[matsaleh]

My new gun kitty is getting close to my price point: around $350 or so (I can't wait around another 6 months to double it, sorry!). I think there are some decent semiauto choices availabe at this price range, but I'd like to hear your opinions:

.45 ACP (leaning this way for sheer power)
Bersa Thunder 45 (http://www.bersa-llama.com/cat_thunder45.html) (very, very nice handling and trigger)
Firestorm Mini 45 (http://www.firestorm-sgs.com/minispecsda.htm) (also mfg. by Bersa)
Taurus PT145 Millennium Pro (http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?model=145SSP&category=Pistol) (10+1 capacity in .45 is appealing)

.40 S&W (nice compromize, power and capacity)
Firestorm Mini 40 (http://www.firestorm-sgs.com/minispecs.htm) (mfg. by Bersa)
Steyr M40 (http://www.smg.steyr.com/englishversion/index.htm) (heard good things, but never handled one)

9mm (already have one, but considering a more compact model)
Kel-Tec P11 (http://www.kel-tec.com/prod01.htm) (pocket powerhouse keeps calling to me)

Others? Please make a suggestion for around $350 NIB or LNIB

[chevrofreak]

If you can deal with the size and weight, I recomend a CZ-75 9mm, or an EAA/Tanfoglio Witness in 9mm, .45ACP, or 10mm.

[Cortland]

I'm sure all of the guns you've listed are quality pieces (I can at least vouch for Steyrs and Bersas), but due to Steyr's importation issues and distributor-direct availability, I'd venture to say that given your price range, a Steyr represents an appreciably higher level of quality than the other guns you've mentioned. Since you're looking for a CCW gun, you should also take a look at the Steyr S40. It's $40 more than the M40 (from CDNN) but still within your budget at $340.

[tomkatz]

Out of the listed choices, I went steyer, but I will also highly recommend a CZ, a PCR comes pretty close to that pricepoint.......tom

[David4516]

I think the best bang for the buck is the Makarov. You might not be interested though, as it is a smaller caliber than anything on your list...

[chevrofreak]

you might also want to add Ruger to your list

[Handgun]

I did not vote because my first choice would be a used S&W 3913 (non TSW version) and it is not on the list.

[PCRCCW]

Either get one of the Bersa made guns or find a CZ...both are great.

shoot well

[JonnyB]

Or, an Israeli FN HiPower for exactly $350. I got mine via face-to-face, private party transfer here in Minnesota. No tax, no transfer fees, no nuthin'.

Pistol, holster, and two 13-round mags (one was crap, though).

JB

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

The Steyr platform is just superior to all the others listed-----all for the same money------You can't beat that.

[RWK]

Many CZ 75s out there for ~$350. I bought a NIB CZ 75B last year (with a 10 and a 15 round magazine) for $319. It is a GREAT handgun -- excellent fit, finish, quality, accuracy, and durability -- and a first-rate value.

[mephisto]

Steyr. i have a m-9 and i use it for ccw. but a mak is the best "small" gun for packin in "tight"areas. but it soes not shoot as well as the m-9. but if you could find a s-9 or a s-40 do it , s-9 are almost impossible to find.

[VG]

You can get a used S&W CS9 or 3913 for close to $350. Just bought a perfect 3913 for $375, with box and mags.

The last place that it makes sense to economize is a CCW.

[Michael_2112]

I would have to agree with some of the other posters. I would try and get a CZ. Of the ones you listed though, I would say that the Bersa made guns are probably one of the greatest values on the market.

The Makarov suggestion is a good one as well.


~Mike

[Ky Larry]

Ditto what VG said about scrimping on a CCW gun. If you need to use it, a million $ is a cheap price. BG's won't be impressed by a "bargain."

[Grayrock]

I just placed my order for the PT-145 MilPro, stainless w/ night sights. Supposed to pick it up Thursday. I can not wait to go try it out.

Wait- do I hear Denfoote? I know, "Fool me once..."

I still want it.

[Browns Fan]

How about a range report on the PT-145?

[Grayrock]

Definitely will get a range report out as soon as I can. I anticipate satisfaction.

[Berg01]

This past July, I got a NIB CZ 75B Duotone in .40 S&W for $350.00; you can't beat that gunt at that proice.

[Rogelio]

I agree with the makaov...best bang for the buck, and you can get replacement barrels for it to use .32NAA, great little cartridge.

Find it in http://www.makarov.com/32naa/index.html

Good luck

[Illuminate]

On the list I voted Steyr; Makarovs and CZs are also good options.

I would also like to add that it makes perfect sense to economize on CCW if it is the difference between being able to caryy and not being able to carry, as long as the gun goes "bang" every time you pull the trigger. It also probably means more practice with the CCW, which is something to consider. A $5,000 1911 doesn't do any good if you can't hit anything with it.

[denfoote]

I just placed my order for the PT-145 MilPro, stainless w/ night sights. Supposed to pick it up Thursday. I can not wait to go try it out.

Wait- do I hear Denfoote? I know, "Fool me once..."

I still want it.

Hey, if I thought I could trust it, I would get another one in a heartbeat!! Don't get me wrong. I loved that gun!! Mine was more than just combat accurate and the trigger had smoothed out nicely. All that went into the toilet when the frame cracked!! :rolleyes:

Taurus seems to use their warranty policy and the general gun buying public to beta test their new firearm releases instead of doing it in house or contracting it out to a proof house!!

By now, I would hope that they have used the data gleaned from all those PT-145's that came back to tweek the design, either in the polymer mix or the mechanism; by adding some shock buffers to the slide!!

If you feel comfortable doing it, buy one!! Not me!! ;)

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!!

--- Lt. Commander Montgomery Scott
USS Enterprise NCC-1701

[Sean Smith]

The correct answer at that price point is a CZ. You're welcome. :D

[chevrofreak]

Another recomendation would be an FN Forty-Nine. They are similar to a Glock, but more comfortable. A local store has had one in for a while with a regular price of $390, but when i went in today it was marked at $260. They have had this gun for about 3 years because nobody likes the heavy trigger pull. Aside from the heavy trigger pull, its a great little gun, and is true DAO, in that it can repeatedly strike a cartridge.

I'm really considering buying it.

[Pilot]

None of the above. A CZ-75 compact will do ver nicely at that price point or lower.

[mephisto]

FN fourty-nine is a nice gun could be great if the trigger did not suck.

[keederdag]

Steyr and then Taurus. I cant beleive anyone would choose a keltec or a star over these quality peices. I own two kel-tec's and 3 stars, so dont get me wrong. But value is value, fer my $. Besides, I never paid that much for any of my kel-tec's or star's. Bersa makes about the same quality piece as the latter two.:)

[DMK]

If you can find one, the CZ-40B (.40S&W) is just over $300. That leaves you some money left for a good leather holster.

[Hypnogator]

Another vote for the Taurus. I have about 300 rds through my PT-145 Millennium Pro, with good results. A few failures to go to full battery at first, though it seems to have worked itself out. Most have been hardball, with about 40 rds of Federal Hydra-Shoks.

The weapon is only about 1/2" wider and longer than the Kel-Tec P-11, and about an inch deeper in butt to rear sight. Not significantly harder to hide on my rather generous frame, but holds 11 rds of .45 as opposed to 11 rds of 9mm, with a much, much better trigger pull.

I've not regretted my purchase at all. denfoote take note! :D

[Covey Rise]

Love my Steyr m40, super reliable, accurate, light, looks cool, fits my hand better than Glock 22, I'm much more accurate with it than my Glock I sold. The only pistol I like better is my 1911 DW Razorback 10mm, however, the Steyr is easier to break down, and I can control it a touch better naturally on double taps.

[Dashunde]

I'm going after the PT-145 and the P11 once our messy court proplems end here in Mo.

I've fired both, and for me, they are a perfect fit.

It's hard to pass on the PT with its very small size and 10+1 .45.
Same can be said for the tiny P11 and its 10+1 9mm.

[Blackhawk]

I'm not voting in your poll because my P-11 is "tuned" to where it's about a perfect CCW, IMO. Size and weight are big factors into my idea of what a CCW should be among the other considerations of DAO, cartridge, manufacturer, etc. OTOH, I'm perfectly comfortable with a lowly .32 ACP as a CCW because of my confidence in myself mostly, and the P-32 secondly.

But I've had my eye on the Taurus PT-145 since before Denfoote reported his problems, and those guns fit me perfectly. I'd say they'd be every bit as comfortable to carry as a P-11, but in .45 ACP.

Now the PT-145 MP series keeps singing its siren song to me. I'd get one right now if I didn't actually prefer 9mm in a CCW. That's what I'd vote for, but mostly because I'd like to read your range reports to stoke me up about getting one myself.

On reflection, I guess my MOST important criterion for a CCW is that it be DAO, but you didn't ask about that.... :D