Need Pistol can anyone suggest one for

[chetrogers]

I have 400 dollars that i can spend on a new pistol.It will be for home defence and general plinking.I dont mind if its a revolver or a Auto-loader.Any suggestions are welcome..Thanks for your time..My current pistol is a jennings 9mm that jams ever 4 shots...Time for upgrade :)

[priv8ter]

For $400, there a quite a few options out there for you. With your stated uses of home defence and general plinking, I am thinking a Ruger could fill your needs.

You need to go handle them, but in that price range you could squeeze in either a GP-100 in .357, or one of their P-series of pistols in either 9mm or .45.

Both these options are robust tanks of guns which will hold up to a life time of plinking.

Good luck to you!

greg

[Bainx]

Actually for $400, there are a number of possibilities.
I'm thinking wheel gun for reliability. Some sort of .357 S&W used, if need be.

[Boiler_G]

I just had the most fun in a long time shooting a Smith & Wesson 19 .357 mag with a 4" barrel. I was shooting .357's out of it and the recoil was nothing. Really enjoyable gun to shoot. I think you can find some used ones under $300 and if you want new look for a S&W 66 (stainless version, not sure if it is under your price range though). I think it will be my next purchase after I get a .22 (probably a S&W 617).

[10-Ring]

With $400, I'd get a used S&W 357 (a mod 19, 66, 586 or 686 w/ 4" barrel) revolver & practice ammo!

[sm]

Agree, used revo, K frame
BA/UU/R
( buy ammo/use up/repeat)

[COK]

I would also suggest a .357 in S&W or Ruger , either one is a great gun , see what feels an fits the best .

[doctorhumbert]

with $400, you have pretty good selection in buying used guns if you look hard enough. I'd look out for used S&W .357 revolver, 9mm Glock, or beretta.

Or you can buy NEW excellent CZ autos.

If I were you i'd save $100-$200 more for better new auto pistol selection (Beretta, 1911, New S&W). Other wise go with new CZ.

[tbeb]

I recommend exactly what "10-Ring" did. To his list I would add a Ruger GP-100 with 4" barrel and adjustable sights. You can shoot .38 special ammo and .357 magnum ammo in any of these. You can't go wrong.

[Brian Williams]

Used 357
S&W or Ruger
Mil spec 1911 a few more dollars
CZ 75
FM BHP Argentinian
Ruger blackhawk

[valnar]

Ditto 10-Ring's exact comment.

S&W model 19, 66 586 or 686. All used under $400.

[benEzra]

For $400, I'd personally go with a Ruger P-series semiauto in 9mm (buy some 15-rd preban magazines with the change). Or spend a little more and get a S&W 908 in 9mm.

[litework]

Some good suggestions. I'd personally go with a Springfield XD 9. Solid little guns and 20 dollar XD40 10 round mags hold 15 9mm cartridges. They have an accessory rail, loaded chamber indicator, grip safety and field strip very easy. I think the XD9 would be a good home defense and / or range gun.

[Mike Irwin]

Another suggestion for a used S&W Model 19 or its stainless equivilent.

With the money you should save, you can put the remainder of the $400 towards practice ammo.

[stans]

It is hard to go wrong with a 357 Magnum. I would suggest looking for a used S&W L-frame, since they have a durability edge over the K-frame or a Ruger GP-100 or a Dan Wesson.

[chetrogers]

This is great thanks guys..Keep the suggestions coming if anyone else has any..Looks like i cant go wrong with a S&W used revolver...Suprised there hasnt been much talk of .45ACP...

[priv8ter]

As far as I know, there aren't many .45's in the price range you mentioned, except maybe the Ruger P-series, and the Firestorm Mini .45's. I'm not sure yet if I consider the Firestorm .45 to be a plinker.

Even the Mil-Spec Springfields are a bit more than you were looking at.

[New_comer]

Great suggestions all, I think I can no longer improve on what has been shared so far...

so I'll comment instead on what hasn't been noticed yet...

My current pistol is a jennings 9mm that jams ever 4 shots... Time for upgrade
Not to flame you but...

WHY ONLY NOW?:banghead: :what: :evil: :neener: :p :D

[STEVE M]

Taurus revolvers are also solid built guns. Most have decent accuracy and

if you shop around a little you can find one with a good trigger. The money

saved will buy plenty of practice ammo.

[Dave Markowitz]

I suggest either a used S&W revolver in .38 or .357, an Argentine FM High Power 9mm, or a Ruger P-95 9mm. Any of these will leave you money left over from the $400 with which to buy speed loaders or mags, and practice ammo.

[Zundfolge]

You've got a lot of suggestions for wheelguns, but if you want an auto in your price range ...

New:
CZ-75
Steyr M9 or M40
Ruger P97 or P95
EAA Witness
Baby Eagle
Charles Daly 1911
Springfield XD

Used:
Glock (pretty much any model, but I would lean toward a G19 or G23)
Kahr K9 or K40 (sometimes found down in your price range)
Taurus PT92
S&W autos (some of these will actually show up in the "way cheap" list)


Way cheap (but good) priced under $300 (so you can buy ammo, holster, etc)
Bersa
Makarov
Astra A75 (or South African RAP 401/440)


Any of the guns listed would be significantly more reliable and accurate then your Jennings.

[Majic]

Take your $400 and go to gun stores. Try everything in your price range and a little higher because you might can haggle with cash in hand. Find one that fits your hand, in a caliber you deem appropiate, made by a quality manufactor, and if it's a used model do the check over routine. Everyone can list their own preferences and it may or may not suit you.
In other words, you do the shopping. Then come back and question the model or models you have chosen.

[Mastrogiacomo]

You can get a good used revolver or pistol -- a Beretta in a 9mm or a .357 such as I did -- a four inch 686 S&W. Or...you can save up and get a new one but just because the gun is used doesn't mean it's not a good deal. Personally, if it's for home defense only -- get the revolver.

By the way, I'm planning on getting the Glock 19 used for under $400. Good deals can be had if you keep your eyes open and wait a while....:D Something to think about...

[Berg01]

1st Choice - S&W 686 4' bbl.
2nd Choice - CZ 75B 9mm
3rd Choice - Smith & Wesson 910

[Safety First]

I have never owned a CZ auto pistol, but many of the members here seem to like them and you can probably pick up a new 9MM for around $400, so that would be a good gun to check with your local gun dealer on. Good Luck

[Johnny Guest]

Revolvers: You can locate .38 Specials for a little less money, but the .357 is so versatile . . . And you can still shoot the .38s in one.
- -S&W K or L frame, blue OR stainless.
- - Ruger GP100, Security-Six or Service-Six


Autos:
- - Ruger 9mm - - A little clunky for my tastes, but very durable and reliable.
Glock 19 or 23 - -You may have to shop, but there are some for around $400.
- - Argentine FM High Power OR,
- - the Sistema 1927 .45 auto. This last may be a little finicky about which JHP ammo you use in it, so it bears testing.

Looks as if you want an all-around handgun. There are some smaller pieces, but there are pretty specialized toward concealed carry. Any of the above can be successfully concealed, but perhaps not as comfortably as the "belly guns."

You'll not go wrong with any of the above.

Best of luck - -
Johnny

[denfoote]

P Series Ruger!!
I recently bought a P97DC (.45ACP) for $425 with tax. Some years back, I bought my KP95DC (9mm Parabellum) for $350, both NIB. You might as well buy quality right from the starting gate! ;)

[Dr.Rob]

FEG Hi Power will only set you back around $250. That leaves a lot of $$ for practice ammo or more magazines.13 shot mags are cheap and easy to find.

Ruger autos are big and clunky-looking to me, but they work.

If you get a revolver, you might as well go with a 357, you can shoot 38's until you get comfy wirth the hotter magnum loads. You may be able to get a used Ruger or SW for that $, but you won't get a new Smith for that.

[jercamp45]

But I like 'em..alot!!!
For the Money a Ruger P97 will give you a lifetime of service, rugged, reliable, light, accurate. Cons" Loooooong trigger, fat and a tad bulky for concealment.
Actually, if the shoes were reversed, I'g get a Sistema Argentine Colt and save up my pennies for a .22 conversion unit! That way I had my desired plinking and thumping round;
A local 'smith that builds awesome 1911's says the Armscor and Rock Island products are made of good steel and fair tolerences....they were about $350.
The Israeli 1911's have a good rep too.
Patrick Sweeny, author of the Gun Digest Book of the 1911 rated the Charles Daly and Firestorm well and he has shot alot more 1911's than I ever have!!
Almost all of these will accept a .22 conversion unit!
Can you tell, I am a 1911 fan?

I shot a CZ-75 a few years ago, and it was reliable and quite accurate...tis OK for a Nine.
The Kahr definately rates a look-see, if you are ever gonna consider concealed carry! I have seen used ones in the price range, and I would rather have one of those than a Glock, personally!
I am not really a wheelgun kinda guy. I have had a few, but never cared for their bulk. And to get serious thump, you pay for it with recoil(the bore is higher in the hand) especially with the fabled .357.
Ok, my 1911 rant is over!!!Hahaha
Good luck!
Jercamp45

[Sean Smith]

CZ-75B.

[David4516]

You might want to think about getting a cheaper gun and spending the leftover cash on things like holsters and cleaning kits and ammo and that sort of thing.

Or you could get 2 guns, for example you could get a Ruger .22 autoloader to plink with, and a Makarov for serious stuff, and still have cash leftover for all the goodies I spoke of.

Yes, I know, I recomend the Makarov alot. But thats because it has really impressed me. It's just so darned dependable, I feel like I have to tell the whole world how great it is :rolleyes:

http://www.ja-galaxy-forum.com/fred/guns/makarov.jpg

[USGuns]

I picked up my Ruger P95 for some of the same reasons you've mentioned, and for only $350. It's a good quality, very-reliable, accurate and US-made firearm. AND there's a $40 rebate available right now! With the $ you saved you could buy lots of ammo. Check it out:
http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=3097&return=Y

[Selfdfenz]

There's a nickle plated model 13 Smith on GunBroker for 200 and a Ruger 22/45 can be had for 200 NIB with a bit of luck.

That would cover home defense and plinking pretty well.

My one-gun-vote would be a CZ 75 and make up the difference to 400$ in 9mm ammo.
S-

[Deepdiver]

Lots and lots of choices.

If I could only spend $400 and I needed an all around gun (i.e. works for casual shooting "plinkin'" but could also fill a personal defense role), I would probably pick up a good quality 38/357 six shot revolver.

They usually shoot real well, and are highly reliable.

Ammo is reasonable for both practice and real work.

Anything from a Ruger GP100 or Secruity Six up to one of the numerous S&W's can be had for $400 (some will have to be used).

I would probably not get anything bigger than a 3 3/4 to 4" barrel so that I could conceal it if I so desired.

[BowStreetRunner]

i say this way too much too,
but i second the Makarov recommendation
great gun, incredibly reliable
but if it dont float your boat then get something more expensive :)
and if you got a Mak you could afford 2 guns....or one gun, ammo, holster, etc, and have enough to start saving for your next piece
BSR

[J.J.]

I recommend the Springfield Armory XD if you look you can find it for around 400...

I love mine... great gun

[The Silver Bullet 1719]

CZ-75B, the Turkish military overruns which are the basic gun, a 10 round magazine, and a 15 round magazine can frequently be had under 400 dollars. The quality is up there with Beretta, Glock, and dare I say Sig, but cheaper. See why so many people like them :) .

[coldshot03/04]

Kel Tec P11. 9mm
Makarov. 9x18mm or 380acp.
Rossi or Taurus "357 mag.";)

[grampster]

If you're going to keep it for home defense, I personally favor Beretta Mod. 96 (.40 cal) fill it up with Federal Hydroshock.

Reason: I have found this pistol to be well balanced, feels good in the hand, feels good shooting, accurate and reliable. It is also large and scary looking if you are observing the business end of it. Sometimes weapons don't have to be actually fired to be effective. If this one has to be fired, it will perform.

If you are looking for something to carry on your person, that opens up another box. I think one has to try out a number of different options in order to feel comfortable carrying. If you are not comfortable or secure, you will find yourself not carrying and defeat the purpose. I carry a mouse gun, Beretta Tomcat in .32. Easily concealed and unobtrusive and comfortable. A little of something is better than a big nothing.

grampster

[Berg01]

I have a CZ 75B .40S&W. This gun is very accurate, fits my hand well and balances very well. However, in the firs 900 rounds I have experienced numerous extraction jams with Win White Box. The gun is now at my local pistolsmith for a complete disasembly, inspection, lube and reassembly. Also, I am getting the barrel throated & polished. I am confident this will resolve my problems.

[ReadyontheRight]

.357 GP100. ;)

[Frenchy]

I'll just echo what many have already said...Used K-Frame S&W in 357.
The N-Frame Model 28 would also be a fine choice.
All of these can be had for less than your budget ceiling, and resale is quite good.

[wunderkind]

You'll LOVE a police turn-in revolver. The S&W 10, 15, 64, or 65 would almost perfectly fit the bill. I went through the wondernine craze myself, now my favorite range gun is the Military & Police S&W. I know it sounds cheesy, but it's great holding a former duty gun, you wonder what stories it could tell if it could talk.

You can shoot well-loaded defensive ammo in one and wonder what all this "recoil" talk is all about (especially with some cheap rubber grips for the range.)

So durable, your children can hand it down to THEIR children when the time comes and it should still be perfectly servicealbe.

(A new Ruger for $250.00 with the current rebate would be great, too!)