Arming or Re-Arming on a Budget

I would rather have one good 2.5" to 4" .357 revolver than a pile of the rest.

For $1000 you can have a Glock 17 and a Glock 26, and a bunch of 17 mags, that work in both guns for a reload, or to make the 26 a second 17.

Personally, Id shy away from cheaper stuff, and especially stuff that has sketchy issues with reliability and quality.

Better to buy what you cant afford at the onset, and figure a way out to do so, and cry once, than to keep dealing with cheap stuff, that is likely going to let you down over the long haul, especially if youre using it regularly.

$1000? I don't think i would recommend 3 handguns, just a gun to carry and if it is required a shotgun for HD . Can't see a use for the medium gun if theyre getting a large one or the other way around. If it were my friend i'd tell them to get a glock 30 and a mossberg 500 and some ammo, still under budget and you get a pretty rock solid combo. I know thats not what you asked, but thats the best i got.

AK103K said:

For $1000 you can have a Glock 17 and a Glock 26, and a bunch of 17 mags, that work in both guns for a reload, or to make the 26 a second 17.

Personally, Id shy away from cheaper stuff, and especially stuff that has sketchy issues with reliability and quality.

Better to buy what you cant afford at the onset, and figure a way out to do so, and cry once, than to keep dealing with cheap stuff, that is likely going to let you down over the long haul, especially if youre using it regularly.

Click to expand...

Pretty much this for me.

Or, better yet, a Gen 5 19* and call it done. If you still need a tiny gun, one of those suggested would work, but I personally have no need for a teensy tiny gun

*Or a Sig/CZ/Walther/HK of the same size.

Buy a Glock 19 and be done with. Use the money for ammo or changing the trigger on the Glock.
I don't even like Glocks but it is the one gun to have when you are having only one.

I would quiz the general likes and dislikes, such as revolver vs auto.
Then I would choose a lifetime gun, not necessarily cheap guns.
GP100 in .44 or .357

I

I'd be much more likely to recommend 2 guns. A smaller carry piece (if that's even a viable option) and something larger for everything else.

I was on a budget and still am.

The course of action I took was to get a shot gun. This is the most flexible weapon. It’s powerful and pump shotguns aren’t very expensive. I then got a small conceal carry pistol. Some are now insanely inexpensive. Then an AR.

The most important thing IMHO is to get something, get ammo and learn to use it. Then practice and learn to use it well. Repeat as you get money. Keep building skills and your supplies.

Tallball said:

My poorly executed intent was for some of the board members to mention some inexpensive but reliable handguns in various categories that they have had personal experience with.

"Save up more money" is often not a viable answer. When I was a young adult I was not living in an ideal area and was barely making bills. I lucked into $300 (don't remember how) and armed myself as best I could with it. I was hoping we could offer advice to those who might be in similar circumstances.

Click to expand...

When I started out in the early 90’s I went with a Russian SKS ($120), a used Beretta semi auto shotgun surplus from Scotland Yard bought at Fed Ord in El Monte California and a S&W Model 19 .357 Mag that had a poorly done cold blue finish where the previous owner had stripped all the finish off of it.

Used that cause it was inexpensive and it’s what I had to work with.

I imagine the modern equivalent would be a home brew AR, a police trade in Glock/Sig/Beretta and a Mossberg Maverick shotgun.

I fully understand money can be tight, we've all been there, but Id still recommend buying something quality, even if you cant afford it, and just figure out a way to do it. Lots of different ways to fund things, if you really want to and put your mind to it.

Only a rich guy can afford to keep buying cheap stuff.

Used Glock (Gunbroker) or a S&W Shield would be where I'd start if on a budget.
Caliber wasn't mentioned, so I'd look at used 40 S&W Glocks for best price.

In.

Tallball said:

My poorly executed intent was for some of the board members to mention some inexpensive but reliable handguns in various categories that they have had personal experience with.

"Save up more money" is often not a viable answer. When I was a young adult I was not living in an ideal area and was barely making bills. I lucked into $300 (don't remember how) and armed myself as best I could with it. I was hoping we could offer advice to those who might be in similar circumstances.

Click to expand...

I understand better now. I wasnt trying bring your thread down.

It seems we have these threads fairly often....

But in effort to contribute... getting away from 3 guns but sticking with personal experience. .....

Subcompact would be a Shield or what ever the new glock 9mm 42 or 43? I shot my BIL's little glock a few times and really liked it. I own the shield.

I'd go with a M&P for a larger size but a Glock is just as good. If too pricey I'd look at the cheaper S&W SD but I can't speak from experience. Same with a Bersa 380.


I think there is enough overlap to not feel the need the recommend both a mid size and fullsize

I still would not recommend a 3rd handgun to someone short on disposable income. I'd recommend rifle or shotgun before a 3rd handgun. I'd say a 22 or a shotgun.

Tallball said:

My poorly executed intent was for some of the board members to mention some inexpensive but reliable handguns in various categories that they have had personal experience with.

"Save up more money" is often not a viable answer. When I was a young adult I was not living in an ideal area and was barely making bills. I lucked into $300 (don't remember how) and armed myself as best I could with it. I was hoping we could offer advice to those who might be in similar circumstances.

Click to expand...

Well, since you've edited out the original post, this thread is in permanent limbo. Feel free to post a new thread with the intent better executed. If that one doesn't go well, don't take your ball and go home by editing out the original post again.