need some advise on a handgun

Taurus makes a decent little pistol for a few hundred less than your max. My Dad's Taurus 24/7 Pro 9mm has been a good little pistol. Prolly hasn't had but 100 rounds through it since he got it a few years ago, but it always shoots when I test to make sure it still works. You can probably find something similiar in .40 or .45.

The S&W M&P I had was a good pistol, too. You can get one of those from budsgunshop.com for 450-ish. That would give you more ammo for shooting.

If you're just wanting to hear bang at the range why not 9mm? I understand the need for a bang which is why I'm not saying .22 LR. If you are sure you want .40 or .45 though, don't let any others talk you out of it.

And others on here might have to confirm this, but I think if you were to get the M&P in .40, I think you can buy a barrel and maybe something else and it can be a 9mm pretty easily.

If you are just wanting to shoot at the range and want the bang, then get a 357 mag

Every handgunner regardless of their experience should have a reliable 22 LR. It makes a most excellent training tool and is fun to shoot a lot without breaking the budget. More trigger time means better shooting skill.

it really makes your post a lot easier to read if you use
regular capital letters and stuff like that. if you are looking
for a budget .45 look no further than a rock island tactical
they are a tremendous value for what you spend on them.
other than that, get a glock.

I second what highpower says for a .45 get the RIA tactical, for a .40 get a glock 22 or 23

GO SHOOT A LOT OF GUNS
there ain't much past that
other than maybe pay for professional instruction?
better to spend the 600 on ammo and chose the right gun than pick one you don't like

If your hand fits a CZ pattern handgun well buy a witness elit match. Cost is right . Great trigger , very accurate and if you deside you want a .22lr in the same platform for cheaper practice you can by a 22 upper .
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/GNS-127

Should be able to buy it cheaper still.

Hipower writes:

it really makes your post a lot easier to read if you use
regular capital letters and stuff like that. if you are looking
for a budget .45 look no further than a rock island tactical
they are a tremendous value for what you spend on them.
other than that, get a glock.

Click to expand...

Now, how it should read:
It really makes your post a lot easier to read if you use
regular capital letters and stuff like that. If you are looking
for a budget .45, look no further than a Rock Island Tactical;
they are a tremendous value for what you spend on them.
Other than that, get a Glock.

I was trying to make a point.

It's called "sarcasm".

Ruger P97 is a good workhorse .45 ACP that is easy to find inexpensively. No, it's not a 1911. It has other pluses too.

If you don't mind a single action revolver then a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt is nice.

OTOH, if you look around a bit and you can find a nice S&W 25 or 625 for under your limit. Most are .45 ACP but you might get lucky like I did and find one in .45 Colt.

"I like the bang".

Fine, but higher recoil levels will promote all kinds of bad shooting techniques. I suggest you start with a 9mm.

Im not trying to change your caliber choice, but you should know that 9mm is the cheapest centerfire ammo there is. Its also very capable for defense and very accurate. There is a reason why its the most popular centerfire cartridge worldwide. Perfomance.

weblance said:

Im not trying to change your caliber choice, but you should know that 9mm is the cheapest centerfire ammo there is. Its also very capable for defense and very accurate. There is a reason why its the most popular centerfire cartridge worldwide. Perfomance.

Click to expand...

Agreed, the 9mil is more than sufficiently lethal, and economy must be factored in. With ammo likely to increase drastically, and never come back down, any new gunner should immediately purchase as much ammo as affordable.
With a budget of $600, I would say his best option would be a 9mm. semi-auto from either S&W or Ruger. I saw several nice Rugers at the last gunshow I went to for around $300, the OP could then get a full case of ammo, and still have a few bucks left over.

I was trying to make a point.

It's called "sarcasm".

Click to expand...

Sorry. Sarcasm is (supposed to be) rare on a forum called "The High Road", so I must not have recognized it. Mea culpa.

Around here there are plenty of police trade in Glock 22s and 23s in .40 caliber at well under $600.
That will be loud enough and kick enough for that Manly Feeling.

A used gun that fits and appeals to you might be a good way to stretch your $600 budget.

weblance said:

...There is a reason why its the most popular centerfire cartridge worldwide...

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I believe the reason it is somewhat popular is because it is the choice of NATO countries. The same reason, in this country, the 50-70, 45-70, 30 US, 30-03, 30-06, 308, and 223 were all at one time very popular. As far as performance is concerned, many cartridge perform at least as well and quite a few show better performance.

If your going play around with the 45.acp .. then there is notting like firing the round from a 1911A1 gun in my book! after looking around myself i layed away a RIA 1911 G.I. at the cost of $419 new and they stand behind there guns for the lifetime of the gun.

zacatecas said:

Hello guys. Im finally looking into buying my first handgun.
Im not too sure what to get but i know what im looking for.
I want a 40 or 45. i like the bang. im mainly want it use it at the range.
I know the bullets are a little expensive. Its ok cause ill be going
to the range a few times a year. My budget is no more than $600. Thanks in advance.

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Guy had something of perfection in cabinet at last LGS. Gen 2 G21 in plastic box with papers for cool $400. These are very accurate (hexagonal not pentagonal rifling like on other G models I was told), low maintenance and long-lasting.

$600 gives you tons of options from good manufacturers ....Glock, Sig, SA, S&W, CZ, Ruger, and Beretta.

Police trade in, the glock 40? There are some really good deals out there.

Get a .22lr handgun of some sort. Shoot it, build confidence, look and see what appeals to you after you have some experience. Then buy what YOU know YOU want.

If I had $600 to buy a handgun with

I'd get a Glock Model 22 in .40 S&W caliber.