Best gun under 400$
- Thread starter Mokiloki
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FieroCDSP
Member
You can save a just a little more money and get an M&P for under $500. Under $400, I'd recommend at least a look at the Stoeger Cougar 8000/8040. availiable in 9mm and 40cal(respectively), Aluminum frame, and as accurate as the Berettas that were made on the same machines. At $340-$360, definitely the best value in auto-loaders. I'm sure you could find some used Glocks or Sigs if you look around (maybe try CDNN).
Oops...er... You're in California. I'm not sure if the Cougar is CA-Compliant.
Oops...er... You're in California. I'm not sure if the Cougar is CA-Compliant.
tinygnat219
Member
Ruger
Hands down. Great warranty, great quality, reliable as hell, and won't set you back in the price department.
Hands down. Great warranty, great quality, reliable as hell, and won't set you back in the price department.
bob7398
Member
the Sig P6/225 police turn-ins for around 300! some holster wear but not
shot alot!
i see them online for 260......and my local shop has them for 325.
shot alot!
i see them online for 260......and my local shop has them for 325.
It always helps to know your specific requirements...ie. carry, target...but here are a few examples of quality guns to look at in your price range...not necessarilly in order of value or quality.
I'd recommend getting a 9mm because ammo is cheaper and you want to become proficient with whatever you buy.
Stoeger Cougar: $325-$400. SA/DA Pros: Robust and accurate. Cons: Slide mounted decocker can dig into hand.
Ruger P95: $280-$350. SA/DA Pros: Robust and decently accurate. Cons: Bulky grip. Short sight radius for barrel length.
S&W Sigma: $300-$350. DA Pros: Nice fit. Simple robust design. Cons: Horrible trigger.
Taurus 24/7: $330-400. SA/DA second strike. Pros: Accurate. Cons: Taurus customer service can be slow.
FNP 9 (overstock): $380. SA/DA. Pros: compact. Cons: Too new to judge long term durability. Some initial quality glitches.
Bersa Thunder 9: $320-$400. SA/DA. Pros: Robust. Cons: Limited accessories like holsters.
Any used gun...decommissioned service weapons are particularly good deals.
I'd recommend getting a 9mm because ammo is cheaper and you want to become proficient with whatever you buy.
Stoeger Cougar: $325-$400. SA/DA Pros: Robust and accurate. Cons: Slide mounted decocker can dig into hand.
Ruger P95: $280-$350. SA/DA Pros: Robust and decently accurate. Cons: Bulky grip. Short sight radius for barrel length.
S&W Sigma: $300-$350. DA Pros: Nice fit. Simple robust design. Cons: Horrible trigger.
Taurus 24/7: $330-400. SA/DA second strike. Pros: Accurate. Cons: Taurus customer service can be slow.
FNP 9 (overstock): $380. SA/DA. Pros: compact. Cons: Too new to judge long term durability. Some initial quality glitches.
Bersa Thunder 9: $320-$400. SA/DA. Pros: Robust. Cons: Limited accessories like holsters.
Any used gun...decommissioned service weapons are particularly good deals.
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Under $400...
Some great recommendations given... I think your two BEST bets (IMHO) would be (1) the STOEGER COUGER 8000-9mm (around $325-375), very good shoot, all-metal, durable, dependable, but hard to find/get!! (2) the RUGER P95 ($300-325) very dependable, reliable, good shoot... hard to go wrong w/ Ruger! WOULD NOT get the S&W SIGMA (too many little problems, bad trigger) but would (as was mentioned) trade-up to the M&P 9 (really great gun but alittle more expensive).
Some great recommendations given... I think your two BEST bets (IMHO) would be (1) the STOEGER COUGER 8000-9mm (around $325-375), very good shoot, all-metal, durable, dependable, but hard to find/get!! (2) the RUGER P95 ($300-325) very dependable, reliable, good shoot... hard to go wrong w/ Ruger! WOULD NOT get the S&W SIGMA (too many little problems, bad trigger) but would (as was mentioned) trade-up to the M&P 9 (really great gun but alittle more expensive).
Glockorama
Member
Stoeger Cougar.
I believe you mean slide mounted safety, and I've never had an issue with it coming into contact with my hand.
lee n. field
Member
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2002
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- 4,319
For what purpose?
Here it is:
Buds gunshop; $321 delivered.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/75/products_id/18164
Built like a tank and goes bam when you need it. It's a bit on the heavy side but to quote Boris the Blade from "Snatch":
The Taurus 24/7 as suggested above by Disaster is also a very good choice, and it is ergonomically superior to the Ruger P95.
Buds has this one for $340 delivered.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/19681
All in all, you've got some good choices for below $400 (most of them outlined by Disaster above). I would stick with the 9mm, especially if you are new to shooting. The modern 9mm is a very potent cartridge, has less recoil than .40 and .45ACP, and with ammo prices going up the roof, the 9mm is still affordable compared to his bigger brothers.
Also, lee n. field above asked for what purpose. It is a very important question and the answer will help you further narrow down your choices. If you want it for carry, then the P95 and the Taurus might not be the best choice and the Sigma and the Bersa might come into play.
Buds gunshop; $321 delivered.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/75/products_id/18164
Built like a tank and goes bam when you need it. It's a bit on the heavy side but to quote Boris the Blade from "Snatch":
The Taurus 24/7 as suggested above by Disaster is also a very good choice, and it is ergonomically superior to the Ruger P95.
Buds has this one for $340 delivered.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/19681
All in all, you've got some good choices for below $400 (most of them outlined by Disaster above). I would stick with the 9mm, especially if you are new to shooting. The modern 9mm is a very potent cartridge, has less recoil than .40 and .45ACP, and with ammo prices going up the roof, the 9mm is still affordable compared to his bigger brothers.
Also, lee n. field above asked for what purpose. It is a very important question and the answer will help you further narrow down your choices. If you want it for carry, then the P95 and the Taurus might not be the best choice and the Sigma and the Bersa might come into play.
CZU 75B 9MM TACTICAL OD/BL 15RD
MANUFACTURER: CZ-USA
MANUFACTURER ITEM: 01100
QUANTITY AVAILABLE: 26
BARREL LENGTH: 4.72"
CALIBER: 9mm
CAPACITY: 15
PRODUCT MODEL: MODEL 75B SERIES
FINISH: OD Green / Black
349.99 EA
Ellett Brothers Item# 0212351
-or-
Ruger P95
MANUFACTURER: CZ-USA
MANUFACTURER ITEM: 01100
QUANTITY AVAILABLE: 26
BARREL LENGTH: 4.72"
CALIBER: 9mm
CAPACITY: 15
PRODUCT MODEL: MODEL 75B SERIES
FINISH: OD Green / Black
349.99 EA
Ellett Brothers Item# 0212351
-or-
Ruger P95
Gord
Member
Ruger autos are built like tanks.
There are a hundred million police trade-in Glock and S&W autos out there for $250 on up.
The Stoeger Cougar has gotten a lot of praise, and should be available NIB for well under $400.
Any of these are perfectly serviceable guns, and if you're willing to save up another $50-100, you should find most mainstream autos within your budget. Basic 1911s, CZ 75Bs and Beretta 92s, to name a few, should be available for under $500.
There are a hundred million police trade-in Glock and S&W autos out there for $250 on up.
The Stoeger Cougar has gotten a lot of praise, and should be available NIB for well under $400.
Any of these are perfectly serviceable guns, and if you're willing to save up another $50-100, you should find most mainstream autos within your budget. Basic 1911s, CZ 75Bs and Beretta 92s, to name a few, should be available for under $500.
Baneblade
Member
Another vote for the Sig Sauer P225/P6 police trade in. Sig quality and accuracy without the Sig price tag. www.jgsales.com has them starting at $249.
passintime
member
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2008
- Messages
- 100
Blued Ruger P95 from CDNN for $262 shipped.
+1
Without this info it's hard to make many reccomendations.
That said, CDNNinvestments.com has some good deals on police trade ins right now. Used Glock 22 for $319. Used S&W 4006 (stainless slide and frame) for the same price IIRC.
But without knowing your intended purpose its hard to make any suggestions other than those.
Then the 24/7 will probably do you well (for the amount of money you are willing to spend). Nice ergonomics and decent accuracy. There is a good review for the .40 S&W by Jeff Quinn:
http://www.gunblast.com/Taurus24-7.htm
wnycollector
Member
If you want a:
.40, hands down CZ 40B...$285 at CDNN.
9mm SIG P6 Aimsurplus $259.
.45 Ruger P97 ~$280http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=100994586
All of the above pistols are VERY reliable and accurate!
.40, hands down CZ 40B...$285 at CDNN.
9mm SIG P6 Aimsurplus $259.
.45 Ruger P97 ~$280http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=100994586
All of the above pistols are VERY reliable and accurate!
putteral
Member
I have both The Ruger P95 and Taurus 24/7 Pro45. Both are great guns for under $400
Scratchshooter40
Member
Just bought a Stoeger Cougar .40 cal S&W. Shot possible 1st time at the range. Good recoil management and expected Beretta quality. Digested the 165 gr. Winchester FMJ's without a hitch and a box of PMC 155 gr. JHP without a hitch. Great Beretta grip angle just fits me, both eyes open over the sight shooting all in the 5X ring on the silhouette. Yeah, great for $365.00 with two spare mags as well, NIB.
Confederate
Member
Given the price, I think you'd do well to begin with a Ruger Mark II in .22LR. If you want a .45 auto, you might look for a pristine S&W 645. The gun is a beauty, it's flawlessly reliable and it has the best factory sights I've ever seen on a gun of it's type. Ruger, of course, is always a safe bet, but they, the Glocks and other polymer guns are just plain ugly. For generations men have been proud of the beauty of their arms, and while you may find many engraved handguns, it's doubtful you'll ever see an engraved, etched-in-gold Glock or Ruger.
But guns are like women. To each his own!
The Smith & Wesson 645 (top) and the 659 (9mm). Both are easy
on the eyes.
But guns are like women. To each his own!
The Smith & Wesson 645 (top) and the 659 (9mm). Both are easy
on the eyes.
Beautiful Classics...
WOW... those are some gorgeous Smiths CONFEDERATE... Why did S&W decide to go from the traditional trigger to those new 'half-moons' (which I think look like 'crap')... Those two guns ARE beautiful... Point me in the direction for gettin' one of those babies for UNDER $400?... How's that saying go..."If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"
WOW... those are some gorgeous Smiths CONFEDERATE... Why did S&W decide to go from the traditional trigger to those new 'half-moons' (which I think look like 'crap')... Those two guns ARE beautiful... Point me in the direction for gettin' one of those babies for UNDER $400?... How's that saying go..."If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"
Gunsby_Blazen
Member
The best guns that wont break your bank, in my opinion, are Rugers. I have seen SR9 pistols (9mm) around here with a sticker price of 410. I will be picking one up for myself sooner or later. They sell like hotcakes so a couple show up in the shops and then they don't have one for a while. But anyway, I would look into one of those. They are comfortable feeling guns.
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/SR9/
* just so you know there was a recall on them but Ruger is straightening that out.
As for saving up for a higher end gun, that is entirely up to you. i have seen some nice colts for around 900 dollars new. Ask yourself if you NEED a match grade barrel and custom features, or do you just want a plinker or something for informal target shooting? You can always buy another gun down the road when you really get into it.
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/SR9/
* just so you know there was a recall on them but Ruger is straightening that out.
As for saving up for a higher end gun, that is entirely up to you. i have seen some nice colts for around 900 dollars new. Ask yourself if you NEED a match grade barrel and custom features, or do you just want a plinker or something for informal target shooting? You can always buy another gun down the road when you really get into it.
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