[Mr.Caliber]

......What handgun would you get and why?


Thanks,

Mr.Caliber

[Confederate]

A Ruger Security-Six. The reason? It's the best gun you can get for about $300. Oh, and make mine a 4-6-inch.

The Rugers won't be around long at this price. That's another reason.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=50900&stc=1&d=1168308868

[Technosavant]

I'd try to hunt down a revolver in .357, either a Ruger or a Smith. Maybe a Taurus. I might also look to police trade-in Glocks if I was thinking semiauto.

Either would give you a good reliable sidearm in an effective caliber. These would both be more "house gun" options though. Another decent pick might be a Makarov, but ammo availability also becomes an issue.

[Mark54g]

Nevermind, the price went up substantially

[Geno]

Either I would have one of my 1911s, or my P35 pistol hard chromed.

Doc2005

[benelli12]

A Ruger Super blackhawk in 44 magnum, cheap and reliable, and cool lookin':)

[Geronimo45]

A CZ 83.

[Dr.Rob]

For $300? Right now? I'd drive up to Jensen's and pick up one of those police surplus Walther P-1 9mms.

Because they are only $269
They have a 'neat' factor.
I already have several 'serious' handguns.
Even so with EFMJ the 9mm is no pipsqueak.
They won't last at that price.

I'm told Gander Mountain and Sportsman's Warehouse occasionally stock them.

[JAMES77257]

Used SP 101

[Pumpkinheaver]

I would get one of those Stoeger Cougers in .40S&W.

[Jackal]

If your smart, you will spend it on your girlfriend. If you don't, there will be hell to pay and she just may castrate you for another gun purchase.:banghead:

[wooderson]

Check some of the deals from summitgunbroker.com - a number of difference police service weapons on there at fantastic prices.

[razorburn]

I'd buy one of the $310 large frame witnesses from buds. Then I could pick up one of the conversion to switch between 10mm and 9mm for a taste of the exotic stuff. Or maybe a PT145. High capacity small sized .45 for ccw.

[Juna]

A lightly used CZ 75. No brainer.

[BoneDigger]

I was just in this same boat, and I chose a Ruger P90 ($260 shipped) in .45. You could also get a nice used Ruger P89 or P95 (9mm) for the same price.

Another option, if this is going to be a CCW, would be a Bersa Thunder .380 for around $225 new.

Todd

[Shipwreck]

Drop in $20 or $30 more and get a Stoeger Cougar - its basically the same as a Beretta Cougar - but Berratta sold the machinery and Stoger makes them now. Same gun (and Stoger is owned by Beretta).

Its the cheapest handgun I'd buy for a larger caliber (9mm and above). And, its a good one too.

[M2 Carbine]

The new Kel Tec 9mm. I want to try it out for pocket carry.

Maybe another Makarov. I like Makarovs.:)


and have enough left over for ammo.

[applekev]

I picked up a nice S&W Model 15 a few months ago. It's an ex police revolver, some bluing worn off from holster carry, but a real sweet shooter. I paid $239 for it with no regrets. I think every gun person should have an old Smith.:)

[gudel]

What handgun would you get and why?

I would add another $300 and get myself a nicer gun.

[Lord Bodak]

Stoeger Cougar, absolutely. Might be closer to $350 depending on local prices but still a steal.

[Medusa]

NIB, mint, Russian TT-33 Tokarev. About $250 here.

[shaggycat]

Some Kel-Tec, because I am almost 21 and want to pocket carry.

[CountGlockula]

I'd save up $400 more and get an H&K P2000. H&K are really tough looking guns.

[whitebb]

Save your money, and spend $30 on a C&R FFL license. Then you can open up a whole other world of gun shopping, from HOME!:)

[Plink]

It depends on what you want the gun for. As a generic answer, I'd have to agree with Juna on the CZ-75. If you're looking for a small carry gun, Bersa and Kel-Tec both make good guns for less than $300. Don't forget the used market. There's a lot of great values out there.

[LeonCarr]

Ruger P-Series in 9mm or .45.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

[vynx]

Oh no ... I just saw a used consignment ruger security six for sale $239.99 stainless, 2.76 inch barrel, adj. sights, 80% condition

Its on the Turners Website in Chino Hills - $240 and I just told myself no more .357's

Anyway, thats what I would get.

[CZ223]

Mark has some great deals especially on Smith autos. The Smiths are good guns and good deals. The old model glock 23s for $345 w/3 hi cap magsis pretty hard to beat for a lowpice reliable self defence gun. I love my Glocks.:D

[ugaarguy]

My initial thought was a S&W Combat Masterpiece, M15 / Pre-15 K-38. Really I'd take any good used K-frame I could find locally that passed Jim March's Used Revolver Checkout (see that thread stickied at the top of the revolvers sub forum if you think you might like a wheel gun). A S&W M65 like the ones Summit Gun Broker has, or a M66 which you can find locally at or slightly over $300 depending on your location. Sticking with wheel guns, The Ruger Speed/Service/Security Six series, SP-101, and the GP-100 which is also sometimes senn in that price range are also great guns.

In autos, I'd like to look at the Kel-Tec PF-9 when I get back from overseas. I already own & really like their P3AT for a deep concealment piece. If you like Da/SA the metal frame S&W autos are excellent as well. The Walther P1 is another good one, and as already mentioned even standard velocity 9mm is nothing to sneeze at. For $50 more I think a new Stoeger Cougar is worth looking into. I'd have to get a little first person eval time with both the Cougar and P1 first, but they're well liked here on THR so that bodes well for them. I've owned a S&W Sigma, and while not my first choice they're certainly reliable and have great ergonomics. Before I left the big box stores like Sportsmans Warehouse were selling them for $300 new. If I needed a $300 gun right now they're available & fit the budget.

Speaking of the Cougar, I'd like to clarify a bit. Beretta did not sell the tooling. Stoeger has been owned by Beretta holdings for several years now. They simply shipped the tooling from Italy to Stoeger in Turkey. It's the same gun, but the reduced labor costs in Turkey has breathed new life into it with it's much lower price. From reviews over in the autos forum here the Stoeger made Cougar looks to be a great gun at a great price.

In the end a good .357 Mag / .38 Special revolver or 9mm semi auto would be my choice. The ammo is widely available and inexpensive, which is important if on a tight budget. Take a look at the many good suggestions in this thread and find a gun you like that fits your hand.

[thunder]

Hmm... hate to join the masses, but a CZ-75.

Hard to beat, even without a price cap.

[lee n. field]

What handgun

A Ruger Mark I, II or III, the best that can be afforded w/in that price range.

That or a 9mm conversion barrel for the XD, and spend the rest on ammo.

Or see if I can find a nice used .357 snub.

Or, or or.....

was just in this same boat, and I chose a Ruger P90 ($260 shipped) in .45.

Very good price on that.

[Colonel Plink]

Definitely a Ruger Security Six.

Or a Smith 14, 15 or 19

Or a Colt Trooper.

Or..
I dunno. With a toddler in the house, it'll be decades before I have three bills.

[tinygnat219]

Taurus Millenium Pro 145.

Low price, good ammo capacity, compact, lots of neat features.

[tbtrout]

I would go for a Ruger in .357

[fed_wif_a_sig]

If your looking for a CCW for that price, I'd get a good used 3" revolver in 357 if you can, or 38spl. Add to that a good ITP holster two HKS speedloaders and several boxes of ammo. Then practice practice. You can even do all that plus a range fee for under 300 if you look real hard.

[hceptj]

First choice would be a 3"-4" .357...depends on if thats my only gun, then for sure...if I had $300 extra right now and no pressing need for anything particular, probably a Bersa .380

[kahr404life]

The ruger is very pretty.:D

[boneboy96]

just bought a Ruger SP-101 in 32 H&R Magnum nib for $319 shipped. Should be here next week. :D

[Srigs]

A used Smith from www.summitgunbroker.com because they are 100% reliable.

A new Stoeger 8000 in 9 or 40 or a Kel-tec P11. :D