inexpensive Handgun

[StrawHat]

If you are looking for a medium caliber, S&W M15, the 4" barrel is about perfect, easily concealed and delivers the performace needed in a 38 Special.

Larger caliber? S&W M25-2 (or variation), with a 4" barrel, my personal choice for the everyday piece. 45 ACP, enough said.

There are longer and shorter barrels available but the 4" is the standard for most cartridges, and ease of carry.

 

[JTQ]

In the $400 - $500 range, I'd buy from one of the big names and with a good warrantee reputation. I'd not get a Canik or Citadel.

Ruger P95 (out of production, but still available), Ruger SR9, S&W SD or M&P, any Glock, Springfield XD all would fit your requirements.

 

[bannockburn]

With that price range I would be looking at a new RIA M1911 or else a used Third Generation S&W semi-auto.

 

[Midwest]

Hi Point is Cheap and Reliable. The .45 acp is a good shooter and never jams. If you have $300 to $400 then get a .38 special revolver. A little more would get you a Glock 9mm.

 

[hi-tower]

To answer the OP on the guns he asked about. I have 2 Canik 55 TP-9's. They both work great and for about $320 have the fit and finish of much more expensive guns. They come with many extras and (I think) look great. Hold 18 + 1. Now the one thing they might not be is a good cary gun and they are a bit large for conceal (I know that is subjective). Not sure if you need/want that or not. But as for the gun it is great. I do not have any 1911's so I can not say about those but the Canik is about the same size.

 

[Tomac]

SIG SP2022.
Tomac

 

[jrdolall]

In that budget range and I could only get one gun I would probably go for a Makarov because they are steel and tend to be very dependable. Russians can be found on GB in that price range and you can buy a "Makarov style" gun for quite a bit less. There are plenty of USED guns that fit your budget but it's a buyer beware situation if you are going to rely on this as your ONLY gun. EVERY Makarov I own is absolutely reliable which is why I recommend them. A used revolver is also a good deal and buying a .357 allows you to practice with 38 ammo.
The problem with many used guns is that they were traded in for a reason and often that reason is that the owner had problems with it. Not always of course but I have purchased several used pistols over the years that had issues and required time and money to resolve. I wouldn't want you to buy a gun that you had to depend on and then run into problems.

One thing I always try to point out in these threads is the cost of ammunition. Lately the availability of ammunition has come into play as well but I will assume that it will eventually get back to "normal", whatever normal is. If your budget is $400 then you must factor in some ammo because none of my guns shoot well when empty and you need to practice if you are going to carry.

Makarov (9x18)FMJ can be purchased online for about $.34 per round delivered if you only want to buy one or two boxes. HP is about $1 per round. Most LGS carry some but it's not a big item for them so I buy most of mine online. I did pick up 150 reloads from a local guy this week for $.40 per round.
9mm (9x19) can be purchased locally for about $.30 and a bit cheaper online. It is probably the cheapest ammo available. HP generally runs around $1 per round as well but can be found cheaper.
.38 can be had for about $.38 per round online TODAY but is normally a bit cheaper.
.45 is about the same in today's market. I haven't bought much of these two calibers lately so don't know the local prices.
.380 runs about $.45 per round when you can find it.

 

[endebt]

Why is it every new owner of guns want a cheep gun for ccw. My life is worth every thing I can spend on a good gun and then some. I want the best I can buy and shot well. I am 68 yrs old and carry a 380 Bersa. I shoot every day. I feel sorry for the guy I go up aginst. Gun shots good and I can handle it. Buy what fits, feels good and you can shot. You may need to save some ones life you really love. just my 2 cents.

 

[wdunlap]

There are a lot of options in that range. Ones that I have direct experience with, or own, and are sized well for CC are:
Ruger SR9c or SR40c
Ruger LC9
Taurus Millenium Pro Series 9, 40, 45
Taurus TCP 380
Bersa Thunder 380
J frame sized revolvers are always a great option.

My Taurus Pt140 MilPro is my favorite, but the little TCP is carried more often because it is just so easy to conceal well.

 

[JWH321]

Or a Smith & Wesson 637-2 revolver in .38 Spcl. Completely reliable, accurate, small, easy to carry, and available almost everywhere for ~$300.

 

[Skribs]

endebt, not everyone has thousands of dollars to throw at a firearm. IMO a firearm is less important than shelter, food, communications, etc.

 

[Doug S]

In my experience you have to get up to the $475-500 range of Glock, S&W, Ruger to find a good balance of reliability and durability. IMO $475 for a new Glock is about as good as you are going to find.

 

[endebt]

yes I own a ranch and have worked all my life and save a little I spent 20 yrs in the service and did my time in the nam. So I enjoy shooting. I don't drink or smoke.So I enjoy shooting. I know my guns and where the bullet is going to hit. I build AR-15s and have a 950yd range here at the ranch. So you see I have worked for this. I am sorry Skribs that u don't like what I do,but it is sure fun to read some of these post.

 

[Vol46]

Hi
No offense, but I have a question. I own and shoot a Taurus PT92, great gun, one of my favorites. More accurate that I am, dependable, eats everything I put through it, hasall the features I like. My question is this. If I read it correct the original poster here said primary purpose would be CCW. I have about 12 or 14 various handguns, the PT92 due to it's size I think it and maybe my 6" inch 357 revolver would be one of my last choices for ccw. what am I missing here?
Thanks

Back in the 90s ( and maybe for a while before that) Taurus, and Beretta, made a compact version of the 92. A number of law enforcement agencies used them, & used or surplus LEO versions will occasionally show up on firearms sales sites.

They are a few inches shorter in barrel length and height than the 92, hold 13 rounds vs. 17, but are just as reliable. They are not pocket pistols, but are small enough to conceal reasonably well.

 

[EdJennings]

Any of the S&W third generation autos. 5906, 4006, 6906, etc. they come in many different flavors. DA/SA and DAO. Both the 9' and 40s can be found in your price range. Very durable, reliable, and accurate. Plenty of mags available for most models. They are a bit heavy, but pleasant to shoot. Check any pawn shop. The 45's and 10mm models are bigger ad more expensive.

 

[Fat Boy]

I guess I wasn't entirely clear in my OP, so for the record; I am about six months shy of finishing 60 years on this earth. I have shot multiple firearms over the years, and have owned and traded a few guns here and there.
I was simply asking for thoughts on new production, comparatively inexpensive guns that could be expected to perform as designed and last for several years, and having read about the Canik guns, and having been able to shoot 1911 handguns with good accuracy I was focused on those two
I appreciate All the thoughts and ideas

 

[WC145]

Why is it every new owner of guns want a cheep gun for ccw. My life is worth every thing I can spend on a good gun and then some. I want the best I can buy and shot well. I am 68 yrs old and carry a 380 Bersa. I shoot every day. I feel sorry for the guy I go up aginst. Gun shots good and I can handle it. Buy what fits, feels good and you can shot. You may need to save some ones life you really love. just my 2 cents.

Are you seriously talking (typing?) smack about people buying cheap guns while telling us you carry a Bersa .380? Please tell me you're being sarcastic.

 

[triplebike]

Fatboy, I own RIA 1911 in 9MM & .45. Both are outstanding & both have been flawless in their operation (well over 1000 rds through the 9 & 350 through the 45). I do not carry either, to big, to heavy.

My carry, home defense & if I wanted it to be, a range toy is the 9mm CZ P07. This gun is one of the biggest "sleeper's" out there. (IMHO) 449 NIB.

I can't believe nobody has suggested it yet.

 

[JRH6856]

One of the following statements does not logically belong with the other two:

A. My life is worth every thing I can spend on a good gun and then some.

B, I want the best I can buy.

C. I carry a 380 Bersa.

Not knocking a Bersa .380, but A and B does not bring one to mind.

 

[Kiln]

The Canik pistols, which are imported by Tristar, have tons of positive reviews.

I own the C100 and am buying one of their full sized models tomorrow. They're light, reliable, and the fit/finish are excellent. They're made to military specs in Turkey and are a great value at around $350.

I wrote up my impressions a while back on this forum if you want to search my thread creation history. They are very good guns for the money and like I said, I'm buying another tomorrow. They're relatively unknown but I don't expect them to stay that way for too long. In a few years they'll probably be $400+.

 

[Skribs]

yes I own a ranch and have worked all my life and save a little I spent 20 yrs in the service and did my time in the nam. So I enjoy shooting. I don't drink or smoke.So I enjoy shooting. I know my guns and where the bullet is going to hit. I build AR-15s and have a 950yd range here at the ranch. So you see I have worked for this. I am sorry Skribs that u don't like what I do,but it is sure fun to read some of these post.

I never said I don't like what you do. I merely pointed out that not everyone has the budget to buy something that costs more than $400 or $500. Some people (like myself) net very little once you factor in the basics needed for survival. For these people, getting a firearm that isn't "cheap" could be months or years away. Saying they shouldn't get a cheap handgun is like saying "you are too poor to get something good" or "you must save up for a long time to buy something for self defense."

Now, I don't know the OP's situation, and I understand that you get what you pay for. I also know that a $195 Hi-Point or a $350 used pistol will probably work just as well as that $700 sig with custom sights for most purposes, and is a lot more available to someone on a limited budget.

 

[endebt]

I carry the Bersa because I can control it. Over the years I have carried 1911, Glock's, S&W's,Colt"s. Now I am getting long in the tooth and not able to control any thing bigger. It all boils down to 2 Shot between the eyes and it is over. I don't care if it is a 22LR bullet placement is the name of the game. That takes practice.

 

[Drail]

Excellent post Chief. It's not like buying a cell phone or a computer. It's the most important tool you'll ever buy. It absolutely positively HAS to work - first time every time. Just like a parachute.

 

[Coyote3855]

For absolute reliability, I second the poster who suggested a Makarov.

 

[tiamat]

SIG SP2022.

This.

or else a used Third Generation S&W semi-auto.

or This.

But, it sounds like you already know what you want, which is a 1911.