Looking to get an inexpensive truck handgun.

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Macchina

Macchina

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I currently own a Sig P239 (for carry) and a CZ40b (keep it at home for by the bed). I am looking to possibly get a gun that is inexpensive and reliable that I can keep in the console of my truck. I will bring it in the house at night, but it will probably sit in my truck during work and if I go somewhere that doesn't allow concealed carry. Long guns are not an option in Michigan (must be unloaded, cased, and out of reach of the driver), but my CPL lets me put a pistol anywhere I want in my truck. Something big and easy to shoot would be nice in this situation. This may be an opportunity to pick up a fun range gun as well. I lock my truck, but I am worried about leaving my Sig in there because of the fear of a break-in. I've never been broken into, but I don't want to be out $700 if I do.

Here is what I'm looking for:
>Inexpensive (under $400 preferably)
>Mid to Full size
>I'd prefer a .40S&W (to keep ammo consistent between all my pistols), but a 9mm would also work
>I am not opposed to a high-power revolver if a reliable one can be had for cheap (no Taurus Judge please).
>Some kind of rust resistant coating would be nice.
 
Once again you are missing out on a good truck gun in the Judge. People who have never tried them and listen to others who don't know what they are talking about either miss a good opportunity.
Try the Taurus PT111 Pro.
 
Witness full size steel in Wonder finish. Great shooter and excellent price. I have 2 witness's and love them both. 1 is 10mm/.40 cal (barrel swap) and the other is the 9mm poly. EAA is not the greatest distributor, but Tanfoglio makes a good gun. Parts can be had from Numrich and many other places. CDNN has extra mags at very reasonable prices.
 
Try to secure it somehow so if your truck gets broken into your gun whether inexpensive or not doesn't end up in some criminals hands. The console is the first place they look for goodies. You could buy a small box with a cable attached to the seatframe for as little as $40.00 or something with better access like our box. This photo is in a Nissan Titan from one of our customers.
 

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Stoeger (Beretta) Cougar. Barrel is 3.6 inches so it's a little smaller than full size but weighs in like a full size gun. They come in 9mm and .40. They can be had new for around $400. It's an exceptional value. The prices are starting to nudge up as people are catching on to them.

Here's a pic of mine with Beretta grips. Parts are interchangable with the Beretta Cougar since these are built on the Beretta Cougar machinery.

Cougargrips002.jpg
 
This is one of those rare sets of requirements that has an obvious answer...

Hi-Point.

1. Inexpensive
2. Full size
3. Caliber choice
4. Paint doesn't rust (and would you really care if it did?)
5. Might be too ugly for anyone to bother stealing

From what I've seen at the range and heard in person and online, they are very reliable and suitably accurate. *If* I were in the habit of leaving a firearm in a boat, camper, truck or shed...this is what I would leave.
 
FAS1 said:
Try to secure it somehow so if your truck gets broken into your gun whether inexpensive or not doesn't end up in some criminals hands. The console is the first place they look for goodies. You could buy a small box with a cable attached to the seatframe for as little as $40.00 or something with better access like our box. This photo is in a Nissan Titan from one of our customers.
Click to expand...
FWIW, I had one of the box on a cable jobs.

My Avalanche was broken into. They *tried* to cut the cable but only crimped it a bit, so they broke open the box somehow. It was empty (as ever except for when I had to go into the PD or Courthouse), but had there been something in it, they'd have gotten it.

I gave the busted open box to the guys I took my CCW with...they use it as a training aide now.
 
Ruger P95.

Cheap (~$275), large, 9mm, reliable as anything, plastic doesn't rust and if the frame gets a few freckles so what?
 
Another vote for a Hi-Point. They do work.

How about a Star Mod 28 or 30? They're killer guns and can be gotten very affordable on Gunbroker, et al. I have not experienced a better shooting 9MM yet. Mine simply won't jam and Ramline's 17 round S&W 5900 series mags do just fine. Depending upon condition, they seem to run about $250-$350.
 
I'm not too hot on keeping a firearm in a vehicle that I'm not in as I had one stolen from my car a few years ago and am still bitter.

If I were to do so, I would seriously consider Bersa Thunder in 9mm (full size, 17+1) or if I were restricting myself to .40S&W, I'd opt for a Bersa Thunder in .40S&W (15+1). They're robust, reliable, have an excellent reputation and have a lifetime warranty. SOG should still be selling these for around $299 new or $310 for a nickel finish.

Personally, I would prefer a UC9 or other compact for use in a vehicle, but that's just me.

Found image from Bersatalk.com
DSC05910.gif
 
+1 on the stoeger as well, j&g has smith .38 k frames for 220 with a 4" barrel, there are still some sig 225 for 350.00 at j&g, the other thing I'd recommend is a rock island 1911 tactical, centerfiresyems.com has them on back order for 420.00, they are very reliable and I've never heard anyone speak ill of a rock island 1911.
 
For me, trying to fill the exact same requirements, I ended up with a KelTec 9mm. It served well as a "beater" for quite some time, and was utterly reliable. All of my keltecs have been. (3)
 
Ruger p95 all the way. Works, doesn't look half bad, made in America, 2 15 round mags, built like a tank. Last new one I saw was $309.
 
Hi-Point in 9mm, 40sw, or 45acp. Price is about $150. And they are extremely reliable. The have, hands down, the BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE and WARRANTY. It definitely takes a beating. The Hi-Point is the epitome of a truck gun. That, tackle box, garage, etc... It's like it was made specifically for that. Don't spend $300+ on a name. A name has never killed anyone, and the HP will do the job just as well as the "name" brand. Especially for a truck, garage, tackle box, etc... type gun.
 
Go for a Springfield XD, my second favorite brand under Sigs. It has the polymer durability of a Glock but without the awkward grip angle. Sits in your hand more like a Sig too. It also comes in 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP, so take your pick in caliber.

Gallery of Guns currently lists the XD around $500-ish, but I know a couple of my local gun shops in NC have them in stock for $450 or so. It's a great gun, especially if you're going to leave it sitting in a car where it will experience extreme temperatures. Plus it just plain shoots great and I've yet to read a bad review of an XD.
 
This is precisely the reason I carry Glocks on the days I am at the college, and Colt 1911s when I am not. I don't want to leave my Colts in long, hot and humid days. The Glocks, I have no worry about. Too, the Glocks cost about 40% of the Colts if they ever were stolen. I have a vault bolted to the trucks frame, and they are stored there during the day at the college.

You should be able to get a used G19 (9mm) or G23 (40 S&W) for $400.00 to $450.00ish.

Suggested vaults: http://www.gunvault.com/

http://pistolvaults.com/

Geno
 
I'm with Geno, Glock or XD are probably your best bets being polymer guns; however, I recommend the XD (and the same reason I prefer the XD) for a Sig owner because the two feel more similar than do the Sig and Glock.

If I couldn't have a Sig or XD, though, Glock would be my next choice.
 
I'd consider the S&W Sigma SW40VE "two tone" (stainless steel slide).

Reliable... stainless/polymer... usually retails at or under $400 (MSRP is only $485)... very under-rated, but actually a great performer.

Ditto recommendation to put it in a locking box bolted in place if you are going to leave it in the truck.

Good luck!
 
Nasty said:
FWIW, I had one of the box on a cable jobs.

My Avalanche was broken into. They *tried* to cut the cable but only crimped it a bit, so they broke open the box somehow. It was empty (as ever except for when I had to go into the PD or Courthouse), but had there been something in it, they'd have gotten it.

I gave the busted open box to the guys I took my CCW with...they use it as a training aide now.
Click to expand...
Personally, I wouldn't buy one of those inexpensive boxes, but they will deter some and alot of people won't spend $200.00 on something like ours. We make ours out of 3/16" plate with a door jam and solid 3/8" hinge that is also covered by the lid.
 
I'm conflicted between getting a Ruger P95 for a great price, or the butt ugly High Point for an absolutely awesome price! I believe they're made in America, man are they ugly.

I'd be embarrassed showing up at the range to break it in, but I don't know if that embarrassment is worth $150 or more for something just as reliable...
 
A truck gun, implies that it's most there for driving and that you won't be pulling it out much for other purposes. It makes absolutely no sense to pay $400 and up for a gun like that. In my opinion, that's just plain silly. I don't care if it's a glock, XD, or even a ruger. Spend $150 on a hi-point. Won't rust, guaranteed to shoot, beat the hell out of it, ugly as all hell, etc... But this is exactly what it was intended for. If you can conceal carry, you don't need a truck gun. Obviously. If you can't conceal carry, and that's why you want a truck gun, then it's going to be there for a good portion of the time. Why would you even consider spending $400+ on something that WILL GET BEAT UP? And if the hi-point gets stolen, it's $150. Buy another one. You can buy 2-3 for the price you're wanting to buy 1 glock or XD for.
 
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