First Auto for Under $400

[desire4one]

My buddy is getting ready to buy his first pistol. He wants an full size auto 9mm for under $400. I'm trying to get him to bump that up a bit, but if he remains firm, I want to direct him as best as I can. Any thoughts? Only thing that crossed my mind was Taurus.

 

[TehK1w1]

There are a whole lot of gently-used quality handguns in many calibers available for $400 or less. For new, Taurus is the only thing that springs to mind immediately, but I'm sure there are others.

 

[archigos]

If he's looking for a new gun, definitely take a look at the Stoeger Cougars. They MSRP at $469, so its slightly over the price he's looking for, but I'm sure he could get it for a bit less. They're guns that were previously made by Beretta, but they sold the machines to Stoeger where they're made for a much lower price. They use the rotating barrel magazine that Beretta so frequently uses to market the Px4 Storm. I can't claim to ever have shot one of these, but I've never heard anything but great things about them and one in 40 is definitely on my list.

 

[Javelin]

Tell him to wait 6 months and save up that $100 to get a Glock.

 

[shaggy430]

Keep an eye out on Craigslist and in the paper. They usually only last a couple hours before they are flagged. With the way the economy is now, some of the first things to go are the guns out of the back of the closet and the boat out of the garage.

For $400 you can find a good used semi-auto. The difference between what you can get used for $300 and what you can get for $400 is huge. Just be patient and you will come across a good deal.

 

[Hostile Amish]

S&W Sigma. Can't beat the price-performance ratio

 

[Ed Ames]

Yeah, S&W sigma is the current winner of the sub-$400 cup.

I have one... I think when you adjust for inflation it was the least expensive new modern firearm I've ever purchased and it has worked perfectly. I installed night sights after a year and a half and even with those it's still under $400.

 

[Oro]

$300 just isn't doable, I don't think. I was looking for a cheap, durable 9mm myself as a plinking gun. Sub $400, maybe. These were my candidates:

1) Sigma if new is of interest.
2) Sig P6 police trade in. new shimpent in and available at mid-$300's. I kick myself not buying one last summer at $269+shipping/transfer.
3) S&W used 9mm/police trade in. Look at wholesalers.
4) There are some Glock police trade-ins around periodically.

Check places like J&G, Southern Ohio Gun - buy a copy of Shotgun News and scan it. Deals can be found, they take leg work though. Two other words: Pawn Shops.

 

[QuietEarp]

The Stoeger Cougar was a good recommendation, and I have been looking at the 9mms by Bersa. They seem like good quality nicely priced guns, but I have never fired one. I have held them and read about them and didn't see anything I didn't like.
Buying used opens up the choices quite a bit as well.

 

[lvcat2004]

2) HK P6 police trade in. new ones out at mid-$300's.

Perhaps Sig P6?

Was it that long ago that you could buy a CZ75B for around $400?? Perhaps I'm getting old.

 

[SJ78]

The Ruger p95 comes to mind . I believe they are under $400 some places

 

[ACBMWM3]

Stoager Cougar. Just picked one up new for $399 in 40. They have it in mm as well.

 

[Oro]

Perhaps Sig P6?

Duh - yes. Corrected. I had HK on the brain as someone offered to trade me a USP40 for a 1911 I have. Been thinking about it.

 

[TAB]

don't forget the police trade in 3rd gen smiths... great guns for the money.

 

[HippieMagic]

Ruger SR9s are under $400 too aren't they? You can be a REALLY wise trader and do what I did... Turn $30 into a BNIB G19

 

[JohnnyOrygun]

Two thumbs for the Stoeger Cougar, I love mine. It's comfortable and totally reliable. I believe I got mine for less then $400, great gun can't say enough good about.

My .02
JohnnyOrygun

 

[shaggy430]

I got a like-new Kahr CW9 with all of the original paperwork and box for $250 out the door about a year ago. Be patient and you will come across a deal.

 

[texas bulldog]

just my take, but i'd rather have a higher quality used gun than a lower quality new one. that limit is just a bit low for any handgun i'd personally want new, but you might find the right deal used if you look long enough. if it was all i was willing to spend, i'd look long and hard for a trade-in glock, CZ, or S&W 59 series.

just to throw it out there, i also think that you can get more quality used for that price if you look at revolvers. probably not what you're friend's looking for, but i've seen lots of pre-lock smiths in good condition in the $350 range. a nice model 13, 19, 65, or 66 would be just fine by me.

 

[geronimo509]

don't forget the police trade in 3rd gen smiths... great guns for the money.

+1 on a 4006 or 4506 or the equivalent in 9mm(I dont know the numbers)

 

[wankerjake]

S&W Sigma or Sig P6. Both good guns.

 

[SigP229R]

$300 just isn't doable, I don't think. I was looking for a cheap, durable 9mm myself as a plinking gun. Sub $400, maybe. These were my candidates:

1) Sigma if new is of interest.
2) Sig P6 police trade in. new shimpent in and available at mid-$300's. I kick myself not buying one last summer at $269+shipping/transfer.
3) S&W used 9mm/police trade in. Look at wholesalers.
4) There are some Glock police trade-ins around periodically.

Check places like J&G, Southern Ohio Gun - buy a copy of Shotgun News and scan it. Deals can be found, they take leg work though. Two other words: Pawn Shops

I got in on one of the last of the last batch of P6's and got it for 359 refinished from www.peachstateguns.com, I also got a S&W 5903 TSW from www.summitgunbroker.com and I got it for 350 inc. shipping. Wish I had have bought two of the P6's.

 

[PinoyInFL]

Here are my suggestions:

1. East German Makarov - really accurate b ut 9 x 18 ammo is starting to get pricey.

2. Sig P6

3. Berreta 92fs

 

[weisse52]

Got to agree, for $400 I would be looking for a Sig P6. Just saw one locally for $380 out the door from a gun shop.

At that price they would be hard to beat. Even if he adds another $100 the Sig at that price is still one of the best in that price range for a 9mm.

 

[rbernie]

The Ruger P95 is still less than four bills and is a fine pistol. Spend the rest of the budget on training and ammo.

A competent person with a P95 is a lot more effective than somebody with a Sig or XDm that doesn't have training or range time to be proficient.

 

[flyingdeserteagle]

I know it's not a FULL SIZE/ however it shoots as well as any of my full size 9mms;
SIGSAUER P6