inexpensive 357 mag or 9mm?

[FMF Doc]

Charter Arms makes so low cost but reliable 5shot snubbies for not too much. Used, you should be in luck.

 

[mgmorden]

Search around and you can find guns in that range. I bought a Glock 17 actually from a dealer back around Christmas time for only $265. That's not a common price, but you can often find SOMETHING workable at a good deal if you look hard enough.

In particular, I'd focus on used Ruger P-series guns and possibly some revolvers. .357 Mags I don't often see in that price range, but plenty of .38 Specials can be found there. There are some used Taurus revolvers in .38 recently that have been going for $150-175.

Actually, I found these during a quick search at Buds:

Tanfoglio 9mm (CZ-75 clone) for $279 including shipping:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...TANFOGLIO USED COMBAT SHOOTING COHAI 4.5 9mm/

S&W Model 59 9mm for $269 including shipping:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...tury/ USED S/W 59 PISTOL 9MM--Fair condition/

Both are from used lots of guns that certainly don't look like safe queens, but most such guns actually shoot and function just fine.

Possibly an even better deal from Wideners: S&W 5906 for $275 + shipping (for C&R guns they only charge $20 or so - pretty sure if you're going to a regular 01 FFL for transfer its less than $15)
http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=100000277&dir=700|1012|1026

 

[smalls]

If carry is not what you are looking for check out the Ruger P95 or S&W Sigma

I disagree with the carry part, but both of these are fine guns in the $300 range.

I'm not a revolver guy, but my mom has a Charter Arms .38 that I think she got in that price range, and it's a pretty good gun. IIRC the finish wasn't that great, but it shoots great.

Another option is looking around your area for a "kitchen table" FFL. If a gun shop won't do transfers, they certainly will. That'll broaden your search, and you might be able to find a good used deal through the wanted ads, or CDNN, etc.

 

[larryh1108]

He can only order thru his dealer so it seems it has to be new.
Charter Arms should have a .357 around his price range. If not then a .38 Special for sure. Rossi or Taurus may have something there too. In 9mm he has a few more choices. I hate to say it but a Hi Point may be what he is looking for but there are smaller choices. However, staying under $300 is the problem. Kel Tec has a nice line for around $300. He does have choices but new is his only option by his opening post.

 

[Walking Dead]

I'd look at the KelTec PF9. It fits all your criteria especially the price. With the money left over you can get a holster and a few boxes of ammo.

 

[PabloJ]

i traded around and have a little money to spend, i have $300 max to spend and no more. if i try and save more it would only be about $20 a month so it would be next year before i could get a more expensive gun. i only have a heritage rough rider loaded with 22 mag for defense now when i go walking and hiking, i would like to get a bigger caliber but don't know yet which way to go. i'm leaning to 2 calibers a 357 mag revolver as i'm a revolver guy and they make great woods guns. or a 9mm even though i don't like auto's that well they tend to cost less for people on a budget. also i will have to have my local shop order it as i can't order online and have it shipped to them as they don't do that, but they offer good prices. and the nearest dealer that does is 80 miles away thats 160 round trip so gas would take care of any savings i could get. now i have a 12 gauge for home defense with pistol grip and it wouldn't be bad to hike with but since i have a little money i thought i would try and get another handgun. i'm up for any suggestions on any guns that fit my budget, i know in the long run you get what you pay for, but just need one now to last untill i can get a better one. also how would 38+p be against hog or feral dogs?, i've looked online at alot of revolvers from eaa to taurus as for auto's i don't know much about them. thanks for any help.

Something like Dan Wesson Model 14 with 4" barrel and rounded grip can be had for $300.
While the piece is ugly in H&R kinda way the trigger pulls are very good and accuracy even more impressive with grey-boxed .38spl Winchester target loads.

 

[Ash]

In any case, the Dan Wesson revolvers are good-quality.