Handgun for $350 or less

[merlinfire]

Autoloader or Revolver, $350 or less, mostly plinking and will become the bedside gun too. What do you recommend?

 

[jimmyraythomason]

CZ-82

 

[whitebb]

Ruger P95, 9mm, reliable, stainless steel, fairly accurate, made in USA.

Just like the one I have for trade:

http://www.georgiaguntraderplus.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=147

 

[9mmforMe]

I second the Ruger P95 or a S&W Sigma.

 

[Storm]

New? Used?

 

[frankiestoys]

Ruger P95, EAA EZ9,Smith Sigma,Charter or Rossi revolver used ruger or Smith

 

[merlinfire]

So with the new-production Ruger P series, is the safety also a decocker?

 

[sltintexas]

taurus 24/7 is around that price. Academy sports had them on sale for $249 recently. I haven't shot it but I've heard good things about it.

 

[Starter52]

I'd look for a used S&W Model 15 revolver with a 4" barrel.

 

[LiveLife]

Taurus PT145 with SA/DA trigger. About $350 new.

Feeds LSWC without issues for plinking and holds 10 rounds of 45ACP for defense duty.

- or -

Used Glocks.

 

[zoom6zoom]

For a non-surplus, new gun in that category, I'd suggest looking at the Bersa line.

 

[whitebb]

Yes, the safety is also a decocker. The P95DC is a decocker only.

 

[DasFriek]

Personally id find a local shop that has police trade ins and buy used.
Buds sometimes has these also and many times either place can get you a $600 gun for $350 with only lite wear on the finish, But the gun usually has very little wear as most don't get shot alot.
Of course you need to find a reputable and low cost FFL for the transfer if you buy online.

Here is a link to my local store that sells in high volume and also has many police trades.
You possibly could order a gun listed in the link as that is a current ad, But it changes every Tuesday as they are closed Sun and Mon.
http://www.vanceoutdoors.com/weekly.cfm

Here is their monthly sales add, Which im positive you can buy any gun listed in this one over the net.
http://www.vanceoutdoors.com/flyer/flyer.pdf

 

[Storm]

Personally id find a local shop that has police trade ins and buy used.

Good move. I'd go with a 3rd or 2nd Gen Smith. Any of the 3900, 5900, or 6900 series guns would be great. Also the 645 and 659, and possibly 469 and 669 and CS9 for smaller guns.

A used Ruger P89 would also be a fine choice.

Used Smith revolvers provide a great value.

 

[thedriver101]

I'd go with a 3rd or 2nd Gen Smith. Any of the 3900, 5900, or 6900 series guns would be great. Also the 645 and 659, and possibly 469 and 669 and CS9 for smaller guns.

I second that opinion, with preference to the 5900/6900 series (9mm = cheap, monotonously reliable, simple). Is this your first handgun? If so, I'd recommend a revolver over an autoloader (despite the fact this is the auto forum ) for the sake of simplicity and reliability. Actually, for a bedside gun, I'd recommend a revolver anyways (minds tend not to work as well at 4am). Any of the various K-frame S&W's in .357 Mag would serve nicely. You'll probably be in the used price range either way you go.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Actually, for a bedside gun, I'd recommend a revolver anyways (minds tend not to work as well at 4am).

A DA/DAO auto uses the same muscle function to fire as a revolver.

 

[thedriver101]

A DA/DAO auto uses the same muscle function to fire as a revolver.

True, but I like the manual of arms for revolvers and reliability for night time/semi-groggy use. Granted, semi-asleep gun use is not ideal, particularly if you need to ID intruders, but at least using a revolver means less things to worry about.

 

[bigfatdave]

CZ-82

Hell, for $350 you could get a CZ82, a handful of mags, a big box of ammo, AND a decent holster.

 

[rromeo]

A local shop has PD surplus S&W 6946s for $319. Decent deal?

 

[BigEasy]

Home Defense and Plinking

Just a thought.

J & G Sales at www.jgsales.com has Smith & Wesson Model 64's
(stainless steel) for $240-$250. A great revolver at a good price.

Dan

 

[brandon_mcg]

there are a lot of good options listed here. i have a sigma and i enjoy it for plinking. go to a gun shop and look at some used deals. fondle the guns and see which feels natural to you.

 

[Hammerhead6814]

You've got a LOT of choices at that range. I know it sounds strange after the past two years we've had, but $350 will buy you a respectable pistol in any caliber below .45 ACP.

Sigma's, Kel-Tec's, Taurus pistols (even nice ones like the 24/7 Pro series), and surplus guns from places like AIM or J&G. Hell, if we tried to list them all this thread would need 3-4 pages and there wouldn't be a consensus on what's best. And we aren't even talking USED yet.

If used is apart of the criteria, here's a great Glock 22 3rd Gen for $349.95. I'm digging around, I know someone was selling 2nd and 3rd Gen Glock 17's for $330-ish.

 

[merlinfire]

Thanks for the input. I went to a few gun shops today and talked with my uncle who has a fair number of pistols, and after holding and functioning a few I have come to the following conclusions:

1. I like an external hammer.
2. The guns I like most are outside of my price range.

I held his Browning BDA and absolutely loved it. But its outside my price range. Maybe I should just save up for 2 more weeks and expand my price range?


Tried the Ruger P95, and it seemed a bit big for my hand and the slide release seemed far. Mag release was a little different too.

 

[rellascout]

So many choices... what caliber and what size are you looking for?

 

[merlinfire]

the following calibers i am considering: 380, 9x18 mak, 9mm luger, 40S&W, .45ACP, .38spl, .357 leaning on the lower side as the guns tend to be smaller