[chetrogers]

I made a few post a while back and i was contemplating getting one of 2 types of guns..Either a .357 revolver or a .45acp .If i was to get a revolver i would want at least a 6 inch barrel..Primary use will be for home defense but i also want something i can take out with me 2 times a month to shoot.Can anyone suggest anything new that is in the $350-$400 price range.Right now i have $350 set aside for a gun but would be willing to save another $50 if needed..I know its not alot of money and it not gonna be the best so i was hoping yall could help me out before i buy a .45 high point :) thanks as always

[9x19]

My choices are:
Ruger GP-100 in a .357 revolver, or the Ruger KP-90 (alloy frame) or KP-97 (polymer frame) in a .45 ACP Pistol.

The .45s have a $40 rebate right now, so they are a good deal. Dealer's cost is a bit over $300 on the KP-97, so you should be able to find it for $350 before the rebate.

Good luck.

[10-Ring]

Get a pre-owned S&W revolver. I got a model 19 not so long ago for $275 and it's been great ;)

[WheelMan]

My Six-inch, full lug, stainless GP100 ran me sub $350 new. I put some wolff springs in it and dry fired the heck out of it and it's a real great shooter. The trigger is comprable to the (admittedly only one) S&W I've fired and It has the advantage of the extra strength of the Ruger guns.

I feel like I should say that if this will be your only weapon for home you might want to look at a shotgun. Of course a six inch .357, properly loaded, is going to provide about as much wallop as you can get out of a hand gun without getting into the big bore magnums.


-whoops didn't see your sig until just now, you must already have a scattergun :)

[valnar]

chetrogers,
I agree that a good used S&W revolver would be better than a new Ruger or Taurus (flame suit on). Hit your local gun stores or gunbroker.com & gunsamerica.com

Will you shoot mostly .357Mag or .38sp?

For home defense, I'd recommend the revolver. You can have the thing loaded for months/years without worrying about spring tension in a magazine.

However, I'd buy both eventually! :D

-Robert

[Jim March]

Handle a GP100 6" with the "short shroud". The balance is just unbelievably nice.

Caveat: the GP100s come with two grip sizes, big (standard grip on adjustable-sight guns of 4", 5" and 6") and small (standard on fixed-sight variants of 3" and 4"). For the longer barrel lengths, you'll want the bigger grip...but in turn, you'll need moderately big hands to comfortably use it.

Upshot: get ye to a gunshop and check the feel. If the big grip feels right, then a 6" semi-lug will probably be the right medicine. It handles "quick like a fighting gun" despite the barrel length. If it's more of a target piece or you want to shoot a lot of VERY stiff full-house hunting grade 357 fodder, the full-lug barrel will recoil less but to me, it feels like a pig :).

Semi-lug 6" barrel:

http://www.gunbroker.com/pixhost/2003-03-02/quietshot_1047090686_ruger_gp.jpg

Source: http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=9969329

Full lug 6":

http://pix.gunbroker.com/pixhost/2002-02-03/timtyler_1013183324_Kgp161-c.jpg

Source: http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=10241887

Short 3" barrel with the smaller grip type (sort of a "round butt" plus shorter):

http://www.gunbroker.com/pixhost/2003-03-02/GUNFINDER.NET_1046894965_70261.jpg

Source: http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=10216987

GP100s will take a steady diet of the most potent loads you can scrounge up. They're easy to disassemble and work on, accuracy tends to be as good as an S&W, only the trigger is a little bit sub-par but nothing a bunch of dry-firing and/or a $17 spring job won't fix.

[Nick96]

In my opinion, .45's are special purpose guns. You've got something specific in mind for the caliber and operating system or you wouldn't get it.

The .357 is the all around most versitile handgun. I'd recommend a 4" barrel rather than a 6" for (again) more versitility. You can shoot any .38 Spls. or .357's you want in it (all generally cheaper than factory .45's). No real point in getting more than a 4" barrel unless you really intend to use it for precise target shooting or hunting. In fact, a 3" GP 100 with fixed sights would fit the bill as well as most any reasonably priced, stock .45 auto.

[Ian11]

.45 ACP the Ruger P-97 series would be my choice if I really couldn't spend more. I hear nothing but good things about them. But I'd try to suck it up and get a SA Mil-Spec or one LNIB. I think they recently came out with a less expensive version. Someone else might better be able to tell you about these new SA 1911's. SA Mil-Spec's are the best values in 1911's IMO. I often enjoy shooting a well used rental SA Mil Spec at my local range.

For .357 revolvers no doubt the GP-100's like most others.

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

Some really good deals can be found on USED,
but NOT ABUSED Smith's & Ruger's. A co-worker
just pick up a used 4" Smith & Wesson model 65
for $225. Turns out this weapon was a police
trade-in, which was carried a lot but actually shot
very little. Other Smith models that come to mind
with 6" barrels are model's: 19, 27, 28, 586, 686*
and Ruger's Security-Six, GP-100 series, and their
Redhawk*.

*FootNote- These two weapons may be slightly
out of the price range quoted? Also, self-loaders
most likely will exceed this price range also. In
all likelihood, a USED Ruger P90 would come
very close to the price you mentioned.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[Baba Louie]

Don't overlook Taurus Tracker in .45 acp or the .357 eight shot 608.

If previously owned doesn't bother you...

Find a tight S&W 28.

Save up another $100 and get a S&W 625, 5".

Dan Wesson Model 15 w/ interchangable barrel/shroud...

Revolvers...

Sweet

Adios

[Majic]

First you have to decide on whether you want a revolver or a semi-auto. Only you can make that decision. Go out and try different models to see what feels good to you. Then hit the used market. You will find several models that will fall in your price range. Whatever you chose, the gun must fit your hand or you will always be fighting an uphill battle with it. 4" revolvers balances better than 6" models to most shooters. Semi-autos can sometimes be a little more finicky about what ammo you feed it.

Whatever you choose remember that what you read here and in other forums are just advise. Take your time and choose something that fits and suits you.