Looking for a 9mm pistol to have as a self defense/plinking gun?

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While I agree to save your money and get a good gun off the bat, don't discount the HiPoints. I have a JCP (.40 s&w) that I started using for USPSA. Had a bad mag when I got it but called Hipoint and had a new mag in a couple days. 400 rounds since with only 2 feed issues. I also have a C9 with 300 through it with 0 failures, sights were dead on out of the box.
 
I'm sorry, but I just can't imagine why someone would buy a Hi Point when you can get a S&W Sigma for $300. Hi-Points go for, what, around $180? Just kick in another $120, and you have a fine handgun.

Really, folks, there is nothing wrong with a *NEW* Sigma for the budget-conscious buyer.
 
I would contact all of my friends and tell them what I was looking for and my price range. You might get lucky and find something acceptable to you.
 
To be honest when I shot both a Sigma (not really sure if new or not) and a Hi-Point here's what I noticed:

The Hi-Point had the better trigger. Hands down. Shorter, more crisp and way less "schproingy."
The Sigma had better well ... everything else. 8)

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Oh yeah, and neither jammed or failed.
 
Even if you are budget conscious it doesn't mean you can't have a good weapon and avoid crap. A used higher quality gun would be a much better option than a new low end gun.
 
Look at military surplus or poliece trade-ins.

I know that CZ82s and Yugoslav M57s can be had for ~200. Or just wait until you save up a little more. Guns are durable goods so spend a little more up front as everyone else has mentioned. I like designs that have been on the market for awhile or have been used by military and police forces because they have had whatever issues present in the initial design or manufacturing process resolved.

When I bought a handgun, I picked up a ex German police P6 for ~400 ex transfer fees and then replaced the sights to be able to shoot accurately. There will always be some surprise issues.

Also, I have heard good things about Bersa but extra magazines are expensive.
 
You mentioned you might consider a shotgun instead for home defense. A new NEF Pardner Pump in 12 gauge comes in under a buck and a half, and a used Mossberg 500 for just over that. Single-shot models go for even less but, as you noted, side-by-sides go for substantially more.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions everyone.I looked online and a couldn't find a new NEF Pardner 12 gauge shotgun for $150.From what i know 12 gauge ammo isn't cheap but i wouldn't be doing too much plinking with the shotgun,that's what my .50 cal muzzleloader is for (i'm almost afraid to shoot it,nicest gun i've ever owned is the .50 cal).Also another thing,if i use a pawn shop or gun shop for the gun to be shipped at does it cost me more than the sticker price of the gun plus whatever the shipping is,I.E. does said shop charge a fee to have it shipped to them?If so might try to get a single shot shotgun as they are cheaper,and i will probably shoot less ammo and a single shot shotgun is pretty cool by itself.I have some Break Free Powder Blast and am going to get Break Free CLP,the CLP is for my muzzleloader but wondering if this will work for the shotgun or pistol as well?What should i buy as well in the way of patches or cleaning accessories for a shotgun?Are they easy to disassemble?I know most pistols don't require tools and are relatively easy to take apart (depends on the pistol of course.)
 
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Even though I'm not a big fan (trigger) of the Kel-Tec P11, they are reliable and can fill a couple of roles pretty well. I would think you could find a gently used one around $150.
 
For used, you might consider a Makarov, a Rossi or a Taurus revolver. The revolvers will cost more to feed but if bought used will probably retain more value. The other possibility is a .22 lr. like the Ruger Mk series. You'll save a truckload of money shooting it and with near zero recoil you can put a lot of rounds on target accurately if need be.

If you're considering saving for something better I'd suggest spending what you have on good door locks, a bright mini flashlight and a can of mace. You can pocket the light and mace everywhere for added safety. Better than coming home to a stolen muzzleloader and pistol while budgeting for a small safe.
 
There's no need to shop online for a shotgun, or many handguns online. The FFL you ship it to about always charges $25 for the transfer, and you will be paying maybe $15-$30 for the shipping from the website as well. IMO, buying guns online is for guns that are hard to find, not trying to get a better deal.

Dick's Sporting Goods by me is selling Mossberg Maverick 88's with 18" barrels for just $199.99 right now, so maybe $210-215 after taxes. 12 Gauge ammo is not too pricey, birdshot for pests and practice runs about $5.50/25, compared to $10-13/50 for 9mm, so about the same. A handgun is semi automatic, so you'd probably be shooting more with it as well, so I'd dare say that ammo cost is a draw or in the shotgun's favor. Buckshot is $5/5 if you are lazy, and can be had online (try Sportsman's Guide, I'd suggest Fiochi Reduced Recoil 00BK) For like $6/10.

You chose a good time to buy a gun- Save up your money until Black Friday, get up at 5 AM, and head to your local big sporting goods store and get a Norinco/H&R/maverick pump for $150-$180.

Other, maybe better option- use google maps and search out all the Gun Shops within 50 miles, and then spend a day running around checking things out. I'd say 99% chance you could get an H&R single shot for under $100, or a pump shotgun for under $200. I you have the money saved, you can compare the feel in your hand of various handguns in the $300-$450 range- lots of good choices. Try Ruger P95, S&W Sigma, S&W SD9VE or SD9, CZs, Sig SP2022, Ruger SR9, ever Rock Island 1911s. You could look for used S&Ws, Glocks, and such for that price too. Pretty much any of those will last you a really long time, and many of them are light enough for IWB carry if you're interested.
 
One shotgun that is typically under your budget is a used mossberg 195k variant. Its a bolt shotty with a 2 round mag in order to give you 3 shots for hunting.. It's big, ugly and most importantly cheap.. Typically you can find them from 65 to 120.00
 
Thanks for the suggestions everyone,i know Wal-Mart here sells shotguns but i'm not sure exactly what or for what price.The local gun shop here only sells new guns and his shotguns start around $265!
 
You might be able to find a used Ruger P95 for around that price.
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I wish I were that lucky. Ruger P's, Sigmas, and SVE's are super cheap. But seems like they sell for 99% of the initial price even when used!

The Bersa .380's are also pretty nice, IMHO. They can be had new for around $270, and are a good size for CCW.
 
Try the Taurus PT709 Slim. I've had mine about a week. Fed it a couple of hundred MagTech FMJ rounds. 100% reliability and decently accurate. I paid $300.00 new. I'm totally pleased with it as a primary carry.
 
That Taurus looks like a very beautiful gun.I am going to save my money up,i should have close to $300 by next week,so hopefully i will be able to find something decent in that price range.I tried another gunshop close by and they said their shotgun's start at $250-60 and 9mm pistols at $270,this is new of course.
 
Actually, you sound like a perfect candidate for a Sig Sauer P250.

It's commonly called a "starter gun."

It's modular. You can upgrade to different sizes (full, compact, subcompact) and different calibers (.380, 9mm, .45, and .357 Sig).

Depending on the variation you choose, you can buy one for as low as $360.
 
Skylerbone said:
For used, you might consider a Makarov, a Rossi or a Taurus revolver. The revolvers will cost more to feed but if bought used will probably retain more value. The other possibility is a .22 lr. like the Ruger Mk series. You'll save a truckload of money shooting it and with near zero recoil you can put a lot of rounds on target accurately if need be.

If you're considering saving for something better I'd suggest spending what you have on good door locks, a bright mini flashlight and a can of mace. You can pocket the light and mace everywhere for added safety. Better than coming home to a stolen muzzleloader and pistol while budgeting for a small safe.
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I think you ment pepper-spray , as mace is a big no no !! in some states , here you will go to jail if you have mace on you , pepper spray is ok but it must be carryed open , without a perment
 
I would save your money. I went down this road a long long time ago. Got a hi-point, hated it, then went all out and got a kimber but I had nothing but problems with it. Bought a used glock 17 for $350 and now Ive had it for 7 years with no problems. Police trade in glocks can be had for very little $$$ so thats what I would look for.
 
Lots of good recommendations here.

Unless you are reloading, ammo is not exactly cheap anymore. You are going to spend almost $15 for a box of ammo. If the budget is really tight, I recommend you prioritize what is more important - self defense or plinking.

If you live in a scary neighborhood then get a good cheap pump shotgun (Maverik, Pardner, used Massberg) and a couple of boxes of 12 gauge ammo. Even the cheapest birdshot is deadly at inside the house range, and buckshot can be purchased in a 5 pack for a few dollars.

If things are relatively safe where you live, a .22 pistol will serve you much better for inexpensive plinking. A used Ruger MKII, Single Six, S&W 22, etc. in .22 lr will be fun to shoot, accurate, inexpensive and help develop your hangun skills.
 
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