Best "All-around" for under $500?

I forgot about the Ruger SR series. I owned a SR9 Compact, and it was reeeeal fun to shoot. It comes (or at least, use to come) with 2 clips - a 10 round and 15 round. The 15 is great for the range, and the 10 rounder (with optional pinky extention) is great for CC. The SR9C was my first handgun, and I'm getting teary-eyed thinking about the old girl. Haha!

Wife's SR9 was $419; SR9c was $449. Could have gotten the SR9c for $419 too but we delayed ... he who hesitates is lost. Or maybe just has to spend a bit more.

You can find the Sig P250 2sum in 40 S&W for $550 giving you the best of both worlds if they've got the bugs worked out but I can't honestly say it would be the best in the under $500 (or $550) category.

I recall Joe Chambers built a double stack 1911 with custom stocks that measured, IIRC, less than 1/8" wider than a traditional 1911 which is easily carried and great for competition. Probably not a sub $500 option though I believe the base pistol was the RIA 1911A2 (about $460). In any case there are some possibilities that don't often receive mention but may find favor with a well versed shooter looking for value.

The day before Christmas I picked up this slightly used CZPO-1 for $399.
I always wanted one since I bought my CZ75b and can't believe I found one used with a born on date of 2011 for $399. It is such a sweet shooting pistol. There is a whole lot of very nice used pistols out there to be had with very few rounds through them.

Bersa Thunder9 UC Pro. In my opinion, one of, if not the, best firearms on the market for under $500.00

This is what I posted on another thread

I bought a Bersa Thunder 9 UC Pro in 2009 and loved it. Had to sell it earlier this year to make a move for a job that didn't pan out. Loved that pistol. Comfortable, accurate, reliable, easy to use and easy to field strip. Did I mention how accurate it was? Constant 2"+- groups at 25-30 yards using one hand. Never any sort of problem in well over 3000 rounds of various type, weight, and manufacture of ammunition.

To be honest with ya', I'm more upset about selling the Bersa than I am my about selling my Springfield EMP .40 and the job not working out
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Glock 19, or S&W M&P fullsize in 9mm or .40.

Of those two, Glock 19. It is the modern day .38 Special revolver (and I'm a 1911 and revolver guy). You can find them all day long under $500 often under $400, if you are willing to look at used guns.

LuvthatAK said:

I agree that the Ruger SR pistols are an excellent choice. But check out CZ p07!

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I had to send my first and second generation P-07s back to CZ. Both times they sent me back whole new pistols. So, I just finally sold it off and bought a Sig 2025.

Both CZs had issues with extraction. When they malfunctioned it would jam up the whole gun. To correct the issue the magazine had to disassembled and the ammo dropped.

sigarms228 said:

For me that would easily be the SIG SP2022 which is a DA/SA hammer fired pistol.

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If used guns were off the table, this would be mine. The wife & I have a matching pair in nine that we got new for $400+ each. Phenominal bang for the buck, IMO, and I prefer the DA/SA platform. Both have been reliable as the proverbial combat brick. Hers shoots better tho.

For used guns <$500 I'll have another Ruger KP90, thanks.

CZ P-07 Duty in 9mm or .40 S&W

CZ 75 Compact 9mm or .40 S&W

I'd suggest a S&W M&P9c if he plans to carry. If that's still out of his ballpark price-wise, he can still have a heck of a pistol with a Bersa UC9.
I paid less than $500 for each, way less with the Bersa.

I carry both my UC9 and M&P40c Pro and they're both well suited for range time and plinking as well.


In the "used" market, $500 will open up all kind of doors.

I agree with the comment re: USPSA and carry. Just not a gun out there that's going to be fun in both jobs I don't think. Now, if you want to talk local IDPA, then that's more doable with something like M&P or even M&P Compact. I shoot the MP45c (8+1) and do just fine with it in IDPA shooting (CDP division), and it's a practical carry for most folks. Now, I doubt a new one is under $500 but you shouldn't be too far off. I doubt you'd find a used one at all, but maybe.

Beretta PX4 Storm Compact

Cz p07

As stated by Byrd666 and Snowdog I feel the Bersa Thunder 9UC Pro ought to be strongly considered. Great pistol. If you want something bigger maybe a Stoeger Cougar 8000F or a Bersa Thunder 9HC Pro. These also are very fine weapons.

If it's gonna be 9mm, may as well be a CZ 75. 9mm in 1911 can be problematic which can get expensive. The BHP just is expensive. That I believe is what was one of the sticking points.

If the price ceiling rises a bit I'd vote Sig.

S&W SD40 VE (not the sigma sw40ve) can be found for around and usualy uner $300

Also available in 9MM

The Ruger P95 is $299 with two 15 round magazines and the SR9c is $399 with a 10 and 17 round magazine. I have both with thousands of rounds through each and never a problem with any type ammo. I couldn’t be happier with either gun.

The Tristar (Canik55) C-100 is a close "copy" of the CZ 75 PRC compact. Some of the features are: an aluminum alloy housing, SA/DA hammer fired, safety, no decocker, 31-32 ounces with loaded magazine, 22 ounces w/o magazine, and 13 round mag. capacity. It has a heavy double action trigger and light, crisp single action trigger. I really like the single trigger. Good fit and finish with a nice old school, all metal gun feel. I wear XL gloves and my hand just fits with my pinky flush with the mag. base. If you lived in the South (don't you want to take a Florida vacation soon?), you could pick up a black one in 9mm, on sale for $300 at Academy Sports. The online reviews are all positive with many praising accuracy, reliability, and trigger. I feel it is a great value. I got mine for ~1/2 the price of a CZ 75 PRC. I'll need that savings to buy ammo for it.

Cool thread. Based on the updates so far I gotta lean towards to Sig 2022 to stay under the 500 clam ceiling. Mecgar magazines are a good bit cheaper then the Sig mags and have 17 round capacity. Though not my first choice for CC it is lighter than most Sigs and just as accurate. Different grip panels are available to round it out for a complete package.
Better for CC would be the Sig p6/225. Easily under 5 bills on the used market and lots of parts available.

P229 would be a very solid choice. There are less expensive options aplenty but that's not generally what dictates my firearm purchases. A man who appreciates his rifles, as your friend seems to, should find much to like in several of Sig's offerings.

Ruger SR9, SR 40, and now, SR45.