The Remington 870 of handguns?

The OP asked about "easily repaired/maintained" and no one has really talked about that. How many have taken their semi-autos down to the VERY smallest parts? Yes, I'm sure many have, but a great many more probably haven't entirely detail stripped their pistols which WILL be required if it breaks. Either the slide, frame or both. Glock is, by far, hands down the EASIEST pistol to detail strip. I can have the slide down to the striker spring retaining cups and back together in under a minute. Same for the grip. From removing the frame pins, pulling the locking block and slide lock to the trigger and trigger bar assembly to the disconnector and put back together. This makes any parts replacement VERY easy and Glock parts are available everywhere. Although it wasn't needed, for piece of mind, I bought an entire rebuild parts kit for my G19 for under $100. Everything except the frame, barrel and slide. Not bad at all! And that's just covering the repair/maintenance aspect. Everyone knows about the legendary reliability and durability.

Now, try detail stripping that 1911...not hard but it IS more time consuming and "complicated".

1911, cz 75, jericho. .45 acp, 9mm para, or .40 s&w

A sawed-off 870, maybe?

Interesting thread.

I'm more interested in finding the "XD" of shotguns myself

Glock 23 cause its just right

Hogshead wins the thread.
G23 is my daily carry gun.

You need to wrap your hand around a CZ-75.
For many, me included, it's like no other.

S&W Model 10. Dirt-simple, effective, accurate, easy to maintain, parts available, proven and reliable (the design has been around since 1899), and ammo is *somewhat* easier to find. I can still find 38 Spl ammo in +P, standard, SWC, JHP, etc.

The 870 have handguns? That would be the glock 17, it's so reliable out of the box it's boring.

Beretta 92. It holds a lot of bullets, 16 if keep one chambered, it always goes boom, and it's easy to clean, disassemble and assemble. Lots of good reccomendations here.

Glock 17 and 1911 directly fit your criteria.

I'm an XD owner, but I'm not going to claim the XD fits your criteria better than the Glock, which has a ton of aftermarket accessories, and is wildly popular. Reliability and quality is a wash.

As many have stated, the 1911 fits your description to the tee. I don't have one yet, but it is near the top of my wish list. That said, DO NOT be afraid of the XD. I have a full size XD45 and love it. I love it soooo much that I just bought an XD40 SubCompact as a companion to it so it doesn't get lonely when I'm gone! Another option for you may be the Beretta 92.

For an auto, I would suggest that the Glock is as simple as you can get. For a revolver I'm quite partial to Rugers, in this case I will suggest a GP100.

Springfield Armory 1911 GI .45 model, its around $600-$750 i believe

Ruger 22 Mk 2, or Ruger 22/45 Mk 2 or Mk 3......

I would opine that the Glock would be a likely candidate if a semi-auto can be considered; these are modular and parts are mostly drop-in and are also readily and cheaply available. Otherwise I would say a Ruger DA revolver due to the simplicity of design and construction, "...even a caveman can do it!".

XD40.

I liked the first one so much that I got a second one so the first one wouldn't be lonely.

Glock hands down. I think without the need to be able to completely fix the pistol yourself then their are many options such as 1911, S&W K frame, and so many others. These though can be very complicated to detail strip, able to be done but much harder than a Glock.

ByAnyMeans, the 1911 is a bit more complicated than the Glock to detail strip, but it's pretty easy after you've done it a few times. There isn't a single part I can't remove/replace with a 1911. Same for the Glock.

I hear you, I have recently just got my first 1911 and have been attempting to learn how to detail strip it. it has taken me a few working hours and I'm not their yet. I had my Glock down by this time already and was well on my way to having taught my fiance.

Google "1911 detail strip" and you'll find tons of links. Even videos on Youtube. The slide is simple. No harder than the Glock. Even easier if you don't have the Schwartz safety style which blocks the firing pin. Even then it's still very easy. The frame isn't bad, either. Tap out the pin at the base of the mainspring housing and slide the housing down off the back of the grip. Remove the grip panels (if desired). Wiggle the thumb safety out (grip safety and the three-pronged leaf spring will easily come out once it's removed), remove the thumb safety and slide lock spring/plunger assembly on the left side, remove the hammer pin and hammer, then the pin for the sear, trigger disconnect and "plunger lifter" if you have the Schwartz safety. Then the magazine catch and the trigger/trigger bow. That's about it. It's actually easier done than said.

Here's a VERY cool animation of a standard 1911 being reassembled from the most basic parts. Watch the internal workings at the end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6SmlOEzNBs