, how do you like that Wilderness Tac 5 stitch belt...I need to replace my 9 year old Wally World leather (it doesn't carry right).

JLaw

[HighVelocity]

Thanks. Yes, the 5 stich instructors belt is awesome. Wears like iron and holds even the heaviest 1911 in place all day. My only complaint is that the buckle is really noisy. They should put rubber washers on the crossbar or something to make it quiet.

(sometimes I have to leave really REALY early in the morning and the noise wakes my Wife up).

[dws1117]

Good job HV. I'd like to add one thing. For whatever reason, some either have to have a leather belt because os dress requirements or just prefer the look. The Rafter S cowhide gun belt at $45 is a heck of a deal. They are durable, nice looking, and hold a gun really well.

http://www.raftersgunleather.com/belts.html

[Lumberjack98]

Great job and nice set up!

[HighVelocity]

Thanks. It was a fun project. Even though this was not intended to replace my Kimber as my carry gun, I find myself carrying the little Taurus quite a bit.
It drops right into my pocket with a Springfield XML light attached to it. Works great for taking out the trash in my PJ's. You just never know when the noseeums or hidebehinds will try to get you.

[flintknapper]

Nicely done!

Add a "Streamlight Scorpion" to it for $40.00 and you've got low light/night time covered as well.

[andy123]

Just a thought on your mag holder, I had an old leatherman pouch laying around. Im sure we all have at least one. It works perfectly with my 9mm double stacked. Best part FREE!!!!!

[tacticool]

Five years. I think you're in the running for this week's award.

[HighVelocity]

Wow! Time capsule opening

[pbwalker]

Jeez...this thread is over 5 years old! Talk about thread necromancy...

[rmr1923]

wow thats really impressive actually.

I bet you could make $50 per rig if you just put together setups like that for people.

Laziness on others' parts can bring you some decent cash.

i wonder what that's worth in today's dollars

[lonewolf]

A cloud of dust just rose out of my hard drive........Aachoo!

[Tregs]

High Velocity,
What are your impressions of the Taurus over the past 5 years?